Great Moments in Photo Journalism

Get the Pulitzer folks on the blower! Best picture of the year.

Rats, indeed.

Do You Inhale?

Is it me or do they seem to be asking an entirely different question here? I'll bet he's hoping her oral fixation doesn't end with a desire for a scratchy throat and hoarse cough!

In any case, I seem to have stumbled on a small little treasure. The link will pop you over to the Stanford School of Medicine's online gallery of cigarette ads through the ages. Interesting to see how an industry, quite knowingly it seems, worked to addict a generation to its killer product. Hoarse cough? Scratchy throat? Poor wind? Why these in one way or another are all turned upside down to actually sell the product that we all know caused them! Brilliant, in an evil sort of way.

I think the Lucky Strikes are my faves. The overt use of women as sex objects is something that wouldn't pass muster these days. But then what am I saying? None of these adds would pass muster! A baby promoting Marlboros? Santa having a relaxing smoke? Its a crazy mixed up world where evil has triumphed and our culture's most benign, indeed pure, icons are used to promote the killer weed.

Just one thing I don't get. What's the deal with the bride packing a carton of Chesterfields?

A Prediction

If John McCain is the definitive winner in tonight's debate, markets will have a substantial rally tomorrow. If Obama is the winner, or if there is a draw, markets will fall.

How Do I Get Tickets To This!

Well, this should prove most interesting. It seems that Prince Charles has "accidently" booked Ms. von Teese to perform at Harrys birthday.

What a guy!

Besides finding the said Ms. von Teese quite alluring, I'd love to see how the royals react to her act. Anyone know how I get invited?

Your Daily Zen

I wanted to direct my other reader to my buddy Eva's latest post. She is doing a month of gratitude, and today is garden day.

Total zen.

I dig this especially because it (with apologies to Eva for soiling her post with politics) speaks the truth to Algore's lie. I'm sure most will believe I'm putting too much into a simple post about gardening, but in my view, the world is a system which we are but a mere part. It seems to me that the thought that we, as simple humans, can throw this system out of balance is the height of hubris and end of the world fear mongering. A simple garden is God's evidence that this thing is so much bigger than us.

Individually, or collectively.

I Answer The Question: "Who Is Robert Parker"

Chicago Foodies, a blog by some folks who seem nice enough asked the question, "Who is Robert Parker.

I couldn't help myself.

About O'Bama's Euro Fixation

I always enjoy the moment when Americans leave the U.S. for the first time and head to Europe. They love the outdoor cafes, the trams, and they feel a little self conscious about the language thing. It never fails; they always come back with this dewy eyed "Europe is just the best!" sort of attitude.

Of course the spell wears off after a couple of trips when they realize that European society isn't quite as great as initial experiences led them to believe. Class mobility is extremely limited, governmental intrusions into every day life are much greater, and all those multi-lingual Europeans? Well, to a large degree it is the educated class only. If daddy was a security guard, or if you didn't do so well on those boards when you were 12, there is a good chance you didn't get the education that others received.

To me, O'Bama reveals an innocence and lack of cultural sophistication that is frankly, surprising given his supposed international background. So while I can agree that it would be nice for American kids to learn a second language, and indeed both my children are, it is hardly necessary. I've traveled the world on business my entire career. Negotiated deals, had people on multiple continents report to me while I was working for a European bank. Don't speak nuttin' but good ole American.

Presidential timber? The kid just doesn't have it. Perhaps McCain could make him Secretary of Education.