Why can't people say the name?

So, I was watching some reports about that crazy, nut job, the President of Iran the other day and I have never seen anyone whose name causes such consternation and generally funny mispronunciation by newscasters. Of course, I always got a kick out of the newspeople in L.A. who would immediately take on a latino accent anytime they were saying a name that was even mildly hispanic (15 rolls on the r for Garcia, por favor). The wonderful spelling of Muammar (Moammar, Muamer) Khaddafi (Qadafi, Qaddaffi, Kadaffi, Khaddaffi, etc.) is a real hoot also. But the loon from Persia takes the cake. I have never found his name hard to say, but my suggestion is that we switch to calling him ach-mah-Deen-a-dude. I suggest this because I think it is funny, but also because He would hate it...and that is good enough for me.

BTW, props go out to Larry Bollinger, I was really questioning them bringing the dinadude in for a speech until Bollinger blasted him before he ever got a chance to talk. And having him speak actually showed what a bufoon he really is. WTG!

I need some input

As a lover of almost all things funny, I am a pretty big fan of Kathy Griffin's. She can be, and often is, one of the funniest people on TV. We really enjoy "My life on the D List." (although we very much doubt her d-list standing these days)

Of course, the issue of her acceptance speech at the Creative Arts Emmys (or as she refers to them, the Schmemmys) has put me in a pickle. Knowing a bit about her comedy, I did not find it as offensive as some. She is an atheist and does not share the same world view as I do, and I am really okay with people with whom I do not always see eye to eye. I also love inappropriate humor, it is an art to me (just as all comedy is an art and a craft and a feeling and propaganda). I also believe very strongly that God has a great sense of humor. As a Christian, it is easy for me to be upset when one attacks my Savior. But, the Bible says that it is our sin that has held him up to ridicule and contempt and even torture and death. People like Kathy Griffin are not really responding to Christ, but to the hypocrisy of those of us who proudly name ourselves Christians. She is responding to the fact that I do not represent what I believe or even what I say.

My question is this, and please let me know your thoughts: What is our right response to this? Is it the common Christian response - to bash her? Is it is the other common Christian response - to ignore her? Or, is it the uncommon response to try to see beyond the words and try to lover her and those like her who have been so effected by our, and my disconnection from what I am called to be?

Nebraska state senator sues God, and I take the case

Okay, not that the Almighty needs my help, but I would be more than happy to defend Him against the allegations of a moronic state senator from Nebraska. His name is Chambers and he belongs in the looney bin. He is suing God for terrorist threats, destruction and wrongful death.

Arrrr!

Ahoy me mateys! Apparently, according to Yahoo News (as a Top story no less), it is International Talk like a Pirate Day. How cool is that? So, prepare yourself for many 'shiver me timbers' and 'yo ho yo ho's.' Arrrrrr!

Gas Bag

So, my wife came in yesterday morning and asked me if Al Gore is actually trying to look more like Darrell Hammond from SNL. Since I have not paid any attention to the former veep, I did not know what she was talking about. I assumed he had gone back to talking about the Lock Box. I really would like to know why we have not commissioned a study to see the effect that this gasbag has on Global Warming. I know, I know, some people think he is the prophet of the new age. However, I think it is important to point out that these folks are delusional, nutty, or stupid. If you really want to see someone who is way ahead of the curve in the whole ecological debate, look at Ed Begley Jr. The man has the most integrity of any ecological nutjob (no offense, Ed) I have ever seen. Does he fly on private jets, have the "carbon footprint" of a small town or any of the other ridiculous contradictions that plague the life of Al Gore? No! You can disagree with Mr. Begley (and I often do) but you can not say he does not walk the walk. He has his exercise bike hooked up to a generator saying if he rides it for twenty minutes, it makes enough power to make a piece of toast. If you are going to listen to someone about this issue from the green side, listen to him, not the gas bag.

the big C

I heard yesterday from a friend whose wife has been diagnosed with Breast Cancer. This morning I read an absolutely beautiful column by Susan Estrich (a brilliant lawyer and writer, even if she leans a little to the left of me) about her friend in the Chemo room. It seems as though I am more and more meeting people who are hindered by Cancer. My friend told me that it has always been around, but now it has a personal pronoun in front of it (I, me, my). I guess that is probably true. We can go through life and not see the pain of those around us, or their heroism, peace, joy, service and many other factors. I hate to think of myself as that self-involved, but I am. I miss the people around me who do for others and only see the ones who do for me. I hope that can change. I need to open my eyes to the struggles and strengths of those around me, because life is such an amazing tapestry. God's creation is truly beautiful and humans have such a capacity for goodness, but usually all we concentrate on is the evil that men do and the damage that they do. Let's do something different and look for the good in life, it might make us better people to see the example of the neighbor who cares for an ailing parent, rather than the example of the pop star who is in an ever downward spiral.

Oscars by Stewart

Okay, so Jon Stewart is hosting the Oscars again. I am a huge fan of Jon's (he asked me to call him by his first name, or at least that is what I inferred from the no contact order). However, this is not the right venue for him. This venue is much better for someone who is a fan of celebrity, rather than a mocker of such. When I was in school, there were always these funny kids who were on the outside of groups but commented on the popular and the unpopular alike. This is what Jon is, and he is so good at it, but he seems out of place around this much celebrity hype. Mike Myers would be an excellent host I would think...or Jim Carrey. I would much rather have Jon Stewart moderate a political debate. Would it not be great TV? I could just see it now. The moderator Jon Stewart and the panel? I would say Stephen Colbert, Lewis Black, Tina Fey and Dennis Miller. Not only would they ask different questions than you or I would, they would ask questions we never even thought of. Just a thought...maybe for the week before the elections when it is down to the real candidates, Mike Gravel(D)and Tom Tancredo(R).

per your request

per a request from the crazy lady who lives next door and stares at us out her window, I have fixed the problem so anonymous users can post. sorry i did not catch it earlier.

tapping to a different beat

Not to be too intimate in the details, but I was in a stall in the restroom today and a song started to go through my head. Without thinking about it, I tapped my foot to the beat...then I looked for the cops. Now, I am not in the loop when it comes to the habits and rituals of those who cruise for sex in the men's room, but what crime exactly did Larry Craig commit. And more importantly, how big of a moron does a legislator have to be to plead guilty to a non-crime which costs you your seat in the Senate.

I have watched all the talking heads and listened to the tape at least 6 times. For the life of me, I do not get it. Where is the crime? One of my gay friends will undoubtedly call me and tell me, "girl, that man was cruising!" Now, besides not being a big fan of being called girl, I am also keenly aware of my total lack of awareness when it comes to these matters. But, tapping your foot and running your hand under a stall is odd behavior (to be sure) but is it a crime? Is it Lewd Conduct, or even the plead-down Disorderly Conduct? Please, someone tell me what is the deal. Enlighten me.

I am not saying the guy isnt gay, nor am I saying that this isnt the way that folks who are given to crusing the men's rooms attract one another. I am only asking, when did he commit a crime? Please someone tell me, before I am arrested for attempted murder for whistling at the urinal.