fanboys

As the few of you who read this blog know, I never write about politics. I guess I shouldn't say never, one or two sarcastic political remarks may find there way in to a post from time to time. The main reasons that I don't are because I don't have many firm political opinions, and when push comes to shove, I don't care that much.

I'm registered independent, mainly because I've felt attacked by both sides at some point, and as an independent I don't have to answer as many heated questions. It's a cop out, I know, but I also may be more enlightened. I feel as though just about every political issue is a dense issue. It's all grey. I'd rather sift through the grey than try to find little black or white dots which are speckled throughout to hold dearly to.


Anyway, the main reason for this post is that I recently read something that got me thinking. In Colorado Springs there is a local publication known as the "Independent." It's free of charge, contains articles on local politics, and reviews of film, music, and local town hot spots.

Last week there was a quote that I can't get out of my mind. It was labeled "Quote of the Week." A local C Springs resident posted this on a news website comment section,

"I don't care if Sarah Palin isn't very smart, she'd still make a great president."

I couldn't get this quote out of my mind. My first instinct was to laugh. But it reminded me of fanboys for some reason.

Fanboys is a term usually reserved for film, comic books, and video games. For example, recently there are hoards of fanboys that worship at the Star Wars alter. Ten years ago, when Episode one was released, there was international pandemonium. People camped outside of theaters for weeks, months even, just to buy tickets for a two hour film. Fanboys declared this the best film of all time before they even saw it. These fanboys still call this film great ten years later, even when most of the film going public thought the film was sub par.

More recently, teenage girls are traveling in flocks and gaggles to see the new Twilight film. It made 140 million dollars at the box office last weekend alone even though it was universally reviled by critics. The kicker is, most women I've talked to admit that the Twilight films are crap. Poorly directed, written, and acted. The general idea I get from women I've worked with "I know the movie is terrible, but I still want to see it." They aren't even defending it, but still love it.

This is what I can't get out of my head when it comes to that quote about Sarah Palin. Have we become fanboys when it comes to politics? Have we already decided that whatever candidate that is in our party is awesome and whatever candidate is in the other party sucks ass? Is Sarah Palin the Republicans version of Twilight. "Ah, we know she's not that smart, but she's a great candidate." Is President Obama the Democrats version of Star wars Episode I? "I know he isn't the president yet, but he is going to be amazing, perhaps the best ever."

Even worse about these fanboys, they revile anyone who disagrees with them. They use words of such hatred for critics of their beloved films.

Reminds me of the constant status updates I see on facebook blasting those in public office. Jesus Christ, do fanboys have anything better to do? Fanboys are so lenient of the things they are fans of, and so quick to criticize rivals.

Have we become fanboys in politics?

Funny Bumper Stickers

Just thinking about some of the funniest bumper stickers I've ever seen...

"Pave the Rainforest"

"In Case of Rapture, I'm taking your car"

"Republicans for Voldemort"

"Everything I need to know about life I've learned by reading banned books"

"Evolution is just a theory. kinda like gravity"

"Jesus loves you but everyone else thinks you're an asshole"

"Dog is my copilot"

"Honk if you're Amish"

"Heck is for people who don't believe in Gosh"

"If you're born again, do you have two belly buttons?"

"What if the hokey pokey is what its all about?"

"My kid is the proud parent of his teacher's baby"

"My child beat up your honor student"



any others? tell me what you think is funny

Friday afternoon Shout Outs

Carrie Beth - they do in fact celebrate the 4th of July in Hawaii :)

Jim Tracy - You were definitely the manager of the year, do it again next season

Ray Lamontagne - For helping my girlfriend love me

"Bill" - for selling me concert tickets on craigs list and significantly lowering his price

Almonds - you add that extra bit of ooomph that my salad needs

Michael Scott - for valuing the feelings of his employees

Ricky Williams - for giving my fantasy football team an early lead last night

"nose scratching" - for being a believable excuse for "nose picking"

"based on a true story" sports movies - even the trailers make me cry

trampolines - how i miss thee

just a few for today

For my viewing pleasure

Doing some brainstorming while laying here in bed. Decided to make a list before lights out. Here's a list of my all time favorite actors and actresses along with two or three of my favorite performances of theirs.

Ladies first...


1. Jodie Foster (Silence of the Lambs, The Accused, Contact)

2. Kate Winslet (Little Children, Eternal Sunshine..., Revolutionary Road)

3. Meryl Streep (Sophie's Choice, Doubt, The Deer Hunter)

4. Susan Sarandon (Dead Man Walking, Bull Durham, Thelma and Louise)

5. Laura Linney (The Truman Show, You Can Count on Me, Kinsey)

6. Elizabeth Taylor (Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?)

7. Dianne Wiest (Parenthood, Edward Scissorhands, The Birdcage)

8. Holly Hunter (Broadcast News, Thirteen, Raising Arizona)

9. Faye Dunaway (Network, Chinatown, Bonnie and Clyde)

10. Cate Blanchett (The Aviator, I'm Not There, Notes on a Scandal)


Actors


1. Paul Newman (The Hustler, Nobody's Fool, Hud)

2. Gene Hackmen (The Royal Tenenbaums, The French Connection, Unforgiven)

3. Daniel Day-Lewis (My Left Foot, There Will Be Blood, The Age of Innocence)

4. Marlon Brando (On the Waterfront, A Streetcar Named Desire, The Godfather)

5. Mel Gibson (Lethal Weapon, Braveheart, Maverick)

6. George C. Scott (Patton, The Hustler, Dr. Strangelove...)

7. Bill Murray (Ghostbusters, Lost in Translation, Caddyshack)

8. Michael Caine (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, The Man Who Would Be King, Batman Begins)

9. Tom Hanks (Cast Away, Philadelphia, Big)

10. Dustin Hoffman (Midnight Cowboy, Wag the Dog, Tootsie)

Honorable Mention

Philip Seymour Hoffman (Capote, Synecdoche, New York, Before the Devil Knows You're Dead)


Just some that came to mine. Any comments?