Jon Stewart Channels The Craziness of Glenn Beck

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Pelosi Delivers! What Now?

I must say I am surprised that with the massive money injected into the political process from corporate opponents of healthcare reform, I didn't really expect we'd ever see the day that significant reform would ever make through the House. This was a big day for the average American citizen.

I think the plan is far from perfect and does not go nearly far enough in introducing competition into the system. But it is still an enormous leap forward from where we have been stuck for decades. I still cannot see how a similar bill will make it through the Senate and for this reason my excitement is tempered by the dim prospects there. Unless something changes with Lieberman or Senate leaders are willing to use the process of reconciliation, the bill which emerges from the Senate is unlikely to contain a public option.

In addition, it now looks like it could be several months into 2010 before we see a final bill emerge from the Senate. Although this was a historic night for the country, the final bill is likely to be less robust than what we saw come out of the House this evening. I will now spend the next few weeks using my psychic powers to influence the feeble mind of Joe Lieberman. If you see him flip-flop again on healthcare reform I will expect full credit for my efforts and superpowers.

P.S. Let's give some credit to Rep. Cao of Louisiana for having the courage to defy the GOP and vote for this bill!

Michael Jackson Movie Review: This Is It

Last week I went to see the new Michael Jackson documentary entitled This Is It. My motivation for going was basic curiosity. I have never been a big Michael Jackson fan, but I thought some of his songs were well produced. Sometimes a curious nature is a good thing because I was beyond impressed with This Is It.

Thankfully, This Is It was playing in a digital theater near my home. Surprisingly, I was the only person in the theater! I guess I hit a slow patch between opening day and the weekend. I felt fortunate to have my own private screening of This Is It.

From the opening moments it was clear that reports of Jackson being debilitated by his drug use related to chronic insomnia were false. I'm sure the producers culled the best footage, but we see enough to conclude that he was "on his game." Jackson was able to rise above his demons during his rehearsals at Staple Center in Los Angeles. The digital footage was stunning although there was one camera angle which was non-digital. The digital video combined with the pulse-pounding audio resulted in a final product almost beyond description.

It is difficult to believe that you are watching a man of 50 years. He doesn't appear to have lost a step since his 20's. You're not witnessing some washed-up performer just going through the paces. Performers are interviewed and gush with admiration for Jackson. The young female guitar player, Orianthi Panagaris, steals the show when she plays the Eddie Van Halen riff during "Beat It." I almost got goose bumps watching Jackson perform when all aspects of the show came together perfectly. The London concerts were set to feature some of the most spectacular and sophisticated video segments ever used in a concert. It was fascinating to peak behind the scenes as the actors and technical gurus worked on these amazing videos.

This documentary will stand as the definitive testament of Jackson's undeniable talent as a performer. Jackson comes across as gracious and respectful as he interacts with dancers, musicians, and director Kenny Ortega. For a while I forgot about legal issues and plastic surgeries gone wrong as I witnessed a man flourishing in his element. Even non-fans are likely to come away with an incredible sense of appreciation of Jackson's raw talent. I never expected to be blown away by This Is It, but blown away I was.

Weekly Podcast - Episode 37

Click on the title above or click here to listen to my Weekly Podcast.

Louisiana Justice of the Peace Resigns!

In a follow-up to my scathing critique of Louisiana Justice of the Peace Keith Bardwell, I am ecstatic to report that he has resigned due to public pressure and impending action from the state of Louisiana. He represents the worst of America. In his warped mind he felt that if he could just impose his outdated views upon the rest of society he could fix what is wrong with this country.

What is so ironic is that he said the following about interracial couples: "I am concerned for the children that might be born of the relationship..." Could somebody in Tangipahoa Parish please inform this dimwit that the President of the United States is one of those children that he is so concerned about? It kind of blows his transparently racist rationale out of the water. Although I am disheartened that idiots like this still walk the earth taking up valuable resources while perpetuating stupidity at every opportunity, I am comforted by the swift public outcry which drove him from office.

Keith Bardwell, your 15 minutes of fame are over, albeit bestowed on you for all the wrong reasons. A side benefit of your journey into obscurity is that I will never have to lay eyes on that ugly mug ever again.

Weekly Podcast - Episode 36

Click on the title above or click here to listen to my Weekly Podcast.

Weekly Podcast - Episode 35

Click on the title above or click here to listen to my Weekly Podcast.

Louisiana Justice of the Peace Refuses Marriage License to Interracial Couple

Louisiana justice of the peace Keith Bardwell refused to issue a marriage license because the husband and wife are of different races. Really? In 2009? Yeah, it's true. Check it out here. Another gem of the deep south shines a light on his own stupidity. Just because he is against interracial marriage in no way entitles Mr.Bardwell to deny U.S. citizens to legally marry.

Forgive me for becoming weary of those on the right and religious fringe thinking they are doing God's work by refusing to carry out their jobs in a lawful and respectful manner. Bardwell reminds me of the pharmacists who refuse to dispense the "morning after" pill due to their personal religious beliefs. This country cannot function very effectively if every person in a position of power decides to carry out only those specific functions which do not conflict with their view of the world in any way.

I have some advice if you are a pharmacist who feels compelled to deny women a legal drug or a justice of the peace who just cannot bring himself to issue a marriage license to an interracial couple. Find another line of work! Or better yet, do not enter these professions in the first place. I hope that the couple denied a license in Louisiana decide to proceed with their complaint to the U.S. Department of Justice. In addition, I hope the ACLU is successful in their pleading to the Louisiana Supreme Court which requests that Mr. Bardwell be removed from office.

Weekly Podcast - Episode 34

Click on the title above or click here to listen to my Weekly Podcast. This week's topics include:

1. President Obama wins Nobel Peace Prize.
2. Ban on sale of sex toys upheld by Alabama Supreme Court.
3. Michael Moore movie not playing in my city (Pensacola, Florida).
4. AP poll shows increase in President Obama's popularity.
5. Dick and Liz Cheney still silent on Obama's anti-terrorism successes.

Weekly Podcast - Episode 33

Click on the title above or click here to listen to my Weekly Podcast. This week's topics include:

1. Separation of Church and State/Prayer In Schools: The case of Pace High School in Florida.
2. Another high-profile terrorist killed in Pakistan.
3. Right-wing ecstatic about Chicago failing to win the right to host the 2016 Olympics. The latest case of "Party First-Country Last" mentality from the GOP.