Oct. 25, 2010 – PPM – Subsidized “Public” Media

This week's PET PEEVE MONDAY (PPM) is about Subsidized Public Media.

The issue finally saw the light of day this past week when NPR fired Juan Williams. Williams, a NPR journalist, was expressing his view on a non-NPR station. Unfortunately, Williams comments were on a non-liberal network, Fox News. For many years, the US government and US TAXPAYERS have been footing part of the bill for Public Radio and Television. Last year the Corporation for Public Broadcasting received $420 million. If conservatives, liberals, and independents pay for this, shouldn't Public Broadcasting be neutral? But they are not.

The Corporation for Public Broadcasting is the parent of NPR. Why can't it survive on its own? It should be out there in the private marketplace, and compete along with everyone else. Why should the government be in the broadcasting business at all?

Also this year, the House of Representatives approved $170 million for the National Endowment for the Arts. Art is the in the eye of the beholder. Why can't IT survive on its own?That's $590 million spent on items that should be left to stand on their own merits. Did we subsidize buggy whip manufacturers after the dawn of the automobile? I remember that everyone had a diaper service before the invention of Pampers. Are we still paying those guys? Dirty Diaper Pick-Up REALLY was a "*hit Job."

You have to wonder how much of the annual US budget is spent on wasteful or non-essential items.

Forget about pork barrel spending, let's just eliminate the items that get an annual stipend for no other reason than, "they always have."

I would endorse and campaign for someone that promised to review the US Budget, line by line, and eliminate waste.

I grew up on PBS' Sesame Street. We didn't have Wiggles, Dora, or Teletubbies.

I'm sure the characters on Sesame Street could adapt to the current environment without our tax dollars.

Right?

Oct. 20, 2010 – WATN - Gallagher

I've always wondered Where Are They Now (WATN) when I thought about the comedian, Gallagher. He was a staple of the 1980's and I saw him from a distance a few times.

In August, while on vacation, I took the family to a minor league baseball game in Charleston, SC. The Charleston River Dogs are the Class A affiliate of the New York Yankees.

It was a perfect night for baseball, but what made it special was that comedian Gallagher was there, much to my surprise and delight. And Gallagher was everywhere. He threw out the first pitch. He sang during the 7^th inning stretch. At the end of the game he smashed some watermelons, his trademark shtick. He may have been parking cars for tips for all I know.

I've now had up close brushes with "fame" by meeting Sam Kinison, Carrot Top, and Gallagher, the "Holy Trinity" of comics. Sure it's not Bill Cosby, Robin Williams, or Jerry Sienfeld, but its close enough for me.

Ironically, it was funny how I though Gallagher was taller, but he was quite short. That is actual watermelon residue on my shirt.

I guess it was the sledge hammer/mallet that made him appear larger. I may have to reconsider the spatial sizing of Paul Bunyon and the Pope as well.

Oct. 18, 2010 – PPM – First Lady Approval Ratings

This week's PET PEEVE MONDAY (PPM) is the First Lady Approval Ratings.

It was released by major News (?) organizations this past week that Michelle Obama has a 23% higher approval than her husband.

Why is this relevant?

The First Lady has no elected position. She was not on the ballot. She has no power. Why is she campaigning?

Each first lady has a Pet Project. Nancy Reagan had her "Say No to Drugs." Barbara Bush fought for literacy. Hillary Clinton was concerned about Sexually Transmitted Diseases, as so on it goes.

Michelle Obama has three listed on her web site: she supports military families, helping working women balance career and family, and national service.

This sounds like the laundry list that a beauty contestant would rattle off, 'Oh and I want peace in the Middle East, a stop to world hunger, and health care for everyone, whether they want it or not."

Bottom line, if the President's approval ratings are so low that he has to send out the misses to sell his agenda, maybe there is something wrong with the policies.

The First Lady should stick to "fist pumping" women on The View. The only tragedy when Joy and Whoopi walked off the show last week because Bill O'Reilly gave his "View" was that the women came back.

Oct. 15, 2010 - Friday Funny - Tequila

This week's FRIDAY FUNNY comes from a Facebook friend. For the record, I haven't had tequila since March 21, 1983. It started out as a calm night at The Button in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. It was Spring Break. That's all I can remember.

Oct. 8, 2010 - Friday Funny - Jerry Lee Lewis

This week's FRIDAY FUNNY reminds me of how much I miss The Far Side and Gary Larson.

Oct. 6, 2010 - Hope for a Change?

I can't believe that this aired on CNN of all places. Maybe there is HOPE for a CHANGE.