Bam Bam Bigelow 1961 –2007

We shared a birthday and a hatred of the Iron Sheik

Canadian Nature Flick (Party Spiders)

What happens when spiders are dabbed with drugs? Don't ask the drunk Spider.



Via Macslost

My...Endorsement..again

Oh, mercy. Barack, just when I make up my mind about sitting US Senators you flirt with me by announcing. Truth is, I just can't quit you. So I took out the card and threw 25 bucks to your exploratory committee with a promise for $75 more if you go all the way.
In the meantime you flirt, i'll only have this video of you to remind precisely why you too, embody all that we can hope for in this country.

My Endorsement

My man-crush on Barack Obama notwithstanding, I've decided to throw my support behind the presidential candidacy of John Edwards. In fact, today I pulled out the Credit Card, and syphoned 100 dollars into his campaign for the presidency. Here's my list of "Why":

1. I do not believe that a sitting US Senator can be forceful and speak their convictions. It is not their job to provide decisive leadership, it is their job to mull and debate. Neither Barack or Hillary will be able to address issues with the force and moral authority that John Edwards will. I love them both in their very special ways, but i simply feel that the time for cautious chit-chat is over.

2. My heroes, MLK and Bobby Kennedy would not recognise the "Progressives " of today. Though Barack, speaks a very similar rhetoric to that of my dear convictions, only John Edwards has taken the time to adress poverty and inequality in full. Nothing can be said about the rest of the Democrats who seem to ignore those problems completely.

3. Electability. Let's face it, we can't have another Dukakis or Kerry. Both decent, honest and good men, who simply could not connect to the people in this country that we owe our devotion to. The disenfranchised, and the poor. His charm, good looks, and warming drawl make him the sort of candidate that I would be proud to call my nominee, and even more proud to call Mr. President.

4. EDWARDS/OBAMA 08'!!!!

Please take a moment to click on the Banner below and join the Campaign to Change America

Go USA!
Go Edwards!
Go Broncos!
Go Bears!

The Dreams of Martin Luther King

On MLK day, I find myself in awe of the man. The "I have a dream" speech is truly the tip of the iceberg. Please take a moment today to listen to these three tributes.




The most comforting, and best kknown MLK speech. Powerful and beautiful to this day.



ON NONCOMFORMITY (1963): "This hour in history needs a dedicated circle of transformed nonconformists. Dangerous passions of pride, hatred and selfishness are enthroned in our lives; truth lies prostrate on the rugged hills of nameless Calvaries. The saving of our world from pending doom will come, not through the complacent adjustment of the conforming majority, but through the creative maladjustment of a nonconforming minority."


A recently discovered speech by MLK opposing the hypocrisy of war. I am filled with shame, that we still cannot hear this man's message. It is a long speech but you can take the time to listen in honor of a true American.



ON PEACE (1964): "Sooner or later all the people of the world will have to discover a way to live together in peace and thereby transform this pending cosmic elegy into a creative psalm of brotherhood. I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality. This is why right temporarily defeated is stronger than evil triumphant."

Lastly, an intense and shocking clip from one of my favorite cartoons THE BOONDOCKS. Aaron McGruder gives MLK an incredible voice, and calls out the true spirit of the man.

WARNING** The "N" word is used so if you take enormous issues with this, or have a sensitive constitution, don't bother watching.


ON BLACKS IN AMERICA (From Birmingham jail, 1963): "Before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth, we were here. Before the pen of Jefferson etched across the pages of history the majestic words of the Declaration of Independence, we were here. If the inexpressible cruelties of slavery could not stop us, the opposition we now face will surely fail. We will win our freedom because the sacred heritage of our nation and the eternal will of God are embodied in our echoing demands."

Republicans care about women's rights.

Not sure if any of you had caught wind of this, I read it on the NYT.

WASHINGTON, Jan 12 — A passing exchange during a Senate hearing on Thursday turned into a political flashpoint overnight as Senator Barbara Boxer, the California Democrat, and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice accused one another of insensitivity in comments about motherhood and the war in Iraq.

In an interview this afternoon with The New York Times, Ms. Rice suggested that the California Democrat had set back feminism by suggesting during the hearing that the childless Ms. Rice had paid no price in the Iraq war.

“I thought it was okay to be single,” Ms. Rice said. “I thought it was okay to not have children, and I thought you could still make good decisions on behalf of the country if you were single and didn’t have children.”


Naturally the best rebuttal comes from the Republican Icon himself.
Ladies and gents, the Late Ronald Reagan.

The Battle Continues...

In Case anyone doubted that I am in the vanguard of dorkitude....



The plot involves two sneaky ninjas who, inspired by a pirate's idea, write a screenplay behind his back.

Pornucopia!

I was at the "Club Jenna" party last night in Las Vegas, and apparently I took a lot of pictures. The Porn world is a very interesting place, dear friends. I hope the Photo montage sheds a little light on what I saw last night.
Check out the Flickr Set.

Nerdery in the The House of Representatives

Rep. David Wu (D- Nerdville)

What The hell is Wrong wit Nick Cage?

As someone who saw the Naming of Nick Cage's son, "Kal -El" as a a masterful stroke, worthy of some sort of Nerd-Prize for ballsiest name since "Moxy Gillete" (Penn Gillete's badass Daughter) , you can say I am a very open minded sort. But, Jesus Christ! Did anyone notice this movie happened? Why wasn't I told about this? Its one thing to allow Neil Labutte out of his cage, but then to let Nick Cage go all wild and droopy on the screen, well let's just hope they release a box set like Showgirls. Prepare yourselves for the finest moments from Wicker Man.




In Case you feel like it might be worth watching...



MY EYES! MY EYES!

2 Dictators Turn The Cameras on Themselves

The rumor mill has it that Forrest Whitaker will be receiving an Oscar nod for his portrayal of Idi Amin in "The Last King of Scotland" . To that end I decided to do a little research and came across this documentary starring :"The wild Man Of Africa" himself. Fascinated that such a dismal picture was painted of Idid when he had editorial control over the film, made me even more interested in Oliver Stone's documentary about Fidel Castro. God bless Google Video I found them BOTH.

IDI AMIN:

Its easy to see how delusional he is, and somewhat pathetic in the self-importance he exhibited.Of particular interest to me was watching him pretend he had power over the animals during a river safari. Creepy.




FIDEL CASTRO:

Its intense watching how charming these guys really are. Fidel is a personality I've been attracted to, since I was a kid. To watch him in his natural state, really cements the inherent magnestism in the man.

Zombie Insects

Braaaain... Muuust haave insect braaaain....

While rummaging through You Tube I found three fascinatng instances of insect Zombies and/or parasitic control. Though all three are absolutely horrific, I guess the term "Zombie" would only apply to the Parasitic Cordyceps fungus that Sir. David Attenbourough introduces us to since its the only one that can wipe out a colony through mere contact with "THE INFECTED"...Bum Bum BUUUUUM. However, for pure unadultarated Heebie Jeebies, the Cricket with the mind control worm made my skin crawl. Maybe beause it wasn't accompanied by a soothing narration, but that clip was horrific.

Zombie Snail



Leucochloridium paradoxum are a parasitic flatworm that prey on birds.
The worms begin their lives as eggs in bird droppings, and are consumed by snails along vegetation floors. Once consumed, the worms infect the snail's brains, take control of their mind, then "hypnotize" them into climbing just high enough to become bird food - where the cycle repeats.

Zombie Ants



Sir David Attenborough speaks on the amazing Cordyceps fungus that infect insects in the jungle. Each fungus attacks only one species of insect, first by altering their behavior and then... bursts from their bodies to grow and eventually produce another generation of highly infective spores. Aieee!


Zombie Cricket



Gordian worm live inside crickets for long periods, feeding on the cricket's diet. Once fully grown, they inject chemicals into the cricket's brain "brainwashing" it and forcing it to kill itself by jumping into the water. Once in water, the worm wriggles out of the writhing body and swims off in search of a mate. Khaaan!

The Chief Feels Good

Biongboing recently posted a link to this awesome memorial mashup by the organist at Trinity Wall Street church in NYC. It appears the very talented pipe organist joined "I feel Good" and "Hail to the Chief" in an awesome tribute to James Brown and Gerry Ford.

Well, now that you mention it...

I'm sure I'm not the only one who found the Irony in this little gem from "Poppa Bear". Considering that the death toll for American troops in Iraq has surpassed the death toll from 9-11. The question is, who is the more evil? The brazen tryants and lunatics who kill our people in the name of their religion, or the one who does it with our "approval"?

1937- 2006 صدام حسين عبد المجيد التكريتي

Why is it that when I choose to cope with the insanity in the world, I turn to silliness for solace?
Let's remember our only fond moments with Saddam.

War is over.. (Merry Christmas)

Full Length Charlie Brown Christmas

Merry Christmas Everyone, and Happy Hollidays.




Enjoy it while its still up!

Star Wars, The ORIGINAL Original

Let it Snow...

It would appear that Denver's Mayor is AWESOME.

Hmmm... it looks like the storm that closed down every airport, and the entire government of Colorado isn't THAT bad, or at least it doesn't look that bad.

It was a Yabba Dabba Doo Time..

1911-2006

Joe Barbera of the Anmimation Team Hannah - Barbera , passed away today.

A Google Treasure Trove

I have recently discovered a treasure trove of Documentaries on Google. No, not Documentary clips, but full length quality Docus. If I may bring your attention to two of my absolute favorites.

The first is The Elegant Universe,



A book i loved that makes astonishingly enough, an even better pair of documentaries, narrated by Brian Greene Himself.

Part 1. Einstein's Universe


Part 2. String's The Thing


Now, for the more intense of the two.

The shocking title does no justice to the incredible arguments that Richard Dawkins makes against religion and its assault on reason and science. Whether or not you agree with the content, this documentary must give you pause. Narrated by Dawkins, who is an incredible thinker and is very passionate about his arguments. The gem of these documentaries is an interview with Ted Haggard, who gets all uppity when he is challenged by Dawkins as someone who is "telling people what to think". Not to be missed.



Part 1. The God Delusion


Part2. The Virus of Faith

Just in Time for the Holidays

As a lad growing up on the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, I never Imagined that my hometown of Colorado Springs would feature so heavily in the worldwide crusade against science, progress, and fact. As I entered High-School, Ted Haggard and the New Life Church were just getting started and Focus on The Family had just begun construction on their complex. By the time I left High School, the grand evangelical Machine was in full swing, and the anti-gay and ultimately unconstitutional Amendment 2, had been passed, and groups like Young Life were infiltrating the schools. I was somewhat blind, really. I noticed more than my peers, and even then I had no idea of the deranged vastness of the Religious blindness that would eventually consume my beautiful town.

The warning signs were all there. The death of Carmine Tagliere at the hands of Vern Smalley should have been a huge warning sign. Carmine was a hotheaded 17 year old, and Vern Smalley was a gun packing retired Colonel - cum Vigilante. So when Carmine and Vern met on the side of the road during a traffic altercation, then Vern happily shot him in the chest. Carmine died, his sister was taken out of my French class in tears, and Vern Smalley was later acquitted by the courts. He later threatened a jogger, and is now making the rounds as a freakish conservative commentator on nearly every Blog that mentions his sorry name. It should come as no surpirse to those of you who have seen the transformation of Colorado Springs, that many elements in the community applauded the court's decision.

After that it was a quiet tumble downhill, and today Colorado Springs is a fortress of right-wing conservative ignorance. So far Right, and so blinded in its righteous rage that even mainstream creepy old Republicans like Joel Hefley are being marginalized and replaced by the "sleazy", far-right, nutjobs that have become all too commonplace in this day and age. If the people of Colorado Springs are too deaf to hear the pleas of their own former representatives, how far will they go?

I'm sure you are cracking a smile, and thinking "He's exaggerating."

I urge you to please take a look at ANY of the hundreds of documentaries that are attempting to expose the harm done by extreme religious groups, where Colorado Springs is featured prominently and constantly.

If you think that this has no effect on the quality of life of Colorado Springs, think again. The intolerance and group righteousness seep into the daily life of people in CS. Its amazing that I fear more for my personal safety in Colorado Springs than in my new home of Los Angeles, but the fact is that the town has become so uniform in its thinking, that the only reaction to progressive thought and individuals is reactionary. I leave you with an anecdote from my father, who was approached about a $2 rate hike by an angry man. My father responded, "I'm sorry but this place is still less expensive than most", the man frazzled, blurted out "But I'm a Republican!".

Funny, yes. My question is, why was the man bringing this to light? Does he have my dad pinned as a rate hiking liberal? Is my dad obviously dark skinned and therefore obviously not one of them? Creepy.


***
My next post will be a pair of Science documentaries that would make your average Springs resident Pass out. In one, by Richard Dawkins, Ted Haggard and Colorados Springs are featured prominently.

Horny Manatee (NSFW)

First, there was Panda Porn. Now, in conjunction with my previous Manatee Post, the people at Conan O Brien bring you the next awful step in Animal fetishism. I give you-

HORNY MANATEE .COM! Click on the image below for some hot Man on Manatee Action!

My Brother Loses it over Apocalypto

My brother is so indignant right now, that he might as well have been wearing a Victorian Dress and fanning himself as he was IM ing me. Check it out.


He totally misses my Schwartzie joke, but it got ugly when I called someone a halfbreed. Oh, the humorless PC world my brother now inhabits.

In Brightest Day, In Darkest Night

1915-2006


The Halls of the planet OA were silenced today, as news reached across the multiverse of Martin Nodell's merging with the infinite. At the ripe old age of 91 the creator of Green Lantern has gone to meet the Guardians. The story is somewhat dated. Alan Scott is a train operator who is involved in a horrible trainwreck, and then finds a magical lantern made from a meteorite. Just for the record, Alan Scott is pretty lame. I mean let's face it, the man has the skills of a choo choo Engineer, which in those days was pulling a black lever, or a red lever, and looking at your pocketwatch. This Alan Scott fellow is not why I wear the T-shirts, and buy the books.

However, we must admit that Alan Scott was a far better GL than Gnort

Yes, that is a DOG-MAN.

Though Martin Nodell had little to do with the future incarnations of The Green Lantern, including Hal Jordan who is THE Green Lantern, the basic motifs of a supernatural weapon in the hands of a man will forever be the driving force of the Green Lantern books. And for all the fancy smanshyness of the green lanterns, the greatest thing they all have going for them is their inherent decency. Superman is an Alien, Batman is Screwed Up and angry, Wonder Woman is a goddess, but Green Lantern has always been Just a guy. The innate ability in all of us to be Heroes. That's why I dig the GL. That's why its Sad that Martin Nodell went the way of coast city today.

APOCALYPTO HYPOCRITO

To begin with, let me give you my review of Apocalypto. Yes, I saw it this weekend, and I thought it was a fine strong film. It reminded me of King Kong. Solid, fun, not deep or Academy Award worthy, but an excellent Sunday afternoon moviegoing experience. So what is up everyone's bum about going to see it? My brother, and some of my friends were all huffy and lame about seeing it. They cited Mel's recent fracas in Malibu, as being their reason and they took a very high moral stand in admonishing me for going at all.

"You couldn't pay me to go", said my morally concrete and absolutist brother. Interesting. When he called afterwads to ask how it was, I asked him if he had seen THE NINTH GATE, or maybe THE PIANIST. He replied "Oh, it's like THAT? Sort of Euro-trashy."

Bam! I slammed him or supporting Paedophiles. How dare he? Disgusting, appaling! How dare he give money directly to someone who would do things to CHILDREN! likewise, I admonished him for seeing DIE ANOTHER DAY, AND THE EDGE. How dare he support Transvestite Hookers?! He might as well, be a John! Appaling! His pathetic reply "If it didn't say MEL GIBSON'S on the title." What a crock! What other recognizable name is even remotley attached to this movie? Who in Kansas would say "Oooh! I want to see that new movie with Morris Birdyellowhead!" I can understand ifn you keep such a high moral code, that you won't bide certain performers because of their behavior (I avoid everything that has the Stank of Paris Hilton), but you can't pick and choose. Paris Hilton is a Unique sort of ho, with no talent or worth. Are you really going to stop watching Seinfeld and Curb Your Enthusiasm? Are you so blinded by your zealotry that you can't see the worth of an artistic attempt? Give me a break.

If you condemn one of Hollywood's eccentrics, then you have to condemn them all equally, you can't go around picking and choosing the incidents that appal you and offend your sense of decency. Consider Britney's "Candid Shots". This is a mother of 2 hanging out with known drug-users, and flashing THE WORLD. Where's the backlash? Where are the outraged talking heads? I am reminded of my father's PETA fueled rant against Sigfried and Roy for keeping tigers. He delivered a weepy soliloquy in his Leather interior Lexus, on our way to a steakhouse, while my mom wore an endagered species coat.


And in case, people think I let things slide.

Holiday Crafts

The house Ethics Committee has released all of the naughty IM sessions between Mark Foley and the young, impressionable Pages. My advice is to take a bookbinding class, and give all 140 pages to someone you love. Pages of PAPER! PAPER! IN THE REPORT, YOU PERVERT!



Check out the naughtyness, HERE

Ooh! Ooh! I also want THIS for Christmas!

Why we are losing in Iraq

Kindly Click HERE.
The horror, the shame. (Be sure to watch the video on the sidebar)

** UPDATE!!
Now watch it on YouTube (Its still more shocking to watch on the Whitehouse site)

Maybe the Broncos can win SOMETHING

Campbells is having a "clicking contest". It will donate the team's total weight in canned food to the soup kitchen of the winning team's city. So go HERE, and help out the Denver Soup Kitchen in the name of the Broncos.

Go Broncos!

The least popular Christmas toy

I heard that approval for the president was at 32% . I find it shocking that 32% of Americans still approve of Dubya , but with 10% of those being "unsure" my guess is that the 22% left is the population of Colorado Springs. My home town. A town so conservative, all the chickens have two left wings. Kids goose-step to school. However, I think I may have found something more unpopular than the President.



You can buy me one for Christmas

HERE!

Godzilla Building

Ironic Sans Offers us a new vision for a new Tokyo.
The Godzilla Building.
Behold!



See more pictures of the building with some musings as to the usage of the space

HERE!

Let's mix it up a bit, shall we?

There are times when testosterone rules. When Horsepower, musk, leather, and flannell all combine and scratch at the depths of your soul. No, I'm not talking about a night at the Blue Oyster Bar . I'm talking blender. I'm talking 3 Horses worth of blending destruction. THE BLENDTEC TOTAL BLENDER!! TOTAL. BLENDER. TOTAL. I'm talking the smoothies from hell. Margaritas so smooth you'd think you were drinking an Icee. A Milkshake so smooth, i'd have to say it was better than yours, damn right its better than yours, I can teach you, but I have to charge. As if this beauty can't sell itself on its own, please indulge yourselves with the accompanying website. It blends cellphones to a fine dust. Makes smoothies out of Coke cans.. sweet Jesus. Just watch.

Will It Blend?

To purchase one, you can go directly to the Blendtec site by clicking

HERE!

Advent Calendar

The folks at Thunderchunky are presenting a Kickass online advent Calendar.



They describe the project thusly:
"You know all those naff advent calendars you get, where it’s always the same run-of-the-mill images… robins, candles, stars? Not particularly inspiring! Well Thunder Chunky has a remedy for your advent blues. We’ve roped in a selection of the best artists and illustrators around to create some xmas messages, especially for you!

We’ll reveal a new piece of work every day throughout December, so make sure you check back daily."

You can check it out

HERE!

Czech it out out now.

So, it appears that I am HUGE in the Czech Republic. So Huge in fact, that I have to give some props to my new Prague-Pals.
HUBERT and KARLA who's blogs "Martinu and Fried Cheese" and "Rabbits, Toyen and So Forth" can be seen posted on my links sidebar. I can oficially say that i have quadrupled my knowledge on the Czech Republic through their blog. Granted, my knowledge was limited. But NOW. Now I am aware of a fantastic Vietnamese market that sells slightnly pornographic beach towels, and terrifying dolls. Furthermore, I've learned some interesting things about "Czech Idol". Apparently it sucks over there too. And I can now look forward to hunting down some Czech Donuts. But what else did i know? What is the Non-Average American's cumulative knowledge of the Czech Republic?

1. Vaclav Havel


As a former Theater sort, I always admired the former president of the Republic. He too realized there was no future in trying to become an actor.

2. BEER!


There is so much beer and it is so loved, that the Czechs even bathe in it, or at least tourists do. Pilsner Urquell...mmmm.

3. Sex


Let's just say I've caught my fair share of porn and stories about the healthy appetite of the Czech Peeps.

4. Prague

Everyone tells me its the most beautiful city in Europe.

5. That creepy church made out of human bones.



I first saw it when I was a kid on "Ripley's Believe it or not", and its fascinated me since.

** SEE MORE PICTURES OF IT HERE

That's it, that's all i know. Or knew. Let the age of cooperation begin! Let our two Countries, The Czech Republic, and Los Angeles, live in cultural harmony. At least on the Blogosphere.

Ho- Ho- Holy S**t!

My younger brother always threw a fit when it was time to get our picture with Santa. What is it about Santa that makes him only second to Clowns for the sheer magnitude of Terror produced in children?

Well, here are more than sixty images of terrified tots on the Jolly old Elf's lap.

Check it out,

HERE!