Impotent Rage

I was watching the Rachel Maddow show the other day and it occurred to me that shows like this fills the viewer with a sense of impotent rage. Rage because the viewer is incensed by the outrageous activities of an individual or group of individuals (BP for example). Impotent because, even knowing exactly what's going on, and even who's to blame, there's literally nothing that we, as individuals, can do about it.

Recently, I spoke with a buddy of mine who was talking about the Enron scandal and other scandals similar to it. He was convinced that people needed to know what had happened so as to keep it from happening again.

I fervently disagreed. My point was this: Even if everybody on the planet knows what happened and who's to blame (which I think they do), the people who can actually do something about it (the government) never will. It's not in their best interests to legislate a solution because most of them are either directly involved, or involved in something equally scandalous. They know that anything they do now will likely come back to bite them in the ass in the future.

Therefore, what is the point in becoming aware of the atrocities, crimes, and misdeeds of people in power? The knowledge alone will garner you nothing - and the rage you feel will be exacerbated by the fact that you are powerless to affect the situation.

So, your choices are simple: Ignorant Bliss or Impotent Rage. Guess which one will help you sleep at night?

I think I'll go back to Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert - I can use a good chuckle. Sorry, Rachel.

Rachel Maddow

Ok, it's time to come clean: Apparently, I'm a Rachel Maddow fan.

I've been watching the show for the last week or so, and I find myself being drawn in. At first, I was just curious to see what all the buzz was about. She was a guest on the Jon Stewart show and she seemed pretty intelligent and sarcastically witty. I figured I'd tune in, get a quick feel for her style, then go on my merry way. I honestly don't have time for an hour a day of this gal on my DVR...

But, somehow or another she got me. Normally I shy away from people who are on what I refer to as the lunatic fringe (that's right, I coined the expression back in 1972). She's clearly quite liberal as are nearly all of the guests of her show. Also, she has kind of Glen Beck, or a Fox and Friends, habit of mocking the other side that can get a little stale. I'm all for slamming the conservatives (I heard they like that), but sometimes it seems a little forced.

On the other hand, she's obviously ridiculously knowledgeable when it comes to politics and spin.

So, I've decided to add her in so that my only legitimate news sources aren't limited to Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert - brilliant though they may be.

I suppose, to be fair, I should include a right wing fascist, uh, I mean conservative to balance the input... I just don't know if I can stomach it now that I've left western Nebraska. My tolerance isn't as high as it used to be.

Yet another reason why Republicans suck...

Ok, this is just going to be quick and dirty.

So, I'm watching a little Fox news tonight... Actually, I was just flipping through the channels when I saw my hero, Barak Obama, talking about the oil spill. I didn't realize I was watching Fox news until it breaks back to the "reporters" in the studio. This retarded c-word bitch decided it would be hilarious to mock the President by using the line, "You're doing a great job, Brownie."

Like a frickin moron, she didn't realize that what she was really doing was mocking bush jr. by using his own stupidity as an insult when applied to Obama.

Not surprisingly, neither of the men on the show pointed out that she was an idiot, but it was pretty clear that they immediately recognized the mistake she'd just made. They knew, however, that they couldn't bring it up without making them all look even more ridiculous than they already did.

And, this isn't the first time I've seen or heard this backward ploy in action. For instance, they keep saying that the oil spill is Obama's Katrina - never realizing that they're admitting that bush fucked up when it came to Katrina.

I hate those people. Personally, I can't wait until the new, third party shows up. I might even head it myself! We'll be the FCSL party - fiscally conservative, social liberals. A party made up of people who represent the middle 70% of the country who are neither hard-core right-wing bastards, or left-wing bleeding heart pussies.

Surely, the rest of us can get some representation up in here! Vote for me, and your voice will finally be heard!

(paid for by nobody)

First SYTYCD post...

I only have one criticism about my favorite TV show, So You Think You Can Dance, and that is this: I don't give a rat's ass what your back story is. I don't care if your mom is unemployed, or your dad is fighting cancer, or your little brother is in a wheelchair - I just don't.

I watch the show to see good dancers become great dancers. I watch it because every now and again there's a breakout performance that I remember literally for years.

I'll give you a for-instance: There's a guy tonight who's twin brother has an extreme case of Spina Bifida. It's tragic and I feel for him and his family. HOWEVER, that should not translate into a free ticket to Vegas. If the guy is good, let him go through - if not, boot his ass.

Now, after the fact, once the guy, or girl, has made it into the top 5 or so, sure, let's hear the whole story. But until then, you're just a number to me, pal. And if you suck, then get the hell off the stage and go suck someplace else.

That's it for now, but between this show and the College Softball World Series, don't expect any good posts for a while. They'll either be gay or REALLY gay.