Happy Black Friday!

The feel good day that is Thanksgiving was followed by rampant consumerism and disregard for human life! The Most Wonderful Time of the Year, once again, leaves my soul darker and more calloused than a year before. At a Wal*Mart in New York, a worker was trampled to death and one lady suffered a miscarriage. Three people were also taken to the hospital. You know say what you want about our economy being in the shitter but we don't let things like mountains of debt get in the way of the important stuff like iPods, Blu-Ray players, and good old-fashioned trampling. The footage below is from Wal*Mart and a previous years stampede. No deaths occurred in the footage presented, so it really goes to show how much we Americans have stepped up our game!
USA! USA! USA! USA!
EDIT: Turns out there was no Miscarriage, that's good. Wal*Mart worker? Still dead...

Happy Thanksgiving!

Michelle and I were talking about Thanksgiving yesterday. It has to be the closest thing to the perfect holiday. It has become a day that we get together, eat too much, laugh, and be with our friends and family. Unfortunately I couldn't be in Colorado with my folks and their always amazing Thanksgiving. Fortunately, I have family here in Madison that took me and my kin in for a Thanksgiving Dinner that couldn't be beat. To Michelle, Daiv, Tom, Keith, Sid, and Sonny (unfortunately Science had to work, her presence was truly missed; Ian and Norah were up North for the Holiday, and they were truly missed as well): I had a great time yesterday, thank you for helping me make it 28 for 28 and thanks for the fantastic spread. To all of you: I am truly thankful to call you all friends and family. Cheers! I hope that your Thanksgiving was as good as it could have been. And since it's never too late for tradition...

God Exists: Here's Proof

Ann Coulter's jaw has been wired shut.

It seems that her mouth has been touched by the noodley appendage.
Now if only The Strap-On Veterans for Truth can find her elusive penis.

Great Billboard.

h/t to Roesmary on the San Diego Dialed in Blog.

This is pretty awe-inspiring. I hate to be all cynical, but I wonder how many Christians question and judge the actions of these christians (note the type case)

Ghost Town Council: objectively awesome!

I think I have a new favorite band. And check out the smokin' bass player!

Gave up the Bottle


There are more photos available here.

Sex: Keep It Funny

Really, sex, intercourse, coitus,fucking, the monkey mounting the plow, whatever is your preferred nomenclature, is funny.
Just think of the look on your face, your partners face (i truly hope you actually see their face).

We really are ridiculous mammals.




This is from a wonderful comic Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal

Jesus Didn't Tap...

UPDATE:



If I were a Lebron fan, I would have no problem wearing this!






h/t to Sweetser of the Death Valley Drver boards.

Words cannot explain these shirts unless there is some hybrid word for Insane and Hilarious.

Hey all Madison folk.

The Freakin' Deacon trying to slide past you once more...

I started a new blog about Madison area Country (Folk, Americana, Bluegrass, etc.) music. You can find it Here. I'm always open for pointers and such so please check it out, and let me know what you think.

Peace,

The Freakin' Deacon

Life, the Universe, and the Economy: According to John Cusack

i do not have a lot to say on this subject at the moment, but i wanted to post this interview before i forgot about it.

i will update and expand this entry and share my thoughts.
i hope everyone enjoys.

Petition for Sainthood: Studs Terkel

Studs Terkel died October 31, 2008 at the ripe age of 96. In my mind he is more relevant now than ever. The man lived out his days in Chicago, he was not just a man, writer, radio-personality, the occasional actor (8 Men Out anyone?)--he was a man in the neighborhood.

Every time I heard the man speak, he sounded like a neighbor. When politicians speak of "Wise Old Men"--they should be talking about human beings like Studs Terkel. His wit and humor were surpassed by his humanity, his sympathy for the common person.

Although he was kind, he was a no-bullshit kind of guy. The kind of old-time Chicago man who had seen corruption, violence, & exploitation in every form--from the government, organized crime, business, and the bully.

Studs was infinitely quotable, as are the best of humans. Here is some of his wisdom from the interweb.

Chicago is not the most corrupt American city. It's the most theatrically corrupt.

I hope for peace and sanity - it's the same thing.

I want people to talk to one another no matter what their difference of opinion might be.

People are ready to say, 'Yes, we are ready for single-payer health insurance.' We are the only industrialized country in the world that does not have national health insurance. We are the richest in wealth and the poorest in health of all the industrial nations.

With optimism, you look upon the sunny side of things. People say, 'Studs, you're an optimist.' I never said I was an optimist. I have hope because what's the alternative to hope? Despair? If you have despair, you might as well put your head in the oven.

***my personal favorite***

You happen to be talking to an agnostic. You know what an agnostic is? A cowardly atheist.

damn right. i hope the wisdom of st. terkel will help guide our new president, mr. barack obama.

let us give it up, raise it in the memory of studs terkel.
to the kindest of rabble rousers! to us, the giddy multitude!
also, here is the link to his website

also, for your enjoyment, the man himself.

Liberals, God's favored Children???

Remember this?



Do you remember the result? Of Course you do. Obama went on stage at Mile High and wowed the world with one of his awesome speeches.

Do you remember the start of the RNC? The huge Opening Night ceremony was delayed because of Hurricane Gustav.

Today in Wisconsin, I wore a T-shirt to the polling place at 7:00 in the morning. On November-fuck-4th. In a state that has gone blue for 5 straight Presidential campaigns.

Are you with me so far???

NEW CHICK TRACT!!!

Global Warming my Ass!

You Can't Scare Me

This is a great interview with one of the finest Americans this young country has produced.

Pete Seeger helps me to believe in the best of America. That those with humble origins can influence the masses, AND find life, liberty, and pursue happiness is the most American of narratives.



It all puts a bounce in my step.

Get ready kiddies, the election is upon us. Let's blog the crap out of it.
The revolution will be blogosized.

Here's a little love for Deacon Daiv and everyone else. Screw the scabs.

Up Too Late Hymn

I've been listening to Emmylou tonight, and wondering why I don't listen to more of her - or any music, for that matter. Curses, NPR, your nefarious plot is coming to fruition!!

I think this is perhaps the perfect amount of Dave Matthews. I do love his voice, but this satisfies any nostalgia I may experience.



Maybe it's because I watched some of a Steven Wright special last night, but I feel like the crack about the "politically correct world" and following statement are straight from his act. But imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. ("Nothing New Under the Sun" by Anne Fadiman - excellent essay about plagiarism).