Blast from the Past: Trippy, Dippy, Paula Abdul

Image from Wikipedia

While Paula Abdul might be an unlikely subject for Blast from the Past, my previous Madonna and Janet Jackson posts pretty much made it inevitable. But hear me out! Before Abdul was the little pint-sized basket of crazy next to Simon Cowell on American Idol, she was actually a monster hit machine on the pop charts. Her career wasn't long lived, but it did burn brightly, and probably a little more brightly than you remember.

Paula actually started as a cheerleader and a choreographer. She was helping make MTV videos for acts like Janet Jackson (she's even in the Nasty video) and ZZTop (yes, really). But her first foray onto the pop charts didn't really light it up. Not yet. Knocked Out was her first release. It was released three times, ultimately peaking at #21. From the album, Forever Your Girl, Straight Up is the single that put Paula on the map (and made her label willing to release and re-release all her songs until they hit the top 40!).


Straight Up was a monster hit, zooming to #1 before they even had a video (which ultimately included--for some reason--Arsenio Hall). After that, (It's Just) The Way that You Love Me also became huge, though it was originally released before Straight Up. Then came Forever Your Girl, making three #1s in a row.


Next came Cold Hearted. The sexy dance routine for that one caused a bit of a sensation, much like that depicted in video. Were those boys dancing together? Scandal! And then--still all from the same album, mind you--came Opposites Attract. Yes, that's the one where she dances with a cartoon "MC Skat Cat."



Paula Abdul turned out to be more than a flash in the pan with her second album, Spellbound. The first song, Rush, Rush made it to #1 also. So did Promise of a New Day. Believe it or not, it was now her sixth #1 in a row.


But all good things eventually peter out, and so it is with Paula. She managed three more significant hits from Spellbound, first Blowing Kisses in the Wind, followed by Vibeology. 



The last one was Will You Marry Me, which peaked at #19. Still nothing to sneeze at. It probably did better than the marriage she did get, to Emilio Estevez. After that, Paula Abdul only hit the top 40 one more time, with My Love is For Real, a song that I frankly don't remember. But Paula's music is still fun to revisit, even if you have to do so alone, with headphones on. She's a guilty pleasure, but she's a pleasure.

"Cut, Cap and Balance" is the New Republican Mantra

Part of the GOP's problem in selling
unpalatable products is their unpalatable
salespeople. Image of Lindsey Grahm fromThe Washington Times

The obvious new GOP buzz phrase is: "Cut, Cap and Balance." I heard Jim DeMint, the blustery Congressman, repeat this phrase like an actress plugging her movie on NBC's Meet the Press this morning. Oddly, while the Republicans are usually great at using Frank Luntzian phraseology to name things with flair, this one sounds like a second rebranding of "Cap and Trade." When Republicans were for Cap and Trade--a badly named policy if ever there was one--the name was fine. When they decided they were against it, they renamed it "Cap and Tax."

But Cut, Cap and Balance is apparently something new, so I looked it up on the Googles. Here are the links I found, in order:

• FreedomWorks' website
• Pledge from FreedomWorks at cutcapbalance.com
• Republican Study Committee's report
• A Huffington Post expose on CCB
• Lindsay Graham looking mightily verklempt while pushing CCB at Washington Times
• National Review's coverage
• The Hill's coverage
• A story stating that Mitt Romney will sign DeMint's CCB Pledge

Okay, so other than the HuffPo piece--which I'll read and report on later--just the links tell a story. Looks like Cut, Cap and Balance is a GOP/FreedomWorks joint, with a push from right-leaning publications. The "balance" portion is a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution, which has ZERO chance of passing, and would--according to every economist I've heard discussing it--be disastrous. The ability to deficit spend is crucial in certain areas. Apparently World War II could not have been fought if we'd had a balanced budget amendment then.

So basically, we currently have a "raise the debt limit" crisis that has been unjustifiably tied to deficit cutting, tax cuts and spending cuts, making the whole argument about something more complicated than it should be. And now, the GOP is throwing in this stupid new "pledge." Do we have time for this crap?  Didn't the ridiculous "marriage" pledge in Iowa teach GOP candidates anything about pledges?

Whether or not this is a new, big GOP policy push was answered when I fired up the DVR for FOX "News" Sunday, where the first whole segment put Cut, Cap and Balance front and center. As though this new pledge is the A#1 priority in American policy. Question answered.

Rachel Maddow Helps Us Wrap Our Brains Around Rupert Murdoch Scandal

This is a couple of days late, but it's a great wrap-up of the News of the World/News Corp./Rupert Murdoch ongoing scandal. It's a scummy scandal, and it's about time that ol' Rupe got a smack down. But this scandal isn't a neat, easy to understand in one quick sentence story. Rachel Maddow--a personal favorite, as stated here many times--does a great job laying it out for us.

Now, hold on just a second. If you're one of those MSNBC = the opposite of FOX "News" folks; a Rachel Maddow is the anti-Sean Hannity, I get where you're coming from (even though you're wrong). But skip to the 5:00 section of this video for an interesting demonstration. There, you'll find a dude on FOX "News" who is equating hacking scandals at banks and other areas with the Rupert Murdoch thing. Then watch Rachel's frustrated WTF? OMFG! response to his f'd up analogy. Then try to say Rachel is wrong. Dare you.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Brilliant Smart Ass Responses to Well Meaning Signs

Brilliant. From source, Happy Place

As a sign maker myself, this brilliant photo essay hits my sweet spot. Thanks to Tracy for pointing it out, and to Happy Place for coming up with it!

Source: Happy Place

The Greenlee Gazette QR Code

Yes, this is a working Greenlee Gazette code!

When I was a kid, the UPC (universal product code) was created. These omnipresent bar codes are now so common, we barely even notice them anymore. They're on our key chain grocery discount cards, on every item you can buy, on our driver's license, everywhere. But they're being joined by the QR Code. These aren't entirely new, I know. But they're new enough that a lot of people still don't know what they're for, or how to use them. Until I got my new Epic 4G phone, I had no way to see what all the fuss is about. And it took me downloading the Google Goggles ap to even think about looking for those little critters.

My introduction to UPC Symbols was in Mad Magazine.

While reading Jill Sixpack, a blog out of Wisconsin (and Greenlee Gazette reader; Hi, Jill!), I noticed that Jill did a piece on the QR Codes, and even had a big one in the post. I scanned the code, and bang, it took me instantly to her blog! Which was pretty cool! And of course I couldn't resist finding out how to do it for Greenlee Gazette. So, here it is! Scan me! Book mark me in your phone! My blog is even optimized for smart phones! Thankyewverymuch.

Over Time with Bill Maher, July 15, 2011

Ep. 220: July 15, 2011 - Overtime

Sarah Palin's Self-Indulgent Movie Shown...

...in empty theater.

Even-so, here is a clip from this intense, self gratifying, delusional, documentary/biography.

To set it up for you, this is when she was deciding whom it should be to direct her film.




And thanks to Bart for summing it all up for me, beforehand...

Read more...

Austrian Man Wears "Pastafarian" Colander as Headgear in Driver's License Photo

Image from source

Another one touched by his noodly appendage. As far as religious headgear goes, a colander doesn't look too bad, especially on this Austrian fellow. Good looking and funny too? Ramen.

[Excerpt]

Austrian Wins Right To Wear Pasta Strainer In Driver’s License

Niko Alm first applied for the licence three years ago after reading that headgear was allowed in official pictures only for confessional reasons.
Mr Alm said the sieve was a requirement of his religion, pastafarianism.
The Austrian authorities required him to obtain a doctor’s certificate that he was "psychologically fit" to drive. . .

Read more at: The Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster

8 Glasses of Water Per Day? Nonsense!

Imagae from source, HuffPo

Okay, here's a sore subject with me. I'm a beverage drinker. I like to get my drink on (and I'm not just talking about alcohol!). At work in the morning, I have at least three cups of coffee while drinking a cold beverage along with them. Throughout the work day, I'll have one diet soda with lunch, and I'll refill my bottle with instant tea or other powdered drink. At home in the evening, it's usually diet soda, but occasionally cocktails. Whatever the time of day is, I've got an active beverage nearby.

But I'm often told, what I'm drinking "doesn't count." It isn't water. Straight water. Apparently, if it contains anything but H2O, it is transmogrified into something that isn't healthy. And of course, even though I'm drinking something all day long, I'm apparently supposed to also consume eight glasses of water per day!

At no time is this drilled into you more, than when you are sick, especially with a fever. "Keep hydrated!" they'll chirp. "Not coffee, either. WATER!!!" So, late last month when I had a stretch of days with a perplexingly high fever (and oddly, no other symptoms), I decided to take this advice. After two days of fever, I thought I might be doing it wrong, so I glugged and chugged water all day. You know what? I woke up in literal pool of sweat--so wet I was concerned that it wasn't sweat, if you know what I mean--and I still had a fever! From head to heels, my bed was soaked. I had to change clothes and beds. But I still drank water the next day, and. . .repeat performance.

So, I'm prepared to call bullshit on this one. But I'm not the only one.

[Excerpt]

Drinking 8 Glasses Of Water A Day Is 'Nonsense,' Doc Says

The health recommendation to drink six to eight glasses of water a day is "thoroughly debunked nonsense," a doctor wrote this week in a commentary in the British Medical Journal. . .

Read more at: Huffington Post

(Not Really) Notable Quotable: A FReeper on Michele Bachmann

Image from Alan Colmes' Liberland

" They’ve been gunning for her pretty hard the last 2-3 weeks. So far nothing’s really sticking, though. Their biggest problem is she comes across so rational and intelligent on camera. More people are choosing to believe their own lying eyes and ears than the MSM slurs when it comes to Bachman. . ." 

--posted on Wednesday, July 13, 2011 9:26:30 PM by CowboyJay at conservative web forum FreeRepublic.com


The bolded section is my emphasis, picking the particularly stunning portion of this utterly gormless quote.

Janene Garofalo & Keith Olbermann Discuss the Bachmanns

At the risk of beating the stuffing out of Marcus Bachmann (oooh, girrrrl!) and his wife, here's another worthy entry in the fabulous story.

Jon Stewart & Jerry Seinfeld on Michele & Marcus Bachmann's Little Gay Problem

Genius. Hysterical. "Center square gay." Hahahahaha! If right-wing world really thinks this is some lame-stream media attack on poor, poor Michele, they have no gaydar whatsoever.

The Daily Show
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Sarah Palin on Hannity, Said. . .Oh, Who Cares?

When I saw a Huffington Post piece on Sarah Palin, with her saying, "don't retreat, reload," I thought for sure it must be a rerun, some kind of joke, or maybe a "remember when" kind of piece. But it wasn't, it was new. And while I think that Palin's hackneyed, folksy patter is lame and tired, I wasn't bugged by it. In fact, I was oddly unaffected, and began to think: "Who cares what she thinks?"

While I've never thought the woman possessed any of the characteristics required of a President (or Vice President), I payed attention, because it seemed that she was commanding a large portion of the nation's attention. But now? What's she got, Hannity's million or two viewers? A small slice of even the Republican voters? I suppose as a few years go by, she can fill the role of some sort of pundit, like Geraldine Ferraro or something (though she's not even nearly as smart). But right now? I just look at her and see utter irrelevance.

[Excerpt]

Sarah Palin On Debt Ceiling: It's 'Not Time To Retreat, It's Time To Reload'



During an appearance on Fox News' "Hannity" on Wednesday night, Sarah Palin sent a strong message to Republicans on the issue of raising the nation's deficit limit. . .

Read more at: Huffington Post

WTF: Karl Rove's Obama's Blank Check Commercial

For the last few weeks, Karl Rove's Crossroads GPS has been running a couple of political ads relentlessly. The ads are certainly polished, and have particularly high production values. But take the gloss away, and you are left with a standard-issue, by-the-numbers attack ad. But I can't figure out exactly what the ads are for. The Presidential elections are a ways off, with a long way to go to pick a GOP front-runner. My guess is, Rove is flaunting how many bucks he has in the bank, by running mood-souring ads against Obama just because he can.

But I do question Rove's instincts a bit on this one. The theme of the ads is deep concern for how bad things are. The point of view is that of a former Obama supporter who has grown disillusioned, and has turned against the President. The point being driven home the loudest? "It's time to take away Obama's blank check." Exsqueeze me? In what world does he have a blank check? The vibe Rove is going for is so at odds with what is going on at the moment, it just sounds tone deaf. Maybe this tests well with people who aren't plugged in to politics, I don't know. But does Rove's semi-anonymous group confuse people into thinking this is an ad from disaffected Democrats?

Keith Olbermann Explains His Experience at FOX

Michele & Marcus Bachmann's Sanctified Marriage

Hahahahahaha! This skit was bound to happen, and is bound to be followed up again and again. Good start. Kudos to Second City.

Did Mitch McConnell Wave the White Flag?

Sen. Mitch McConnell, Image from Slaw

This whole debt ceiling thing is very difficult to follow. Part of the problem, is that all of the talk of trillions of dollars in spending cuts vs. "revenue enhancements" and all that bargaining between the two sides. . .has nothing to do with the debt ceiling. Raising the debt ceiling only ensures that we pay for the things we've already bought, and allows the government to continue operation. The haggling is in addition to the raising of the ceiling. The Republicans demanded spending cuts in exchange for raising the debt ceiling. The two things are otherwise unrelated.

But even when you have that part figured out, it's still confusing. Does President Obama really mean it when he puts Social Security (unrelated to the debt crisis) and Medicare "on the table?" What did it mean when Eric Cantor walked out on talks? Or when Boehner did the same? Or how about now, when Sen. Mitch McConnell seems to have given up, and let the President have what he wants? Even people in the Republican party seem to be unsure, with all sorts of opinions flying around. And the Prez is still talking about a huge spending cuts/revenue "deal?" I'm lost.

[Excerpt]

McConnell proposes giving Obama debt ceiling power       

The top Republican in the Senate proposed on Tuesday giving President Barack Obama sweeping new power to, in effect, unilaterally increase the nation's debt limit to avoid a first-ever default on U.S. obligations. . .

Read more at: MSNBC

Lawrence O'Donnell Outs Marcus Bachmann

Okay, maybe my headline is a sort of "jump to conclusions" sort of thing, but the made-of-awesome Lawrence O'Donnell came thisclose to saying what all of observant America is thinking. That Michele Bachmann's husband Marcus is as gay as a basket full of kittens. Homosexual kittens.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Blast from the Past: Special RIP Sherwood Schwartz Edition

Sherwood Schwartz, the creator of two of the most insipid sitcom guilty pleasures, The Brady Bunch and Gilligan's Island died this week. Schwartz not only created these two (in)famous shows, he raised a generation of early cable TV children to consume repeated viewings of the same show over and over. And he squeezed every drop he could out of those shows, turning them into franchises. Below are clips from the various and sundry spin offs, sequels and remakes.
Let's start with the openings from the original shows, starting with Gilligan's Island's two famous intros.


And then two of the Brady Bunch themes.


But Sherwood wasn't done, no, no! There were the animated shows! How about Gilligan's Planet and The Brady Kids?


Read more after the break. . .

RETRACTED: It's Good to be the King: Rupert Murdoch's News Corp's Massive Tax Refund

Image from NewsCorpse

UPDATE: The Reuters story this post was based on was retracted. I guess I was on to something when I said I "couldn't quite believe it." Not that Rupert's fanny is out of the fire, but apparently he's not US-government subsidized, which is a relief. Thanks to StewartIII in the comments for pointing this out. Here's the link to the retraction: Reuters

I found this at AmericaBlog, and couldn't quite believe it. Rupert Murdoch's News Corp--owner of the hard-right FOX "News"--is a government-subsidized operation. To the tune of billions. Ol' Rupe may be in hot water over in England, and his stock may be tumbling. But don't feel too badly for him. I'm sure that his legions of Tea Bagger viewers can somehow fit this massive transfer of wealth into their ideology. Somehow.


[Excerpt]


It pays to be Murdoch. Just ask US gov't


Over the past four years Murdoch's U.S.-based News Corp. has made money on income taxes. Having earned $10.4 billion in profits, News Corp. would have been expected to pay $3.6 billion at the 35 percent corporate tax rate. Instead, it actually collected $4.8 billion in income tax refunds, all or nearly all from the U.S. government. . .


Read more at: Reuters