Come Heller high water …
- Ten inches of snow? A polar vortex bringing single digit temps? People driving into ditches all over the place? Hey, Mother Nature, way to ease us into this whole winter thing. Much obliged. You have 100-degree days planned for the first day of spring?
- If this keeps up, my outdoor Christmas lights are staying up ‘til May, dear neighbors. Fair warning. Just think of them as New Year’s lights, M.L. King Jr. Day lights, President’s Day lights, Valentine’s Day lights, Groundhog Day lights and April Fool’s Day lights. Possibly May Day lights, although even I’m not that lazy.
- Yes, yes, yes, there’s no irrefutable evidence Trump won because of Russian hacking. But there’s also no evidence that he didn’t. The only way to even get a sense would be to poll voters and ask them if the stolen emails changed their minds about Hillary. If they did, that doesn’t mean there should be another election. There shouldn’t. Trump won. End of story. That doesn’t mean, however, that people of all political stripes shouldn’t be outraged. They should. This was a foreign attack, essentially. But they’re not. The lack of public outrage is odd. Maybe it’s election fatigue.
- Speaking of the Trumpster, he’s picked former Texas Gov. Rick Perry of Texas to be secretary of the Department of … of, um … you know, that one that deals with oil and stuff.
- The Department of Energy, in case you’ve forgotten, is the agency Perry couldn’t remember during the 2012 Republican presidential debate. At the time he said he would eliminate it if elected. Now he’s going to lead it. Maybe the government needs to create a Dept. of Painful Irony.
- Rick Perry is also famous for being on “Dancing with the Stars.” Personally, I think it ought to be a law that if you appear on that show, you can never again hold high federal office. Once you’ve worn spangles, your gravitas is gone.
- Trump is supposedly talking about having Mark Burnett, the creator of “The Apprentice” stage the inauguration. If so, I’m guessing Chief Justice John Roberts will end the oath of office with “You’re hired.” Please, God, no.
- It’s a crime we’ve done nothing while Syria slaughters its own people. This is President Obama’s biggest mistake.
- A new study says mass shootings happen less often in states with background checks on gun and ammo purchases and higher spending on education and mental health. Which is good to know. But will we act on it? Our track record says we won’t. We’re good at studying stuff, not so good at changing things. (BTW, there’s a mass shooting per week these days, compared to once a year a generation ago, according to the journal Injury Prevention. Fun stuff.)
- Snyder is expected to sign a bill raising the speed limit on 600 miles of rural roads to 75 mph. He said: “This increase will allow Michigan motorists to hit potholes even harder, thereby stimulating the economy by increasing business for repair shops statewide. So it’s a win-win.”
- OK, he didn’t really say that. But he should have.
- You didn’t ask but here are my Top 5 Christmas movies anyway: 5) Miracle on 34th Street; 4) Die Hard (it is TOO a Christmas movie); 3) Love, Actually; 2) Elf; 1) A Christmas Story. (I dig me some Ralphie. I grew up like he did – ridiculously over-swaddled by a mom who thought being out in the cold caused colds. I remember not being able to put my arms down and not being able to get up if I fell on my back.)
- You may have noticed I committed movie sacrilege by not including “It’s a Wonderful Life.” Sorry. I think it’s depressing, and Jimmy Stewart chewed the scenery to bits, so to speak. Subtle, he was not.
- If someone could invent a way for me to feel like my 10-year-old self on Christmas, that would be the best Christmas gift of all.
- “I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.” – Charles Dickens.
Two of our latest three presidents “elected” with a minority of our votes. Harumpf! Baloney!
I intend to print up some college sweatshirts for the Electoral College Athletic Dept. Political Football Team.
Ha, love it. Put me down for one.
I would replace Die Hard with Christmas Vacation!
I might, too. I like that one.
Andy, Obama has been making mistakes this whole war on ISIS. He hasn’t acted st all or too late while this group attacks civilians in their attempt to capture whole cities and villages.
I didn’t agree with going into Afghanistan either.
Did I miss your #2 in your movie list? And, BTW, who cares what you think about “It’s a Wonderful Life”?
Nope. I had two 3s. Fixed now. And you should always care what I think about everything.
Regarding the speed limit increase to 75 mph. I think the major gains are certainty of death if you have an accident (more likely) and increased business for the funeral directors. Oh well, maybe the answer is more driverless vehicles, mass transportation, and we can all stay home and , eventually, do everything digitally.
I agree with you on driverless tech. I drove a Tesla with that capability and it was great … and terrifying. But I think accidents will drop dramatically with this tech.
To feel like 10 again, go out today and lick a flag pole … but take your Red Ryder with you!
I might just do that. You know I might.
I agree that Its a Wonderful Life is the best one !!!!!!!!!
I just love the climate change thing where humans are supposedly causing global warming. According to al gore we should be all dying from a heat stroke about now.
Somehow, a heatstroke does not seem possible when the temperature is at roughly 18 degrees outside side right now.
40 years ago The previous climate changers said that if the human race did not change their ways we would be in an ice age.
Which is AGW or glaciers? I say neither. The earth is going to do what it is going to do as far as weather is concerned.
AS for raising the speed limit to 75. What that means is those who now do about 80, will increase their speed to 90+. Yup, more accidents and business for the funeral directors.
BTW the South Pole used to be a tropical paradise. It was a long time ago.
Love your stuff, Andy. Keep it up! We may not always agree, well hardly ever, but still look forward to your e-mails! Merry Christmas!!
Your piece about being outraged regarding the election is spot on. America and the states MUST plan now to have all future elections be totally fault free and unquestionable. Elections are the foundation of our democracy.
I too have a scenario when all gravitas is squandered……… U.P. rural bumpkin ventures to the bright lights and major metropolitan vibe of Flint, sporting a beret. This hip/edgy fashion statement was clear evidence of a true Renaissance man. Heck, even Michael Moore and a certain local radio talk show host were VERY impressed.