Offensive Costumes...PETA + Bacon...End of Civilization

WED Whimsy . . . Brought to You on FRI

From Lincoln Journal Star (10/18):  "'Offensive' costumes back on shelves. 'Queen of the Tribe,' 'Noble Warrior' & other Native costumes are bak on store shelves at Spirit Halloween Headquarters--following a mandate from its corporate office, according to a local store manager . . . " [Follow-up below.]

Also from LJS (10/22):  "Costumes:  Fun or culturally insensitive. If local controversy over selling Native American Halloween costumes has done anything, it has revealed the disconnect between what people see as 'fun' & others see as culturally insensitive . . ." [With the 500th anniversary of the Reformation coming in 2017, don't be surprised to see Martin Luther "monk" haircut wigs on the shelves next year . . . ] *
* You may have to Google "Martin Luther" in order to understand this reference. Look for a picture of him nailing his 95 Theses to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg.

Also from LJS (10/27):  "PETA seeks highway memorial for pigs. Group wants people to remember pigs that died in truck crash. It's an unusual message for a roadside memorial: 'Try Vegan.' People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals has asked Nebraska roads officials for permission to install a tombstone along U.S. 30 near Blair on behalf of at least 33 pigs killed in a crash there last week. A truck hauling the hogs to slaughter overturned Oct. 20, at a roundabout just south of town . . . PETA wants people to remember the pigs . . . "

DEPT. OF IMAGINARY PRESS CONFERENCES

Spokesperson:  I've called this press conference as a spokesperson for PETA. Media rep: You represent People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals? PETA spokesperson:  Heaven's no! I represent People for the Eating of TASTY Animals. Media: Wait...What? PETA: We're asking Nebraska Highway officials to let erect a tombstone for us, as well. Our marker will read, "Try Bacon."

Settled Science

Taglines from Drudge Report (10/17): 

• "Officials warn of 'long overdue' solar storm, EMP flare dangers . . . Could 'end modern civilization as we know it' . . . " [That's right. You read it here first . . . The Sun is ultimately going to be responsible for the global climate change that WILL "end modern civilization as we know it."]
• "Climate activists Seek to Redefine What Hurricane Is 'So We'll Have More of Them' . . . " [I can neither confirm nor deny that climate activists were bitterly disappointed that our East Coast didn't suffer the same devastation as our neighbors in the Caribbean.] *

* Response from climate activists:  "That is blatantly unfair." **

** Response from Cornhusker State Blog: Duh.  

O Say, Can You . . . 

From Omaha World Herald, column by John Crisp (9/8):  "Kaepernick's protest worthy of respect. I decline to take a position on whether SF 49ers backup QB Colin Kaepernick, by refusing to stand during the national anthem, has chosen the most productive way to focus attention on our nation's failure, after all these years, to evolve into a genuinely race-blind society. But, really, it doesn't matter what I think. A fellow citizen has chosen a form of speech that is clearly protected by the 1st Amendment to make a point that deserves attention. Some might prefer that he keep quiet, but, in fact, he has reminded us of our unfinished racial business more powerfully than he might have by any other method. And he had to exercise courage to do it . . . "

1. At least Mr. Kaepernick takes a position, albeit a kneeling one, unlike Mr. Crisp, which is totally indicative of a particular value-free mindset in our culture.
2. It really doesn't matter what you think? THAT'S when I should have stopped reading.
3. Yes, this is a clearly protected form of Free Speech . . . 
4. . . . which begs the question of whether it is a RATIONALE form of Free Speech.
5. Given that Mr. K is playing in an extremely racially-integrated, major sports venue . . . 
6. Protected by "color-blind" law enforcement in the face of potentially thousands of spectators who may NOT be as politically sensitive & enlightened as Mr. K . . . 
7. In front of a flag defended by thousands of men & women, many of whom have sacrificed their bodies & sometimes paid the ultimate sacrifice for men like Mr. K to practice his Free Speech in the manner in which he chooses. I'm just sayin'. 

From OWH, column by Steve Grasz (9/29):  "Rose-Ivey offers a lesson in civics. Every Nebraskan should be grateful for the controversy created by UNL FB player Michael Rose-Ivey. This is true not because they should condone or agree w/his actions but because of the civic learning opportunity presented. This is a chance for all of us to engage in some critical thinking & reflection on the laws protecting our most basic constitutional rights. First, there are some basic concepts that need to be understood. Rose-Ivey has a constitutional right not to participate in honoring our flag or our country. In fact, he has a heightened constitutional right in the state of Nebraska not explicitly found in the 1st Amendment.

      "The Nebraska Constitution expressly protects 'the rights of conscience.' The Nebraska Bill of Rights states, 'nor shall any interference w/the rights of conscience be permitted. . . . " [I would hope that in our States' schools, both public & private, a conversation is happening which ESPECIALLY includes lessons in civics AND critical thinking skills.]

Also from OWH (10/11):  "Athletes' anthem protests 'dumb & disrespectful,' Ginsburg says. 

Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has called the protests of FB players who decline to stand for the national anthem 'dumb & disrespectful.' In a wide-ranging interview posited MON on Yahoo. Ginsburg said she had the same opinion about flag-burning.

      "'I think it's a terrible thing to do, but I wouldn't lock a person up for doing it,' she said. 'I would point out how ridiculous it seems to me to do such an act.'" [RBG thinks it seems ridiculous??? Wait...What?!]

Also from OWH (10/15):  "Ginsburg, once again, says she regrets sounding off. For the 2nd time in recent months, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg voiced regret for unwisely sounding off in an interview. On FRI, the liberal justice said she should not have denounced NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick's silent protests during the national anthem as 'dumb' & 'disrespectful.'

      "'Barely aware of the incident or its purpose, my comments were inappropriately dismissive & harsh.' Ginsburg said in a brief statement issued FRI afternoon. 'I should have declined to respond.'"  [Whew . . . You had me worried there for a day or two, RBG.] *
* I can think of 1 or 2, maybe a gazillion SCOTUS decisions where I wish she would have declined to respond.

From Norfolk Daily News (10/17):  "Singers question anthem. "Grammy-winning R & B singer Anthony Hamilton has sung the national anthem. Don't ask him to sing it in the near future . . . "  [I have a feeling that few if any invitations to sing the Anthem will be forthcoming for Mr. Anthony in the near future. I'm just sayin.']

G.O.M.E.R. Returns *

My niece Lia, who attends FSU in Tallahassee [I don't hold her responsible. I blame her parents.], reported yesterday that she was the victim of PPP ** . Years ago we had to stop displaying pumpkins in our neighborhood in Norfolk, because the aforementioned PPPers would snatch pumpkins OFF PRIVATE PROPERTY & smash them in the street. 
     My daughter Sarah would put pumpkins on her front steps in Lincoln, but due to the plethora of squirrels scampering around the vicinity, due to the plethora of oak trees & acorns, she has had to give up this tradition, as well, because the varmints have a taste for these gourds. ***

* Grumpy Old Men & Their Elucidating Rants
** Perverse Pumpkin Purloiners
*** FYI:  Squirrels rank just barely above PPPers. ****
**** Reformation Trivia:  Although Martin Luther did, in fact, originate the tradition of the Christmas Tree ["Good Ol' Martin Luther" *****], he did NOT, contrary to some fanciful Germanic legends, originate the tradition of Halloween pumpkins.
***** Another possibly obscure reference unless you are an alumni of St. Paul's High School in Concordia, MO.