"Wrigley to be sold to Mars for $23 billion"

Well, they said it couldn't be done ... but the word is out Wrigley is going to Mars!! Yes, it was thought the "friendly confines" would be sold to someone who would perhaps update the park a bit, or worst case scenario, bring in the wrecking ball and start anew. But take it (and one would assume the surprisingly strong Cubs as well) to the fourth planet from the sun? Sheesh, we finally have a chance at getting to the World Series, and it takes aliens or the God of War (the tribune headline wasn't clear which "Mars") to prevent the long suffering Northsiders from getting a pennant. However, knowing the way the Cubs have a knack of "snatching defeat from the jaws of victory", one wonders if, after reading the above, it would be typically followed by "Well, we'll have to find a way to get them back for next season ... there's always next year!!"

Yes, my tongue was firmly planted in cheek. Though the Headline for this article (as it appears in total, on top of this post as well) at first blush, could appear to be describing the venerable home of the Cubbies. In fact it is referring to the Wrigley Co. home of "Wrigley's Spearmint", "Juicyfruit", "Doublemint", and "Big Red" gums.

Although William Wrigley Jr, states Wrigley gum will not be lost in the shuffle, nor will they be moving out of the Chicagoland area. Indeed, there appears to be a very good chance more jobs will be added as parts of the Mars candy company will be produced alongside the world famous Wrigley gum. Still, it is kinda sad to see another Chicagoland icon absorbed into a larger corporate (and even larger icon) entity.

Here is the Chicago Trib's article on same. Or here , in case the Tribune article requires a subscription.

Heartland Hates Hollywood Humor

Having read "Variety", any number of times in my youth, I couldn't pass up the chance to title this post in something akin to what may appear on that rag in the not too distant future.

Hollywood in it's seemingly self destructive and or narcissistic mind set, continues to focus on the 9/11, post 9/11 mindset. None of their efforts in presenting the War on Terror or the struggle in Iraq have paid off at the box office. The public, for the most part, has stayed away in droves. So now the are trying a different tact. We can't win 'em over with "serious" "heart wrench(ed)ing" drama ... so let's attack their funny bone!!

Guess it was bound to happen sooner or later. Sadly, it appears to be sooner.

Yeppers, it worked so well with WWII. Who can forget (those who are still alive to remember) the crazy madcap antics of those "Concentration Camp Cutups ™ " , the Waffen SS. Or that oriental laff riot, Tojo. I seem to recall even with a better then 20 year gap between the end of WWII and the airing of "Hogan's Heroes", there was still quite a flap over it. Granted, that particular show placed the American (and allied) POW's in the positive/controlling characters virtually all the time. And did make the German Officers/Nazi party types and German solders in general, to be nothing more then buffoons, morons, and pompous blowhearts. Which I am sure made any number of vets wonder why then did it take us so long to WIN the damn thing?

And yes, there were a number of "funny" or "humorous" movies, based on the war. "The Wackiest Ship in the Army" (both the movie, staring Jack Lemmon, and the short lived TV show) was based on an actual ship/events. And there were many others, usually portraying the trials and tribulations of either becoming indoctrinated to military life (boot camp/basic training) or finding ways to work with-in/around the system, in order to "get the girl", beat the enemy, meet the challenge given by the chain of command or circumstances.

But that was Hollywood of 40 some years ago. At least they had enough presents of mind to make the good guys just that, the good guys. Not so, with the current crop of military mirth/Gitmo guffaws/global terroristic tomfoolery, and international political/big business gone wild. Oh, and did I forget to include zombie troops and strippers? (Nothing says "We support the guys and gals in the military" more then a film with "re-animated" ranks risking limb to continue the fight for freedom!)

Perhaps this is just Hollywood's way of redefining a term which is probably not considered PC these days. "T&A", no longer stands for that particular segment of films. Now it can be used as an umbrella for almost all the content coming out these days. Now "T&A" stands for "Trite & Asinine"

I'm off to go and watch an old classic, starring Lee Marvin, called "The Dirty Dozen". Thank god for dvds!

With the obligatory tip of the "Squid lid ™ " to Jeffrey Ressner at "Politico" for his enlightening article on same.

Truth in Advertizing ...

... is a good thing to have. And is in (very) short supply regardless of which political side of the fence you are on. But in an effort to help a terrorist loving, race baiting, piss-poor excuse for a human being ... err "fellow Illinoisan who wants to do good on a massive scale, by implementing change" ™ , I have developed a straight forward no holds barred campaign button.

Yes, that is a mushroom cloud. And yes, I am willing to bet if Obama-lama-dingdong gets the Presidential nod, there will be one or more of those in our future. Though not the change I think he has in mind, it will be major change indeed.

H/T to both the amazing SondraK and the always engaging commentary and photo work provided by "Rodger, the Real King of France" for their posting about and pointing me to this bit of logo fun.

PC or not PC

“PC - phrases and or specific words substituted for others in order to prevent a group or individual from feeling hurt and or marginalized.”

“PC-whipped – the conscience act of using phrases and or specific words for others in order to try to prevent a group or individual from feeling hurt or marginalized, so as not to appear insensitive or uncaring.”

Example of “PC”:

”An Anglican priest is in hospital after he was beaten up and insulted in what appears to be a “faith hate” assault by Asian youths.”
Source: London Times on-line, March 16, 2008

What would make the above “PC” you ask? Well, that they could be Asian youths, in and of itself, is not a problem. Certainly there are youngsters of Asian origin living around the world.. What would have been more important and germane to the story was the potential driving force behind the actions of said “Asian Youths ™ “ ... that being they appeared by their actions and rantings and ravings to be Islamists ... or at the very least pro (militant) Islam.

But in England it is considered to be impolite (by the guardians of political correctness) at the very least to show or acknowledge any practitioner of “The Religion of Peace ™ “ doing something decidedly not peaceful. It tends to put a damper on the whole positive PR thing. And would hurt their sensitive feelings.

Oh, did I call “it” the “Religion of Peace ™ “? See how infectious political correctness is? The literal translation of “Islam” is “Submission” or in a broader sense “Submission to Allah”. The word peace is nowhere to be found. But it DOES sound (and read) much better in the press. And so, we come to the real crux of the matter regarding PC.

If you repeat a lie, or a half truth, or a watered down version of something long enough and often enough, people will believe it to be “the truth”. You have only to go as far as the current brew-ha-ha about “global warming”, “climate change”, or whatever it is being called today. There are a few kernels of truth, or half truths floating about in the details, but for the most part it is junk science at it's finest. Yet the constant pounding by the media (of all flavors) stating “It's getting warmer, and it may be all our fault!” or “The climate is heading in the wrong direction (warmer or colder, depending on the article in question) and it's all (or mostly) our fault, and we have to do something about it NOW!!” At the very least, this starts a discussion going on a topic(s) for which there is no real conclusive factual evidence supporting the claims made. At least not based on un-biased, and proper use of the scientific method, factual evidence, or some other "reality based qualifier".

But, because there is a supposed consensus. Because there is (massive) public acceptance of the ever increasing mountain of incomplete/skewed data produced by those who know nothing (or want to protect their phony baloney jobs) about the scientific method, or chose to ignore it (the facts ... any facts) to advance their personal agenda (to cover their ass, cause face it, they are scared!!) ... Well, the rest of us had better get on board. Because to ignore all “the evidence”, all the media reports, all the books written by Nobel Peace Prize winners (regardless of the truth/reality), would be Politically Incorrect!!!

You mean we would appear to be “insensitive and uncaring” toward those who have aligned themselves with the above (global warming an such), even though they are buying into what at best would be considered misleading information? And they are scaring themselves needlessly? That we are not PC if we seek to expose them to the reality of it all? You mean PC is bad because it allows for others to manipulate language and actions of those who disagree with them? And those who go outta their way to placate same are “PC-whipped”?

Yeppers, that would be exactly what I am saying.