It's distractions like this that led to a knucklehead like John Kerry getting the Democratic nod to face-off against Bush in what should by all rights be a turkey shoot of an election. Assuming turkey shoot means the same thing as shooting fish in a barrel, of course. I couldn't care less if Bush was wired up for the debate or not and dwelling on it serves no purpose at all. If he was wired, it simply confirms him as the know-nothing dimwit most Democrats believe he is, aka the same dimwit they derided in 2000 that beat them. BUT,…
Pumpkin Seeds: Same Old Song Edition
1. If circumstance dictates action, then overindulging on video games and fantasy sports is the married man's equivalent of late nights and loose women. 2. I'm George Bailey-tired but there's no Mr. Potter to tempt me, no Uncle Billy to screw me, and no Bedford Falls to reassure me. 3. There's millions of stories about people moving to the "big city" to pursue their dreams, but very few about the reverse commute -- and even then, it's usually a homecoming as opposed to a journey into the unknown. 4. Life in New York City is like running on a treadmill:…
Pumpkin Seeds: Nouns I Don’t Get Edition
1. Gwyneth Paltrow. Dime a dozen white girl with zero personality and limited acting ability. 2. Neil Gaiman. Just another imaginative writer lacking in fundamental skills. Much ado about nothing. 3. Beyoncé. Destiny's Child had one good song - Independent Women - before she went solo, and her own album is a testament to the power of good production over talent. Did Jay-Z threaten everyone in the media? 4. Jay Leno. He's as hit or miss as the wannabes on Last Comic Standing and yet dominates late night. 5. Men. Specifically the ones who believe whistling/catcalling/leering at a woman from…
The Forgotten is nothing like The Sixth Sense and to suggest otherwise is reductionism at it's worst. If anything, the most appropriate [reductionist] synopysis, and quite possibly the studio pitch, would be to say that it's like Ransom crossed with the X-Files, with a strong female lead. Of course, that probably wouldn't sell very many tickets as an ad campaign! Unlike the Sixth Sense, though, the ill-conceived trailers for The Forgotten, while incredibly effective as attention-getters, leave very little room for any mystery regarding what's actually going on. You know pretty quickly that there can only be one explanation, but…
Maureen O’Keefe Aptowicz: Mother
Some of the best political commentary online, from an admitted conservative no less, is coming from one Maureen O'Keefe Aptowicz's zeitgeist column at aptowicz.com. Funny, honest and intelligent, she skewers Kerry with the best of them but generally offers equal-time in her critiques, able to admit that her guy isn't exactly the brightest bulb in the house. Anyway, while I don't think Bush won over any of the 'undecideds' (who are these dolts? Should they even be allowed to vote?), he didn't screw up royally and cost himself support. I suspect Kerry will pick up 3% in the polls, since…
Bush vs. Kerry: 45 minutes into the debate...Bush is winning. Kerry's trying to appeal to logic while Bush is focused on emotion. If this were boxing, Kerry is the technically-proficient pugilist with a steady jab, who writes essays on the sweet science for the New Yorker. Bush is the street brawler who can barely spell his name but packs a powerful right hook and is always on the Sportscenter highlights. Kerry is the dancer, jabbing and dodging, waiting for the optimal moment; Bush is the bruiser, pounding away at the body. ...and now it's done and my opinion is unchanged.…