Hissy Fit

I lurve Darius Rucker.
YEARS ago, when nobody knew who (or what) "Hootie and the Blowfish" was, I saw them debut on a morning talk show as a "new talent" somewhere around 1989 or maybe a little earlier.
Darius sang a song called "Hold My Hand" and I knew from the first few seconds they were going to be BIG. And they were.
Through the years of listening to the band, I wondered if they'd ever do a cross-over song because Darius Rucker's voice seemed so well fitted for country. The band as a whole never did, but not long ago Darius left Hootie and the Blowfish to go a country path.
That style of music is such a complement to his already awesome voice.
I've linked a few of his videos here and a couple other places.
I like the cut of his jib. He's done well on all sides.
I mean, come on...you KNOW you've "arrived" when you make it to Sesame Street.
Anyhow, this post is titled "Hissy Fit" because although he'll be doing a concert not too far away during the month after next, I won't be able to go.
Boo. Hiss. *stomps foot*. Dangit.
Anyhow, here's a little bit of why I just like him so much:

Bash served. Bash Returned.

What is up with media today?
We've got "journalists" arguing with the people whom they've chosen to question.

We've got actress/comedians giving "expert" advice on the inner workings of our brains because they must have gone through pre-comedy med school.

We're told that everyone is allowed pride in their heritage except the white guy.
And apparently, name calling is justified and acceptable from one political side but when the tables are are turned, it's called racism.

I'll clarify that for my part in all this "tax revolt" stuff, it's not about race. It's not about party affiliations. It's about bad policy and stupid decisions, and I'm an equal opportunity hater. I wouldn't care if the guy was green and purple...he's still a schmuck.

Finger lickin' dead

It's just funny!

Convicting the juice

Well, 13 years to the day after his acquittal for double homicide, O.J. Simpson has been convicted of kidnapping, armed robbery, and almost a dozen other charges. People are saying that he didn’t get a fair trial because the jury was all white…well 11 white, 1 hispanic… but my opinion is that he got exactly what he wanted – a jury of his peers. After all, he didn’t want much to do with his own race of people. He moved to predominantly white (and rich) Brentwood, and married a pretty blonde white girl.
Congratulations, O.J.! You may have gotten away with a double murder in a criminal trial, but doing time is doing time and you deserve the very best!

Stem Cell Research

Embryonic stem cell research seems to require the destruction of the human embryo. However, recent theory suggests that embryonic stem cell lines can be generated using a sort of biopsy similar to that used in preimplantations that could allow stem cell creation without destroying the embryo.
Opponents of this research argue that embryonic stem cell technologies are a slippery slope to cloning humans which would fundamentally devalue human life. They argue that a human embryo is a human life and is therefore entitled to protection.
Contrarily, supporters of the research argue that resultant treatments of research could have significant medical potential. They maintain that excess embryos created for in vitro procedures could be donated with consent and used for the research.
My feelings about this have ranged from both sides at different points of my life, but mostly I still ride the fence.
On one hand I understand that life is life and I’m of the opinion that it begins at conception, which warrants protection of sorts.
On the other hand I understand when embryos are no longer wanted, they are thrown in the trash. How protected is that?
I’m coming to terms with myself about this after quite a few long arguments with myself. I think that if the “parents” of these embryos relinquish their claim (or even donate them to research) and the funding is from private sources, I’d be inclined toward supporting the studies. This is an incredibly hard resolution for me to come to because I liken it to a parent abandoning a child to someone who will destroy them. The more I write, the higher I climb back up to the top of the fence to sit.
At any rate, here’s Michael J. Fox on the issue:

Hollywood and Guns

The most awesome quote:
“Of course worship and ignorance go hand in hand. Hollywood’s cluelessness about firearms is not unlike that of the prehistoric shaman who is convinced that the best way to stop the ground from shaking and the lava from flowing is to toss a virgin into the volcano’s smoking maw.”
I love this view on Hollywood and guns. They love to hate them, yet love what they bring to the box office.
As pointed out by The Gun Shots (by the way, I added them to the side bar because it’s really a neat place to browse), in the photo for “Shoot ‘Em Up” (the pic for this blog entry), Paul Giamatti (the guy with his finger in the trigger guard) is menacing enough for the shot, but would have maybe been more so if only that rifle had its bolt.

Compassion for Humanity

This week Colin Farrell took into his own hands the fate of a less fortunate individual.
With his arm around a homeless man and introducing him as “my friend”, he took this man to an outfitter’s store for a $2,100 shopping spree and bought waterproof jackets, pants, boots, socks a sleeping bag and back pack, and all other manner of clothing while saying, “Get him what he wants and get him the best."
Then the two walked to a bank machine where Farrell withdrew $830 and handed "Stress" (the homeless man’s street name) the money so he could rent a room to get off the street including what would cover his first and last month’s rent.
This wasn’t their first encounter. Farrell met "Stress" four years ago when he was in Toronto shooting a movie. Back then, he helped "Stress" win a $2,000 prize. A Toronto-area radio station had offered the prize to anyone who brought the actor to their studio. Farrell heard about the contest and found "Stress" on the street and took him to the station to claim the prize.
What does his publicist say? “He does this quite a bit."
Colin Farrell; good guy at large. God, I love this stuff.