The Lighter Side of Things

There's been many bitchy posts lately... a little too political, a little too preachy. The Munchies decided to back off for a just post a little 80's throwback tribute.

Background - if you love the Karate Kid, back the truck up and get your fill of No More Kings. Their "Sweep the Leg" video has the original Johnny, Creese, most of the Cobra Kai including the "get him a body bag!" guy who always reminded me of Mark Hamill, and even a little Ralph Macchio at the end. Interestingly, Ralph still looks like he's 12 years old even though he was 24 when Karate Kid was released. I'm not sure why Mr. Belding from Saved By the Bell is in it, but who cares.

Sweep the leg. Do you have a problem with that?

It's Been Awhile, Folks

Well, I'll be GODDAMNED!

I've read about these people in history books.  I've seen movies like "Mississippi Burning," "Deliverance" and "Texas Chainsaw Massacre."  Hell, "The Beverly Hillbillies" and "Next of Kin" even shone a bright light on the idea of backwoods gentry.   (Side note: "Next of Kin" was a delightful example of Patrick Swayze's acting depth - especially when he whoops ass on the mob with a crossbow.)

I shouldn't judge.  I believe the folks in the following clip cast an ugly shadow on the trailer trash and Mountain Williams of the greater United States.  How 'bout we just say, ignorant racists?  Does that fit?  

Fuck me!  People really believe this shit?!  My respect to you for at least being honest with your feelings.  The last posting in this blog commented on the trouble with those in the Midwest with passive-aggressiveness... that is DEFINITELY not the problem with these people.

I can't be that surprised.  Pat Buchanan on Hardball with Chris Matthews last week finally (collective sigh of relief) said what EVERY American has been thinking for... well at least a couple of days: that Colin Powell wouldn't support Barack Obama if Obama was white.  Yep, a national political pundit in his vast experience and wisdom reduces Powell, who...

• is Masters educated
• served 35 years in the Army including 2 terms in Vietnam, 4-star general at retirement - will kick your ass, my ass and anyone else's in his way
• assistant to Ronald Reagan on National Security - Reagan knew to tap the smarties for good help
• Youngest ever Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff - the highest position in the Department of Defense
• Confirmed Secretary of State unanimously by the Senate - that means both parties liked him
• Regularly negotiated with foreign leaders, presented to the United Nations General Assembly

... to playing the race card.  Are you shitting me, Pat?  You're so fucking racist that you can actually convince ourself that the aforementioned person can't see beyond race?  I suppose, if you can't it's hard to believe that others could either.  ARGH!  Too much anger before bed. Nighty night, don't let ignorance cloud your dreams and don't let the man get you down.

More overt racism than Minnesotans are accustomed to...

People in Minnesota have been accused of being just as racist as those south of the Mason-Dixon line.  Those up here would disagree, "haven't you heard of Minnesota Nice?!"  Really it's what we here at MUNCHIES RULE call Minnesota Passive Aggressiveness.  I know we haven't trademarked that phrase or idea.  Minnesotans might have those thoughts and feelings but we'll be damned if we're going to vocalize them or make them overtly public.

Then I went to the Minnesota State Fair.

I never thought I'd see such an actual Klan demonstration in this fair state or even this far north in the United States.  What a sad day for Minnesotans and anti-xenophobia, although a positive day for First Amendment rights.

Someone got to make fun of him before me

Wow. Just stunning that Rush is soooo full of his own bullshit that he can't do anything but nitpick and take pot shots. I wish to all things holy that a personality like him could actually make an argument that:
a. wasn't opinion - you can't call someone stupid then qualify it by saying "because I said so."
2. used something other than out-of-context facts - attributing his slip in polls to to complaints about attacks from republicans.
d. Disguising racist statements as a revelation of "taboo" subjects. It taps the fear in people of being accused of being racist and says "I'm not making a racist statement, I'm saying what people feel."

Problem is... it's still racist. You're the timid little child who annoys everyone, then puts people on the defensive by accusing them of hating him or her. That way he or she never needs to reflect on the fact that they are indeed a complete jackass but only need to put others in the position of having to defend their feelings that they actually don't feel.

By saying "you can't hit the little black man child" he's putting others in a position of having to defend feelings THEY DON'T HAVE so he can spew racist statements without having to defend his own garbage.

Fuck you, Rush, you chicken shit piece of racist trash.

Screw ASL

Yeah, this is way better than that crap ASL or AFL or whatever you sign languagies like to call communication.

Is this religious enthusiasm gone awry?

Some of the greatest weapons ever conceived:

He-Man's Sword of Power (By the power of Grayskull!) ...

Thor, God of Thunder, and his mighty hammer, Mjolnir...

Zeus' Thunderbolt...

Sauron's Ring...

a Jedi's lightsaber...



... and the Armor of God?



Please allow me to preface. I'm a Jesus fan. I'm a recovering Catholic who still believes in a Christian God (notice the capital "G") despite also believing that it happens to be the same god that Jews, Muslims, the Lakota and pretty much every other religion believes in. There IS a higher power in the universe, don't fuck with me on this.

I also have a strong belief in stories and legend as a method of teaching our youth. It creates positive connections with the past and, if performed correctly, teaches analysis and self-reflection. These are all traits desirable in healthy citizens.

I am also in favor of delivering a sense of security to your children as necessary...

... BUT COME ON!

Let's see if I can put these ridiculous garments in perspective:

• A boy playing the violin in elementary school...
• ... still less likely to get his ass kicked from here to the woodwinds than the kid caught wearing these PJ's.
• Wetting the bed at camp...
• ... still less embarrassing than wearing these.
  
• Feeling scared to participate in a "Woody Contest" at a 3rd grade birthday party...
• ... still less scary than the fires of hell licking the bottom of my feet "fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace." (Ephesians 6:15, NIV)
• Can you imagine filling a child with so much fear of hell that they need a SATIN SHIELD to protect themselves at night?

Another criticism I have, the creators, in my opinion, took the Ephesians text a bit too literally. From Ephesians Chapter 6:

• Verse 14: Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,
• Verse 15: and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace
• Verse 16: In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith
• Verse 17: Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit

Hey lady, if you're going to make the costume, DO IT RIGHT. GIMME MY DAMNED (HA, pun) SWORD OF THE SPIRIT! I want to be able to smite my enemy, I can't do that with a shield, that just makes me a well-protected punching bag. Jesus' followers need to be able to take the offense every once in a while.

God bless the Singer Corporation (or Husqvarna), God bless internet marketing and God bless a lack of metaphorical interpretation.

PS -> Special thanks to a very special teacher.
a. It is capri weather.
b. I'm hot for teacher.

Thrill of the Hunt

This came from a friend titled: Why Men Shouldn't Own Action Figures.

What I enjoy:

• Solid composition - the gutter really accentuates the perspective.
• Male pride - "I shot this and godammit boys, it don't get no better than this. Now let's go crack a Meisterbrau."
  
• Hunting in your army BDU's.
• The casual, yet assertive stance of the hunter in green. He seems to say, "Hell of a shot, wasn't it, bitch?"

Bravo. Eat your heart out Ansel Adams.