How Important are Cool Sunglasses?

Where would art and society be without them?

Can you imagine THE BLUES BROTHERS without sunglasses? There's the classic line from the movie: "It's 106 miles to Chicago, we got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and we're wearing sunglasses."
To the MEN IN BLACK, sunglasses formed an integral component in their effort to fight space aliens who live among us. (If you missed the feature film, it will be re-run on television soon)

Sometimes we need them to block the sun. Other times we need them to reaffirm that we're cool. They make a statement in addition to their function - which means that sunglasses are greater than the sum of their parts.

Why?

There are other big imponderables in nature and perhaps I should be spending my time contemplating them. But I'm not. Which means that at least in my own feeble mind, sunglasses are almost as important as the question of when the next planet-killing comet will strike this rock and vaporize us all.

Federal Government Water Grab

I know it seems somehow beyond belief.

The Obama Administration wants the mud puddle (above) to be a FEDERALLY REGULATED MUD PUDDLE.

Senate Bill 787 will change federal jurisdiction over "navigable water" to give the federal government control over all water everywhere in municipal reservoirs, on private land and in private wells. This bill ignores state water law authority and the Fifth Amendment of the US Constitution.

The Great Water Heist Senate Bill 787

Politics Matters

The Invasion of Europe 

by the Allied Nations

By June 6, 1944, many millions of people had already died in the war against the Axis powers (Germany, Italy and Japan). Over a million civilians starved to death or were killed in the contested occupation of Stalingrad on the Volga. Millions of jews had been murdered simply for being and millions more would die before the war concluded. Non-combatants from both sides of the world war died in large numbers from bombing, invasion, starvation and war induced disease.

For those who read this blog who feel that politics isn't important, this date in history is one of many reminders of the effort humanity undertook to unseat a wicked political movement. It is cause for reflection of the absolute devastation and murder that results from a gullible voting block that casts their lot with a charismatic speaker who promises big.  

The murder of the European Jews was a redistribution of wealth from one group to another. Consider that carefully in light of current political trends where one group of citizens is looted/taxed for the satisfaction of the mob. 

Think long and hard about who the current administration has tagged "potential domestic terrorists" and ask yourself when you might be added to those rolls. 

June 6th is a good place to pause, to reflect, to remember and to resolve that politics does matter.

Toilets and National Character

What do camodes tell us about the countries where they are located? 

I'll let you draw your own conclusions.

Iranian toilet - indoor plumbing being said to be a sign of affluence in modern day Persia.

Outside toilet in Iran

Public toilets in China oblige that you squat and you are expected to bring your own toilet paper should you wish to wipe. I suppose I should admit that on more than one occasion, I entered the stall in a rush, having forgotten to bring toilet paper with me on my sojurn - but wearing socks... and left without my socks.

The plumbing pipes almost inevitably leak, allowing you to find the toilet an a moonless night with no effort at all.

I have dropped my trousers in many countries. In France the public facilities are compact and some take credit cards/debit cards in addition to coins.

But in Japan, the toilets are technical marvels, requiring that you make decisions on precisely how you wish to be washed and dried following your business.

And if you don't read Japanese and you can't figure out what the icons are hinting at, you can be deluged and embarrassed. 

Japanese toilets are also in use in Finland. The icons are different and if you don't read Finnish, you're no better off than you are in Japan...

Japanese Beverages

For those Japanese people who need to loose a few pounds.

There's nothing quite so refreshing 

as that yogurt - Pepsi blend. (sold only in Japan)

Goya Tea...  I can't comment further except to assure you that if you drink it, hair will grow on the soles of your feet.

The Great Penis Caper

One Nigerian Prince's search for love and money...

CLICK HERE to read more about it.

• I don't like thieves. 
• I don't like scammers. 
• I don't like receiving opportunity letters in my e-mail in-box from Nigerian princes.

twenty-one years ago - 20 minutes of fame

April 8, 1988 7:00 pm

CBS Sixty Minutes

Everyone has fifteen minutes of fame according to Andy Warhol. That's how long America's attention span remains locked on one particular topic. 

I beat the odds. I managed twenty minutes of fame on a CBS Sixty Minutes episode where Mike Wallace interviewed me and a couple of the guys I worked with. Marion Goldin produced that episode (her last with Mike Wallace). Why do I mention it on this blog - I beat the odds - again.