Trailer 1:
Trailer 2:
So... Uh... Anyone want to come over and play Star Wars figures?
;)
Who IS this guy?!
Political Talk Show Host and Internet Radio Personality. My show, In My Humble Opinion, aired on RainbowRadio from 2015-2017, and has returned for 2021! Feel free to contact me at niceguy9418@usa.com. You can also friend me on Facebook.
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Showing posts with label star. Show all posts
Showing posts with label star. Show all posts
Saturday, April 18, 2015
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Gold Star Awards, June, 2012
Only four posts last month. That's what happens when work kicks up and you're travelling. (OK, fair enough: That's what happens when work kicks up and I'M travelling. Other people still manage to update their blogs on a regular basis!) And the first casualty of that, aside from spelling, grammar and the profundity of content, is the Monthly Gold Star Awards. So here they are for June. I'll have July's up... sometime in July. (Hopefully.)
1976, if you're still counting - 2 Golds and 2 Silvers...
The ROBIN ROBERTS Gold Star #52: Imagine2050
I came across this fairly recently. Great blog / news site, covering the stories that the so-called "liberal press" won't touch, with a focus on issues of race, immigration, cultural diversity and tolerance.
On their website, they describe themselves as: Activists, immigrants, artists and students who are invested in a future nation that embodies a multiracial democracy. By the year 2050, one out of five Americans will be foreign born. Latino and Asian communities will increase significantly. There will be no clear racial or ethnic majority. We will become a nation of minorities. Today’s perceptions of foreignness will challenge how Americans identify themselves over the coming decades. In light of these challenges, Imagine 2050 is committed to igniting candid conversations around race, immigration, environment, and American identity.
Great and profound stuff. Check them out!
The BOB LEMON Gold Star #53: Press Pass TV
Most of my regular readers are already of the opinion that the main stream media is useless and that journalism is a dying art. Well, the work being done by this organization, teaching young people about the issues that go unreported on, and training them in the skills they'll need to present these issues, may just revive it. And that's a good thing. I'll let their own site speak for itself:
We work with Boston and Worcester area youth to produce short news segments that tackle underrepresented social justice issues and celebrates those organizations and individuals working to make their community a better place. Middle school, High school, and College age students engage in all aspects of production, from developing questions to editing video.
Our content is intended to promote civic awareness and action. We create curriculum around our segments to increase awareness, action and accountability. We also hold meetings to continue the discussion of issues raised in our work and support local campaigns for civic action by producing stories on their initiatives.
Recent psychological studies show that when people are exposed to others engaging in benevolent acts, they are more likely to do the same. At Press Pass TV, we operate on this principle and know that for real change to occur, people must regularly witness the amazing acts that others commit on a daily basis.
The Freddie Lindstrom Linoleum Star: Accuracy in Media
Just as Freddie Lindstrom does not belong in Baseball's Hall of Fame, the almost comically Orwellian named "Accuracy in Media" does not belong on anyone's list of honors. (Right-wing Jackasses notwithstanding.) But just as the Baseball Hall of Fame has the dubious distinction of honoring mediocre talents like Lindstrom, so do does this mediocre blog occasionally hand out a dubious honor to an outfit like AIM. What can I say? A Liberal will prove you're wrong, while a Conservative will prove you're Liberal.
(BTW... I wish I had though of reserving the Chick Hafey's and Lloyd Waner's and Highpocket's Kelly's of the world for the dogshit sites that I sometimes "highlight"back at the beginning. Unfortunately so good sites were linked to lousy players and some lousy sites were linked to good ones. Oh well.)
The Roger Connor Silver Star #50: Invisible Bread
This is a webcomic about every day humor. Elegant in it's simplicity, it features just stick figures and smiley faces (like Political Symmetry, if it were in color) and yet still manages to convey emotion and depth and touch on all of the funny situation that we've had to deal with, or (thankfully) managed to avoid as well as soem truly abstract and absurdly off the wall stuff. There a lot of college humor, about late night cram sessions, video games addiction and snack food, as well as awkward social and relationship material. Hey: It's funny. Read it! ;)
1976, if you're still counting - 2 Golds and 2 Silvers...
The ROBIN ROBERTS Gold Star #52: Imagine2050
I came across this fairly recently. Great blog / news site, covering the stories that the so-called "liberal press" won't touch, with a focus on issues of race, immigration, cultural diversity and tolerance.
On their website, they describe themselves as: Activists, immigrants, artists and students who are invested in a future nation that embodies a multiracial democracy. By the year 2050, one out of five Americans will be foreign born. Latino and Asian communities will increase significantly. There will be no clear racial or ethnic majority. We will become a nation of minorities. Today’s perceptions of foreignness will challenge how Americans identify themselves over the coming decades. In light of these challenges, Imagine 2050 is committed to igniting candid conversations around race, immigration, environment, and American identity.
Great and profound stuff. Check them out!
The BOB LEMON Gold Star #53: Press Pass TV
Most of my regular readers are already of the opinion that the main stream media is useless and that journalism is a dying art. Well, the work being done by this organization, teaching young people about the issues that go unreported on, and training them in the skills they'll need to present these issues, may just revive it. And that's a good thing. I'll let their own site speak for itself:
We work with Boston and Worcester area youth to produce short news segments that tackle underrepresented social justice issues and celebrates those organizations and individuals working to make their community a better place. Middle school, High school, and College age students engage in all aspects of production, from developing questions to editing video.
Recent psychological studies show that when people are exposed to others engaging in benevolent acts, they are more likely to do the same. At Press Pass TV, we operate on this principle and know that for real change to occur, people must regularly witness the amazing acts that others commit on a daily basis.
The Freddie Lindstrom Linoleum Star: Accuracy in Media
Just as Freddie Lindstrom does not belong in Baseball's Hall of Fame, the almost comically Orwellian named "Accuracy in Media" does not belong on anyone's list of honors. (Right-wing Jackasses notwithstanding.) But just as the Baseball Hall of Fame has the dubious distinction of honoring mediocre talents like Lindstrom, so do does this mediocre blog occasionally hand out a dubious honor to an outfit like AIM. What can I say? A Liberal will prove you're wrong, while a Conservative will prove you're Liberal.
(BTW... I wish I had though of reserving the Chick Hafey's and Lloyd Waner's and Highpocket's Kelly's of the world for the dogshit sites that I sometimes "highlight"back at the beginning. Unfortunately so good sites were linked to lousy players and some lousy sites were linked to good ones. Oh well.)
The Roger Connor Silver Star #50: Invisible Bread
This is a webcomic about every day humor. Elegant in it's simplicity, it features just stick figures and smiley faces (like Political Symmetry, if it were in color) and yet still manages to convey emotion and depth and touch on all of the funny situation that we've had to deal with, or (thankfully) managed to avoid as well as soem truly abstract and absurdly off the wall stuff. There a lot of college humor, about late night cram sessions, video games addiction and snack food, as well as awkward social and relationship material. Hey: It's funny. Read it! ;)
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Gold Star Awards, March, 2012
So as not to be late again, I'm doing March's and February's back-to-back. These be fairly brief, only because I'm short on time. I'll also get to the comments as soon as I can, as I mentioned before, I know I'm behind on those as well.
It's 1973: Two BWAA Inductees, and two from the Veteran's Committee.
The Roberto Clemente Gold Star #47: Truth-Out
I was turned onto these guys by a referral from Conchobhar. A must-have for any regular of MMFA, FAIR, Foxhounds, Newscorpse, etc…
The Warren Spahn Gold Star #48: Politics Plus
"Overcoming right wing insanity, one day at a time." One of the better written, more well-informed Progressive Blogs out there. Great content, updated constantly.
The Mickey Welch Silver Star #45: Living with Insanity
A webcomic about a webcomic writer. Having done a webcomic myself for a couple years, not to mention having lived with insantiy, I can relate to so much of what goes on in this. (Except that part about selling out, making tons of money and having millions of fans. I had a few fans, but the opportunity to sell out never quite came my way. LOL) The plot isn't super-involved, but I still recommend reading from the beginning. (That link skips over a bunch of earlier, non-LWI stuff, BTW!)
The George “Highpockets” Kelly Polyester Star: Fixed Earth
Do you think the Global Warming deniers are un-Scientific? How about Young Earth Creationists? What about FLAT-EARTHERS? Well: You ain’t seen nothin’ yet! Check THESE GUYS out. If someone can convince me that this is a parody, I will promote them to a Silver, and possibly a Gold Star, because if it IS parody, it’s fucking brilliant. But there combination of the earnestness of their posts and the fairly crappy appearance of the website makes me want to believe it’s legit. Which makes for a frightening read. (Becuase some of these people probably VOTE!)
It's 1973: Two BWAA Inductees, and two from the Veteran's Committee.
The Roberto Clemente Gold Star #47: Truth-Out
I was turned onto these guys by a referral from Conchobhar. A must-have for any regular of MMFA, FAIR, Foxhounds, Newscorpse, etc…
The Warren Spahn Gold Star #48: Politics Plus
"Overcoming right wing insanity, one day at a time." One of the better written, more well-informed Progressive Blogs out there. Great content, updated constantly.
The Mickey Welch Silver Star #45: Living with Insanity
A webcomic about a webcomic writer. Having done a webcomic myself for a couple years, not to mention having lived with insantiy, I can relate to so much of what goes on in this. (Except that part about selling out, making tons of money and having millions of fans. I had a few fans, but the opportunity to sell out never quite came my way. LOL) The plot isn't super-involved, but I still recommend reading from the beginning. (That link skips over a bunch of earlier, non-LWI stuff, BTW!)
The George “Highpockets” Kelly Polyester Star: Fixed Earth
Do you think the Global Warming deniers are un-Scientific? How about Young Earth Creationists? What about FLAT-EARTHERS? Well: You ain’t seen nothin’ yet! Check THESE GUYS out. If someone can convince me that this is a parody, I will promote them to a Silver, and possibly a Gold Star, because if it IS parody, it’s fucking brilliant. But there combination of the earnestness of their posts and the fairly crappy appearance of the website makes me want to believe it’s legit. Which makes for a frightening read. (Becuase some of these people probably VOTE!)
Gold Star Awards, February, 2012
Late again. So I'm going to do March's and February's back-to-back to get caught up. These will also be fairly brief, only because I'm short on time. I'll also get to the comments as soon as I can, I know I'm behind on those as well. Work's been crazy lately. I don't even have time for Video Games! LOL
It's 1972: Three BWAA Inductees, one for the Veteran's Committee.
The Yogi Berra God Star #44: Feministing
Much like Phil Rizuto is only in the Hall of Fame because his crosstown ‘rival’ Pee Wee Reese was put in, I can hardly honor Jezebel without giving a shout-out to their spiritual sisters over at Feministing. And if I need any more burnishing of my feminist cred…
The Sandy Koufax God Star #45: Boycott Rush
Some truly fine and noble work being done here. Of course, I guess this makes that “slut,” Sandra Fluke happy. I mean, WTF, people? He offered to buy them all the aspirin’s they needed to hold between their knees! What more do you people WANT?!
(See, Rush? THAT’S what satire looks like! Asshole.)
The Early Wynn Gold Star #46: Disinformation
I have to admit that it’s been awhile since I’ve been a regular here. I’ve been meaning to endorse them for rather a long time now, and one site after another kept making me put this one off. But I do enjoy their insightful writing about a wide variety of topics.
The Lefty Gomez Silver Star #44: XKCD
Funny as hell. Similar to SMBC and The Bad Chemicals, only black and white, more poorly drawn and yet possibly even more sublime. Check them out!
It's 1972: Three BWAA Inductees, one for the Veteran's Committee.
The Yogi Berra God Star #44: Feministing
Much like Phil Rizuto is only in the Hall of Fame because his crosstown ‘rival’ Pee Wee Reese was put in, I can hardly honor Jezebel without giving a shout-out to their spiritual sisters over at Feministing. And if I need any more burnishing of my feminist cred…
The Sandy Koufax God Star #45: Boycott Rush
Some truly fine and noble work being done here. Of course, I guess this makes that “slut,” Sandra Fluke happy. I mean, WTF, people? He offered to buy them all the aspirin’s they needed to hold between their knees! What more do you people WANT?!
(See, Rush? THAT’S what satire looks like! Asshole.)
The Early Wynn Gold Star #46: Disinformation
I have to admit that it’s been awhile since I’ve been a regular here. I’ve been meaning to endorse them for rather a long time now, and one site after another kept making me put this one off. But I do enjoy their insightful writing about a wide variety of topics.
The Lefty Gomez Silver Star #44: XKCD
Funny as hell. Similar to SMBC and The Bad Chemicals, only black and white, more poorly drawn and yet possibly even more sublime. Check them out!
Monday, February 6, 2012
Gold Star Awards, January (!), 2012
I debated just skipping a month and making these FEBRUARY'S Award winners, but at the onset I said I would do these every month, and I know from past experience that it's not a good idea to get into the habit of laziness. And hopefully, this will keep me blogging this month, since I'd hate for the NEXT post to be FEBRUARY'S winners! (Especially if that were in MARCH!)
So here are LAST MONTH'S Si;ver Star Winners. The year is 1971, and the Veterans Committee was VERY BUSY inducting SIX new members:
The Jake Beckley SILVER STAR #41: TV Tropes
Have you ever tried to write fiction? It's harder than it sounds. (I know: I'm trying!) And it is both amusing and informative to learn more about the tropes used by fiction writers accross so many mediums. According to their own home page: "TROPES are devices and conventions that a writer can reasonably rely on as being present in the audience members' minds and expectations. On the whole, tropes are not cliches. The word cliched means "stereotyped and trite." In other words, dull and uninteresting. We are not looking for dull and uninteresting entries. We are here to recognize tropes and play with them, not to make fun of them." And do they EVER! Every movie, every TV Show, Every Comic Book, Every Amine... So many forms of media. If you want to see a tongue in cheek look at the tropes used in ANY work of fiction that has more than TWO FANS in the entire world, check this out.
The Harry Hooper SILVER STAR #42: Flipside
I've been reading this web comic for AGES and I'm still only about halfway though it! It 's been running for YEARS and IMHO is one of the best drawn and best written web-comics out there. Very professional.Amazing work. It a fantasy, Swords-and-sorcerers story, with subtle Manga influences. The two leads, Maytag and Bernadette are two of the most interesting, compelling characters I've come across in a very long time. The authors also manage to work modern issues (such as gender discrimination and homosexuality) into the plot seamlessly, which elevates the work well above the level of a typical hack-and-slash fantasy comic strip. So check it out, you won't be sorry. And be sure to read it from the beginning.
The Joe Kelly SILVER STAR #43: Pandora
I'm sure I don't need to tell you what Pandora is. What I find so amazing is the idea behind the Music Genome Project, how they will break music down to it's basic elements and recommend songs based on fundamental similarities rather that the "Amazon"/"Netflix" model of "people who liked this also liked...:" There is a deeper understand of music at play here, and one that deserves some recognition. Just one observation: Be careful what you give a "thumbs-up" to! "Thumbs-up" just a single funky bit of 1970-'s soul, and you'll be thumbs-downing so much bad 1970's disco, you'll think you're in a pornographic film! Despite these shortcomings (which have more to do with ME that with the system, I'm sure!) I really appreciate this site, and the FREE service they provide. So many of the songs I put on my Music Page were discovered through Pandora. (Steven Lynch, Dave Van Ronk, Carbon Leaf, Great Big Sea, and MANY others.)
The Dave Bancroft SULFUR STAR: World Net Daily
Have you ever smelled Sulfur? Have you even read the World Net Daily? Can you see what they have in common? It was inevitable that I would eventually bestow one of the dubious honors upon this heap of steaming, Right Wing Trash. Some of us like our information to be ACCURATE. For those who prefer it to be CONSERVATIVE, this is the site for you.
The Chick Hafey IPECAC STAR: The Media Research Center
Brent Bozell is to objective journalism what Syrup of Ipecac is to fine dining. This guy is sofa king brain damaged that upon first viewing I would almost be inclined to view the puddle of bile that he calls his life's work as some form brilliant Liberal-created irony. Sadly, no: He's serious. And pathetic. And about as easily debunked as the myth that the Sun revolves around the Earth. How are Conservatives not embarrassed to be associated with these brain-damaged jack-holes?
The Rube Marquard COPPER STAR: Coston's Complaint
Honestly, this Right-Wing Blog is no more or less brainless, nor more or less biased, or more or less factually inaccurate that pretty much any other Right-Wing Blog, he and I just had the mutual misfortune of crossing paths at one point. I'd love to debate him, but he never replied to my comments. (And I can't even find them now.) Anyway, if you're Conservative, I'm sure you'll love it. If you think people opinions should be at least partially based in reality, you'll probably get a headache.
So here are LAST MONTH'S Si;ver Star Winners. The year is 1971, and the Veterans Committee was VERY BUSY inducting SIX new members:
The Jake Beckley SILVER STAR #41: TV Tropes
Have you ever tried to write fiction? It's harder than it sounds. (I know: I'm trying!) And it is both amusing and informative to learn more about the tropes used by fiction writers accross so many mediums. According to their own home page: "TROPES are devices and conventions that a writer can reasonably rely on as being present in the audience members' minds and expectations. On the whole, tropes are not cliches. The word cliched means "stereotyped and trite." In other words, dull and uninteresting. We are not looking for dull and uninteresting entries. We are here to recognize tropes and play with them, not to make fun of them." And do they EVER! Every movie, every TV Show, Every Comic Book, Every Amine... So many forms of media. If you want to see a tongue in cheek look at the tropes used in ANY work of fiction that has more than TWO FANS in the entire world, check this out.
The Harry Hooper SILVER STAR #42: Flipside
I've been reading this web comic for AGES and I'm still only about halfway though it! It 's been running for YEARS and IMHO is one of the best drawn and best written web-comics out there. Very professional.Amazing work. It a fantasy, Swords-and-sorcerers story, with subtle Manga influences. The two leads, Maytag and Bernadette are two of the most interesting, compelling characters I've come across in a very long time. The authors also manage to work modern issues (such as gender discrimination and homosexuality) into the plot seamlessly, which elevates the work well above the level of a typical hack-and-slash fantasy comic strip. So check it out, you won't be sorry. And be sure to read it from the beginning.
The Joe Kelly SILVER STAR #43: Pandora
I'm sure I don't need to tell you what Pandora is. What I find so amazing is the idea behind the Music Genome Project, how they will break music down to it's basic elements and recommend songs based on fundamental similarities rather that the "Amazon"/"Netflix" model of "people who liked this also liked...:" There is a deeper understand of music at play here, and one that deserves some recognition. Just one observation: Be careful what you give a "thumbs-up" to! "Thumbs-up" just a single funky bit of 1970-'s soul, and you'll be thumbs-downing so much bad 1970's disco, you'll think you're in a pornographic film! Despite these shortcomings (which have more to do with ME that with the system, I'm sure!) I really appreciate this site, and the FREE service they provide. So many of the songs I put on my Music Page were discovered through Pandora. (Steven Lynch, Dave Van Ronk, Carbon Leaf, Great Big Sea, and MANY others.)
The Dave Bancroft SULFUR STAR: World Net Daily
Have you ever smelled Sulfur? Have you even read the World Net Daily? Can you see what they have in common? It was inevitable that I would eventually bestow one of the dubious honors upon this heap of steaming, Right Wing Trash. Some of us like our information to be ACCURATE. For those who prefer it to be CONSERVATIVE, this is the site for you.
The Chick Hafey IPECAC STAR: The Media Research Center
Brent Bozell is to objective journalism what Syrup of Ipecac is to fine dining. This guy is sofa king brain damaged that upon first viewing I would almost be inclined to view the puddle of bile that he calls his life's work as some form brilliant Liberal-created irony. Sadly, no: He's serious. And pathetic. And about as easily debunked as the myth that the Sun revolves around the Earth. How are Conservatives not embarrassed to be associated with these brain-damaged jack-holes?
The Rube Marquard COPPER STAR: Coston's Complaint
Honestly, this Right-Wing Blog is no more or less brainless, nor more or less biased, or more or less factually inaccurate that pretty much any other Right-Wing Blog, he and I just had the mutual misfortune of crossing paths at one point. I'd love to debate him, but he never replied to my comments. (And I can't even find them now.) Anyway, if you're Conservative, I'm sure you'll love it. If you think people opinions should be at least partially based in reality, you'll probably get a headache.
Friday, December 23, 2011
Gold Star Awards, December, 2011
Just so you know, I'm PROBABLY going to be signing off for the year with this post. We'll be travelling from the 25th on and my laptop got a paralyzing virus that will not be able to be removed until after the new Year, when I can take it to the IT Dept back at work. (They're the admins on it, not me.) So until the 5th of January, this is probably it. I hope all have a save and happy holiday season, stay warm (I'll be in Florida myself!) and try not to get into too many argument with any of the Conservatives in your families. ;)
OK were up to 1970 and have one inductee from the BWAA and two from the Veteran's Committee.
The Lou Boudreau GOLD STAR #43: This Can't Be Happening!
This Blog is a fairly recent discovery for me. It's written by Dave Lindorff, John Grant, Linn Washington, Charles Young and Lori Spencer. Four writers that can be broadly characterized as principled progressives who are not afraid to be critical of the Administration or the Democrats. I've not read as much of the work here as I have in other cases, but I have been very impressed by what I read and feel that it is something that you guys would also enjoy and be interested in. So check 'em out!
The Earle Combs SILVER STAR #41: Atomic Laundromat
This webcomic tells a tongue in cheek story of Superheroes from one of the most unique perspectives I can imagine: The point of view of the guy who runs the laundromat where they all get their tights cleaned! It has a lot of fun with the typical tropes and cliches from the Super-Hero genre, but also contains some very down to earth themes such as a son's desire to protect his Super-Powered but aging father and the unrequited love he has for his long-time friend. (A fiery red-headed lawyer that I fell in love with almost from the get-go.) A lot of the strips are stand-alones or short 2-3 piece gags, but their is a general storyline and continuity, so I recommend reading it from the beginning.
The Jesse Haines SILVER STAR #42: Hate by Numbers
Next to MMFA, I've probably referenced Cracked.com more often than any other site here. And this is the personal site of Cracked.com contributor Gladstone. It's funny, topical, political and most importantly of all, unlike Conservative humor, generally well informed. His recent take on Fox's response to the Muppet Movie is priceless. Check it out!
Merry Christmas, and a Happy Chistmahaunakwanzica to you all! Hope to see you all back here in the New Year!
OK were up to 1970 and have one inductee from the BWAA and two from the Veteran's Committee.
The Lou Boudreau GOLD STAR #43: This Can't Be Happening!
This Blog is a fairly recent discovery for me. It's written by Dave Lindorff, John Grant, Linn Washington, Charles Young and Lori Spencer. Four writers that can be broadly characterized as principled progressives who are not afraid to be critical of the Administration or the Democrats. I've not read as much of the work here as I have in other cases, but I have been very impressed by what I read and feel that it is something that you guys would also enjoy and be interested in. So check 'em out!
The Earle Combs SILVER STAR #41: Atomic Laundromat
This webcomic tells a tongue in cheek story of Superheroes from one of the most unique perspectives I can imagine: The point of view of the guy who runs the laundromat where they all get their tights cleaned! It has a lot of fun with the typical tropes and cliches from the Super-Hero genre, but also contains some very down to earth themes such as a son's desire to protect his Super-Powered but aging father and the unrequited love he has for his long-time friend. (A fiery red-headed lawyer that I fell in love with almost from the get-go.) A lot of the strips are stand-alones or short 2-3 piece gags, but their is a general storyline and continuity, so I recommend reading it from the beginning.
The Jesse Haines SILVER STAR #42: Hate by Numbers
Next to MMFA, I've probably referenced Cracked.com more often than any other site here. And this is the personal site of Cracked.com contributor Gladstone. It's funny, topical, political and most importantly of all, unlike Conservative humor, generally well informed. His recent take on Fox's response to the Muppet Movie is priceless. Check it out!
Merry Christmas, and a Happy Chistmahaunakwanzica to you all! Hope to see you all back here in the New Year!
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Gold Star Awards: November, 2011
Yep. A day late. And I was doing so good, too. What can I say. Worst work-week I've had in TEN YEARS.
The year is 1969, and it saw two indictees from the BWAA andf two from the Veteran's Committee.
The Stan Musial Gold Star #41: The Representative Press and his YouTube Channel.
His YouTube Channel has an almost obssessive focus on issues relating to Israel but is, at it's heart, remains a Media Criticism channel, focusing on the failures on the mainstream media to tell the REAL story about such things as the motivation behind the 9/11 attacks (hint: It was our support of Israel) and the Police enforced media black out when the Occupy movement was evicted in New York. Ths guy has the the REAL SCOOP on what the Mainstream Media isn't telling you.
(Maybe William will look into some of these items and then try to explain where that systematic Mainstream Liberal Media Bias comes in.)
The Roy Campanella Gold Star #42: What The Heck Has Obama Done So Far?
OK, I certainly hope that I don't now need to re-establish any of my cred as a CRITIC of the President, BUT... the next time some Right Wing Jackoff Rick Perry type comes talking smack about how "nothing's gotten done," send him to THIS site. Stuff's happened. Progress has been made. That may not make up for the missed opportunities and the progress that hasn't but that doesn't mean that the useless half of this country should be able to run there yaps scott-free without a rebuke. Good resource.
The Stan Coveleski Silver Star #39: Modest Medusa
This cute little web comic started out as little more than a guilty pleasure for me, but I'm always happy to recognize an artist that's willing to lend their talents to a good cause... so go buy this T-Shirt!:
And, in any case, it's a fun little take on mythology, monsters, family, friends, fitting in and sticking it to authority. And, as I always recommend, read it from the beginning!
The Waite Hoyt Silver Star #40: The Bad Chemicals
For biting social, political and philisophical satire, I've only found one Comic that can hold it's own against Saturday Mornign Breakfast Cereal. And THIS IS IT. Rather than say anythign more, just let me share a few gems:
OK, so more than just a few, but serioulsy... GOLD, right? So check it out. They're mostly topical and always hilarious.
The year is 1969, and it saw two indictees from the BWAA andf two from the Veteran's Committee.
The Stan Musial Gold Star #41: The Representative Press and his YouTube Channel.
His YouTube Channel has an almost obssessive focus on issues relating to Israel but is, at it's heart, remains a Media Criticism channel, focusing on the failures on the mainstream media to tell the REAL story about such things as the motivation behind the 9/11 attacks (hint: It was our support of Israel) and the Police enforced media black out when the Occupy movement was evicted in New York. Ths guy has the the REAL SCOOP on what the Mainstream Media isn't telling you.
(Maybe William will look into some of these items and then try to explain where that systematic Mainstream Liberal Media Bias comes in.)
The Roy Campanella Gold Star #42: What The Heck Has Obama Done So Far?
OK, I certainly hope that I don't now need to re-establish any of my cred as a CRITIC of the President, BUT... the next time some Right Wing Jackoff Rick Perry type comes talking smack about how "nothing's gotten done," send him to THIS site. Stuff's happened. Progress has been made. That may not make up for the missed opportunities and the progress that hasn't but that doesn't mean that the useless half of this country should be able to run there yaps scott-free without a rebuke. Good resource.
The Stan Coveleski Silver Star #39: Modest Medusa
This cute little web comic started out as little more than a guilty pleasure for me, but I'm always happy to recognize an artist that's willing to lend their talents to a good cause... so go buy this T-Shirt!:
The Waite Hoyt Silver Star #40: The Bad Chemicals
For biting social, political and philisophical satire, I've only found one Comic that can hold it's own against Saturday Mornign Breakfast Cereal. And THIS IS IT. Rather than say anythign more, just let me share a few gems:
and BEST of all...
Monday, October 31, 2011
Gold Star Awards, October, 2011
It never fails.
I get some great comments, find some related articles and plan to do a whole mess of writing over the weekend and… life happens instead. So we had a fun and busy weekend with the kids, and I did NOT get to the Abortion / Contraception post as I had planned to. And now here I am on the last day of the month with a different post in mind, and several comments that need replying to, and instead of doing anything INTERESTING, I’ve got to put up my Gold Star’s for the month of October. (It’s a pet peeve, but I HATE posting these on the first of the following month!)
So, here we go. The year is 1968, and there was one BWAA inductee and two from the Veterans committee:
The Ducky Medwick Gold Star #40: Progressive Punch
Presumably so named because “Left Hook” was taken! ;)
Progressive Punch is a non-Partisan, yet strongly Progressive, web site that tracks the votes of members of congress on issues of concern to progressives. It rates and ranks MoC’s and is a great resource, if a bit overwhelming at times (and depressing at others!) Good information though. No reason that both parties whouldn’t be held accountable for their votes and actions!
The Goose Goslin Wooden Star: The Economnic Collapse
Believe it or not, this collection of Right Wing Propaganda was actually up for GOLD Star at one point. Now, it’s a throwaway. I did write-up on one of their articles a while back. They’re a great example of the most insidious kind of Right Wing writing: it SOUNDS principled and well-reasoned at first, but once you dig a little bit deeper, you find out how dishonest they’re being. I mention it here because the first couple of articles I came across DID do a fairly good job of blaming Republicans for the bad economy. So they did pique my interest… But once you see all of the “buy gold” and “food insurance” ads in the banners, you realize what their true agenda really is. (See... the Republicans weren't being Conservative enough, apparently!) Overall? I'd descibe it as pessimistic alarmism to the point of being almost Right-Wing parody. (Scary part? They're so convinced they're right! Some pretty creepy sycophants in the comments section. I think I know where MMFA gets their trolls form now!) They have a comments section – mostly RW Nut-Jobs and the occasional Liberal talking sense. Personally, I’d like to see how long it would take me to get banned from there! LOL
The Kiki Cuyler Silver Star #38: Count Your Sheep
A long-running and thoroughly adorable web comic about a single-mom and her precocious little girl who share the same imaginary friend: “Ship,” a “counting sheep.” (If you count him, (“one,”) you IMMEDIATELY fall asleep.) The strips are most cute stuff – often enough to give you a sugar-high – and are reminiscent of “Calvin and Hobbes,” only with a female Calvin and a struggling, single mom (who sees and interacts with Ship) instead of Calvin’s nameless, and relatively comfortable, middle class parents (who only ever saw Hobbes as a stuffed toy.) It does on occasion, however, delve into social politics – lightly enough to remain inoffensive, yet enough to give it some topical relevance – and has stretches where it becomes darker, even depressing at times, bordering on tear-inducing. (Laurie was widowed while pregnant with Katie, and the strips where she talks about how much she loved Marty and misses him can be absolutely heart-wrenching.) (You’ve been warned!) Anyway… it’s completely wonderful and I highly recommend it. There’s no single, on-going storyline but, since I’m kind of aspie that way, I still recommend reading it from the beginning! XP
And Happy Halloween, everyone!!!
I get some great comments, find some related articles and plan to do a whole mess of writing over the weekend and… life happens instead. So we had a fun and busy weekend with the kids, and I did NOT get to the Abortion / Contraception post as I had planned to. And now here I am on the last day of the month with a different post in mind, and several comments that need replying to, and instead of doing anything INTERESTING, I’ve got to put up my Gold Star’s for the month of October. (It’s a pet peeve, but I HATE posting these on the first of the following month!)
So, here we go. The year is 1968, and there was one BWAA inductee and two from the Veterans committee:
The Ducky Medwick Gold Star #40: Progressive Punch
Presumably so named because “Left Hook” was taken! ;)
Progressive Punch is a non-Partisan, yet strongly Progressive, web site that tracks the votes of members of congress on issues of concern to progressives. It rates and ranks MoC’s and is a great resource, if a bit overwhelming at times (and depressing at others!) Good information though. No reason that both parties whouldn’t be held accountable for their votes and actions!
The Goose Goslin Wooden Star: The Economnic Collapse
Believe it or not, this collection of Right Wing Propaganda was actually up for GOLD Star at one point. Now, it’s a throwaway. I did write-up on one of their articles a while back. They’re a great example of the most insidious kind of Right Wing writing: it SOUNDS principled and well-reasoned at first, but once you dig a little bit deeper, you find out how dishonest they’re being. I mention it here because the first couple of articles I came across DID do a fairly good job of blaming Republicans for the bad economy. So they did pique my interest… But once you see all of the “buy gold” and “food insurance” ads in the banners, you realize what their true agenda really is. (See... the Republicans weren't being Conservative enough, apparently!) Overall? I'd descibe it as pessimistic alarmism to the point of being almost Right-Wing parody. (Scary part? They're so convinced they're right! Some pretty creepy sycophants in the comments section. I think I know where MMFA gets their trolls form now!) They have a comments section – mostly RW Nut-Jobs and the occasional Liberal talking sense. Personally, I’d like to see how long it would take me to get banned from there! LOL
The Kiki Cuyler Silver Star #38: Count Your Sheep
A long-running and thoroughly adorable web comic about a single-mom and her precocious little girl who share the same imaginary friend: “Ship,” a “counting sheep.” (If you count him, (“one,”) you IMMEDIATELY fall asleep.) The strips are most cute stuff – often enough to give you a sugar-high – and are reminiscent of “Calvin and Hobbes,” only with a female Calvin and a struggling, single mom (who sees and interacts with Ship) instead of Calvin’s nameless, and relatively comfortable, middle class parents (who only ever saw Hobbes as a stuffed toy.) It does on occasion, however, delve into social politics – lightly enough to remain inoffensive, yet enough to give it some topical relevance – and has stretches where it becomes darker, even depressing at times, bordering on tear-inducing. (Laurie was widowed while pregnant with Katie, and the strips where she talks about how much she loved Marty and misses him can be absolutely heart-wrenching.) (You’ve been warned!) Anyway… it’s completely wonderful and I highly recommend it. There’s no single, on-going storyline but, since I’m kind of aspie that way, I still recommend reading it from the beginning! XP
And Happy Halloween, everyone!!!
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Gold Star Awards, September, 2011
It's the end of the month and that (usually) means two things:
1) I get paid tomorrow.
2) Time for more Hall of Fame inductees!
It's the year of Boston's Impossible Dream - fitting, or ironic, seeing as how they blew their 2011 Season last night in final game after pissing away the biggest lead in history (9 Games) every to be blown in September - but we've got one Gold, one Silver and one Revision from a previous month. Here we go:
The Red Ruffing GOLD STAR #39: Laughing in Purgatory
While I've been focusing more on the Economy and anti-Corporatism lately, I haven't entirely lost site of the second biggest part of my political agenda: the Separation of Church and state. Laughing in Purgatory is a blog about raising children in an atheist household in a (*wink*) Christian Nation. It is delightfully irreverent, and anti-religious and does a fantastic job of poking the nose of organized religion and singing the praises of raising our children to be rational, critical and free thinkers.
The Lloyd Waner SILVER STAR #37: The Bleacher Report
They're kind of like the Cracked.com of online Sports Magazine, with all kinds of top-10, top-50 and even top-100 lists spanning all major sports - Baseball, Football, Basketball, Hockey,Soccer, Golf, Boxing... you name it, they cover it all. Their writing style is fairly informal (even someone like me catches several typo's in each post) but it gives the feel of having a conversation with a well-informed amateur, rather than a high-and-mighty sports writer. It always makes for an interesting read, and it should be a regular stop for any sports fan.
And finally, a revision...
I'm hereby officially stripping Netflix of their Silver Star. (See me previous post for more info.) So...
The NEW Frank Chance SILVER STAR #13: The Chive
"Possibly the best site in the world." ~The Chive
They've got humor, sports, videos, pictures of girls... What's not to love? Cracked.com links to their stuff fairly often. Worth checking out.
1) I get paid tomorrow.
2) Time for more Hall of Fame inductees!
It's the year of Boston's Impossible Dream - fitting, or ironic, seeing as how they blew their 2011 Season last night in final game after pissing away the biggest lead in history (9 Games) every to be blown in September - but we've got one Gold, one Silver and one Revision from a previous month. Here we go:
The Red Ruffing GOLD STAR #39: Laughing in Purgatory
While I've been focusing more on the Economy and anti-Corporatism lately, I haven't entirely lost site of the second biggest part of my political agenda: the Separation of Church and state. Laughing in Purgatory is a blog about raising children in an atheist household in a (*wink*) Christian Nation. It is delightfully irreverent, and anti-religious and does a fantastic job of poking the nose of organized religion and singing the praises of raising our children to be rational, critical and free thinkers.
The Lloyd Waner SILVER STAR #37: The Bleacher Report
They're kind of like the Cracked.com of online Sports Magazine, with all kinds of top-10, top-50 and even top-100 lists spanning all major sports - Baseball, Football, Basketball, Hockey,Soccer, Golf, Boxing... you name it, they cover it all. Their writing style is fairly informal (even someone like me catches several typo's in each post) but it gives the feel of having a conversation with a well-informed amateur, rather than a high-and-mighty sports writer. It always makes for an interesting read, and it should be a regular stop for any sports fan.
And finally, a revision...
I'm hereby officially stripping Netflix of their Silver Star. (See me previous post for more info.) So...
The NEW Frank Chance SILVER STAR #13: The Chive
"Possibly the best site in the world." ~The Chive
They've got humor, sports, videos, pictures of girls... What's not to love? Cracked.com links to their stuff fairly often. Worth checking out.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Gold Star Awards. August, 2011
MADE IT! lol
This was a weird month. I started it with only a handful of reserve sites left for the HoF - nothing I was really excited about, just some sites I keep in my back pocket in case I run out of ideas. Well... I ran out of ideas! Then about six or seven different sites, blogs, web comics, etc... All came to my attention at once and I'm set with enough Golds and Silvers to carry me though the end of the year! The only question was who to put into which month. LOL. That's of particular importance this month, since the year is 1966 and the lone inductee is...
The Ted Williams GOLD STAR #38: Potholer54
I don't know how I managed to have missed this channel for so long. I got linked to it recently via a comment on MMFA, and the minute I started watching I was HOOKED. Complex Science about Climate Change, the Creation of the Earth and the Universe, the beginning of life on this planet, Human Evolution, and other things, all boiled down to perfectly digestible short documentaries that even the most brain-dead Right Winger can understand. And beyond the fact that they are FASCINATING in and of themselves, they represent a solid argument that no Right-Wing True-Believer can deny or debunk, especially since he often specifically addresses the very talking points and urban myths that those on the Right try to use to discredit the Science they can't accept. Very well done, and a FANTASTIC resource for arguing with Conservatives. I HIGHLY recommend subscribing.
Also... I want to thank everyone who's read and commented on Utopia. If you haven't checked it out yet, please take a look. I'd love to hear what you have to say, even if it's only to tell me that it's an incoherent mess! But please feel free to leave comments there, here or email me at niceguy9418@usa.com. (That goes for anything, anytime, BTW, not just that!) I'm not always on top of every comment and email, but I do try to reply as soon and as often as possible. And thanks again to ALL of you, for all of your participation in this conversation over the past two years. (It will be two years, officially, in just one more week - 9/7/11.)
This was a weird month. I started it with only a handful of reserve sites left for the HoF - nothing I was really excited about, just some sites I keep in my back pocket in case I run out of ideas. Well... I ran out of ideas! Then about six or seven different sites, blogs, web comics, etc... All came to my attention at once and I'm set with enough Golds and Silvers to carry me though the end of the year! The only question was who to put into which month. LOL. That's of particular importance this month, since the year is 1966 and the lone inductee is...
The Ted Williams GOLD STAR #38: Potholer54
I don't know how I managed to have missed this channel for so long. I got linked to it recently via a comment on MMFA, and the minute I started watching I was HOOKED. Complex Science about Climate Change, the Creation of the Earth and the Universe, the beginning of life on this planet, Human Evolution, and other things, all boiled down to perfectly digestible short documentaries that even the most brain-dead Right Winger can understand. And beyond the fact that they are FASCINATING in and of themselves, they represent a solid argument that no Right-Wing True-Believer can deny or debunk, especially since he often specifically addresses the very talking points and urban myths that those on the Right try to use to discredit the Science they can't accept. Very well done, and a FANTASTIC resource for arguing with Conservatives. I HIGHLY recommend subscribing.
Also... I want to thank everyone who's read and commented on Utopia. If you haven't checked it out yet, please take a look. I'd love to hear what you have to say, even if it's only to tell me that it's an incoherent mess! But please feel free to leave comments there, here or email me at niceguy9418@usa.com. (That goes for anything, anytime, BTW, not just that!) I'm not always on top of every comment and email, but I do try to reply as soon and as often as possible. And thanks again to ALL of you, for all of your participation in this conversation over the past two years. (It will be two years, officially, in just one more week - 9/7/11.)
Monday, July 25, 2011
Silver Star Awards, July, 2010, and some maintainaence...
I serioulsy hope no reads this. And I really hope that no one checks out this month's Silver Star Winner, representing the lone Vet's committee pick from 1965. And WHATEVER YOU DO, I hope no one gets any ideas about searching for a certain liberal blogger's contribution to the site.
Pud Galvin's SILVER STAR #36: SingSnap
As embarrassing as it is to admit, I LOVE Karaoke. I've done in on Caribean Cruises, I've done it in Japan, I'll do it any chance I get. It is SO MUCH FUN! So... If you ever wanted to take a shot at it, but were too chicken to get in front of a LIVE audience, here's your chance. They've got lots of free songs, and a SHIT-TON of songs if you subscribe. (Plus some reverb & audio software that makes you sound a whole lot better - again, for subscribers only.) In any case, it's a LOT of fun. And no, I've never done it. No way. So don't even TRY looking for "NiceguyEddie" on there, because you'll be VERY disappointed!
;)
(Hey: As Randle Patrick Murphy said to Chief Bromden in Ken Kesey's classic novel and film staring Jack Nicholson: At least I tried!)
In all seriousness? There's a lot of UTTER CRAP on there. (Look who's talkin', right?) And don't get me wrong: that's still fun to listen to on occasion. But I have also discovered some TRULY AMAZING singers there as well. So please DO poke around a bit, becuase there are some real gems there as well.
...
Anyway, that's all for the Month of July, 2010. There will be some heavy hitting Gold winners coming in the months ahead, but at the moment I'm constrained by the format I chose. Sorry!
But there is also soem long overdue housekeeping that is needed, so I'm making the following changed to my personal HoF:
The Walter John Gold Star Winner, Armchair Subversive, is, as of today and for the past few months, now completely defunct. So as I have linked to them so many times in the past and because I truly believe that they transcend mere entertainment and have proven themselves top be a site of truly profound Political, Social and Academic value, I hereby promote Cracked.Com from it's former honor of a Silver Star to the NEW WALTER JOHNSON, GOLD STAR #4. That's a pretty coveted spot, BTW, but it is an honor well deserved.
Taking it's place, as the new ED WALSH, SILVER STAR #18 is: Kawaii Not, the web-comic for cute gone bad. What can I say? It's twisted. I love it.
Also, since the gifted and lovely Julia Wertz has decided to end Fartparty, but pick up where it left off ovetr on Museum of Mistakes, I'm addoing that site to the KID NICHOLS SILVER STAR award.
In other fronts, since JESSE BUIRKETT'S and JOHNNY EVERS' SILVER STAR Winners Ugliest Tatoos and Very Demotivational are both actually part of a larger site, related to FailBlog's "Cheezeburger Network," they are being changed to I Can Has Cheezburger and Memebase respectively. These are still all part of FAILBlog/Cheezburger network site, but at least this way, I recognize the rest of the content as well, and only stay about a year behind the times. (Hey: In the immortal words of Daniel Lawrence Whitney, "I don't care who you are, that's funny right there!")
Finally, Seanbaby's Superfriends site, is being changed to Seanbaby's main site, which still includes the Superfriends material... Which is still the funniest thing I've ever read... and so much more. But then: What else would I expect form the man who "invented being funny on the internet?"
Cheers, my friends!
Pud Galvin's SILVER STAR #36: SingSnap
As embarrassing as it is to admit, I LOVE Karaoke. I've done in on Caribean Cruises, I've done it in Japan, I'll do it any chance I get. It is SO MUCH FUN! So... If you ever wanted to take a shot at it, but were too chicken to get in front of a LIVE audience, here's your chance. They've got lots of free songs, and a SHIT-TON of songs if you subscribe. (Plus some reverb & audio software that makes you sound a whole lot better - again, for subscribers only.) In any case, it's a LOT of fun. And no, I've never done it. No way. So don't even TRY looking for "NiceguyEddie" on there, because you'll be VERY disappointed!
;)
(Hey: As Randle Patrick Murphy said to Chief Bromden in Ken Kesey's classic novel and film staring Jack Nicholson: At least I tried!)
In all seriousness? There's a lot of UTTER CRAP on there. (Look who's talkin', right?) And don't get me wrong: that's still fun to listen to on occasion. But I have also discovered some TRULY AMAZING singers there as well. So please DO poke around a bit, becuase there are some real gems there as well.
...
Anyway, that's all for the Month of July, 2010. There will be some heavy hitting Gold winners coming in the months ahead, but at the moment I'm constrained by the format I chose. Sorry!
But there is also soem long overdue housekeeping that is needed, so I'm making the following changed to my personal HoF:
The Walter John Gold Star Winner, Armchair Subversive, is, as of today and for the past few months, now completely defunct. So as I have linked to them so many times in the past and because I truly believe that they transcend mere entertainment and have proven themselves top be a site of truly profound Political, Social and Academic value, I hereby promote Cracked.Com from it's former honor of a Silver Star to the NEW WALTER JOHNSON, GOLD STAR #4. That's a pretty coveted spot, BTW, but it is an honor well deserved.
Taking it's place, as the new ED WALSH, SILVER STAR #18 is: Kawaii Not, the web-comic for cute gone bad. What can I say? It's twisted. I love it.
Also, since the gifted and lovely Julia Wertz has decided to end Fartparty, but pick up where it left off ovetr on Museum of Mistakes, I'm addoing that site to the KID NICHOLS SILVER STAR award.
In other fronts, since JESSE BUIRKETT'S and JOHNNY EVERS' SILVER STAR Winners Ugliest Tatoos and Very Demotivational are both actually part of a larger site, related to FailBlog's "Cheezeburger Network," they are being changed to I Can Has Cheezburger and Memebase respectively. These are still all part of FAILBlog/Cheezburger network site, but at least this way, I recognize the rest of the content as well, and only stay about a year behind the times. (Hey: In the immortal words of Daniel Lawrence Whitney, "I don't care who you are, that's funny right there!")
Finally, Seanbaby's Superfriends site, is being changed to Seanbaby's main site, which still includes the Superfriends material... Which is still the funniest thing I've ever read... and so much more. But then: What else would I expect form the man who "invented being funny on the internet?"
Cheers, my friends!
Friday, July 1, 2011
Gold Star Awards, June, 2011
Here we go, once a gain a day late: The Gold and Silver Star awards for June! The year is 1964, and there was one BWAA Inductee and a whopping five from the Veterans committee. So, here we go:
The Luke Appling Gold Star #37: AWOLBush / Who Served?
Are you tired of how the Right is always belly-aching about who supports the troops and who doesn’t? How Liberals, and by extension the Democrats, hate their country? And hate the military? And how they love to point out that Barack Obama or Bill Clinton or some other Democrat or Liberal never served in the Military? (Neither did Ronald W. Reagan, but they always seem to leave that one out!) Well, HERE’S a site that turns the tables on those Right-Wing jack-holes by showing that, in fact, there are rather a large number of prominent Democrats who did serve and quite a few Prominent Republincs (read: ALL OF THE LOUDEST AMONG THEM!) who did not. So keep the pressure up on these hypocritical, and at times downright un-American, neo-con chicken-hawks and, check this out! (And as a side note, let's be honest here: When 50,000 men are dying in the jungles of Southeast Asia while you're fighting Communism in the skies over Texas? YOU'RE A DRAFT-DODGER!)
The Red Faber Silver Star #31: Five Second Films
The extended version of Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings Trilogy is over three hours long. It’s truly a masterpiece of modern American Cinema (and made in New Zealand, by a New Zealander no less!) but WHO HAS THAT KIND OF TIME! (If you do? Get a JOB you lazy bum!) But THESE films? Are NOT Lord of the Rings. Most of them? Are merely funny. Some are hilarious. And some of them really suck. But at five seconds apiece? You can watch 12 of them in ONE MINUTE and have as many laughs as Peter Jackson gives you in 12 HOURS! Beat that!
The Burleigh Grimes Silver Star #32: Off Planet Films
This YouTube channel is just fucking twisted. And fucking hilarious. I can’t even BEGIN to describe them, other than to say that they produce animated shorts (~three-five minutes or less) with a bizarre, dark, and at times downright psychotic sense of humor about them.
The Tim Keefe Silver Star #33: On the Spectrum
The first of three web-comics I’d like to mention this month centers on an issue that's near and dear to me: Autsim. This comic is a series of strips about one family’s experiences raising autistic children. Although some of the humor is aimed at people who are familiar with Autism, and thus can understand the mind of an Autistic child, a lot of it is pretty general family-humor stuff that anyone (with kids) can be relate to. The artwork is not as professional like most of the web-comics I read (and share here) but it’s cute. You should check it out. Unfortunately, also like a few other comics that I’ve mentioned here, this one hasn’t been updated in a while, and I'm afraid it may be on hiatus permanently at this point. I hope not, because it’s definitely helped me see things in a different light with my own children.
The Heinie Manush Silver Star #34: Selkie
The next web-comic also deals with a personal issue for me: Adoption. And while I never spent time in an orphanage, I am adopted, and so relate to many of the things that the characters talk about and deal with. Similar to "On teh Specturm," it’s not the most polished comic art-wise, but he still manages to capture the charecters' facial expressions and emotions very well, and there are panels such as this, which gives a glimpse at both the soul and the potential of the series:
![]()
Its charecters have dpeth, and it's heroine is one of the most sympathetic you will find - just impossible not to absolutely fall in love with. It deals with issues of acceptance (Selkie is a sea-creature living amongst humans), discrimination and diversity, as well as what it means to be a good parent, good son or daughter and good friend. It worth checking out, and should be read from the beginning.
The Monte Ward Silver Star #35: Alone in a Crowd
Most people might initially find this comic to be silly. But keep an open mind. Like Selkie, it is about acceptance, both of yourself and others, and being true to yourself. These themes permeate all of the characters, for the hopelessly idealist Hope, to Grace, the Girls with Cat-Ears, to the Girl who’s taken advantage of at work, to the Aunt who manages a pornographic film studio to the geeky guy who collects action figures. It’s very cutely drawn, and reminds us that, at some point, we’ve all Alone in a Crowd at some point. So check it out! (From the Beginning!)
The Luke Appling Gold Star #37: AWOLBush / Who Served?
Are you tired of how the Right is always belly-aching about who supports the troops and who doesn’t? How Liberals, and by extension the Democrats, hate their country? And hate the military? And how they love to point out that Barack Obama or Bill Clinton or some other Democrat or Liberal never served in the Military? (Neither did Ronald W. Reagan, but they always seem to leave that one out!) Well, HERE’S a site that turns the tables on those Right-Wing jack-holes by showing that, in fact, there are rather a large number of prominent Democrats who did serve and quite a few Prominent Republincs (read: ALL OF THE LOUDEST AMONG THEM!) who did not. So keep the pressure up on these hypocritical, and at times downright un-American, neo-con chicken-hawks and, check this out! (And as a side note, let's be honest here: When 50,000 men are dying in the jungles of Southeast Asia while you're fighting Communism in the skies over Texas? YOU'RE A DRAFT-DODGER!)
The Red Faber Silver Star #31: Five Second Films
The extended version of Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings Trilogy is over three hours long. It’s truly a masterpiece of modern American Cinema (and made in New Zealand, by a New Zealander no less!) but WHO HAS THAT KIND OF TIME! (If you do? Get a JOB you lazy bum!) But THESE films? Are NOT Lord of the Rings. Most of them? Are merely funny. Some are hilarious. And some of them really suck. But at five seconds apiece? You can watch 12 of them in ONE MINUTE and have as many laughs as Peter Jackson gives you in 12 HOURS! Beat that!
The Burleigh Grimes Silver Star #32: Off Planet Films
This YouTube channel is just fucking twisted. And fucking hilarious. I can’t even BEGIN to describe them, other than to say that they produce animated shorts (~three-five minutes or less) with a bizarre, dark, and at times downright psychotic sense of humor about them.
The Tim Keefe Silver Star #33: On the Spectrum
The first of three web-comics I’d like to mention this month centers on an issue that's near and dear to me: Autsim. This comic is a series of strips about one family’s experiences raising autistic children. Although some of the humor is aimed at people who are familiar with Autism, and thus can understand the mind of an Autistic child, a lot of it is pretty general family-humor stuff that anyone (with kids) can be relate to. The artwork is not as professional like most of the web-comics I read (and share here) but it’s cute. You should check it out. Unfortunately, also like a few other comics that I’ve mentioned here, this one hasn’t been updated in a while, and I'm afraid it may be on hiatus permanently at this point. I hope not, because it’s definitely helped me see things in a different light with my own children.
The Heinie Manush Silver Star #34: Selkie
The next web-comic also deals with a personal issue for me: Adoption. And while I never spent time in an orphanage, I am adopted, and so relate to many of the things that the characters talk about and deal with. Similar to "On teh Specturm," it’s not the most polished comic art-wise, but he still manages to capture the charecters' facial expressions and emotions very well, and there are panels such as this, which gives a glimpse at both the soul and the potential of the series:
The Monte Ward Silver Star #35: Alone in a Crowd
Most people might initially find this comic to be silly. But keep an open mind. Like Selkie, it is about acceptance, both of yourself and others, and being true to yourself. These themes permeate all of the characters, for the hopelessly idealist Hope, to Grace, the Girls with Cat-Ears, to the Girl who’s taken advantage of at work, to the Aunt who manages a pornographic film studio to the geeky guy who collects action figures. It’s very cutely drawn, and reminds us that, at some point, we’ve all Alone in a Crowd at some point. So check it out! (From the Beginning!)
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Silver Star Awards, May, 2011
It's the last day of the month, which means... time for the SILVER STAR AWARDS. (Sometimes that's also what the first day means: time for LAST MONTH'S awards! LOL) Anyway, were' up to the MLB HoF election of 1963, which saw four members elected by the Veteran's Committee - so no Golds this month, but for Silvers going out.
The John Clarkson Silver Star #28: Misfile
Its seems every time I get a bunch of Silvers in one month, I have at least on web-comic. Well... no sense changing now! LOL. Misfile is a very funny web-comic featuring two characters, one that's had his gender changed and one that lost (was forced to repeat) the last two years of her life (the two miserable years she spent studying her ass off to getting into Harvard no less!) due to a celestial fuck-up on the part of a certain, mostly drunken, Angel who's now laying low and trying (not very hard) to set things right. The artwork is very Manga-like, and very clean considering it's mostly pencil-work. In additional to a kick-ass art-style, the characters Chris Hazelton's created are strong, human, interesting, fallible, flawed and perfect. The relations are real and complex with ups, downs, trust and betrayal. Oh yeah, and the odd gender-bending humor? Funny as hell. And while is NOT what I would consider a trans-gendered comic, since the whole plot is magically-based, it does get into issue of acceptance, both public and self. As with all web-comics, I recommend reading this one from the beginning.
The Elmer Flick Silver Star #29: The Nostalgia Critic
If you were alive at any time during the 1980's, and either loved the decade or remember how utterly tacky and cheesy it was (or both) you'll love to hear this obnoxious foole absolutely eviscerate it. He takes the best (and worst) of popular culture from the last 1970's, 1980's and early 1990's (so, IOW: my life, or the part I remember) and has great fun goofing on it. He's obnoxious... but he elevates it to an art form. Funny as hell. But if you're under the age of 30? Maybe 25? Don't bother. You won't remember it. (Which is OK, because the Nostalgia Critic remembers it, so you don't have to!)
The Sam Rice Silver Star #30: The Perry Bible Fellowship
OK, so this months, there's two comics! This one's been on hiatus for a long time (finished?) but it's still very worth checking out. The humor is ironic, irreverent and subtly dark and twisted. The artistic style varies from cartoony to actual ART, using a variety of media. It's great stuff. Check it out.
The Eppa Rixey Aluminum Star: Newsbusters
(It's been a while since I high-lighted a low-light. LOL)
Ah, good old Newsbusters. "Exposing and Combating Liberal Media Bias." Well... not really. To expose something, it must first ACTUALLY EXIST. Reading Newsbusters provides one with little more than evidence that anything to the Left of Rush Limbaugh's Oxycontin-fueled wet dreams is "Liberally Biased." (Or, as Stephen Colbert put it: That REALITY has a Liberal bias!) What's more, to "Combat" it, one needs to formulate an actual ARGUMENT. Some of my readers might instinctively point out that convincing a Right-Winger that the Right is right is about as difficult as putting on a hat. But that's all they've really managed to do: Convince die-hard conservatives that Liberal's are "wrong." Which... is pretty much completely unnecessary, since most Conservative usually START OUT their argument with that assumption! So, why do they even need to exsist then? What's their raison detre? For all their "exposure" and "combat," the most they can do? Is reach level four.
Cheers, my friends!
The John Clarkson Silver Star #28: Misfile
Its seems every time I get a bunch of Silvers in one month, I have at least on web-comic. Well... no sense changing now! LOL. Misfile is a very funny web-comic featuring two characters, one that's had his gender changed and one that lost (was forced to repeat) the last two years of her life (the two miserable years she spent studying her ass off to getting into Harvard no less!) due to a celestial fuck-up on the part of a certain, mostly drunken, Angel who's now laying low and trying (not very hard) to set things right. The artwork is very Manga-like, and very clean considering it's mostly pencil-work. In additional to a kick-ass art-style, the characters Chris Hazelton's created are strong, human, interesting, fallible, flawed and perfect. The relations are real and complex with ups, downs, trust and betrayal. Oh yeah, and the odd gender-bending humor? Funny as hell. And while is NOT what I would consider a trans-gendered comic, since the whole plot is magically-based, it does get into issue of acceptance, both public and self. As with all web-comics, I recommend reading this one from the beginning.
The Elmer Flick Silver Star #29: The Nostalgia Critic
If you were alive at any time during the 1980's, and either loved the decade or remember how utterly tacky and cheesy it was (or both) you'll love to hear this obnoxious foole absolutely eviscerate it. He takes the best (and worst) of popular culture from the last 1970's, 1980's and early 1990's (so, IOW: my life, or the part I remember) and has great fun goofing on it. He's obnoxious... but he elevates it to an art form. Funny as hell. But if you're under the age of 30? Maybe 25? Don't bother. You won't remember it. (Which is OK, because the Nostalgia Critic remembers it, so you don't have to!)
The Sam Rice Silver Star #30: The Perry Bible Fellowship
OK, so this months, there's two comics! This one's been on hiatus for a long time (finished?) but it's still very worth checking out. The humor is ironic, irreverent and subtly dark and twisted. The artistic style varies from cartoony to actual ART, using a variety of media. It's great stuff. Check it out.
The Eppa Rixey Aluminum Star: Newsbusters
(It's been a while since I high-lighted a low-light. LOL)
Ah, good old Newsbusters. "Exposing and Combating Liberal Media Bias." Well... not really. To expose something, it must first ACTUALLY EXIST. Reading Newsbusters provides one with little more than evidence that anything to the Left of Rush Limbaugh's Oxycontin-fueled wet dreams is "Liberally Biased." (Or, as Stephen Colbert put it: That REALITY has a Liberal bias!) What's more, to "Combat" it, one needs to formulate an actual ARGUMENT. Some of my readers might instinctively point out that convincing a Right-Winger that the Right is right is about as difficult as putting on a hat. But that's all they've really managed to do: Convince die-hard conservatives that Liberal's are "wrong." Which... is pretty much completely unnecessary, since most Conservative usually START OUT their argument with that assumption! So, why do they even need to exsist then? What's their raison detre? For all their "exposure" and "combat," the most they can do? Is reach level four.
Cheers, my friends!
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Silver Star Awards, March, 2011
OK, so it's been a really thin month. By far the thinnest since I started blogging. Only four pieces, and two of them were Silver Star entries. Which never seem to get ANY comments! :(
Oh well, at least March's will actually happen IN MARCH. There were no HoF inductees in 1960, so the year is now 1961 and it saw two Veteran's Committee Inductees, so yeah: We're still on the funny stuff. There are some really good ones coming in April, when there will be a GOLD Star or two, but we're still on Silver's this month.
The Max Carey Silver Star #25: Venus Envy
Another superb web-comic. Mind you I don't really read it anymore, because the author, Erin Lindsey, kind of pulled the plug on it just over a year ago - and leaving her main character in a rather tight spot to boot! Oh well. In short, Venus Envy is a comic about a transgendered (MtF) teenager. Believe it or not there are a LOT of TG Web-Comics out there, but I think Venus Envy deserves credit for a few things. First of all, it's kind of famous in TG circles. It was one of the first TG web-comics (if not THE first), remains one of the longest running, and from what I can tell was for a long time by far the most popular. Which I think is due to the second reason: Erin Lindsey's powerfully compelling writing, her off-beat and sometimes self-depricating sense of humor, and her ability to create one of the most sympathetic characters I've ever had the pleasure of reading, in Zoe Carter. Check it out - you'll laugh, you'll pretend not to cry, but most importantly of all, YOU'LL CARE. You'll CARE about this character, and what she is going through and dealing with. Regardless of how you feel about the transgendered it is impossible to read this not pull for this person. (And not fear for them.) I'm certainly no expert on TG politics by a lognshot, but this 'strip served as the beginning of my coming to better understand TG issues. As usual, I recommend reading this web-comic from the beginning but with this one, just be aware that the real story takes a little while to get going. For awhile there, there are a lot of gag strips. FUNNY gag strips, but not the profound stuff I'm referring to above. Also - if the name "Erin Lindsay" sounds familiar, I've referred to her political writings / rants before, here and here. What can I say? I love her stuff, I really do. And I really miss 'Venus Envy!'
The Billy Hamilton Silver Star #26: DAMN YOU AUTO-CORRECT!
Screw doing sit-ups. Just read this site and you laugh your way to wash-board abs. O.M.F.G! The main site is a collection of iPhone texts that have been 'auto-corrected' by the phone's auto-spell check / auto-fill-in random nonsense as you type feature. Fucking hilarious! And much like several other Silver Star winners from the Cheezburger Network (Failblog, Engrish, etc...) the site linked to several others that are every bit as funny, sometimes much funnier. The Bad Gifts site is EPIC funny. Bad Food was a riot as well. (I've eaten a lot of that stuff!) (Shit, I LIKED a lot of that stuff! LOL) This site was sent to me a few weeks ago by a guy at my office. I couldn't link to it form my desk (web-sensed) by I pulled it up on my phone and couldn't get any work done for three days. XD So Check it out, and let me know what you think!
Oh well, at least March's will actually happen IN MARCH. There were no HoF inductees in 1960, so the year is now 1961 and it saw two Veteran's Committee Inductees, so yeah: We're still on the funny stuff. There are some really good ones coming in April, when there will be a GOLD Star or two, but we're still on Silver's this month.
The Max Carey Silver Star #25: Venus Envy
Another superb web-comic. Mind you I don't really read it anymore, because the author, Erin Lindsey, kind of pulled the plug on it just over a year ago - and leaving her main character in a rather tight spot to boot! Oh well. In short, Venus Envy is a comic about a transgendered (MtF) teenager. Believe it or not there are a LOT of TG Web-Comics out there, but I think Venus Envy deserves credit for a few things. First of all, it's kind of famous in TG circles. It was one of the first TG web-comics (if not THE first), remains one of the longest running, and from what I can tell was for a long time by far the most popular. Which I think is due to the second reason: Erin Lindsey's powerfully compelling writing, her off-beat and sometimes self-depricating sense of humor, and her ability to create one of the most sympathetic characters I've ever had the pleasure of reading, in Zoe Carter. Check it out - you'll laugh, you'll pretend not to cry, but most importantly of all, YOU'LL CARE. You'll CARE about this character, and what she is going through and dealing with. Regardless of how you feel about the transgendered it is impossible to read this not pull for this person. (And not fear for them.) I'm certainly no expert on TG politics by a lognshot, but this 'strip served as the beginning of my coming to better understand TG issues. As usual, I recommend reading this web-comic from the beginning but with this one, just be aware that the real story takes a little while to get going. For awhile there, there are a lot of gag strips. FUNNY gag strips, but not the profound stuff I'm referring to above. Also - if the name "Erin Lindsay" sounds familiar, I've referred to her political writings / rants before, here and here. What can I say? I love her stuff, I really do. And I really miss 'Venus Envy!'
The Billy Hamilton Silver Star #26: DAMN YOU AUTO-CORRECT!
Screw doing sit-ups. Just read this site and you laugh your way to wash-board abs. O.M.F.G! The main site is a collection of iPhone texts that have been 'auto-corrected' by the phone's auto-spell check / auto-fill-in random nonsense as you type feature. Fucking hilarious! And much like several other Silver Star winners from the Cheezburger Network (Failblog, Engrish, etc...) the site linked to several others that are every bit as funny, sometimes much funnier. The Bad Gifts site is EPIC funny. Bad Food was a riot as well. (I've eaten a lot of that stuff!) (Shit, I LIKED a lot of that stuff! LOL) This site was sent to me a few weeks ago by a guy at my office. I couldn't link to it form my desk (web-sensed) by I pulled it up on my phone and couldn't get any work done for three days. XD So Check it out, and let me know what you think!
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Silver Star Awards, January, 2011
We're up to the year 1957, and there was only inductee, from the Veterans Committee.
The Wahoo Sam Crawford Silver Star #23: How it Should Have Ended
Lord of the Rings:
Inception:
The Wahoo Sam Crawford Silver Star #23: How it Should Have Ended
I’ve said it many times, about many Silver Star Winners, but these guys are absolutely freaking hilarious. They take popular and/or classic movies, change one or two obvious details that the writer and director managed to miss, and show you how it SHOULD HAVE ended. They’re website and/or their you-tube channel is a must–see for any movie buff. Just to give you a sampling (and since there’s only one award this month, and thus super-short post) here’s a few of my favorites:
Star Wars:
Lord of the Rings:
Inception:
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Gold Star Awards, October, 2010
Wow. It's been a busy month, here at IMHO. 26 Posts to date - well over my previous, personal record. And some of them were even pretty good, if I do say so myself. I've got at least one more post that needs to go up before election day, and there are some un-replied-to comments that I have to answer (or at least acknowledge) as well. (And hanks again to everyone who comments - it's hearing from all of you that really makes this worthwhile for me!) And before the month is over, I want to make sure I get the new GOLD STAR's announced for October, while we're still IN October. So, without further ado, we're up to 1954 now, and that means three Gold's, no Silver's.
The Bill Dickey Gold Star #26: YouTube
This has been SUCH a long time coming. Of all of the iconic, marquis web pages out there (ebay, google, amazon, etc...) YouTube is, far and away, the most important. In fact, I'll go so far as to call it the greatest innovation in and tool for freedom of speech and freedom of information since the First Amendment. YouTube makes each and every one of us a journalist, as political commentator, an infotainer, a pundit, a talk show host, and an activist. It gives everyone a voice and everyone a platform. And with the Mainstream Media growing more useless every year, stories such as those of Lauren Valle and Kenneth Gladney get what might be the best, most objective treatment, in the chaotic free-for-all that is YouTube. Never again will "they" be able to suppress the story, or hide the truth. It' possible that YouTube didn't think they'd change the world when they started out. And given the preponderance of 10 year old i-Carly wannabe's, there's some fairness in rolling your eye's at this depiction of them. But we now live in a world in which the information is controlled by the people, and once a single person has it, the WORLD has it. And that may be the most powerful tool for Democracy since the Constitution.
The Rabbit Maranville Gold Star #27: HuffPo
Right up front, let me clear something up: I am not a huge fan of HuffPo. But "Rabbit Maranville" is about as obscure a Gold Star as you can get, so now is as good a time as any to acknowledge, and give due credit, to what HuffPo represents. A Liberal Platform, yes, but far more importantly a MODEL combining blogging, journalism, editorializing, punditry and reader input. Many have followed, and few have achieved the scope, reach, audience or level of name recognition that the Huffington Post has. Arianna is the reason many of us are here, doing what we do, and why we might be taken the least bit seriously by anyone outside our core audience. So what DON'T I like? Meh... IMHO, there's just too much Celebrity Fluff more my tastes. Not enough Kutner and Reich, and way to much Baldwin. But that's fine. It is what it is. It's not The American Prospect, after all, nor is it...
The Bill Terry Gold Star #28: The Humanist
THIS is more like it. I'll admit that I read them less than I read some other (like TAP) and less than I probably SHOULD or NEED TO, because they really do a fantastic job of digging into the really meaty, political and philosophical issues, going well beyond merely a liberal, or even a humanist perspective and looking at things from all angles. Which, if they have one, may be their biggest flaw: They make my head spin. But I highly recommend them for anyone who really wants to THINK. (Of course, given the polls of late, that's a painfully minute audience, but still: It's still about the strongest endorsement I can give.)
I should get to everyone's comments tonight. Have great weekend and a safe and fun Halloween everybody!
The Bill Dickey Gold Star #26: YouTube
This has been SUCH a long time coming. Of all of the iconic, marquis web pages out there (ebay, google, amazon, etc...) YouTube is, far and away, the most important. In fact, I'll go so far as to call it the greatest innovation in and tool for freedom of speech and freedom of information since the First Amendment. YouTube makes each and every one of us a journalist, as political commentator, an infotainer, a pundit, a talk show host, and an activist. It gives everyone a voice and everyone a platform. And with the Mainstream Media growing more useless every year, stories such as those of Lauren Valle and Kenneth Gladney get what might be the best, most objective treatment, in the chaotic free-for-all that is YouTube. Never again will "they" be able to suppress the story, or hide the truth. It' possible that YouTube didn't think they'd change the world when they started out. And given the preponderance of 10 year old i-Carly wannabe's, there's some fairness in rolling your eye's at this depiction of them. But we now live in a world in which the information is controlled by the people, and once a single person has it, the WORLD has it. And that may be the most powerful tool for Democracy since the Constitution.
The Rabbit Maranville Gold Star #27: HuffPo
Right up front, let me clear something up: I am not a huge fan of HuffPo. But "Rabbit Maranville" is about as obscure a Gold Star as you can get, so now is as good a time as any to acknowledge, and give due credit, to what HuffPo represents. A Liberal Platform, yes, but far more importantly a MODEL combining blogging, journalism, editorializing, punditry and reader input. Many have followed, and few have achieved the scope, reach, audience or level of name recognition that the Huffington Post has. Arianna is the reason many of us are here, doing what we do, and why we might be taken the least bit seriously by anyone outside our core audience. So what DON'T I like? Meh... IMHO, there's just too much Celebrity Fluff more my tastes. Not enough Kutner and Reich, and way to much Baldwin. But that's fine. It is what it is. It's not The American Prospect, after all, nor is it...
The Bill Terry Gold Star #28: The Humanist
THIS is more like it. I'll admit that I read them less than I read some other (like TAP) and less than I probably SHOULD or NEED TO, because they really do a fantastic job of digging into the really meaty, political and philosophical issues, going well beyond merely a liberal, or even a humanist perspective and looking at things from all angles. Which, if they have one, may be their biggest flaw: They make my head spin. But I highly recommend them for anyone who really wants to THINK. (Of course, given the polls of late, that's a painfully minute audience, but still: It's still about the strongest endorsement I can give.)
I should get to everyone's comments tonight. Have great weekend and a safe and fun Halloween everybody!
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Gold Star Awards, August, 2010
I got a few things in my in-box (RW Propaganda Video, Tomas Sowell article) that I'd like to savage, but I've been in such a pissy mood lately that I thought I'd do a more positive piece. So, once again, it's time to immortalize a few more websites with what might be the single most meaningless, over-rated and over-the-top award in the world: Induction into Niceguy Eddie's Hall of Fame!
This month we're following the election of 1952, which saw two BWAA inductees (Gold Stars) but none from the Veterans Committee. (So no Silvers this month.)
The Harry Heilmann, Gold Star #22: The Midnight Review
Folks, let me first say Kevin K's blog has been on my short list since about January. And yet every month it seemed like I'd remember some other site, or some site would come to my attention that I felt I just HAD to talk about. But enough's enough. This has been a LOOOONG time coming. Kevin K is a prolific blogger, with incredibly in-depth, well-researched and well-cited posts. He's a great source for a well-informed take and keen insight on everything that's going on in the world of politics. Comparing my blog to his would be like comparing AM Talk Radio to the way a News and Political media source SHOULD work. (I'd point to an example, but given the sad state of our media, none really comes to mind! NPR?) Anyway, check it out. The only reason I occasionally sound like I know what I’m talking about is because the are people like Kevin K. (and ClassicLiberal and other Gold Stars that I've mentioned) who do a much better job at this than I do.
The Paul Waner Gold Star #23: Political Irony
I first became aware of Iron Knee’s blog last month when one of their readers left a comment on IMHO saying they found their way here because he had posted something of mine. So I checked out his site and very quickly became absolutely crazy about it. You see… I LOVE irony; especially the kind that comes in the form of Political Hypocrisy. And pointing out this politically hypocritical brand of irony is pretty much ALL THEY DO. It’s fantastic. It’s hilarious. It’s like what “Countdown” would be if all KO did was “Worst Person in the World” for an hour strait! I love the cartoons, I love the posts, I love that he found something I wrote to be worth his while to post… (LOL/wink) I can pay it only the highest compliment that I can think of: That I wish I had done my own blog like that! It’s a riot. Check it out.
This month we're following the election of 1952, which saw two BWAA inductees (Gold Stars) but none from the Veterans Committee. (So no Silvers this month.)
The Harry Heilmann, Gold Star #22: The Midnight Review
Folks, let me first say Kevin K's blog has been on my short list since about January. And yet every month it seemed like I'd remember some other site, or some site would come to my attention that I felt I just HAD to talk about. But enough's enough. This has been a LOOOONG time coming. Kevin K is a prolific blogger, with incredibly in-depth, well-researched and well-cited posts. He's a great source for a well-informed take and keen insight on everything that's going on in the world of politics. Comparing my blog to his would be like comparing AM Talk Radio to the way a News and Political media source SHOULD work. (I'd point to an example, but given the sad state of our media, none really comes to mind! NPR?) Anyway, check it out. The only reason I occasionally sound like I know what I’m talking about is because the are people like Kevin K. (and ClassicLiberal and other Gold Stars that I've mentioned) who do a much better job at this than I do.
The Paul Waner Gold Star #23: Political Irony
I first became aware of Iron Knee’s blog last month when one of their readers left a comment on IMHO saying they found their way here because he had posted something of mine. So I checked out his site and very quickly became absolutely crazy about it. You see… I LOVE irony; especially the kind that comes in the form of Political Hypocrisy. And pointing out this politically hypocritical brand of irony is pretty much ALL THEY DO. It’s fantastic. It’s hilarious. It’s like what “Countdown” would be if all KO did was “Worst Person in the World” for an hour strait! I love the cartoons, I love the posts, I love that he found something I wrote to be worth his while to post… (LOL/wink) I can pay it only the highest compliment that I can think of: That I wish I had done my own blog like that! It’s a riot. Check it out.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
GOLD STAR AWARDS, June, 2010
Time once again to expand my personal Hall of Fame, now prominently displayed on the right hand side of my blog. (I just realized, shouldn't a liberal's HoF be displayed on the LEFT? Oh well. LOL) Paralelling Major League Baseball's HoF elections, we're up to 1949 which saw one BWAA induction and two by the Verteran's Committee. So that's one Gold, two Silvers:
The Charlie Gehringer Gold Star #19: Left Hook!
Many of you will already be familiar with ClassicLiberal and his blog. He's a regular commenter here, and I've referenced and linked to his work many times. If there's any one source that I go to find out where the REAL Liberals mindset is - not those who are merely democrats, or Obama supporters - this is where I start. And I highly recommend his blog as a great source of analysis and information on just about any issue. And the best thing, for me anyway, are the times I've actually disagreed with him! There's nothing both more rewarding and more frustrating than debating with someone who you don't really disagree with in any broad idealogical way. I still disagree with him about the healthcare bill and filibusters, for example, but I also found his opposition to these things to be among the most well informed and well reasoned out there. (Hence my repeated recomendation of his blog during the health care debate.) This will likely be the first of many blogs that I've found becuase they're written by people who have commented here, but I'm happy to make it the first.
The Mordecai "Three-Finger" Brown Silver Star #19: Engrish
I'm sorry. There's nothing funnier than the unintentionally hilarity that comes from a botched translation. And the fact is that translating between Japanese and English (and vice-versa, I'm well told) is HARD. All the same, some of these pictures will make laugh so hard it will be the equivalent of 20 sit-ups. I need it translating more!
The Kid Nichols Silver Star #20: Fartparty
Julia Wertz is the coolest, funniest, most dark and twisted chick I've never met. I only recently discovered her amazing work, but I'm totally hooked. It's not a web-comic, per se, since her books have been published, but she's got a good smattering of example strips covering many different, personal topics on her website. She's just totally, awesomely funny.
I posted one of her strips a couple days back.. Here's anoyther one. Click to see it full-sized. (And BUY HER BOOKS!!! LOL)
I posted one of her strips a couple days back.. Here's anoyther one. Click to see it full-sized. (And BUY HER BOOKS!!! LOL)
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