Samsung Infuse 4G "Spider"

This commercial is incredibly annoying for many reasons. The first is, of course, that it's stupid. These people would have to be morons to think that the spider on the screen could by any stretch of the imagination be confused with a real tarantula. Another annoyance: it's too loud. This supposed businesswoman could only be perceived as a neurotic hysteric after such a display of unbridled high-decibel panic. She should be fired immediately. It's also offensive because it is so chauvinistic, dragging out the usual cliche about the weak and cowardly female who goes to pieces at the sight of an insect, a rodent, a snake. Finally it doesn't say much for the Samsung consumer when you consider that this particular, recently destroyed, product was being used by three idiots.

Another mystery solved.

As much as I detest Sarah Palin, I just realized that in one area she has been honest all along, but none of us really recognized it. It is the answer to what makes her tick, what makes her so defensive, so easily offended, so quick to wrath. This weekend it became crystal clear thanks to the beginning of her so-called bus tour. When I saw her grinning with those bikers and stealing the spotlight with such delight from all those deserving motorcycling veterans, it became very obvious: Sarah Palin really is a dominatrix; it's not just something people say sarcastically. This would explain her penchant for tight leather clothing, for black leather hip boots with stiletto heels, for bikes and guns, for such macho and cruel pursuits as hunting wolves. This would explain why underlings like Tom Bailey, author of "Blind Allegiance" behaved more like love slaves than mere assistants. Even Palin's hairstyle is classic dominatrix, a practical updo that's so easy to convert to a schoolgirlish ponytail or other required fantasy style. And her being a dominatrix certainly explains the rather submissive affect of Todd and his ready obedience to his mistress of the dark. Sarah Palin is a sexual sadist. She loves humiliating people, punishing her enemies and probably humiliating her friends. Even her pretense at planning to run for the presidency is just a form of teasing. I wouldn't be a bit surprised if she doesn't love working up all her loyal and slobbering fans only to disappoint them yet again when you does not bring them to the climax of an actual campaign. I am sure even her glasses play a part in her sexual games—they are the perfect prop for the strict schoolteacher who must discipline Master Todd for something he neglected to do or a compliment he failed to give. So far, I think they are they only two involved in these sexual games, but once she is out of the spotlight, expect to see her enjoying a very busy life of S & M. Additionally, I wouldn't be a bit surprised if someday there isn't a photo essay of the bondage room in her new Arizona home.

Hello out there.

While I enjoy writing a blog, I can't say I get much feedback, so it's a lot like writing a journal. Except for today. Every day I get about 36 visitors. I have no idea who they are, but it's nice to know I am not just talking to myself. But today, so far, I have had 261 visitors. Why? It can't be because my posters were framed wrong. So, it must be the Niaspan comments. No, that doesn't make any sense. I guess when you write a blog, you can expect many surprises. I am sure one of these days people will start commenting. No doubt when that happens, I will continue to get nice remarks from my only friend who does write, but along with them I am sure to get some negative feedback. That might be interesting.

Unethical Pharma Ad: Niaspan from Abbott Labs

Good medical news.

I was pleased to see on tonight's news that a recent study has shown that taking medications to raise good cholesterol (as opposed as lowering bad cholesterol) seems to be of no medical value. This delights me on two levels. One is that I stopped taking niacin, against my cardiologist's advice, when it created the sense that I had a very bad sunbburn.Now I don't have to feel the guilt and worry. And two, because the Niaspan commercial are among the most annoying and manipulative on television. Now that medical authorities have more or less debunked such medications include Niaspan, I wonder how frequenly they will run those commercials and continue to tell consumers that they need that medication when it has been proven that they don't.

My wailing wall.

One often has the thought they would like to help someone just starting out in business. Even if you don't actually know them. I felt that way a few years back for a young man who had just bought a framing shop on the Miracle Mile in Coral Gables. It was obvious that he was nervous about his venture, and probably couldn't afford much help since it seemed that his girlfriend was working there. The previous shop had been there for ages, so I knew he had some big shoes to fill, especially since there were other framing shops nearby. To help out, I bought in two posters to be framed. One was the largest poster for the Broadway show "Follies", not a very valuable item. The other was a small, original 1951 lobby card for one of my favorite movies, "Cry Danger". I had ordered it from E-Bay and cost about $75.00. Needless to say I felt very good about myself, helping out this young man and his girlfriend. (So what if was going to frame then anyway?) No less smug, in fact, than Jerry Seinfeld felt when he encouraged Babu to change the style of his restaurant. Of course Babu's venture turned into a disaster. But then so did mine from the consumer end. For both framed posters were very badly done. The "Folllies" poster had a huge wrinkle running down the center, while the "Cry Danger" poster had fewer wrinkles and looked like a badly ironed shirt. I decided to wait until I was less angry before I approached him about these two disasters. That proved to be another mistake. Because when I went back the store was empty and locked, and nobody seemed to know where this hopeless entrepreneur had flown. Oddly enough I never had the frames redone. I guess because I just hate paying for the same thing twice. What's the morale of this story? There isn't one.

The unfortunate thing about remakes of classic films is they are rarely as good as the original and often a great deal worse. But something even more disturbing is that often when a film has been redone, the original is not shown as much even when the remake—frankly—sucks. There are two unfortunate cases I can think of: "The Taking of Pelham One Two Three" and "Raisin in the Sun". The original Pelham film release in 1974 was a teriffic edge-of-your seat thriller with Walter Matthau, Robert Shaw, and Martin Balsam. You probably know it was about a gang of thugs who held a subway train hostage and it was—pardon the cliche-riveting right up the nail-biting end. The new version "The Taking of Pelham 1-2-3" despite Denzel Washington and John Travolta was poorly directed, boring, and more finger tapping than nail biting. Yet that seems to be the one version they now show on TV. Even more shameful is the remake of "A Raisin in the Sun". Again despite a good cast: Phylicia Rashad, Sean Combs, John Stamos and Audra McDonald, it is not very compelling. But even if were it could never reach the heights of the 1961 original which is a masterpiece of direction and acting. The ensemble cast of Sidney Poitier, Ruby Dee, Diana Sands and Claudia McNeil, most of whom were in the original Broadway cast perform with utter conviction and believability and deliver Lorraine Hansberry's play with perfection. But don't plan on catching it unless you watch Turner Classic Movies or order it because what is shown television for the most part is the tepid recent version which fails to inspire. What is that makes these second rate filmmakers feel that the can improve on first-class classic films?

The Music Men.

Despite being the most brilliant lyricist since Noel Coward, I have never sold a single one of my three musical shows. (Could I be wrong about my brilliance?) But at least I have been able to collaborate with three very talented composers, only one of whom I've met. I mention them here because I want you, when you get the chance, to check out John Dusenberry's new website. He was the inspiring composer with whom I wrote "The Accidental President", which had a successful five performance run in Manhattan Beach, California.(No, it didn't close. It was never scheduled for more than five performances!) Peter Rudzik, who lives in Calgary was the prolific composer had just the right touch for our revuish musical, "You Can't Live in L.A. Without a Car" which some smart producer will someday discover. And, finally, the only composer I have met, Jerry Goldberg. This talented musician was the original conductor for Broadway's "A Chorus Line", who I was fortunate to have write the music for "Euphoria", a musical fable about a kingdom that manufactures clouds. The only trouble with all three of them was that we get along so well. Aren't collaborators supposed to hate each other's guts?

Note: Shown is a publilcity shot for "The Accidental President". Sorry, I don't seem to have ready photos of any of these good friends. I hope they'll send some that I can include later.

P.S. I do know that titles are in italics and not quotes, but every time I italicize a title, the whole page goes crazy.

You will not questioned.

One of my short plays, "La Vie En Rose" will be presented on The Shoestring Radio Theatre this Friday, May 27. Shoestring Radio Theatre is a nationally-syndicated radio drama program featuring original radio plays by contemporary writers as well as adaptations of traditional favorites—everything from classic murder mysteries, "radio noir," and historical dramas to contemporary comedies, thrillers, and science fiction. If you are interested in tuning in, please go to their website as I haven't a clue how to instruct you and will have to figure it out myself as the day draws closer. Since nobody ever seems to leave comments on my blog (is anyone out there?) except for one dear friend (you know who you are) I won't anticipate either praise or scathing criticism for the play. Also—no—I will not ask you if you listened in as a way of testing your loyalty.

A retail guessing game.

I just came from a chain store that I must admit I like, but feel that almost all of their merchandise is greedily overpriced.. As I strolled through the store I saw dozens of items priced at 9.99 (one of their favorite numbers) which cost 3,99 or 4.99 almost anywhere else. They have hundreds of gadgets that one doesn't really need but thinks would be fun to have if they didn't cost from 5.99 to 14.99. Many of their plastic items, which are well-made, but no more so than Tupperware, cost upwards of $129.00. A chair that I saw there six months ago at the too-high price of $39.00 is now $49.00. Hmmm. Almost every item is at least 10% ore than it's worth and often as much as 50% more.Despite their excessive markups, it does seem to be a popular shopping center for the preppie market who don't seem to mind paying 29.99 for a $12.00 canvas bag or $159.00 for a shiny chrome garbage can and another $19.99 for a small supply of complementary disposable bags. If you shop a lot you probably know which chain I am talking about. I frankly don't want to vilify this store since it has every right to charge what the traffic will bear. But I must admit it's rather hard to contain my annoyance.

The end of the Game.

At first it seemed The Game of Thrones would be an entertaining new HBO series. It has good actors, wonderful special effects, great costumes and lots of sex. I even watched a few episodes before I realized that it doesn't have an interesting story, its a collection of cliches from every medieval film you've ever seen, and it tries to hold your attention with swearing, sex and super violence. Now I don't mind when there are bloody battle scenes and the special effects men go all out with arrows in the head, and intestines falling out in the snow. But once they start killing animals, I lose interest. I should have quit two episodes ago when the had to kill someone's pet dog to satisfy a prince's pet peeve. But last night when the jouster was knocked off his horse, he, in a fury of poor sportsmanship killed the animal and I won't tell you how. At the point, I said, "That's it." And, for me, "The Game of Thrones" was over.

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=749568281992

The message is clear, Paul.

TV: Who Has Stake in U.S. Oil Companies?

This woman is Brooke Alexander. She's very attractive and an excellent spokesperson. But I have to admit I have no idea what Energy Tomorrow does or is. Even after I looked it up, it wasn't clear to me what their goals are. Instinctively I feel distrustful every time I see these commercials. But should I be?

It was fun while it lasted.

This will probably be my last post. After all the world is supposed to end tomorrow at 6 pm. But is that Eastern Time? I don't doubt it for a minute. After all this Harold Camping person is a multimillionaire and a Bible Scholar. Who am I to argue with someone as revered as him (he?)? I'm a little bit worried being an atheist. I mean do I qualify for the rapture at all? And what exactly is the Rapture? It sounds like it would be similar to an orgasm, but I'll probably go to hell for even suggesting that. Although it seems the world doesn't end tomorrow, it just begins to end according to the 89-year-old Camping. He and his followers who, by the way, don't have a church,believe that tomorrow a massive earthquake beginning in Fiji (poor Fijins!) will zip around the world, opening two hundred million graves of the saved, who will float up to heaven. If you're not one of them expect to hang around the doomed earth for another five months before God completes the final destruction. This is good news for some people. Newt Gingrich for instance only has to be embarrassed about his recent gaffes for one more day. On the other hand Palin's son Trick, or Track or Trigger won't get to enjoy his honeymoon and Maria Shriver will be denied the satisfaction of a ball-busting divorce. Considering my opening line, if the world doesn't end tomorrow, will I be so embarrassed.

A safe house.

I recently purchased the complete series of the original Upstairs/Downstairs. It includes 75 hours of viewing time. That seems like a lot. But I figured I would watch episodes of the series when there was nothing else on television worth watching. This means, of course, that I have been watching the series every night. While it's wonderfully done and brilliantly written and acted, it unfortunately reminds me of just how mediocre television has become. I watched the Comcast crawl of what's available for viewing and, with few exceptions, it's all crap. Crime dramas, true crime shows, Fox propaganda, vulgar cartoon programs, movies "edited to fit your screen"and endless shows about cooking, decorating, brides and hoarding. To make matters worse all of these shows include dozens and dozens of commercials, pop-ups, and promotions for other lousy shows. So it's a pleasure to escape all this mediocrity and go back to The Bellamy house at Eaton Place where civilized three-dimensional characters face realistic problems and have conversations that—oh, my God—make you think. Except for the excellent news coverage of MSNBC and a few intelligent shows like Jeopardy, there is very little to watch. I'm beginning to wonder if shouldn't just cancel Comcast, give up tv programming and buy up every BBC series ever filmed.

Heaven help us!

I recent switched to ABC Evening News after they impressed me with their Made in America series. And I was pretty happy about the change until last night, May 18th. In a feature questioning whether there is a heaven, they presented two opposing points of view. One was Stephen Hawking, one of the great minds our time, who has said that the human body is like a computer and when it fails, it has no future of any kind. Now I would have welcomed another opinion if it were a respected theologian

or even a long-term priest. But the expert they chose was that idiot child, Todd Burpo, whose fraudulent parents have written a sham book about little Bupry's visit to heaven during a failed operation. Of course his visions are nothing but white Protestant cliches giving them no credibility at all except with the most gullible fundamentalists. I cannot believe that ABC News would have such an absurd and shameful report comparing the philosophy of a genius and the fabrications of a twerp.

Here we go again.

I am beginning to think the best way to become wealthy in America is to be a scumbag. Mildred Patricia Baena is yet another person who proves that maxim. While working as a housekeeper in the Schwarzenegger’s home she had sex with Arnold, betrayed her generous employer Maria and produced a child that is sure to be a major meal ticket for the rest of her life. What monies she doesn't squeeze out of Conan the Barbarian, she'll get from any number of sensationalist rags. Do these people have any morals at all or are their only goals in life rolling in money and rolling in the hay? I don't understand this kind of sloppiness. Especially from a man who has so much money and so much fame that he could easily arrange assignations with any number of gorgeous and discreet professionals who have got to be more exciting than this housekeeper. But then maybe aprons or the smell of Pledge or the very act of housekeeping act as aphrodisiacs to wildly successful and jaded men. After all, it appears that Dominique Strauss-Kahn threw away his career this week at the mere sight of a hotel maid.


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Some moments shouldn't be shared.

This post is sure to make me a lot of enemies, but so what. I really hate these news stories where a military parent home from Iraq surprises his or her child at school. Yes, it's great to see the kid's delight at realizing that his mother or father has come home. And, yes, it's nice to see all the other kids gather around the returning hero. But there's something about it that seems self-centered and grandstanding, making it slightly less obnoxious than the "creative" marriage proposal and making it more of a showcase for the parent than the often self-conscious chid. I also wonder how many parents, relatives, friends and children whose loved ones will not be coming home because they were killed in the war see these sentimental reports and feel more bereft than ever.

This response was sent to me in an e-mail not as a comment, which is why I include it here.

I couldn't agree more and this really touched a nerve. I would add that when young children are reunited with a parent after months of separation, it is often a time of very raw and mixed emotions. We have become voyeurs of people's most intimate emotional moments. These reunions are, in my humble opinion, a perfect example of what should remain an intimate, rather than public, experience. It would protect the affected child's dignity, as well as the dignity of other children and families who may be less fortunate.


Note: I find the "soldier in a box" clip shown here particularly insipid, and must say the child did not show the same kind of enthusiasm one sees in the 600 other schoolroom surprises.

Retail's Newest Racket

Yesterday I went shopping for a new video projector to replace the one I have had for 2-1/2 years. At Office Depot I saw an Epson
model that appealed to me, mostly because it was only $499, far less than other models. Of course they have no facilities to demonstrate the product and you can't always believe the glowing reviews by the manufacturer. So I asked a clerk, "If I buy this and I am not happy with it, can I return it?" Her response amazed me. She said that certainly I could return it, but there would be a 15% "restocking fee." In short if I purchased an item of which I know nothing and lug it home, set it up, and find that it falls short of what I expected it to be, I can return it. But I will be charged $75.00. 75.00! I assumed this woman was completely in error about the store's policy, but it was confirmed by another clerk at another Office Depot. I had heard about this "restocking fee" several time earlier in the week when I attempted to return a $175.00 projector bulb which I had ordered by not even opened. In that case I was able to talk the company out of the $26.00 restocking fee. Do people actually pay this absurd charge without complaining? And how epidemic is it? I hope nobody reading this blog will ever be willing to pay a 15% restocking fee for anything.

Standing room only.

Miami has a lot of wonderful things if you love the sun, surf, watersports, and nightlife. But if you lead a more pedestrian existence like me, it lacks many conveniences and comforts. And one of the most conspicuously missing items, at least to me, are benches Notably outside of retail establishments in malls. If two people are shopping, one is always bound to be more of an explorer who can spend hours browsing through every department and examining endless items. Therefore it seems only logical to me that the other other person should be able to step outside the store and sit peacefully on a bench reading or people watching. In most cases this is not possible because there are no benches There are just wide stretches of sidewalk. I have noticed this in many malls, most recently at the one across from Dadeland, home to The Container Store, Old Navy, Office Depot, and Brands Mart. You would think that such a collection of money-making retailers could pool their finances and buy one little bench, but no. I also suspect their unwillingness to provide outdoor seating actually costs them money. As I am sure the less shopacious spouse in these malls has often said, "Let's go home, honey, my feet are killing me and there's no place to sit."

Vicar of dibley (I cant believe its not butter)

I only include this because I think it's very funny and because I mentioned I Can't Believe It's Not Butter in a recent post.

You've got to be kidding!

Look at this man. He's every bit as sour tempered as he looks here. He's an overweight, overcritical 68-year-old megalomaniac who's been thrice married, twice divorced, and most censored for ditching wife number one when she was recovering from cancer surgery. His third wife, the helmet-haired blonde Callista is 23 years his junior and having front seat sex with him while he was still married to wife number two. And while Newton Leroy McPherson makes noises like a hawk,through clever draft-dodging he has never served in the military. Despite that, he recently stated that most of his past indiscretions(and they were lulus) were created by his love of country, whatever that means. He's not charming, not photogenic, not honest, and not as religious as pretends to be. And he thinks he can be president. Has there ever been a time when so many delusional people were running around loose? And none more so than this pudgy reprobate who is willing to spend millions on a fool's errand if he gets the nomination, which is about as likely as getting valentines from either of his first two wives.

Note: I am writing this note two days after I wrote the post. I just wanted to add that in watching the news tonight I find Newt Gingrich more repulsive than ever. I am surprised that he was smart enough to choose a nickname that is so suitable.

"The family that prays together..."

As a true crime fan I am always impressed, but never surprised, at how often murderers are the most devout Christians. My latest read, "Love Hurts" by Keith Elliot Greenberg features the Caffey family in Texas (where else?) a churchgoing, fundamentalist unit of true believers. Of course being highly religious, ergo: judgemental as hell, they wouldn't let their teen-age daughter Erin date her newest boyfriend, Charlie James Wilkinson. Spurning the "honor your father and mother" clause in the bible, Erin, Charlie and a two other Christian friends came to the Caffey House with guns and swords (yes, swords) and shot Mr. and Mrs. Caffey, shot and stabbed their two young sons and set fire to the house. All died except for Mr. Caffey,who, despite his wounds was able to escape through a window, crawl to a neighbor and notify the police. Those madcap Christian kids were rounded up right away and before you could say "Thou shalt not kill" they were sentenced to from 40 years to life. Now Mr. Caffey, as you can imagine, was depressed about having his family slaughtered and his house burned to the ground. But in true Christian fashion he did not blame the lord for giving him these Job-like problems to deal with and while he briefly considered suicide, he changed his mind because as he said, "That wouldn't be honoring the God who saved my life."

Certain dri doctor commercial

Another major cliche in advertising is commercials that end with the single word "cool" like this insipid entry which ends with not one, but two, "cools. Forgetting that unimaginative device, I can't imagine why a deodorant has to be doctor recommended. Are deodorants dangerous? I also can't conceive why a beautiful woman would go up to a handsome stranger to admit that she was sweating. Is that a provocative opening line? And talk about a leap, why did his telling her that his deodorant was doctor-recommended make her assume he was a doctor? And why did he have to take off his glasses to answer her question? Is there a Clark Kent aspect to this spot I am not getting? Nice looking actors in a really dippy commercial.

Ortho Home Defense Max -- "This Thing About Bugs"

I would love to have a dollar for every commercial that ends with some kind of suggestion that the mother-in-law is not welcome. It is such a lazy, pathetic cliche that any copywriter should be ashamed to resort to this lame device. This spot, for instance, is quite good until we reach the trite ending. But even putting that major flaw aside, I have yet to meet anyone in Florida who, having decided to save on an exterminator, does his own spraying. More often than not, they give up that money-saving economy very quickly and rush to the phone to call Truly Nolan or Orkin. I wonder why.

Dr. Scholl's - Massaging Gel Insoles - Are You Gellin'

There was a time when the law, or network rules or just guidelines protected consumers from false advertising. Apparently that is no longer the case. We are deluged with commercials that are either complete lies or wild exaggerations. A case in point: every Dr. Scholls commercial. The idea that you can slip the company's soothing gels into your shoes and you are suddenly less stressed is absurd. Another Dr. Scholls' commercial, which I can't find on YouTube, suggests that their insoles will relieve back pain instantly. I have foolishly tried their products and no such miracles occur. These commercials are no less shameful than the 3 am spots which suggest you can shed 10 pounds in ten days. You also should realize that Bayer aspirin alone cannot save your life during a heart attack, two Aleve do not give you 24 hours of pain relief, and while I Can't Believe It's Not Butter tastes good it does not taste like butter. It would be great if commercials could only state that which was true, but since they don't the viewer has to approach every claim with skepticism. Other products whose boasts are far from true: cold medicines, thickening shampoos, energy boosters, whitening toothpastes, cleaning aids, wrinkle removers, and, of course, weight reducers.

Notre Dame Cuts Printing Costs with Xerox - Funny Commercial

I've seen this commercial about fifty times and it always makes me cringe. I feel sorry for the poor actor who has to pretend to have a discussion with a cardboard cut-out. It just doesn't work. I also think it's a mistake for this advertiser, any advertiser, to assume that everybody knows a basic fact in the commercial, in this case the logo for the Fighting Irish. I must say this spot has so little effect on me that I don't even know what the message is after many, many viewings.

Mr. W

I won't even comment on this very clever commercial.

America's biggest problem: the news.

(While Fox is, by far, the worst offender, this rant applies to all broadcast news stations.)
The stars of the broadcast news media, for the most part, are no longer reporters. They are rabble rousers and trouble makers. They are gossips and job's comforters, and pains in the ass. They no longer give you an objective look at a story, so much as tell you how everyone else is looking at the story. This is designed to keep any incident in the news longer, make their jobs easier, and create the kind of dissension that is sure to result in more irrelevant news. They were busy reporting the insignificant birther story until the death of Bin Laden. Now they are discussing every detail of that operation ad infinitum, dragging in endless pundits to give their worthless opinions. Of course that doesn't stop them from still yapping about the birth certificate, reporting on some baseball's player's comments, interviewing the wildly insane Orly Taitz and keeping this irrelevant story going when it should have died a natural death last week. Now there will be endless reports on where Bin Laden was standing, how many people were killed, should he have been killed, was it legal, what color was the wallpaper, what did Bin Laden have for dinner earlier that night. In the meantime, much of America is flooded, thousands of people are homeless because or record tornadoes, and Japan's dire situation isn't even the main story any longer. And all the while that we get these repetitive and irrelevant stories, they are interrupted by an ever-increasing barrage of commercials and station promos for upcoming irrevelent storie and mindless virtual reality shows. What trouble me most is that nobody seems to be bothered by all this. I never heard anyone complain about the excessive commercials or the lack of intelligent programming. And if anyone thinks I'm overreacting and super-crankly about all this, nobody, except one friend (you know who you are) has even taken the trouble to comment that I am a pain in the ass on this subject.

XFINITY Endless Fun Commercial

This is descrbed as a Fun Commercial. I find it incredibly irritating. Some of the visuals are nice enough, but this song is sheer torture, at least to me. I have to change the channel every time it plays. There are several companies that do a variety of different commercials. Geico is one of them, and most of their commercials are good. Almost all of Xfinity's are bad. Of course one of the least imaginative ways to create a commercial is to find a song (in this case a horrid one) and play it against a series of quick cuts. No imagination needed since it's all borrowed interested. I am sure some of the readers here like this song. If so, enjoy.

Funny Ram Outdoorsman Commercial

As you can see this is described at a funny Ram commercial. Unless I dont understand it, it seems to be about an outdoorsman
whose sleep is being disturbed by a bird, so he gets up, grabs his bow and arrow and kills it. What's funny about that? There are cable shows for men who love hunting and think killing an innocent animal is just the most fun ever. I think this commercial belongs on those channels, not on regular network tv during prime time. One could even argue that this guy was such a bad sportsman that he just shot into the woods without even knowing if somebody might be in the line of fire. In fact, he kind of looks like he might enjoy killing a person who disturbed his sleep. If I misunderstood this spot and he merely scared off the noisy bird, please let me know and I'll remove this post. Even if I weren't so offended by this commercial, what has it got to do with a Dodge Ram? He could have put that same bow and arrow in the back of Pinto.

Love those crazy Christians.

You gotta give it to the Christians. Nothing shakes their faith in God. Just look at this week. God, in a not-rare fit of spite, whips up dozens of tornados and sends them buzz-sawing through three of the states where he is most popular: Alabama, Missouri and Georgia. Anyway, God's petulance pays off big because those holy spinners level lots of towns, demolish thousands of homes and kill over 200 people including chidlren and infants. God even manages to flatten a few churches. So here are these Christians, dragging themselves out of the rubble, bruised and bleeding, not knowing where they'll spend the night and having no idea how they'll get back on their feet, and are they mad at God. Not a bit. They're out there saying things like, "Thank the Lord, we're all still here." Or, "I'm so grateful the Heavenly Father spared my puppy, Tinky." And does even one of them curse God, who certainly must have been responsbile for all this destruction? ( I mean it couldn't have been the devil because he's not as powerful as God.) Nope. Not one word of blame. And, they'll do it every time. When God sinks a ship, burns down a hotel, causes an avalanche, creates an earthquake and follows it up with a tsunami, all the survivors are out there singing his praises and thanking him that the disaster wasn't worse. Kind of makes you wonder if there isn't a straw that breaks the camel's back. And what could it be?