Ronald Reagan on D-Day on National Review Online

Sunday we commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Normany Invasion. Twenty years ago, Ronald Reagan did the honors on the 40th anniversary:

"Today, in their memory, and for all who fought here, we celebrate the triumph of democracy. We reaffirm the unity of democratic people who fought a war and then joined with the vanquished in a firm resolve to keep the peace."

Get me a towel!

Sony is introducing "a massive digital video recorder called the Type X with more than 1 terabyte of storage" and - get this - SEVEN tuners!

I don't recall a time when seven shows were on the air simultaneously that were worth watching, much less recording. On the other hand, if one monitors the media for a living as I do, this could come in handy for archival purposes.

Statement from Senator John Kerry on the Death of Ronald Reagan ::

“Ronald Reagan's love of country was infectious. Even when he was breaking Democrats hearts, he did so with a smile and in the spirit of honest and open debate. Despite the disagreements, he lived by that noble ideal that at 5pm we weren't Democrats or Republicans, we were Americans and friends. President Reagan and Tip O'Neill fought hard and honorably on many issues, and sat down together to happily swap jokes and the stories of their lives. The differences were real, but because of the way President Reagan led, he taught us that there is a big difference between strong beliefs and bitter partisanship.

“He was the voice of America in good times and in grief. When we lost the brave astronauts in the Challenger tragedy, he reminded us that, ‘Nothing ends here; our hopes and our journeys continue.’

“Now, his own journey has ended-a long and storied trip that spanned most of the American century-and shaped one of the greatest victories of freedom. Today in the face of new challenges, his example reminds us that we must move forward with optimism and resolve. He was our oldest president, but he made America young again.

“Our prayers are with his family, and the wife he loved in a way all the world could see. And to the end, she loved him with courage and complete devotion. She helped all of us better understand the cruel disease that took him away before it took his life, and what we must do to prevent and cure it.

“Teresa and I and our family extend our deepest sympathies to Nancy Reagan and the Reagan family. Today, from California to Maine - ‘from sea to shining sea’ - Americans will bow their heads in prayer and gratitude that President Reagan left such an indelible stamp on the nation he loved.”

Even More of the Best of Ronald Reagan: Goldwater Speech

My personal favorite, his first "#1 hit":

"You and I have a rendezvous with destiny. We will preserve for our children this, the last best hope of man on earth, or we will sentence them to take the first step into a thousand years of darkness. If we fail, at least let our children and our children's children say of us we justified our brief moment here. We did all that could be done."

More of the Best of Reagan

"We will never forget them, nor the last time we saw them, this morning, as they prepared for their journey and waved good-bye and 'slipped the surly bonds of earth' to 'touch the face of God.'"

--January 28, 1986

A prime example of what the left calls "hatespeech"

A jewish reviewer calls for a genocide as part of a theater review:

"Republicans don't believe in the imagination, partly because so few of them have one, but mostly because it gets in the way of their chosen work, which is to destroy the human race and the planet. Human beings, who have imaginations, can see a recipe for disaster in the making; Republicans, whose goal in life is to profit from disaster and who don't give a hoot about human beings, either can't or won't. Which is why I personally think they should be exterminated before they cause any more harm."

I suppose this will be dismissed as mere hyperbole by the chattering classes who will then turn around and accuse us of having no sense of humor. Just as I don't find name dropping Proust the equivalent of learned, I find no wit in sentences like this:

"George W. Bush, idiot scion of a genetically criminal family that should have been sterilized three generations ago"

An answer to critic Michael Feinghold on the same intellectual level of his own comments woulkd likely read as follows:

"Hey you New York Jewish homosexual, go suck on a penis-and-bagel sandwich! You probably want to add some piping hot cream on top while you're at it."

Such a statement, if submitted, would lack the sophistication and charm the elites who read the reviews in the Village Voice demand, but it's to be expected from a dullard Republican such as myself. After all, we confuse marriage with promulgating the species when what we're really doing, according to Feingold, is destroying the human race. Yet I will say one thing about my Andrew Dice Clay-sian expression of bile: It took me two sentences to speak my peace while Feingold wasted column inches with five. (Bonus insult: "The more inches the better - he likes it long!")

Then again, ain't that just like a cowboy. No vocabulary.

"An intricate plan of disinformation was central to the Allies' success at Normandy"

The public and the press needs to take a tip from Ike and his strategists and re-learn what a "need to know basis" is during wartime.

‘A special interest group that has been too long neglected’

Vintage quotable Reagan, which grows sweeter with the passage of time:

"We hear much of special interest groups. Our concern must be for a special interest group that has been too long neglected.

"It knows no sectional boundaries or ethnic and racial divisions, and it crosses political party lines. It is made up of men and women who raise our food, patrol our streets, man our mines and our factories, teach our children, keep our homes, and heal us when we are sick—professionals, industrialists, shopkeepers, clerks, cabbies, and truck drivers.

"They are, in short, 'We the people,' this breed called Americans." —Inaugural address, Jan. 20, 1981

This is why he appealed to people from all walks of life. He didn't divide people, he united them.

Remarks by the President Upon the Death of President Ronald Reagan

"This is a sad hour in the life of America. A great American life has come to an end. I have just spoken to Nancy Reagan. On behalf of our whole nation, Laura and I offered her and the Reagan family our prayers and our condolences.
Ronald Regan won America's respect with his greatness, and won its love with his goodness. He had the confidence that comes with conviction, the strength that comes with character, the grace that comes with humility, and the humor that comes with wisdom. He leaves behind a nation he restored and a world he helped save.
During the years of President Reagan, America laid to rest an era of division and self-doubt. And because of his leadership, the world laid to rest an era of fear and tyranny. Now, in laying our leader to rest, we say thank you.
He always told us that for America, the best was yet to come. We comfort ourselves in the knowledge that this is true for him, too. His work is done, and now a shining city awaits him. May God bless Ronald Reagan."

An American Life

Look at these mack daddies:



For the uncultured, they are Bob Hope, John Wayne, Ronald Reagan, Dean Martin, and Frank Sinatra. Pimps all. Reagan was the last man standing. This pic was talken back when men were men and sported real tans and women were appreciative. Of course, we do have a new generation of pimps:

Mourning in America: Ronald Reagan Dies at 93

A great American life comes to an end.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul-and all the souls of the faithful departed-rest in peace. Amen.

Creed Call It Quits

After I played them about 80k times. Funny but now that they are no longer commercial darlings and/or oil-chested Rolling Stone coverboys, the chorus of "were not a christian band" has given way to this:

"Stapp has recorded a solo song for an album featuring tracks inspired by the film The Passion of the Christ."

Could lead-singerr ego problems have caused the implosion of this still-commercially viable band?

"Tremonti, Phillips, original Creed bassist Brian Marshall and former Mayfield Four singer-songwriter Myles Kennedy have formed a new band called Alter Bridge"

I'm not a betting man, but do you recall the STP/Talk Show fracas?

I call bullshit!

"...no person constitutionally ineligible to the office of President shall be eligible to that of Vice-President of the United States. "

Folks, no Bill Clinton as VP. Period.

Goin' back to them ol' Zephyr days

This was sent to me today. Wow...somebody remembers!

"The Zephyr was the first true commercial alternative station in the New Orleans area, and had quite a following. Scot Fox, Christian Unruh, Grant Morris, and Darren Gauthier were just some of the more recognizable DJ's at the station. The station also hosted 'Zephyrfest' at City Park for a number of years. The station attained very respectable ratings for its signal."

It was a fun time. I don't miss those days because I like to think of the fun that is yet to be, but I hope that the radio we did brightened people's lives enough to get their through whatever was buggin' 'em at the time.

Naked Man Arrested Bathing in Car Wash

"Police found the man naked and intoxicated."

One thing leads to another.

Karmazin exit could push Stern out door

Did I call it or did I call it?! Thank yew!

City of Brotherly Love kicks off gay ad campaign

Insert (ha-ha, pun intended) joke here.

Kerry 'Flips Off' Vietnam Vet

This has gone under the radar of the media. President Bush said asshole once, while Kerry has cursed continuously throughout this campaign.

10 Questions For Rush Limbaugh -- Jun. 07, 2004

Rush speaks to the mainstream press. Snippets:

"YOU'RE GETTING CRITICIZED FOR COMPARING THE PRISON ABUSE IN IRAQ WITH A COLLEGE PRANK. WERE YOU MISINTERPRETED?

"...I would wager that two hours and 58 minutes were spent discussing the aspects of those photos that repulsed everybody, including me. The point I made was that this is not worth demeaning our entire war effort. And I think that these photos have been used as a political opportunity here by opponents and enemies of the President to discount the entire war in Iraq.

"EVEN AL GORE JUMPED ON YOU LAST WEEK. WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THE NEW AL GORE?

"I'm not convinced it's a new Gore. I think it's the same Gore that has always been around — unhinged. ...

"THE A.C.L.U. HAS SUPPORTED YOUR LEGAL FIGHT TO KEEP THE MEDICAL RECORDS IN YOUR DRUG CASE PRIVATE. THIS IS NOT A GROUP YOU'RE A FAN OF. DO YOU WELCOME ITS SUPPORT?

I don't find it hypocritical at all, because I am not anti-A.C.L.U. If the A.C.L.U. wants to go after, say, Nativity scenes or this sort of thing, I may take issue, but there are other areas where I've supported things it has done.

"THE FCC HAS CRACKED DOWN ON BROADCAST INDECENCY. DOES THAT BOTHER YOU?

"I'm in the free-speech business... it's a red flag to me. I am always concerned about it."

Happy Bush Country

Ben Stein is on the money, pun intended:

"This is a nation built on optimism. It is an idealistic nation. We have one candidate, Mr. Bush, who says to Americans, 'We are all members of the great, happy club called America. We are the city on the hill, the light of the world. Let's be proud of ourselves and be happy. We make mistakes, but we try to correct them and go on to better days.'"

Statement by Bush-Cheney '04 Campaign Chairman Governor Marc Racicot

"'Today's tragic ruling upholding partial birth abortion shows why America needs judges who will interpret the law and not legislate from the bench. A majority of Americans oppose partial birth abortion, and Judge Hamilton's decision flies in the face of Congress passing and President Bush signing legislation banning such horrible acts of violence.

'John Kerry's judicial nominees would similarly frustrate the people's will and allow this grotesque procedure to continue. Americans from across the political spectrum oppose partial birth abortion because they support a culture of life, but John Kerry returned to the Senate last year to oppose the partial birth abortion ban. Today's ruling is a stark reminder of the clear choice Americans will face in November.'"

Judge: Bush Abortion Ban Unconstitutional

Note the headline. BUSH did not enact this law, he simply did what his predecessor did not do, which is sign it in to law.

Supreme Court, here we come.

Legislation seeks to measure levels of pollutants in people

Ask yourself: just what interest does the state have in biomonitoring? Worse, why should this invasion of privacy be paid for by private businesses with the state holding a gun to their heads?

Karmazin Resigns As President of Viacom

This is big, I mean bigger than big. A major reshuffling of a major media conglomerate is always a big deal.

Karmazin is a radio guy. Expect serious changes in the Infinity Radio division as every executive there was hand-picked by Mel, who also founded the company. Talk has already surfaced that Redstone's gonna cut the cord on the radio division.

This is a tremendous blow to Howard Stern, who counted Karmazin as his major ally. After being dumped by WNBC, he found a home at Karmazin's WXRK, where he remains nearly twenty years later. The two became rich together. His loyalty is to Karmazin alone - certainly not to Les Moonves with whom he has clashed. All bets are off with Stern staying with Viacom for the long haul. I wouldn't be shocked if he said something about it today (not that I could hear his show because I live in the sticks.)

I liked IKE

Great presentation from A&E tonight. Selleck was his usual charming self, although he seems far too young for the part. That may be my prejudice because when I think of Dwight Eosenhower, I think of an old man who plays a lot of golf.

A&E's site is informative. Bravo to all involved.

More on the Morgan

More on Spurlock from the esteemed Radley Balko's blog.

Dishing It Out, But Not Taking It

The backlash against Morgan Spurlock and his McD-slamming movie has begun, and I knew it would. He was the creator and star of an internet-based TV show, later picked up by MTV called I Bet You Will essentially Jackass-meets-Let's Make A Deal. Three years ago, when I was producing mornings on KKND-FM, we booked Spurlock on the show after he made the transition from the fringe to basic cable (not much of a crossover, really). His antics were little more than the typical Morning Zoo lowbrow bathroom humor, which naturally meshed with the type of show we were troweling out. There was nothing substantive about anything he was doing back then, and when I heard about his movie being embraced as an expose I knew something was up.

So did Maria Bartiromo who nailed Spurlock to the wall (she must have stock in the golden arches.) Dig this illuminating exchange:

BARTIROMO: What about this woman--she's a competitor, actually, of yours--Soso Wiley.

Mr. SPURLOCK: Yeah.

BARTIROMO: OK. She's also doing a film. She ate McDonald's just the way you did.

Mr. SPURLOCK: Sure. Yeah.

BARTIROMO: Only McDonald's.

Mr. SPURLOCK: How great is that?

BARTIROMO: And sh--she lost 10 pounds.


BAM! Here's another one:

BARTIROMO: Let--let's talk about your e-mail. We have a part of it here.

Mr. SPURLOCK: Sure.

BARTIROMO: 'I am amazed at the work currently being done by McDonald's...'

Mr. SPURLOCK: Sure. Yeah.

BARTIROMO: '...in conjunction with their franchisees to create and deliver healthy alternatives to their consumers.'

Mr. SPURLOCK: Sure.

BARTIROMO: 'I believe your involvement will show what most people are witnessing: that McDonald's is committed to the healthy future of America.'

Mr. SPURLOCK: Yeah.

BARTIROMO: Did you--you wrote that?

Mr. SPURLOCK: Of course--of course I wrote that. And, look, wh--what did I just say to you? I picked McDonald's because they're the leader. They're the industry leader. They came out with salads. They're coming out with healthier options. Once again, these things are still window dressing around a bigger problem. You know, they're--they're still not educating their consumers. They are re--releasing healthier options. One--on--one of the things they love to tout is how many salads they sold last year. Last year McDonald's sold 150 million salads. People--people who come to McDonald's make smart choices. They care about their health. A hundred and fifty million salads sounds great when you hear the number, until you start to think about McDonald's feeds 46 million people a day; 17 billion people a year. That means not even 1 percent--not even one out of 100 people who go to McDonald's buys a salad, because that's not why we go there. We don't go there for salads. We go there for the stuff we like: for the burgers, the shakes, the french fries.

So how do you help educate your consumers to make healthy choices? You see, that's where the slippery slope lies for a company like McDonald's, 'cause to start educating them to make healthier choices, you really stand to affect the profitability of your company, and that's a...

BARTIROMO: But you...

Mr. SPURLOCK: ...that's--and that's--that's--that's a tough road to tow.

BARTIROMO: Were you in a different frame of mind when you wrote that e-mail? Did change your mind after going through the process?

Mr. SPURLOCK: I mean, there's nothing in that e-mail that's different from what I'm telling you right now.

Double whammy!

Spurlock is allowing himself to be used as a tool for the anti-McDonald's coalition, which includes the junk scientists and the trial lawyers. Once again, this bunch is cloaking themselves in "helping the little man". What about those little people who eat at McDonald's and are as fit as a fiddle? They wouldn't need anybody looking after them. What about those little people who invest in McDonald's...shouldn't they not have to worry about an invented media phenomenon devaluing stock in which they have invested their life savings? What about the small business owner who has a fast food franchise? Nobody asked him what kind of effect this would have on his livlihood and his family's future.

Morgan Spurlock is Michael Moore part deux.

An enchanted tale

This weekend, I cast my vote in the blockbuster movie relay by opting to see Shrek 2 instead of The Day After Tomorrow. My choice was political and I did it to be a jerk: Al Gore needs to keep learning the hard lesson that close enough doesn't cut it, whether its at the box office or the ballot box.

Seriously, I also wanted to see if I could walk into a theater and not pay a cent. Using some passes I had been given as a gift, I walked in five minutes before showtime and grabbed a seat. There I sat for ninety minutes, no food or drink. Mission accomplished!

As for the movie itself, I enjoyed it greatly. The technology used to create the characters has visibly advanced to a level where it was difficult to tell whether the actors were real or digital (I'm sure the home video version, the equivalent of looking at a film through a microscope, will be unforgiving in this regard). A perfect family feature, even if the Shrek character morphs into John Mayer for a good portion of the film. I heard some folks yammering about the inappropriateness of some of the jokes, but it's far more innocent than even broadcast TV.

Take your kids or your date and have a good time and don't worry about global warming or anything like that.

Clarification

I was playing ZZ Top's "Tube Snake Boogie" on the air when I'd just had enough. I had already played two other songs by those guys. Enough!

For the record the songs were:

1.) "I Thank You". Who needs a slow cover version of that? Sam and Dave's original version is more danceable (I challenge you not to feel that groove), more funky, and the vocals are double dynamite. Top's version sounds like they're in a hammock. Totally unnecessary.

2.) "Waitin' For The Bus/Jesus Left Chicago" -

Actually, I don't mind the stuff from Eliminator, and there are two earlier Top songs that I consider classics - "Tush" doesn't try to be cute, the guy is hungry for some ass; and "La Grange" is the best John Lee Hooker tribute ever. I like the original mixes, though - we play these sweetened 1980's versions with WAY too much digital reverb. If any record should sound like it was recorded in a shed, it's "La Grange".

Okay, so I don't hate ZZ Top. But "Tube Snake Boogie" sucks.