Special Command Performance
By Dan on May 3, 2009 in Blog, Family, Local, Music, Politics, SJ-R
Self Endorsements
My column last week was my first ever to be syndicated. Although I’m proud of this piece, apologies must be extended to the people of Norwood, Mass, who were assaulted with this.
Were I ambitious, I would take the signature line from this column (Today, I will wear my underpants backwards!) and turn it into a self-empowerment philosophy that would spawn a series of books, a line of merchandise, and a regular spot on Oprah.
I also wrote a feature on some very talented local musicians.
Flying With Pigs
On Wednesday, it seemed conceivable that Tammy and the kids’ trip to Vermont this summer might have to be canceled. Being herded through an airport and then incubated in a plane while deadly viruses abounded seemed a tad risky, given the dire warnings. By Friday, the fear had subsided and I scoffed at the folly of my concern.
The media is partly to blame for fueling my hysteria, but I do think that much of the hubbub was just precaution in the face of the unknown. Had this flu been more plague-like, the quick quarantines and closings may have helped stave of the catastrophic. Of course had news broke last week that the Octamom was again knocked-up, most of us may have never heard of swine flu.
British Fans Would Have Stoned Me By Now
The Shamrocks fell again on Saturday. It’s only matter of time before parents start clamoring for a coaching change. If I’m going to wear the brown hat over our one-and-three record, then I’m going out on my own terms. I may pull a Buttermaker and start bringing a cooler of beer to practice.*
Mark’s game was rained out, denying him the opportunity to flop in the mud and then look around to see if any girls might be impressed by it.
And after a so-so effort during a make-up game on Thursday, Maria turned in a stellar performance on Saturday, scoring a goal and earning an assist in her team’s 3-1 victory. Nothing makes me prouder than to see the look of determination on her face when she goes on the attack.
Smarmy
When those on the left declare that R. Limbaugh is pompous, condescending and a manipulative partisan, I can not argue. But when those same people swear admiration for this smug clown, then their objectivity is clearly suspect. They are, afterall, birds of a feather.
Let’s Kill Saturday Night (after injuring it on Friday)
For you Facebookies, the lineup for the American Music Show is available here. Robbie Fulks and Dave Alvin (formerly of the Blasters and X) headline the two-day weekend affair. I was listening to some tracks by the Cynics and the Handcuffs this afternoon to get a feel for the rest of the lineup. This most definitely will be a kicker of the highest kicking order.
*Name the TV show and the movie referenced in this paragraph.
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Bad News Bears. Not sure about the TV show. Is it Hill Street Blues?
Well said about Olbermann. An idiot is an idiot no matter what side of the aisle they are on.
M.B. | May 3, 2009 | Reply
I don’t think fans of either Limbaugh or Olbermann are claiming objectivity. It does not surprise nor offend me that many on the right like Limbaugh. It amuses me.
You seem to have a way of setting these observations up in a way that tries to make liberals look hypocritical. Do you hear a lot of conservatives blasting both of these men fairly and equally?
nancy | May 4, 2009 | Reply
I would argue that “manipulative partisan” – by definition – is in the eye of the beholder. Wouldn’t you agree? Of course I think Rush Limbaugh is an idiot! And of course you think the same about Olbermann . . . what’s the point???
Rock-Robster | May 4, 2009 | Reply
Agree with Rock Robster and nancy – not exactly shocking that each side prefers its own court jester and hates the other side’s. I don’t think there’s an issue of objectivity here.
Mike de la Loyola | May 4, 2009 | Reply
I suppose this arises due to the fact that most of the news I consume comes from, if not a liberal perspective, than at least from liberals. That’s of my choosing because I do think I’m getting quality writing and reporting. What bothers me at times, however, is this common misconception that I’m commonly subjected to that anyone who disagrees with anything being proposed by Democrats is a Rush acolyte, and therefore a rightwing loon. On top of this, they never acknowledge that there are idiots on their fringe as well.
If I watched Fox News all day, I’d be wondering why they make fun of Air America, while ignoring the fact that Michael Savage is a creep.
And politics aside, Olbermann is smarmy. If you could test for it, he’d be off the meter.
Dan | May 4, 2009 | Reply
Do you want Olbermann to admit he’s smarmy?? He will as soon as Rush will . . . which is to say, never. Netiher side admits they are wrong too often . . .
Rock-Robster | May 4, 2009 | Reply
So then Dan, by your own admission, this is just a problem in that you choose (wisely) to listen to more liberal outlets becauase you (correctly) appreciate the quality of the reporting. It isn’t just a liberal policy of not eating their own, the conservatives abstain as well, but you’re just not watching/listening to FOX.
A cursory glance at most conservative blogs, media, or even Facebook shows that the right like to throw out Reid, Pelosi,Franks and Franken as the left wingnuts and associate Democrats with them.
And politics aside, Limbaugh is an overweight, pill-popping ass.
nancy | May 4, 2009 | Reply
Is your issue that the left doesn’t public call-out their “loons?” Does the right admit that they have loons?
Rock-Robster | May 4, 2009 | Reply
Yes, my issue is that the left doesn’t call out their loons. And I said that if I watched Fox News I’d probably have the same issue with the right, but I don’t watch Fox News so the issue isn’t as apparent to me from that direction.
The greatest way for anyone to earn credibility is to call out their own side from time to time.
One of my favorite bloggers is Mickey Kaus, who I first started reading during the 2004 presidential election. He’s a Democrat who openly stated that he was voting for Kerry, yet he didn’t feel that it was treasonous to criticize Kerry or praise Bush on occasion. And by doing so, his criticisms of Bush then took on extra weight because you knew he wasn’t operating on an agenda.
And didn’t I preface this post by admitting that Rush is a blowhard? Are you incapable of admitting that Olbermann is smarmy? I bet even his mom has told him that.
Dan | May 4, 2009 | Reply
Dan said:
Yes, my issue is that the left doesn’t call out their loons
Then Dan said:
He’s a Democrat who openly stated that he was voting for Kerry, yet he didn’t feel that it was treasonous to criticize Kerry or praise Bush on occasion. And by doing so, his criticisms of Bush then took on extra weight because you knew he wasn’t operating on an agenda.
Nancy said:
Sometimes these things have a way of working themselves out.
nancy | May 4, 2009 | Reply
Dan said: “When those on the left declare that R. Limbaugh is pompous, condescending and a manipulative partisan, I can not argue.”
I’m not sure why there is any confusion here. Dan is saying Rush AND Olbermann are idiots. I confirmed it when I said, “An idiot is an idiot no matter what side of the aisle they are on.”
So let it be known that it has been said by a conservative that Rush is an idiot. So we still haven’t heard from the left leaners what they think of Olbermann. What say you?
M.B. | May 4, 2009 | Reply
By the way Dan, did I get the movie and TV show right?
M.B. | May 4, 2009 | Reply
Thanks for confirming Dan’s opinion.
I like Olbermann. I don’t have to concede that Olbermann is an idiot simply because you agree that Limbaugh is. I’m so happy that after all these years we have found something on which to agree!!! Rush Limbaugh, bringing people together.
nancy | May 5, 2009 | Reply
Gotta diverge from the Nance – I can’t stand Olbermann, but we don’t get him here – so I don’t have to deal with him much. I think it’s the hair, or maybe just that I hated him on ESPN, but I can’t take him.
But I hate Rush, Hannity, O’Reilly, and Glenn Beck more. Don’t worry, Nance and Rob.
Mike de la Loyola | May 5, 2009 | Reply
It’s all good Mike. But I heart him bad.
And before anyone comes on here and tries to tell me how ashamed my good Catholic parents would be, my mom loves Olbermann too. Watches him every night. Seventy eight years old and still not stuck in her ways. I love it.
nancy | May 5, 2009 | Reply
Dan, where’s your facebook?
nancy | May 5, 2009 | Reply
Don’t mind Olbermann so much, but do agree his mock indignation is sometimes irritating. But, god I love it when he rips on BillO – that makes it all tolerable. I actually think Rachel Maddow is a little worse that Olbermann…maybe it’s my tendency to believe she has a really hairy upper lip. I don’t know, those things just bother me.
But I agree with Mike – I HATE, HATE, HATE the self righteous, morally corrupt (some of them) right wing finger pointers – “Looky, that’s what is wrong with America” yahoos like Hannity, Limbaugh, et all.
Each side has their own bevy of buffoons and none of them are any better/worse. My problem is that they all continue to draw their audiences…spending a great deal of them time pointing out what is wrong with the others guys’ message…If they spent even half their time talking about their own message and seeing it through to fruition then this would be a better country (and that concept applies to a lot of things).
Bad News Bears was the movie – Morris (?) Buttermaker was the coach. I don’t remember a TV show with a Buttermaker. Was there a Bad News Bears tv show?
Mrs Yellowdog
Yellowdog | May 5, 2009 | Reply
Lost in the whole Limbaugh/Olbermann debate (two huge idiots IMHO)…
Congratulations on your first syndicated column, Dan!!
–Johann
Johann | May 6, 2009 | Reply
You know, Mrs. Yellowdog, maybe that’s exactly what irks me about the right and left idiot commenters alike – the mock indignation. I remember a discussion during the primaries last year that the theme of the entire 2008 presidential campaign was – and would be – “umbrage.” I kinda like that – and think it applies to the commentariat (both sides) even more so. Talk about issues? No – take umbrage! Be indignant!
I do find it particularly galling that the Fox/right folks have adopted this style after years of mocking the left for claiming/exploiting victimhood or being part of a culture of complaint. “Waaaa! The mainstream media (what is Fox, then?) ignores us!” and so on….
Mike de la Loyola | May 6, 2009 | Reply
I cant stand olberman or Matthews, when Matthews said that he got a warm, tingly feeling up his leg when he Obama speaks, it sort of freaked me out. I mean WTF was he talking about? Is he some kind of sex freak? Very strange.
RickMonday | May 6, 2009 | Reply
Obama is quite sexy.
nancy | May 6, 2009 | Reply
Dan is there an easy way to find your articles on the SJ-R website? Are your stories listed under Features, Columnist, Entertainment or where? Even the 14 day search doesn’t seem to show byline.
Doug D | May 7, 2009 | Reply
Lack of objectivity is so unattractive. Smugness is downright ugly.
M.B. | May 8, 2009 | Reply
“Thanks for confirming Dan’s opinion.”
Thanks for totally missing his point….makes things interesting.
In the immortal words of Neil Peart: “quick to anger, slow to understand”
M.B. | May 8, 2009 | Reply
Hello there buddy, your blog’s layout is simple and clean and i like it. Your content are superb. Make sure you keep them coming. congrats!!!
kartonnen doosjes | Mar 15, 2011 | Reply