Democrat Goon Squad

This took place at Madrigal Lofts in Washington, DC. The property can't be 'paid' for. You can put down a deposit to reserve "part" of the roof top. Never can 100% of the roof be reserved and it is open to all residents, even if a section is reserved. Obviously Mr. Giannoulias's goon squad needs some training on how to handle situations like this. They call that "Media Relations" and "Sensitivity Training."

Also, anyone who watches Michael Moore push his ambush movies, but when the cameras are turned on them they turn violent. Liberal tolerance at its finest.

Wonder what they were trying to hide?

Saturday Morning Cartoon: Vuvuzela Guy

Overzealous vuvuzela enthusiast takes to the street to show his support for — everything.

[landline.]

BP Better than the US Gov

Even after yesterday's congressional grandstanding, most still think that BP is more capable than the U.S. government when it comes to managing the Gulf disaster.

Which means a few people are paying attention.

The Federal government is not built to move quickly on anything, nor do they have the expertise that an oil company has. The governments job should be to set rules, boundaries and provide oversight and even to punish when something like this occurs.

Believing that someone wearing a black suit and $2.00 aviator sunglasses will step off a black helicopter, come in, take over, and plug up the leak is misguided and as goofy as believing the government caused it in the first place. In fact, more government involvement will only slow an already slow process down even further.

Just ask the folks who participated in 'helping' after Katrina.

Sweet Baby Ray's

Here's a letter from Sweet Baby Ray's to their customer asking Sweet Baby to quit putting HFCS in their awesome BBQ sauce. Here's their reply.

Dear Susan,
I would like to inform you that our High Fructose Corn Syrup contains no artificial or synthetic ingredients or color additives and meets the FDA's requirements for the use of the term 'Natural' Our High Fructose Corn Syrup supplier does not use caustic soda or hydrochloric acid, which is produced using mercury cell technology. Also, our supplier requires that all processing aids used in their process, meets Food Chemical Codex Standards and all appropriate US Food and Drug Administration regulations. However, I will pass along your information to the appropriate person. If you have any further questions regarding this product feel free to contact me. Thank you and you have a nice day.

Maritza Cubero
Consumer Line
Sweet Baby Ray's
(508) 229-5322
service@sweetbabyrays.com

That's nice. I trust the FDA about as far as I could throw them... and with my bad back, I shouldn't be throwing any useless government agency staffed by former employees of the companies they're supposed to be regulating.

HFCS is not, by any means, natural, Maritza. Arsenic is 'natural'. And I don't want that in my BBQ sauce either.

Honey is natural. But honey would make your wonderful sauce cost a couple cents more per ounce. And in the highly competitive BBQ shelf, that's the difference between a sale and... oh, what? Bullseye took HFCS out of THEIR BBQ sauce? There's a bit too much liquid smoke for my taste - but it CAN be done. And Bullseye doesn't cost more or less than Sweet Baby Rays. Interesting.

I'm not going to boycott Sweet Baby Rays. But I don't like the uninformed-corporate speak that talks down to their customer. I'm their customer too... (for now) but I would expect real dialog between someone with real concerns. If I took the time to write a letter, I'd appreciate the same amount of time and consideration from the person or persons I addressed it to.

Some people actually go to college to study public relations and customer service.

The Vatican Endorses Blues Brothers

When Jake and Elwood Blues, said they were on a mission from God, the Catholic Church apparently took them at their word.

On the 30th anniversary of the film's release, "L'Osservatore Romano," the Vatican's official newspaper, called the film a "Catholic classic" and said it should be recommended viewing for Catholics everywhere.

The film was based on a skit from "Saturday Night Live." In the story, Jake and Elwood -- played by John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd, respectively -- embark on the John Landis cocaine-fueled comedy where blowing up lots of stuff is hilarious, concerts, car chases, clashes with the police and neo-Nazi groups, and attempts at revenge from a spurned lover, all, ostensibly, to raise money for the church-run orphanage where they grew up.

But aside from a brief appearance from Kathleen Freeman as a wrist-slapping nun referred to as "The Penguin" and the brothers' periodic claim that they were on a mission from God, spirituality does not play a significant role in the film. Those crazy priests must really believe Jake's word.

In addition to Belushi and Aykroyd, the film featured an all-star cast including musicians James Brown, Cab Calloway, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, John Lee Hooker, and Chaka Khan, in addition to noted actors John Candy, Carrie Fisher, Charles Napier, and Henry Gibson, and cameo roles for Frank Oz, Steven Spielberg, Landis, Mr. T, and Paul Reubens.

With the recommendation, "The Blues Brothers" joins the list of dozens of films recommended by Catholic authorities that includes Cecil B. DeMille's "The Ten Commandments," "Jesus of Nazareth" from Franco Zeffirelli," Mel Gibson's "The Passion of The Christ," Victor Flemming's "Joan of Arc," and "It's a Wonderful Life" from Frank Capra.

I'm still holding out for them to endorse, "The Garbage Pail Kids Movie"