CRAWLERS Calvary arrives

Calvary arrives

Colbert tips his hand

Satirist Steven Colbert has put a mirror up to our political system by creating a fundraising legal entity called Americans for a Better Tomorrow, Tomorrow ("ABTT").
But what now?
I'm willing to now speculate that Colbert will be targeting Republican politicians with unflattering ads endorsing them. It will be like his 'better know a district' but more scathing than silly. For example if ABTT were to endorse Billy Long the ads would focus on how much work Mr. Long put in his single greatest legislative accomplishment- introducing an auctioneer recognizing holiday.
If I am correct Long will be testing the theory that there is 'no such thing as bad publicity'. I welcome Colbert's boldness though I see it ultimately blowing up in his face.
Any candidate that manages to be re-elected while Colbert thumbs his nose at them, will become Colbert's fault in the same way Nader is blamed for Bush v. Gore. The reason Colbert will be blamed is because Republicans are going to respond to the ads by saying it is a 'liberal attack'. Fox News already treats Colbert (and more so Stewart) as competing interest instead of comedy. The right will use this trend to paint Colbert with the 'libeal media' meme until he is completely saturated with it by the talking heads.
In other words when it blows up in Colbert's face it will be because the Democrats will make it gospel. If they (er I mean we) trivialize and simultaneously endorse Colbert's ads they will become an asset.  What do I mean by trivialize and simultaneously endorse? Easy when asked about Colbert's ads the response should be:
1) point out that Colbert is a comedian not associated with any campaign
2) chuckle
3) add that he raises some good questions (assuming he has).

It's that easy, but I worry that my party won't be able to pull it off.

CRAWLERS entangled

Entangled

NORML petition

NORML is petitioning to have a legalization hearing in a step at ending this really lame prohibition http://www.change.org/petitions/let-the-end-marijuana-prohibition-act-get-a-hearing

CRAWLERS nerfed

nerfed

CRAWLERS Turn

Forgot to post this here the other day



Turn

Flashback review

It's been a while since I talked about something nerdy. When I was in the fifth grade (I think but haven't done the math) there was a Flash TV show. I've always been interested in super speed so I vowed to watch every episode. This was a foolish vow in an era without DVR. I only saw four episodes.
For years I was taunted by my comic magazines when they would occasionally mention the Trickster episodes I never saw.
On my Netflix I never rate a movie I saw as a child unless I also saw it as an adult. So, while I loved the Flash show as a kid, I wasn't sure what I would think of it now. I mean I was in high school when Kindred: The Embraced came out but watching it a few years later was embarrassing. Over the last two weeks I watched the Flash show.
And the verdict is not bad. Part of it is that in recent years I've become a production value snob, and the processing doesn't look that good to me. But in general The Flash seems to be missing a beat. The acting is a little off. The camera work/effects are a little off. The writing has some good structure and dialogue that doesn't quite satisfy.
On the negative side the show is now so obviously trying to cash in on the success of the Tim Burton Batman films. From the vintage cars to the Danny Elfman soundtrack (which doesn't convey speed just generic superheroness). But the show was smart enough to make The Flash about the man behind the mask.
Alter ego Barry Allen is a scientist son of a cop. He often feels he doesn't live up to his father's expectations since he works in the crime lab (CSI to you kids). Barry is also the male equivalent of a cat lady. His friends are always trying to hook him up but Barry is in such a hurry to get a ring on their finger, he scares them off. Except his doctor/sidekick who he doesn't think of like that.
One of the things I really enjoyed about the show is that The Flash isn't a brawler. In the comics when The Flash dispatches someone in a clever use of speed like wrapping them up in a chainlink fence or stripping all the components off their gun- it seems a little hokey. On TV it reminded me that The Flash is a scientist who probably doesn't see the violent solution first.
Over all it was fun to watch a pre-heroes superhero show. Though it did have a few eyerolling tropes like having him take care of a baby.