Happy Tuesday.

Some sharp thoughts on the emotional overreaction of gun control proponents.

In the opinion pages of the NYTimes: "Don't blame autism."

Fact: schools are safer than they've ever been.

The announcement of a deal to avert the fiscal cliff is nearing, though I suspect an actual vote on whatever proposal President Obama and Speaker Boehner unveil is still a ways off.

Posted by: Gabriel Malor at 02:53 AM | Comments (333)
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The Dissident Frogman Explains Guns to the Media

Funny and educational - it's a classic from way back in 2007. Be sure and stay for the bloopers at the end.

Posted by: Maetenloch at 05:52 PM | Comments (694)
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The 6-7 Jets would clinch a playoff berth with three wins and either/both the Bengals-Steelers winner loses in Week 17 and/or two Colts losses.

...

Hahahahahahahaha! Ok, sorry. I had to.

ALSO, via Slublog, NY Giants receiver Victor Cruz reaches out to the grieving family of Jack Pinto of Newtown CT.

Posted by: Dave in Texas at 03:49 PM | Comments (361)
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This post evolved from my email comment on the pointlessness of Keira Knightley's character in Pirates turning into some kind of swords(wo)man for no apparent reason.

Anyone else tired of the way every movie must shoe-horn in an action-hero chick? Even when the movie is specifically not about action-hero chicks?

That has gotten very old for me. Very few actors, much less actresses, can physically pull it off. Even fewer do it within the context a story that makes it the least bit plausible. But on the rare occasions they do, those women are forever hot in a way that makes those who cannot just seem pathetic or exploited in comparison.

I watch these films with the perspective of someone who actually has trained in hand-to-hand and has experienced the flesh & blood physics of hitting, being hit, and tumbling (e.g.: knowing how to take a hard fall). From that, I appreciate scenes that I think many overlook. I may be in the minority.

For instance, this scene from Van Damme's Maximum Risk is just incredible in its brutal realism: more...

Posted by: Open Blogger at 01:03 PM | Comments (911)
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His long Senate career began in 1963 (date corrected) but was also a highly decorated WWII veteran.

His Medal of Honor citation:

Second Lieutenant Daniel K. Inouye distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action on 21 April 1945, in the vicinity of San Terenzo, Italy. While attacking a defended ridge guarding an important road junction, Second Lieutenant Inouye skillfully directed his platoon through a hail of automatic weapon and small arms fire, in a swift enveloping movement that resulted in the capture of an artillery and mortar post and brought his men to within 40 yards of the hostile force. Emplaced in bunkers and rock formations, the enemy halted the advance with crossfire from three machine guns. With complete disregard for his personal safety, Second Lieutenant Inouye crawled up the treacherous slope to within five yards of the nearest machine gun and hurled two grenades, destroying the emplacement. Before the enemy could retaliate, he stood up and neutralized a second machine gun nest. Although wounded by a sniperÂ’s bullet, he continued to engage other hostile positions at close range until an exploding grenade shattered his right arm. Despite the intense pain, he refused evacuation and continued to direct his platoon until enemy resistance was broken and his men were again deployed in defensive positions. In the attack, 25 enemy soldiers were killed and eight others captured. By his gallant, aggressive tactics and by his indomitable leadership, Second Lieutenant Inouye enabled his platoon to advance through formidable resistance, and was instrumental in the capture of the ridge. Second Lieutenant InouyeÂ’s extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit on him, his unit, and the United States Army.

He was shot, then lost an arm to a grenade, all while continuing to attack the enemy and lead his men...American hero.

Day by day we lose more of these great Americans, thankfully new generations of American heroes continue to step forward to continue the tradition of excellence and honor.

RIP Senator, from a grateful nation.

Aloha.

[UPDATE] Inoyue didn't just throw grenades at the Germans, he threw one after he lost his arm...by prying it out of the hand on his nearly amputated arm.

"I looked at it, stunned and disbelieving. It dangled there by a few bloody shreds of tissue, my grenade still clenched in a fist that suddenly didn't belong to me anymore," Inouye wrote in his 1967 autobiography, "Journey to Washington," written with Lawrence Elliott.

Inouye wrote that he pried the grenade out of his right hand and threw it at the German gunman, who was killed by the explosion. He continued firing his gun until he was shot in the right leg and knocked down the hillside. Badly wounded, he ordered his men to keep attacking and they took the ridge from the enemy.

Holy SHIT.

Added: Inouye was featured in Ken Burns "The War". An amazing reminder that some people loved America when America didn't always love them. I'm always awed by the stories of men like Inouye and black WWII vets who served, fought and often died for a country they were not always able to participate in fully. They knew that the promise of America was real and would be kept someday. They fought to ensure that it has been. more...

Posted by: DrewM at 02:12 PM | Comments (435)
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What's her backstory here?

Moron(ette) horde.....GO!

The Smoking Gun

Posted by: Open Blogger at 01:45 PM | Comments (122)
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As with all Penn and Teller material, this isn't safe for work.

h/t PolitixGal

Posted by: Pixy Misa at 11:00 AM | Comments (173)
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Dec. 15 was the first day of principal photography on a feature film I adapted from a story my daughter wrote, "The Last Earth Girl Went To Space To Find God." Her story was in the form of diary entries by a woman alone in a space capsule, traveling at near-lightspeed to the edge of the physical Universe (beyond which she imagines God to reside) so that she can confront Him and ask why He allowed a cosmic catastrophe to destroy the Solar System and every human being except her. In her diary entries, she recalls how different people reacted differently when they learned to a scientific certainty that all humankind was doomed to destruction on a date certain, ten years from the date of an announcement by a group of astrophysicists.

The beginning of this phase of the film project (being produced and shot by Cellardoor Cinema in Memphis, TN) is sadly coincident with the tragedy in Newtown, CT. It prompted a thought that connects the two.

What if you knew the world was coming to an end in one week -- not thought it could happen or believed it would happen, but KNEW with certainty it shall happen? What if you knew that the end of the world would be a terrifying catastrophe that caused immense pain, suffering and fear before snuffing out every human life on Earth? What would you do? more...

Posted by: Open Blogger at 12:02 PM | Comments (404)
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In Hollywood, someone with multiple talents is referred to as a "multiple threat".

Paula Abdul: Dancer and singer = Double Threat

Christopher Walken: Actor, dancer, singer = Triple Threat

Some pose no threat whatsoever (ahem, Kim Kardashian, we're looking at you)

Others, however, take it to an entirely different level. Those individuals set the bar so high as to evoke bowing akin to the We're not worthy! praise of Alice Cooper in Wayne's World. There are, if it is to be believed, Septuple Threats.

Rumor of these rare creatures are legend but, only recently, has one been filmed committing to all seven talents.

Prepare yourself. more...

Posted by: Open Blogger at 11:55 AM | Comments (222)
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Ace has graciously invited me to be a guest blogger during the Great Vacation of 2012 (actually, I begged and pleaded, and he finally got sick of my e-mails). I offered to write about one of my favorite topics, the politics of food, and, stunningly, he agreed! Lest you think that I am a rank amateur and have no particular insight or knowledge that might make my opinions worthy of this rarified readership – I have a blog! And as we all know, that confers an irrevocable badge of expertise. more...

Posted by: Open Blogger at 10:00 AM | Comments (290)
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