May 14, 2012
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Links here are good only for the week of May 14. After that... is anybody's guess.
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Serious Journalism Jumps the Shark
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Someday... we'll tell our grandchildren about how prestigious,
authoritative, and respected Time, Newsweek,
and the New York Times once
were. They will find that extremely difficult to believe.
Though all three have all been going downhill for more than a decade,
this may be the week that Time and Newsweek
"jumped the shark."
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Oh, this is so tempting... so many ways to go here. But no; we'll resist.
You'll have to make up the appropriate caption here. You're on your own.
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Last week's Trivia Teaser:
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1. First, our current events question:
In the shadow of the recent GSA scandal ($850,000 spent
on a luxurious boondoggle for government employees in Las Vegas), NOAA
posted a $5,000 solicitation for a magician. The government agency sought
to pay a "speaker" five grand for a one-day session titled "The Magic of
Change," on behalf of 45 employees. The objective was to create a "unique
model of translating magic and principals of the psychology of magic,
magic tool, techniques and experiences into a method of teaching
leadership." (Never mind the improper use of "principals." Gees!) Oh,
come on... we gotta' be making this up! Or, are we? True or false?
Oh, this is true. -- though NOAA cancelled the request after the press
picked up on it.
We didn't fool too many people on this one. Will Rogers said it, nearly
a century ago: "I don't make jokes. I just watch the government and
report the facts." Not much has changed, huh?
2. Cinco de Mayo... it was a hit single, on a 1965 album called "Going
Places," by what performer/producer?
Herb Alpert
3. Mayberry's Goober died over the weekend. He was 83. Who played
the part on the show?
George Lindsey
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Three more coming up, below.
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BBHQ Shorts:
Quick Takes on Items in the News:
05/01: EPA director's approach to enforcement: "crucify them"
04/12: the real war on women
04/03: a "strong majority"
Glance at the BBHQ Shorts
here.
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I don't mind getting beaten, but I hate to lose.
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-- Reggie Jackson, quoted in "Bloomin' Boomers."
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This is one of the most creative, delightful, and amusing
solo dance (if "dance" is the right word) performances ever
recorded. It is amazing! From "Singin' in the Rain," this is Donald
O'Connor, in "Make em Laugh."
Click the graphic for the BBHQ Monday Morning Upper:
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This Week with the Chicowitz
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We're going to hold this one over for another week. It's an essay titled "If I
Wanted America to Fail." Everyone, everyone... everyone should watch and
think long and hard about this:
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If I wanted America to fail …
I’d imply that America’s cities and factories could run on wind power and
wishes. I’d teach children how to ignore the hypocrisy of condemning
logging, mining and farming — while having roofs over their heads, heat
in their homes and food on their tables. I would never teach children
that the free market is the only force in human history to uplift the
poor, establish the middle class and create lasting prosperity.
Instead, I’d demonize prosperity itself, so that they will not miss what
they will never have.
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You can read the entire essay here.
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Here are three questions from the BBHQ Trivia Cloud:
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There
are no prizes here... it's all just for fun.
If the submit button does not work for you, you can take the quiz online
here.
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Members can play all of our trivia games in
The BBHQ Trivia Library.
The next
BBHQ Trivia Contest
cranks up Monday, June 4, at 6 p.m., eastern.
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Rebuilding the BBHQ Essay Collection
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This week we feature another story in our "Teach, Preach, and Nag"
series.
My Kingdom for a Plain Burger
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I want it plain. One helpful manager told me I
should ask for a "quarter ham" - code word for plain quarter pounder at
McDonald's. But I don't see "quarter ham" on the menu. That's why I ask
for a "grill order." I know I'm being defiant, but I'm trying to get
the clerk to listen to me and to take my order properly. It's the lesson
as much as it is the plain burger. I just want them to think instead of
acting like a mind-numbed robot. Just for a moment. Is that asking too
much?
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Click here
to read this story.
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If you are not already a member, please consider joining us. Membership
at BBHQ provides you with access to lyrics to 750 boomer-era songs, a BBHQ
Time Capsule Report, access to hundreds of boomer stories... and lots
more. Come on... it's 9 bucks a year.
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The BBHQ Joke of the Week
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PBS will broadcast a revealing look at the private side of Johnny Carson
on Monday evening. Mr. Late Night was a complicated man, as are most
supremely gifted artists.
Here are a few Carnac classics:
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A: "Follow the yellow brick road."
Q: What are good directions to a urologist's office?
A: Grape Nuts.
Q: What are Ernest and Julio Gallo?
A: Jello and "Charlie's Angels."
Q: What looks delicious, quivers all over, and can't talk?
A: Sanford and Son and Ed McMahon.
Q: Name three people who sell a lot of junk.
A: The big ten.
Q: Describe the five finalists in the Miss Universe contest.
A: Head and shoulders.
Q: What do you see if you open the trunk of the Godfather's car?
A: An unmarried woman.
Q: What was Elizabeth Taylor between 3 and 5 pm on June 1, 1952?
A: Clean air, a virgin and a gas station open on Sunday.
Q: Name three things you won't find in Los Angeles.
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Brush Up Your Webster - featuring Madam Red Dot
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This week, I offer another seemingly obvious example of grammatic
parallel construction. Obvious, perhaps; but not for an online news
editor.
In the second example, the editor matches "guns" (plural) with "them"
(also plural).
But in the first example, the first noun is "collection" (singular). Yet,
the editor uses the plural "them."
This is an easy rule; no exceptions, simple to follow.
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So... brush up your Webster!
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Have a great week. We'll share the fun again next Monday.
- the Boomer Crew at BBHQ
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