Los Angeles Times: Robin Acarian- 'Campaign Gaffes- Is Foot-In-Mouth Disease Always Fatal to Campaigns?'

Source: Watch The Daily- Barry, Bird & Mitt.

Source:Real Life Journal 

"Texas Gov. Rick Perry had his “oops” moment on a Michigan debate stage.

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) mixed up actor John Wayne with serial killer John Wayne Gacy.

And Herman Cain referred to “Ubeki-beki-beki-stan-stan.”

The 2012 Republican presidential campaign has provided a bounty of infelicitous phrasings, wrongheaded assertions and embarrassing gaffes.

There was Perry’s memory lapse on the debate stage, which came to be known as his “oops moment.” 

From the Los Angeles Times 

"It's been a long, hard-fought, and gaffe-prone campaign. And now that it's just about over, it's time to take a look back at the bloopers that helped define the 2012 presidential race." 

From Watch The Daily

Hopefully for Republican Party's sake, they'll decide on their presidential nominee before the cows come home, but they are a little hard to predict right now. They seem about as divided as the Democratic Party in 1972 trying to figure out which leftist they were going to nominate. Between three Senators, Ed Muskie, George McGovern and Hubert Humphrey. The Democrats in 72  settled on Senator McGovern (the Bernie Sanders Democratic Socialist of his time)  

Unless the Obama Campaign is successful in communicating the political gaffes of lets, just for the hell of it say Mitt Romney as their  GOP nominee, (I flipped a coin on that) it would be Mitt Romney, American voters will have forgotten about them, long before the general elections.

Good news that even though generally political gaffes made in presidential primaries aren’t remembered for the general election, whoever the GOP nominee is. They will still be as addicted to making political gaffes, as Jim Morrison was addicted to alcohol or Rosie O’Donnell is addicted to food. 

Mitt Romney in the general election, will most likely say something like: "I’m not that rich, I only drive three Cadillacs, I don’t even own a Rolls Royce. I only own three homes, I’m friends with people who own ten. Really I’m not that rich, attack my friends instead." Mitt could give you the numbers of his super rich friends, they are some of my major contributors.

Or Rick Santorum, if Mitt Romney were to end his presidential campaign right before he’s nominated and Rick becomes their presidential nominee. Well first of all if that happens, Republicans will hand in their Republican affiliation. But if that were to happen, he may say something like: "Women shouldn’t be allowed to work." The GOP candidates right now are addicted to political gaffes. There’s more than enough to go around.

America I’m not sure is the only country in the world with a short attention span, but we have the shortest. Our attention span is a midget, so when some politician says something that five minutes later, they want to kick themselves in the balls for saying, or wish they hadn’t drank that extra scotch before giving that speech (take Rick Perry, to use as an example) they managed to say something else thats ignorant right after that that gets played up as well.

Our politicians and political candidates are only as good as the people who elect them, for the most part. From time to time we get leaders that stood out and look like God, at least in comparison to average Americans. Americans say dumb things all the time. But the difference is most of us aren't politicians and our well, bullshit isn't on the national news or web right after we say it unlike our politicians. Which is why they get to look like the assholes, because they represent the assholes who voted for them.

The Atlantic: Dino Grandoni- 'Jon Stewart Explains Comedy to FOX News'

Source:The Atlantic- The Daily Show with the Real Jon Stewart.

Source:Real Life Journal

“As the brouhaha continues over Rush Limbaugh’s “slut” comment, Jon Stewart took a look at how the right is covering the story, asking, how should Fox News handle the recent dose of Rush-brand hate-mongering? By pointing out that the left has its own hatemonger in Bill Maher, who once called Sarah Palin a bad word himself. Fox’s hosts accuse Maher (and liberals in general) of cloaking their comments in the veil comedy, but Stewart rightly notes that comedians like himself get criticized for racy jokes constantly. He adds that top-rated Fox News isn’t really in the position to call itself anyone’s victim.”

From The Atlantic 

“When Fox News seeks recognition for their reporting on the shooting of Michael Brown case, liberal Hollywood and the network’s number one fan offer their praise.”

Source:Comedy Central- The Daily Show with the Real Jon Stewart.

From Comedy Central 

The only reason for me at least to watch FNC or Fox News Channel and for that matter to be “fair and balanced”, MSNBC prime time on weeknights, is to find out what’s not going on in the world. To get some comic relief and perhaps some ideas for my political satire. Because FNC is basically the RNC, laying out the positions and the spin of the Republican base. And MSNBC prime time Monday-Friday, is basically the mouthpiece for so-called progressive, not liberal (Socialist, if accuracy means anything) Democrats.

The Democrats and so-called progressive (social democratic, in actuality) third-parties, that don’t like President Obama and the Democratic Leadership, because they aren’t “progressive enough” and aren’t Socialists like themselves. Which is what they thought they were getting during the 2008 general elections.

If you’re going to listen to FNC seriously, not to make fun of it, but to actually find out what’s going on in the world, do yourself a big favor: check at least two other credible news sources. Like a good reporter and you better know what that is before you take FNC seriously.

If you’re listening to Megyn Kelly, Sean Hannity, David Asman and others, Bill O’Reilly to a certain extent (but he isn’t as bad as the others)  you’re basically hearing what they want to tell you. What makes their political views look best and you’re hearing a lot of political gossip, that’s designed to hurt Democrats and that’s what you get from Rachel Maddow and Ed Schultz on MSNBC at the expense of Republicans.

I swear I get more facts from The Onion (something I read everyday) than from FNC or Maddow and Schultz.

The Onion is seriously about news satire and doesn’t hide from that and they take stories that are true and make them as funny as possible by adding humor to them. When FNC says “Fair and Balanced”, you should take that as a joke that you would hear from The Onion. Because they are only “Fair and Balanced” to their own side.

The Atlantic: Dino Grandoni- ‘Jon Stewart Shows That Pandering Can be Tricky’

Source:The Atlantic- The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. I hope you get Mr Stewart's point. 

Source:Real Life Journal

“Since every candidate is doing it, pandering may seem pretty easy. But as Jon Stewart discovers, it’s pretty easy to slip up. On The Daily Show we see Newt Gingrich regretting ever saying English is the “language of prosperity” now that he needs Hispanic votes, while Mitt Romney proves he’s no Barack Obama with his rendition of “America the Beautiful.” As for the president himself? Asking for people’s resumes online makes him look no less of a panderer.” 

From The Atlantic 

"This is the reason CNN’s Crossfire is no longer on the air. Jon Stewart shows up these two ignorant political show hosts… 2 against 1, on their own show, and brings to light how these shows “Hurt America.” Thank you Jon for always pointing out political hypocrisy. I hope continuing to broadcast this video helps your voice continue to be heard.” 

Source:Alex Felker- political satirist Jon Stewart on CNN's Crossfire in 2004.

From Alex Felker 

As far as American politicians and their pandering and just the way we are in 2012: a career politician who is not a panderer, would be like a fish out of water, a pilot without a plane, a lawyer who never passed the bar. Career politicians can’t stay in office without the pandering.

I mean imagine a honest politician who only told his or her voters the truth and these are the problems and this is what we need to do to solve them, they would have to go get real jobs, but at least they would be able to tell the truth without having to worry about getting fired for doing just that.

As much as American voters say they want honest politicians and honesty in government, they almost always never vote for it. So as much as Jon Stewart might say it’s the system that’s the problem with American politics and government, it’s the voters who keep voting for and subsidizing that very system.

I think the point that political satirist Jon Stewart was trying to get across to Paul Begala and Tucker Carlson in 2004, is that Begala and Carlson and the hyper-partisans that they represent from the Left and Right, is exactly what’s wrong with America. And they represent the problem with America, at least as it has to do with our political system. With Begala and Carlson seeming to go out-of-their-way to make Stewart’s point with their hyper-partisanship.

Saturday Night Live: ‘Celebrity Jeopardy!: Sean Connery, Burt Reynolds, Jerry Lewis’

Source:Saturday Night Live- welcomes you to Celebrity Jeopardy.

“Alex Trebek (Will Ferrell) gets frustrated when his celebrity guests Sean Connery (Darrell Hammond), Burt Reynolds (Norm Macdonald) and Jerry Lewis (Martin Short) guess only incorrect answers. Aired 12/07/96”  

From Saturday Night Live

Comedian Martin Show always gives a bigger and taller comedic performance, than his last name suggests.

Source:Saturday Night Live- Martin Short, as Jerry Lewis?

As someone who tends to be very flip if not sarcastic, or that’s what I’ve been told, I see myself as humorous. I see something funny and I give a quick off the cuff observation to it. But whatever is close enough, I’ve always had a low-tolerance for stupid questions. And my definition for a stupid question is pretty simple. Any question that someone asks as if they don’t know the answer, that they should know the answer to. “What color is red?” Would be an example of that. Or a question that has the answer in it. Like, what state is Maryland in?

Like the famous question from Ferris Buehler’s Day Off, the high school principal at the bar because he can’t handle the stress of his job. Taking a look at the Chicago Cubs baseball game and asks the bartender “what’s the score?” The bartender answers 0-0. The Principle asks, “who’s winning?” The bartender says the Bears. Or perhaps Da Bears being in Chicago. The Chicago Bears are obviously a football team, but the good thing about stupid questions, is they give wiseass’s like me, the opportunity to give smart answers to stupid questions. The Bears to that question would be an example of a smart answer to a stupid question.

What’s a smart answer? Well if you’re paying attention you already know the answer to the question. Because the answer is in the question. What is a smart answer, which would be like asking what state is Florida in. You follow, hopefully I haven’t lost you yet. It’s a simple concept, but thats another example of a stupid question. Asking a question, again as if you don’t know the answer. That has the answer in the question. But a smart answer would be a clever humorous response to a stupid question.

Or someone saying something dumb, perhaps they weren’t thinking. Not paying attention whatever.
I have about twelve years experience working in customer service. So I’ve heard more than my share of stupid questions from people who just had brain surgery and the doctor forgot to put the brain back in. Or the person was high or drunk, not paying attention and I’ve had plenty of opportunities to give smart answers in response.

If you ever watch SNL Celebrity Jeopardy, its sort of the same thing, but different. Will Ferrell playing Alex Trebek, who does a better Alex Trebek than the real Alex Trebek, has the dumbest celebrities on possible.

Or what SNL sees as the dumbest celebrities they can think of. Even though I didn’t see Britney Spears, Lindsay Lohan, Jessica Simpson, Sarah Palin, Michelle Bachmann, Michael Moore or Ben Affleck up there. Its more like people like Tom Cruise, Marlin Brando, Sean Connery, Burt Reynolds, and people like that. Who are all fairly intelligent people in real life. But SNL loves to make fun of these people and Trebek asks these people intentionally the dumbest questions possible, but on purpose. Like he’ll show them the color red, Burt Reynolds is wearing a red shirt and Trebek will ask Burt, “what color is red?” And of course Burt blows the question. Or Trebek will ask the panel, “what year is it? Which Holiday comes on December 25th, that involves giving and receiving presents?” And you would think Trebek is asking these people questions about ancient Greek history or something, but they are so dumbfounded.

One piece advice I can give anyone who approaches me or tries to start a conversation with me, including online where I get a lot of less than brilliant questions, which is putting it nicely, like “what does individual liberty or freedom of choice mean?” Again two questions that have the answers in them. And my answers will be like, well its the freedom of choice. “Well what’s that?” The freedom to choose and if they are still dumbfounded.

I’ll ask people online do they speak and comprehend English, should I answers these questions in a different language. My advice for people is to think at least a little bit before asking me something or talking to me. Because I do have a quick lip to things that I consider dumb. And will respond to them in a humorous way. Thats not a threat, just something to keep in mind. But I won’t try to devastate you and use name-calling. But to let you know, you just asked me a dumb question and you may even laugh with my answer.  

You can also see this post on WordPress.

You can also see this post at FreeState Now, on WordPress.

The Atlantic: ‘Jon Stewart to Jon Hunstman: The Hunt is Over!’

Source:The Atlantic- comedian Jon Stewart on Republican presidential candidate Jon Huntsman.

Source:Real Life Journal 

“In the wake of Mitt Romney’s unshocking win in New Hampshire, Jon Stewart took a look at the most interesting showing on Tuesday night: Jon Huntsman’s third-place finish. After dinging Romney for making promises he couldn’t possibly keep and wondering how at this point Ron Paul’s second-place finish can still be dismissed, Stewart eyed Huntsman’s strange celebration for third. At his speech, there was confetti and Huntsman bellowing “Third place is a ticket to ride!” Stewart calls shenanigans on the victory lap when there was no victory, especially since Huntsman moved to New Hampshire and bet everything on winning there. “Even Napoleon came in second at Waterloo,” Stewart reminds Huntsman, in (maybe real?) Chinese.”

From The Atlantic

“Brian Kilmeade (host of Fox & Friends) on Fox News harshly disagreed with 2012 Republican presidential candidate Jon Huntsman while defending candidate and Texas Governor Rick Perry on global warming. The Young Turks host Cenk Uygur sets the record straight.”

Source:The Young Turks- talking to Republican presidential candidate Jon Huntsman.

From The Young Turks 

Jon Huntsman has spent the better of the last six months campaigning for votes in New Hampshire (The “Live Free or Die State) a state that should play well for him and his classical liberal leanings and managed just 17% of the vote. Finishing seven points behind the 2nd place finisher in Ron Paul.

Governor Huntsman was going after the sane vote in the Republican Party. Apparently most of those people voted for him, congratulations. Huntsman is clearly a very sane and common sense presidential candidate: “These are the problems, this is how I would try to solve them”.

Instead of spending years debating the issues and looking for absolute power, Huntsman would actually try to solve problems. I give him a lot of credit for that. His problem however is not only is he in the wrong political party for his politics, (ask Ron Paul and Gary Johnson what that’s like) but he’s looking to appeal to sane, credible, intelligent common sense voters. In a party that’s dominated by Christian-Nationalists.

Jon Huntsman is running for President in a party where a lot of base cares more about a candidates position on condoms, adultery, pornography, same-sex marriage, gambling, than they do who’s got the best economic and foreign policy’s. It’s like searching in a mental hospital for the sanest people there, that don’t work there. Finding a couple of people who are about to be released and then wondering why there are so many crazy people here. It’s a mental hospital, for crying out loud! (To put it mildly)

As Governor Huntsman likes to say on the campaign trail: what were you expecting to find, college professors? And that’s the state of the Republican Party right now, there too many crazy people for a common sense classical liberal or conservative presidential candidate there. Personally, I believe Jon Huntsman would make one hell of a Liberal Democrat. In the sense of what liberalism really is and not how its stereotyped today.

And when the clock finally goes off in Jon Huntsman’s head and he realizes that his time is over in the Republican Party, I believe he should consider a 3rd-party bid. Not to win because that’s not going to happen. But just to let the American voters who are fed up with out two-party system, that there’s other options out there and people who think like them.

Sidewinder 77: Milton Friedman- 'On Self-Interest and Profit Motive'

Source:Sidewinder 77- Chicago University Professor Milton Friedman, giving a lecture in 1978.

Source:FreeState Now 

"This clip is from the 15-part lecture series, "Milton Friedman Speaks" 

From Sidewinder 77

The reason for capitalism or in America the reason for American capitalism, is that in an economy like that, it's assumed that the people can make it on their own if given the opportunity. That there’s a limit to what government can do and should do. 

The whole point of constitutional law and limited government and federalism, that government doesn’t do everything right and when it tries to do too much, like taking so much out of the economy to take care of its people, doing things for the people that they can do for themselves. like run a business, make their own health care decisions, plan for their retirement, decide where to send their kids to school, etc, and you can go down the line, that it becomes expensive, intrusive, and inefficient.  

But if you empower the people to not just make their own decisions, but the right decisions, educated people tend to become free people, which frees up a lot of resources for government to do what we actually need it to do as a free society, like protect and defend. Not try to un our lives for us.  

ESPN: CFL 1995- Grey Cup- Baltimore Stallions vs. Calgary Stampeders: Short Video

Source:ESPN- broadcasting the 1995 CFL Grey Cup 

“This is a clip of the opening minutes of the 1995 CFL Grey Cup game between the Baltimore Stallions and the Calgary Stampeders. It was played in November in Regina with 80 km/hour winds and a -20 wind chill. Baltimore became the first and only U.S. team to win the Grey Cup.”

From Darcy 757

One thing that was great about the CFL American experience in the early and mid 1990s was that we got to see a North American Football Championship game. Not once, but twice in 1994 and 95.

The Stallions lost to the Vancouver Lions (as I call them) in 1994 and then beat the Calgary Stampeders in 1995.

Baltimore, being one of the premier American football markets and now with one of the premier franchises and premier histories as well.

Calgary, being one of the premier Canadian football markets, franchises and has one of the best football histories in Canada.

The Stallions and Stampeders, were clearly the two best teams in the CFL in 1995. And both had a host of players that either played in the NFL, or went on to play in the NFL.

The CFL American experience didn’t fail because of lack of quality talent on the American teams. But because outside of Baltimore the franchises weren’t run and marketed very well. And outside of Baltimore there wasn’t a CFL American market that badly wanted in to or back into the NFL.

Baltimore loved the Stallions, but they also used the Stallions to get another NFL club to show the NFL how much they wanted another NFL club by the way they supported the Stallions. And as a result Baltimore is the only city in the world actually, that has won the NFL Championship, including multiple Super Bowls, the USFL Championship and the CFL Grey Cup Championship.

The CFL American experiment, was a good idea that was poorly executed. And if the USFL ever comes back, they should look at the CFL as a possible merger with let’s say ten American clubs that are all outside of NFL markets. With 9-10 CFL clubs and play a couple inter-conference or inter-league games for each club in this new league. So fans in both countries can see how they play against each other. Play in the spring and summer, instead of the fall and winter. So they’re not going up against the NFL. Get a player agreement with the NFL so they can have access to NFL players who are talented, but aren’t playing much right now. Because they are not ready and need experience. And get a revenue sharing agreement as well. And this new Can-Am league I believe would do very well both in America and Canada. 

You can also see this post on WordPress.

You can also see this post at FreeState Now, on WordPress.