Cheers
1. Susan G. Komen Cancer Foundation – Bravo to this cancer foundation for snipping its ties with Planned Parenthood. Planned Parenthood called the decision “deeply disturbing and disappointing.” Wow, those sound like the adjectives we all use for Planned Barrenhood. Check out UNPLANNED, the story of former Texas Planned Parenthood Director Abby Johnson for struggle against unspeakable evil and corporate power.
2. First World Problems Rap – If you haven’t seen this comedic rap, it might make you more inclined to complain less and aspire to the good. Just consider some problems that are not problems. When you wake up at noon do you eat breakfast or lunch? Isn’t it a pain when your freezer makes your ice cream too hard to scoop? Have you ever killed a spider with a dollar because you didn’t have a tissue? Don’t you hate it when you have to add water to that cupcake mix instead of having instant cupcakes?
3. Clippers over the Lakers – It’s been everywhere since the Chris Paul trade: on ESPN, in the papers, and even in the OBSERVER. Isn’t it great that Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol are now the irrelevants of Los Angeles basketball? Blake Griffin put an exclamation point on that with his slam over Kendrick Perkins the other night. It makes me feel better when I walk through the halls of O’Shag and see those ridiculous posters that say, “Kobe speaks Italian. Shouldn’t you?”
Jeers
1. Dialogue – On a beautiful Sunday afternoon in May 2009 I was at work in the Joyce center. The event: graduation. The speaker: President Obama. Many were outraged about the invitation and even more livid over the honorary degree. I couldn’t help but stand skeptical when the following words tumbled from the slippery lips of President Obama : “Let’s honor the conscience of those who disagree with abortion, and draft a sensible conscience clause, and make sure that all of our health-care policies are grounded not only in sound science but also in clear ethics, as well as respect for the equality of women.” The whole focus was dialogue. Oh, we’ll have dialogue. Oh we’ll be sure to respect your blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. And now the other shoe falls. The university receives thanks in the form of a requirement to provide for contraception and abortion. Slap in the face if I ever felt one.
2. Pfizer birth control – While we’re on the topic we might as well continue. Within the past week Pfizer announced the recall of 14 lots of Lo/Ovral-28 tablets and 14 lots of generic Norgestrel. Why would they do that, you ask? Apparently their stuff doesn’t work! Here’s their explanation: “The packaging error means that the daily regimen for the pills may be incorrect and could leave women without adequate contraception and at risk for unintended pregnancy.” Hopefully they won’t catch that sexually transmitted disease known as pregnancy?
3. Groundhog Day – The Bill Murray comedy – yes! The animal in Punxsatawney, Pennsylvania – not so much! Why we continue to entrust the forecast to a small burrowing animal is quite beyond me. What’s more is that people make money on this event: Phil hats and magnets. Better yet, I can just imagine a bookie asking, “So who you got in the Lakers vs. Celtics game?” and then asking “You taking he sees his shadow or not? Come on man, that’s the best matchup this week.” Where does it end?
