Paddy’s Day, 2010 March 17, 2010
Posted by Mike Murray in General Interest, Holidays, St. Patrick's Day.Tags: Carnivale, celebrate, Mardi Gras, St. Patrick's Day
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– by Mike Murray
Reporters love to remind us that St. Patrick’s Day in America has morphed into a celebratory — rather than a religious (or even an especially cultural) — event. The 17th of March, they say, is really about imbibing, reverie, and turning things green: clothes, rivers, beer, etc. And, oh yes: ethnic pride.
In that respect, it’s a lot like Black History Month — compressed, albeit, into one day. BHM isn’t really about history. Of any color. Real “history” includes the exploration of everything: the good, the bad, and the ugly alike. Saints, sinners, and scoundrels are all revealed. But, because Black History Month focuses exclusively on positive black accomplishments, it would more accurately be named Black Pride Month.
Nothing wrong with that. But, if we’re suddenly going to get all lathered up about “truth in advertising” with respect to cultural / ethnic / racial events, it’s way past time we stopped giving some celebrations a pass. (You didn’t think that the thoroughly adult debaucheries that attend Mardi Gras and Carnivale — coming, as they do, on the eve of the Easter Lenten season — were really about religious observance, did you?)
In the matter of Paddy’s Day, there is little doubt. Little pretense, either. For all but the righteous few, it is an annual excuse to cut loose. To “wear the green,” to affix cheesy buttons (Kiss Me, I’m Irish), to march in parades, to party hearty.
Again, nothing wrong with any of that — up to a point. I would be the last person to suggest that anyone pass up a chance at merriment. Even if only for a day. There is just too much misery in the world to forgo those few precious moments of escape.
The only degree to which I will lecture is this: Please don’t cavort so carelessly that you end up doing yourself (or anyone else) harm. Because I’d like there to be many more St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in everyone’s future.
Copyright © 2010 Michael F. Murray All rights reserved.
(Also see my annual tribute to my father: Irish Eyes.)
Tom Hanks, Coward March 14, 2010
Posted by Mike Murray in Celebrities, Liberals, Military, Politics.Tags: Band of Brothers, HBO, Pacific, Tom Hanks, WWII
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– by Mike Murray
In discussing with a Time magazine reporter his new HBO project (co-produced by Steven Spielberg), Tom Hanks said this: “Back in World War II, we viewed the Japanese as ‘yellow, slant-eyed dogs’ that believed in different gods. They were out to kill us because our way of living was different. We, in turn, wanted to annihilate them because they were different. Does that sound familiar, by any chance, to what’s going on today?”
Occupants of the extreme political left, no doubt, cheered Hanks’ noxious remarks. In their “America is awful” view, all condemnations of our nation (at least, the part of our nation that doesn’t include them) are welcome. Celebrity criticizers are especially appreciated by that crowd. So, in all likelihood, Hanks has ingratiated himself plenty with those who worship fools such as Sean Penn, Danny Glover, and Bill Maher.
Something Extraordinary March 10, 2010
Posted by Mike Murray in General Interest.Tags: A Beautiful Mind, John Nash, math whiz, schizophrenia
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– by Mike Murray
Midway through the Hollywood version of A Beautiful Mind, John Nash Jr. — a math whiz who had, as a graduate student, developed equilibrium theory (and who currently suffers from severe schizophrenia) — is in danger of being involuntarily committed to a mental institution by his wife, Alicia. She ultimately decides against doing so, declaring to her troubled husband: “I need to believe that something extraordinary is possible.”
Janna, Social Butterfly February 26, 2010
Posted by Mike Murray in Animals, General Interest.Tags: dog, Janna, YouTube
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– by Mike Murray
These days, Janna seems to think that everyone she meets has an obligation to stop and visit with her.
Check out her short clip at my YouTube home page: emmeffemm1
In it, Janna charms a couple in the Cleveland-area MetroParks.
While you’re at my YouTube site, check out a few of my Playlist music videos: Traveling Wilburys, Eric Clapton, Sarah McLachlan, Stevie Wonder, Enya, Billy Joel, Beatles, etc.
Does Pelosi Shoot Straight? February 3, 2010
Posted by Mike Murray in Congress, Democrats, Government, Politics, Republicans.Tags: health-care legislation, honesty, Pelosi, Speaker of the House
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– by Mike Murray
Is House Speaker Nancy Pelosi an honest person? Is she honorable in her political dealings? Is the Pope Presbyterian?
In a word: no. To my way of thinking, Pelosi is neither honest nor honorable. A harsh assessment? Sure. But I am not alone in my disregard for Pelosi. A huge percentage of survey respondents hold a similarly dismal view of San Fran Nan. Pelosi’s approval rating hovers only slighty above those of child molesters, rapists, and members of the mainstream media.
It’s OK To ‘Diss’ Obama January 28, 2010
Posted by Mike Murray in Media, Obama, Politics, Presidency.Tags: disrespect, lies, obama, SCOTUS, SOTU
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– by Mike Murray
It is time to stop treating Barack Obama like a privileged character. It is time to stop according him a level of respect reserved for no one else in American society — a level of respect that he, himself, affords no one else. Yes, I know: he is the President of the United States. But that reality cut no ice for the bulk of Obama’s predecessors (the Republican ones, anyway)
Is Obama Lying About HC? January 26, 2010
Posted by Mike Murray in Congress, Legislation, Obama, Politics.Tags: C-SPAN, Dick Morris, ObamaCare, Pelosi, Reid
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– by Mike Murray
Political consultant Dick Morris claims that his conversations with reliable sources confirm what many suspect: that President Obama has not really given up on the (already passed) Senate version of health care legislation.
Morris says that arms are currently being twisted in the House, that Representatives are secretly being urged to approve the Senate version “as is” — with the promise that it will later be modified (via the so-called budget “reconciliation” process) to something more to their liking. Morris’ sources say that fifty-two (or so) Senate Democrats have (or will have) signed a written pledge to make changes to the bill after the fact.
The Way They Were January 24, 2010
Posted by Mike Murray in Animals, General Interest.Tags: Betty, calico cat, Seymour, spunk, survivor
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– by Mike Murray
To the casual observer, there were few similarities between the two. One made it to a ripe old age; the other didn’t even reach the mid-point of her life expectancy. One’s death was certain; the other’s, only surmised. One was a white-haired woman; the other, a calico cat.
Despite their outward differences, however, they were very much alike. Both were plucky. Both defined the word “survivor.” Betty lived a couple of doors down the street. Seymour (I named her before learning her gender) called a dumpster home. Each had a generous amount of spunk; each had an iron resolve that helped her cope with hardship.
Read more: http://emmeffemm.com/id187.html
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Thank You, Massachusetts January 21, 2010
Posted by Mike Murray in Congress, Government, Obama, Politics.Tags: Massachusetts, obama, Scott Brown
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– by Mike Murray
Credit where credit is due. The voters of the Bay State deserve a tip of the hat for putting partisanship aside and doing the right thing in electing Scott Brown to the U.S. Senate. Sure, most registered voters in Massachusetts are “undeclared” (i.e., independent). But, of those who are registered for a specific political party, only one in three is a Republican. The result is that most Bay Staters routinely mark their ballots for Democrats.
As a consequence, Massachusetts Democrats have long had a virtual lock on Congressional representation. The state had, for example, sent not one Republican to the Senate in nearly four decades. Until now.
Miracle in Massachusetts January 19, 2010
Posted by Mike Murray in Congress, Democrats, Obama.Tags: Martha Coakley, Scott Brown, Senate race
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– by Mike Murray
Something extraordinary has happened in Massachusetts: A Republican has become a highly competitive candidate to replace Ted Kennedy. In a few short hours, Scott Brown just might be the Senator-elect from the overwhelmingly Democrat-leaning state. (Although it is true that a majority of Massachusetts’ voters declare themselves to be “independent,” among those who do indicate a party preference, Democrats outnumber Republicans three to one.)
And Winter Came January 5, 2010
Posted by Mike Murray in Christmas, Holidays, Seasonal, Winter.Tags: Christmas, dog, elves, gifts, snow, St. Nick, wife
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– by Mike Murray
It had already been a wonderful Christmas. That which I desired — the only thing that I desired – I received. It wasn’t purchased from a store. Neither was it manufactured by St. Nick (or his erstwhile elves). I had a wish, one which no mere mortal had the power to grant. But granted, it was.
The Day Obama’s Bubble Burst December 26, 2009
Posted by Mike Murray in Government, Obama, Politics, Presidency.Tags: Cambridge cop, messiah, polls, prophet, racial
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– by Mike Murray
The term “messiah” seldom occupies the same sentence with Barack Hussein Obama these days (at least, not in the present tense). Even Chris “thrill up my leg” Matthews and Evan “he’s sort of God” Thomas — toadies and sycophants though they remain — have pulled back from the brink of hyperbolic description.
Salvation (on a shoestring) December 22, 2009
Posted by Mike Murray in Animals, General Interest, Holidays, Philanthropy.Tags: animal welfare, charity, human welfare, non-profit
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– by Mike Murray
The holiday season is — more than any other — a time of deep reflection. Amid the various religious and secular celebrations exist moments of quiet contemplation. Thoughtful people take stock; they critically assess the ways in which they live their lives. Many resolve to do what they can to improve themselves. Some even compose lists.
For those who do, there is no shortage of items to consider for inclusion. Because, anyone who claims that he or she cannot think of much that needs improving is either a master rationalizer or completely lacking in self-awareness. Honest people recognize their shortcomings. Rich or poor, black or white, young or old — regardless of station in life or the continent from which one hails — each of us is imperfect.
First-Liar Blues December 20, 2009
Posted by Mike Murray in Congress, Government, Legislation, Obama.Tags: Landrieu, liar, Nelson, ObamaCare, payoff, pork
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– by Mike Murray
Pity the fool who tells the first whopper. Every nitwit who chimes in afterward easily one-ups him, by simply embellishing a tad more. You say you scored three touchdowns in your high school’s big game? Well, I scored four in mine — the last one to secure victory as time ran out.
Small Miracles December 17, 2009
Posted by Mike Murray in Animals, General Interest, Holidays.Tags: canine companion, death, illness, intercession
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– by Mike Murray
For the second consecutive year, my wife and I were first scared silly — and then relieved — by dramatic December events. See: Christmas Comes Early (again). While the outcomes this year and last might not qualify as bonifide miracles, to us they sure seem such.
Scientists Behaving Badly December 15, 2009
Posted by Mike Murray in Global Warming, Politics, Science.Tags: ClimateGate, fraud, peer review, Scientific Method
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– by Mike Murray
The many problems that plague global climate analysis these days have their genesis in one simple fact: For far too many people who collect and analyze data — and then disseminate their results — politics trumps science. Illegitimacy is inevitable, since “conclusions” are essentially preconceived notions in search of validation. It’s ass-backward, so to speak.
Flat-Earth Foolishness December 11, 2009
Posted by Mike Murray in General Interest, Global Warming, Science.Tags: astronomy, climatology, physics, political correctness
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– by Mike Murray
It has become fashionable for global warming alarmists to characterize people who disagree with them as “flat-Earthers.” Their implication is that, if you fail to accept the questionable assertions and the dire warnings they proffer, you are a mental midget — and a disbeliever of all things scientific.
That is stuff and nonsense.
Christmas Wish December 10, 2009
Posted by Mike Murray in Christmas, General Interest, Holidays, Seasonal.Tags: Kris Kringle, presents, Santa, St. Nick, wish
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– by Mike Murray
My wife says I’m hard to shop for, that she never knows what to get for me. So she asked me this year to help her out, to drop some hints about what I’d like for Christmas. And I found myself perplexed.
See: Secret Santa, Secret Wish
Copyright © Michael F. Murray All rights reserved.
Snowprints December 10, 2009
Posted by Mike Murray in Animals, General Interest, Seasonal, Winter.Tags: canine companion, community, snow, solitude
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– by Mike Murray
Our pre-dawn excursions, carried out in a darkness that is illuminated only by sporadic street lights much of the year, are brightened considerably by a brilliant blanket of white on glorious winter mornings.
My canine companion and I revel in the chilly solitude.
Read more: Snowprints
Copyright © Michael F. Murray All rights reserved.
