Do we really need the federal government for common sense?

"The U.S. Senate’s Judicial Committee’s Subcommittee on the Constitution, led by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), will host a hearing, titled “Stifling Free Speech: Technology Censorship and the Public Discourse,” which will address whether social media giant Twitter and other tech companies are censoring conservative speech, including the hit pro-life movie UNPLANNED." (Carmel Communications)

Do we want the government directly involved in managing a private business like cable stations and social media companies? Are they now public utilities? Cities and states stifle religious expression and thought through local regulations and laws (bakeries, restaurants, flower shops)--does the federal government need to pile on another layer? Are there tax adjustments the government can make to companies who violate our freedom of expression and religion?

My Crazy Ex-girlfriend

I noticed a comment about the CW TV show "My crazy ex-girlfriend" (written, produced, and acted in by Rachel Bloom), so I looked it up and watched part of one episode and read the description (sort of a musical comedy). Everyone is in therapy or sexually confused. Millennials, I think. Is it just a big joke about the culture or is it leading the culture? However, the music is great.

So I watched 3 episodes and sort of got to know the very strange characters, watched an explanation of how the music was written, and then. . . begin to like it.  Then learned 2018 is the last of the series because it’s not doing that well in the ratings.

https://www.cwtv.com/shows/crazy-ex-girlfriend/i-will-help-you/?play=834fff6e-2c14-4185-bc6f-bc7d8816d1f8

Our internet is back

Our internet, phone and cable are up and running again. Sunday we had a big storm, and lost the use of the 2 TVs with cable boxes, the internet and our phone. Our other TVs (limited channels, no box) were working but not a great picture.   Everything had slowly come back on over 2 days, the interet returning about 10 a.m., but instead of cancelling, we just kept the service call. He went over everything very carefully, and then asked if there were any other cable boxes, so we sent him to Bob's office on the lower level. He was there a long time, and when he came up he was holding a piece of cable pretty well chewed up, from the outside. Apparently it had been the victim of lawn equipment, don't know when. He suspected that as it dried out from the storm, the connections were again working. I hope that stops the various interruptions we've had that our neighbors didn't. Two years ago the remodeling on the unit next door cut our electricity source which went through his attic into ours.

So for two mornings I went down the street a mile to Panera's to read my e-mail on my I-pad and then in the afternoon I went to the UAPL and used its Wi-Fi. But I'm happy to have the convenience restored.  Although I do get more done when it isn't available.

The all white, all Spanish language cable channel

I was watching Despierta America on Univision this morning while peddling my Power Spin. That channel has a terrible "shadism" problem--didn't see a single dark skinned, Indian, black, brown or Asian person either as host, contestant, guest or in a commercial. Even the exercise segment was led by a blonde. The President of Mexico sends his brown and poor to the U.S. so that fair and light skinned Mexicans of primarily European descent can retain power and money. Univision is headquartered in NYC owned by a conglomerate of investors and in viewership is on a par with the top 5 English language networks. I wonder why there is a different standard for diversity and multiculturalism?

http://entretenimiento.univision.com/shows/despierta-america/

Robertson vs. Podesta

So Duck Dynasty’s Robertson is fired for stating what's in the Bible, but Podesta, an advisor to the President, gets to slander and vilify gay Republicans, senior citizen Republicans, Latino Republicans, Jewish Republicans, Black Republicans, and over half of all Americans? He called us a Jonestown cult. Why doesn't he get fired? He actually is part of the government from whom we are protected by our Constitution. A&E is just an "evil capitalist" who doesn't like the Bible. http://www.usatoday.com/story/theoval/2013/12/18/podesta-gop-jonestown-cult/4109385/

Can't have anything tainted or smutty or outrageous on pure as the driven snow A&E cable TV. . . "the network that airs “Bates Motel,” the series “The Killer Speaks,” which interviews convicted felons, and “Psychic Tia,” and that has in the past aired “Growing Up Gotti,” “Criss Angel Mindfreak,” and “The Sopranos,” has deemed “Duck Dynasty” star Phil Robertson unsuitable for its broadcast because of an interview answer where he paraphrased Corinthians 6:9–11. That’s where they draw the line! (Jim Geraghty, National Review Online) http://www.nationalreview.com/campaign-spot/366724/ae-finds-something-it-absolutely-cannot-tolerate-jim-geraghty

This morning, Louisiana governor Bobby Jindal issued a statement in response to the news of Robertson’s suspension: “Phil Robertson and his family are great citizens of the State of Louisiana,” Jindal said. “The politically correct crowd is tolerant of all viewpoints, except those they disagree with. I don’t agree with quite a bit of stuff I read in magazine interviews or see on TV. In fact, come to think of it, I find a good bit of it offensive. But I also acknowledge that this is a free country and everyone is entitled to express their views. In fact, I remember when TV networks believed in the First Amendment. It is a messed up situation when Miley Cyrus gets a laugh, and Phil Robertson gets suspended.”

Jindal will be in deep doo-doo now with liberals for a reference to a cultural icon like Miley Cyrus.

The History Channel will air The Bible

The Bible will air on the History Channel beginning March 3, with the last episode in the series airing on Easter Sunday. I've been a bit suspicious about how TV treats the Bible, but this one started with prayer, according to Roma Downey (Touched by an Angel) one of the producers of the 10 hour mini-series.

Even if it doesn't fit your denomination's interpretation, if it follows the basics, it can't go wrong.

Man disobeys,

God forgives;

Man disobeys again,

God forgives;

Repeat as needed.

If Christians support this, perhaps we can get better quality TV.

Christians quibble the Bible to death—the number of sacraments; whether there even are sacraments; divorce and remarriage; do miracles still happen in the 21st century; who needs to interpret  speaking in tongues; does the gift of tongues exist; which is better happy clappy songs or hymns; what is Mary’s role; were prophecies of the O.T. fulfilled in Christ; dip, dunk or sprinkle; and on and on.

We need a movie night at our house

The switch to a new cable company didn't happen. At the last minute we discovered that the salesman was a "private contractor" and had promised some things the company couldn't provide, like the price and the rewiring. Plus we found out we'd have to have 4 boxes, and we only wanted 2. We may still make the switch, but we're wiser now.

In the process, I cleaned out more cabinets since they were going to be moved (empty) anyway. We have a DVD player in the living room and a VCR in the family room. We don't watch many movies at home, and I'd definitely forgotten how many we have. I think we could designate one night a week for movies and we'd be good for about 2.5 years just using the VCR. The the other half year for the smaller DVD collection. Here's some I thought looked worth viewing: African queen; about 15 Blondie movies; Dirty dancing; Fabulous Baker Boys; Fried Green Tomatoes, Lonesome Dove (series); My big fat Greek Wedding; Outbreak; Overboard; Road to Morocco; Russians are coming; Ruthless people; Stratton story; Thornbirds; White Christmas, Working girl. Most of these we've seen either in theaters or on a movie channel. We rarely watch movies at home. But maybe with a bowl of popcorn. . .

Fox News Ratings Soar After Snub From Obama

After Anita Dunn went after Fox News (and her admiration for Mao was revealed), the ratings on Fox soared. The top 11 shows are on the Fox News Channel. Why do you suppose that is? For starters, they present more than 24/7 ONO, the Obama News Only (pronounced Oh No!). In fact, with their commentators, there are usually 2, 3, or 4 points of views. But liberals are so ga-ga over their gotta-get-over-the-guilt candidate (who just keeps campaigning), they think anyone who questions him or his programs must be evil and shut down. The same people who went bonkers over the Patriot Act (which was bipartisan and intended for terrorists) have no problem at all shutting down a news agency and sending out thought police under the guise of "hate speech" regulations.

HT Silicon Alley Insider

I want to look like a high school cheerleader again

This reality show on CMT started up yesterday and I watched a bit. I was never a cheerleader, wasn't athletic, nor did I envy them, but I think they contributed a lot to the fun of the football and basketball games. Watch this. One woman said, "No one but my husband has said I'm pretty in a long time." Well, who else matters?

One of my cousins I met this year through an internet genealogy site used to be a Denver Broncos cheerleader, if I remember correctly. Is that football? I saw four or five former cheerleaders this summer at our reunion (2 from our class and 2 from the class after us and maybe one from my husband's class), and they still have the nice personalities and perky spirits that supported the teams and worked up the crowds.

Thursday Thirteen--New Cable Shows

Cable is increasing original series. We started watching "The Closer" which premiered in summer 2005 because there wasn't much else on. I've really enjoyed Monk, too. Yesterday in a special advertising section I noticed a list of those that will start this summer or early next year. Unfortunately, we'll miss most of the premieres because our summer home doesn't have cable. But here goes.

USA--"The Starter Wife," mini-series with Debra Messing

TNT--"The Company"--about the Cold War era.

FX--"Damages" Glenn Close as a ruthless attorney

TNT--"Heartland" about an organ transplant specialist

TNT--"Saving Grace" has Holly Hunter as an Oklahoma City cop

USA--"Burn Notice" is a spy thriller

TBS--"The Bill Engvall Show" blue collar comedy

TBS--"House of Payne"--family sit-com

Comedy Central--satirical comedy "Lil' Bush"

Bravo--"Hey Paula" reality show about Paula Abdul

A&E--(to start Jan.1, 2008)"Confessions of a matchmaker" reality show about Patti Novak of Buffalo

USA--"The Coreys" reality show about former kid stars Corey Hains and Corey Feldman (I'm not familiar with either one of them)

Discovery Channel--special even series "Ten ways to save the Planet"