Just Thinking Out Loud: The thrill is gone

MTV, however warped at times, used to be fun. The music videos were fun. The specials and award shows were fun. Even their “reality” shows were fun. Heck, I remember when Spring Break was a week-long extravaganza through which millions of young people lived in a vicarious hope that, just maybe, we would one day be able to participate in the fun. It wasn’t as innocent or idyllic as we might prefer to remember, but it was better.

Programming then was more lighthearted, and there was little in terms of ulterior motives to implement a kind of social agenda so commonly seen today. And that’s why MTV sucks now. The days of blithe entertainment have been replaced by Left-leaning PSAs which, all too often, imply that aligning with anyone but the Democrats is unacceptable, if not downright offensive to any freethinking individual.

MTV is still on-air. But the network, despite steady ratings — spawned perhaps by the morose curiosity of one vacuous series after another — has essentially been lifeless for quite a while. And that’s not likely to ever change.

Just Thinking Out Loud: A once-viable medium

© Ajani Charles

A few exceptions notwithstanding, I just don’t respect the Rap genre’ as I once did.

Just Thinking Out Loud: A certain repeat of ‘04

From season 8, episode 8 of South Park

The ingenious, if not disturbed, minds of “South Park” compared the 2004 presidential election to deciding between a giant douche (John Kerry) and a turd sandwich (George W. Bush). This year, and no matter who gets the nod for the GOP, the American electorate will face the same options. The only difference now is that the giant douche will be a Republican and the turd sandwich will undoubtedly be the Democrat.

Original source unknown

Just Thinking Out Loud: The expanded Twitterverse

One of the newly designed sign-in pages for Twitter features a group of young people playing cricket amid the backdrop of a mosque (pictured below). In comparison, is it such a stretch to presume that we will never see anyone doing anything near a church?

Probably not. After all, that would be culturally insensitive.

click to enlarge

Just Thinking Out Loud: Still the standard

Recently described in The Los Angeles Times as “a sort of collaboration with their past,” Van Halen’s first album with David Lee Roth in 28 years is destined to remind enthusiasts about the days of glory engendered by the band’s first six albums; understandable since Roth has acknowledged that much of the material used for A Different Kind of Truth originated from collaborations that occurred “literally, in 1975, 1976 and 1977.”

Whereas revisiting the past is usually a sign of regression, perhaps nothing will be more applauded this time around by the devotees of a band which, not that long ago, was deemed inconsequential, if not finished altogether. If Van Halen III didn’t feel like their demise was imminent, then the active roster’s total absence for their own induction into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame was surely the band’s death knell — or so it seemed.

Few bands have a more impassioned fan base. Consequently, eagerness for another album never fully waned, as disappointment was always coupled with hopeful expectation for a return to form. And now it seems that fans’ patience has been recompensed at last. Indeed pure Rock, for lack of a better description, is Van Halen’s forte. They raised the bar repeatedly, so perhaps we shouldn’t be altogether surprised by possibly the only band capable of composing such a fun, almost innocent, feel-good classic about a tawdry stripper (“Panama”).

Kids today need to be reminded that Rock isn’t a meager genre’ reserved for aging hipsters desperately clinging to their youth. Most of the newer breed isn’t up to snuff, but the elder statesmen (alongside AC/DC, Metallica, etc.) have answered the call yet again. And now we’re given an album that provides the best of both worlds: DLR’s forestalled return in conjunction with a showcase for Eddie’s re-ascendance to his rightful place on the shredders throne.

A Different Kind of Truth may not be Van Halen’s all-time greatest effort, but the release is nevertheless a far cry from the frustration to which fans had become entirely too accustomed. Welcome back guys. You have been missed.

Just Thinking Out Loud: While “fairness” is referenced. . .

Original source indeterminable

The State of the Union – hopefully Obama’s last – will begin soon. Whereas the President is sure to employ rhetoric about paying our fair share, let us never forget about policies that make George W. Bush appear fiscally responsible in comparison. There is nothing fair about that. So call it racism, ignorance, bigotry, or any other catch term if necessary, because that says far more about you than it does me.

Just Thinking Out Loud: The hot chick paradox

c/o The Daily Caller

I suppose being married to the lovely Ms. Kardashian isn’t the worst way to spend 72 days. Yet her every move, at least publically, corroborates an old adage for which there is almost no exception – the most visually appealing will also be among the most ceaselessly challenging. Enter her arena at your own risk.

Just Thinking Out Loud: Coherent misanthrope

While taking inventory of my interpersonal experiences over the past decade or so, I have concluded that far too many have been a lot like this. . .

Just Thinking Out Loud: The 51st State

Photo by Damian Dovarganes/Associated Press, c/o Examiner

By what legitimate standard, lawful or ethical, are the citizens of this country obligated to approve of an illegal alien population spread throughout our sovereign Republic presently comparable to the size of Pennsylvania?

Just Thinking Out Loud: Chicks, man

c/o Zelzee

I’ve yet to spend time in a woman’s shower that didn’t have at least four different kinds of shampoo. I’ve also yet to receive a straight answer about why. So I stopped asking.

Just Thinking Out Loud: End of an era?

Call it a hunch, but I think the phenomenon that spawns this kind of character is now beyond its pinnacle. Somehow I believe we will be seeing less of this borderline insult to the Black community from now on.

 

c/o People WTF!

Just Thinking Out Loud: Mr. Jobs

c/o Apple

The world lost one of the grandest of all innovative visionaries on October 5. Designated at the time of his death as either the primary or co-inventor on a remarkable 342 patents, Steve Jobs is ultimately responsible for establishing the tech company that changed the game for the benefit of an ever-growing contingency that covets something different from the tedious norm.

So profound was his impact that Apple nearly went under when Jobs lost a power struggle with the board of directors. His return, some 10 years later in 1996, soon re-established both Jobs and the enterprise he founded as the industry benchmark by which all others are now judged.

Steve Jobs is mourned for all the right reasons. The same will never be said of his titanic counterparts. Indeed he is the perhaps the last CEO who will ever be missed. Farewell Mr. Jobs. You founded the only cult that's worth joining, and I look forward to becoming one of your devotees – when I can finally afford it.

Just Thinking Out Loud: The politics of game

I don't have "game." Never have. Although a lack of sophistication was a byproduct of my considerable naiveté when I was younger, I realized as I lived and learned that participating in a kind of social discourse for which the only rule is that you can never get caught in a lie was never in my best interest.

In the name of full disclosure, and at the risk of seeming a bit self-righteous, I'm still not entirely certain about what I have been afforded by even attempting to demonstrate such piety. Yet, as it turns out, I happened to avoid emulating the numerous lowlifes for whom my respect has been permanently replaced by contempt. And I suppose that alone is enough.

Just Thinking Out Loud: Women and the Left

Sarah Palin isn't the first woman of the Conservative persuasion on whom the mostly Left-leaning press has taken a massive crap. But considering the almost clichéd accusations of misogyny levied against the Right, it seems fitting that Confidence Men, a new book by Pulitzer-winning journalist and best-selling author Ron Suskind, depicts the White House in an unflattering light by, among other ways, illustrating the current administration's intolerant brashness toward women.

My girl Sarah is lovely, but that doesn't necessarily make her presidential – even despite recent polling data that shows her within five percentage points of Obama. Perhaps fatefully, the reason(s) for which many would not likely vote for her are in stark contrast to the manufactured cult of personality that did wonders to convince an astonishing 69 million people to vote for the guy who became our 44th President.

No matter, as the dynamics that got Obama elected will not factor in getting him re-elected. "Obama girl" may as well stay home next time around.

Just Thinking Out Loud: Women & ideology

c/o Huffington Post

Best-selling author and award-winning Conservative syndicated columnist Kathleen Parker (right) wrote Save the Males: Why Men Matter, Why Women Should Care.  Best-selling author and award-winning liberal syndicated columnist Maureen Dowd wrote Are Men Necessary?  When Sexes Collide.  Need I say more?

Just Thinking Out Loud: "The Real Enemy"



 c/o Miami New Times

A recent meeting sponsored by the Congressional Black Caucus in Miami that was intended to address a persistent lack of inner city job growth turned partisan when Rep. Frederica Wilson (D-Florida, aka The Mad Hatter) said "Let us all remember who the real enemy is. . . the real enemy is the Tea Party. . . the Tea Party holds the Congress hostage."

Rep. Maxine Waters (D-California) expressed a similar opinion in her district a couple of days earlier, saying that Tea Partiers could go "straight to hell" for their purported, and still unexplained, role in obstructing employment opportunities for those who aren't of the Caucasian persuasion.

This reflects the very nature of the self-righteous beast: Dare to differ from the Obama administration for any reason, and you're held by their protagonists in the most negative regard possible.  Dogmatic partisanship has always been part of the scene, but the difference is that race (and all its tentacles) is now front and center of almost every discussion.

When there isn't a retort that suits their preferences – and when there is nowhere else to go with their talking points – the Left almost invariably screams bloody racist murder, which is only meant to impede constructive discussion and is never, under any circumstances, intended to promote the ever-elusive common ground by which a beneficial end may be reached.

Perhaps those who don't label the gradual crumbling of our nation as progress aren't "the real enemy."  And yes, thinking that makes me a racist.

Just Thinking Out Loud (Again): On the international tip

c/o The Guardian

So, the Chinese got their hands on a Russian hand-me-down and converted it into an aircraft carrier.  I also hear they've developed a new missile that's been called a "carrier killer."  (Taiwan recently developed one of its own, which is aimed squarely at China.)

All of that is nice, but know this – the United States has more boats and high-speed explosive projectiles than our potential aggressors on the other side of the Pacific will ever be able to handle.  Indeed America and the Allies took communist Russia down and we'll take them down, too.  So be nice China, or you'll never see another dime of that $1 trillion we owe you.

© Joel Goodman, via Mother Jones

It's good to see the looting that's occurred during the London riots has been perpetrated by individuals of every race and background.  This isn't multiculturalism at its finest by any means, but at least the masses can come together for something.

And yes, I'm kidding.  More or less.

Just Thinking Out Loud: A true master

c/o Judo Club of Conegliano, Italy; August 7, 2009

My return to the world of martial arts has been further stimulated by the woman pictured in the center above, as Sensei Keiko Fukuda recently became just the 16th person in history to earn Judo's highest possible rank.  At 98-years-young, she is also the first woman.

For more about this exceptional ichidai (diligent practitioner of the art), and if you want to know what it is to be composed of a certain fudoshin (immovable spirit), have a look at this story from '03 that is sure to inspire.

Just Thinking Out Loud: Ronnie

There are a variety of reasons why our 40th President remains so well-regarded among a considerable majority of the American populace some 22 years after his second term ended.  In fact the central reason may have something to do with eight men in particular – the four who occupied The White House before Reagan, and the four who arrived after he left office – who have been major embarrassments in their own unique ways.

Ronald Reagan wasn't perfect.  The man himself, in the name of humility and truth, would be the first to admit it.  But when compared to Johnson, Nixon, Ford, Carter, Bush (Sr. & Jr.), Clinton and Obama, his performance was practically through the roof.

Perhaps it isn't terribly difficult to shine when sandwiched between such gross mediocrity, but don't mistake this as hero worship.  Instead, consider it simply a comparative indictment of the ineptitude and near-perpetual scandal that has impacted the highest levels of our national leadership for entirely too long.  Reagan, no doubt, would be less than thrilled.

Just Thinking Out Loud: So which is it?

Some three years ago, Barack Obama made headlines by referencing "bitter" people who "cling to guns…" as a means of expressing their frustration with the changing world – a position frequently held by the Left to exhibit the supposed backwardness of their challengers on the opposite side of the aisle.

Just yesterday, amid the 4th of July – which was also his daughter Malia's 13th birthday – President Obama stated that he's not worried about his daughters growing up as teenagers because "…I understand teenage-hood is complicated.  I should also point out that I have men with guns that surround them, often."

It would be easy to make too much of his statement and/or take it out of context altogether.  But the Left's stance on weapons of any kind has always been clear.  So if nothing else, this demonstrates just another difference between candidate Obama and President Obama.  And yet, strangely enough, we still don't know what he thinks about much of anything.