BYE, TRAVIS!

By now, I think everyone has heard the wonderful news that Travis Armstrong is leaving the Santa Barbara News-Press. What you may not remember, however, is that I was the first one to break this news way back in August of 2008. Here's what I wrote ...

I heard a rumor from Travis Armstrong's dog walker's mother's cousin's friend that he is thinking of resigning from the Santa Barbara News-Press. Apparently, his soul is so tortured by his complete and utter failure as the News-Press Opinion Editor that he can't find the inner strength to continue on with the position. According to my super-secret contact (who remains with Dick Cheney in an undisclosed location), Travis has been pondering this move for some time: "Ever since the News-Press meltdown a couple years back," says my contact, "Travis has been increasingly troubled by his declining professionalism in dealing with the Santa Barbara community. After particularly nasty editorials regarding the city council, he's even been known to look in the mirror and say '@#$% you, Travis' over and over. The situation is pretty bad."

When I pressed my contact on the specifics of Mr. Armstrong's recent tumble into depression, he (or she?) thinks that his obsession with Marty Blum is really starting to wear on his conscience. During one particularly down state, Travis was overheard saying, "Man, I blame her for everything from gang violence to gas prices. Heck, I even follow her around now and take pictures for no particular reason. What's wrong with me!?" Travis is so upset about his treatment of Mrs. Blum in recent months that he's even considering printing her response to his next unsubstantiated false allegation ... maybe.

As if these revelations weren't big enough, a friend of a friend of a friend told me that Travis even called Brian Barnwell at home last week to chat about the decision to leave the NP. According to this even more top secret contact, Travis said to Barnwell that he doesn't understand where his fascination with the former city council member comes from. "Even though you're out of office, I can't stop writing about you. " said Armstrong, "I just don't find any of the new people very interesting, you know? I'm sure I will hate one of them eventually, but for now, I get more joy out of writing about how your recent vacation to Disneyland is destroying our community."

Anyway, I'm sure Mr. Armstrong has good reasons to want to leave the News-Press, and we wish him the best of luck. Maybe San Jose will take him back. I hear their mayor is an easy target.

I also heard from another of my sources that Marty Blum -- upon hearing the news -- was quoted as saying, "Who's quiting now, poopy-head!?"

FRANKEN-STUFF

One of the things I loved about the The Al Franken Show on Air America Radio was the rotating list of cool regulars. It is, in fact, Al's show that made me an instant fan of Howard Fineman and Jonathan Alter (just to name a couple). But I think my favorite guest might have been Friday staple Joe Conason. Here's a bit about him from Wikipedia ...

Conason was a regular guest and a guest host on The Al Franken Show, where he had the distinction of being the only guest with two theme songs. He made an appearances every Friday as a commentator, as well as co-judging with Al their weekly quiz show Wait, wait, don't lie to me.

So, anyway, I was kind of excited this week to see that Noozhawk has added Joe to the list of syndicated columnists they carry. And not only that, but the first column they printed is an excellent discussion regarding health care. It starts off this way ...

Popular disgust over the fat premiums that financial executives bestow upon themselves is burgeoning, and rightly so. Those Wall Street piggy banks are filling up with billions upon billions of government-subsidized dollars.

But anyone infuriated by the grossly inflated compensation of the masters of finance should check out the incredible earnings of the top executives in the health-insurance business. They’re among the most highly paid suits in the country — not owing to any skill in providing health care, which they don’t do, but because they have succeeded in denying care, quashing competition, driving up costs and winning federal subsidies for their companies.

Joe goes on to give more details on the evilness that is the health insurance industry and then ends with this ...

They blatantly curtail competition, lobby for federal subsidies, boost premiums, ration care and cut access, while insisting that a public option would cause all those terrible consequences. Obviously, they believe that the rest of us are chumps. And they may well be right.

You go, Joe!

Since I began this post talking about Al Franken, I'd really like you all to watch this brief clip of Al questioning a woman from the Hudson Institute (over health care bankruptcies) ...




Now, THAT is how you fight for Americans!

OBAMA VS. FIRE

I can't help but notice that the increase in frequency and intensity of California wildfires has some of my Santa Barbara friends a little spooked as of late. Well, no need to fear fellow citizens, Obama is on the case ...


Obama To Enter Diplomatic Talks With Raging Wildfire

IS OBAMA NOBEL-WORTHY?

So, one of my Republican friends chats me today to dogmatically state that it is indeed "absurd" and "shameful" that Obama should receive the Nobel Peace Prize. While I was able to get him to back off the shameful comment, he's still pretty convinced the whole thing is absurd.

Now, while I can understand those who feel the President hasn't accomplished enough for this prestigious honor, I think maybe (lighting rod) Micheal Moore said it the best in his recent post. And I especially enjoyed this quote ...

P.S. Your opposition has spent the morning attacking you for bringing such good will to this country. Why do they hate America so much? I get the feeling that if you found the cure for cancer this afternoon they'd be denouncing you for destroying free enterprise because cancer centers would have to close. There are those who say you've done nothing yet to deserve this award. As far as I'm concerned, the very fact that you've offered to walk into the minefield of hate and try to undo the irreparable damage the last president did is not only appreciated by me and millions of others, it is also an act of true bravery. That's why you got the prize. The whole world is depending on the U.S. -- and you -- to literally save this planet. Let's not let them down.

I so agree with this!

Anyway, if this entire political jibber-jabber has you down, I suggest you watch this video of pigs the size of teacups. I mean, how can you be angry after that? ...

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Truth is an Absolute Defense

Freshman Florida congressman Alan Grayson went to the House floor yesterday and described the Republican health care plan as "don't get sick, and if you do, die quickly." The Average Man promptly went to his website and gave him twenty bucks. Apparently I wasn't the only one, as he raised $100K yesterday!

Now, even better -- he goes on the Wolf Blitzer show and Does. Not. Back. Down!



YEAH!!!

Now let's see if some other Dems will learn a lesson.

NEIL PATRICK HARRIS RULES!

Since I'm a proud tv-aholic, I feel the need to say a few words about this year's Emmy Awards Show ... Firstly, I have to strongly emphasize up front that -- even though many of my shows didn't win anything -- this year's broadcast was infinitely better than the last one. I mean, who thought having a bunch of reality show people host the Emmys was a good idea? This time, on the other hand, it was hosted by the increasingly impressive Neil Patrick Harris. And he was probably the best host I've seen in the last 10 years.

Other than that, though, I honestly couldn't say anything better than Ken Levine did in his recent entry on Huffington Post. Here are a few of my favorite observations:

Yay for Kristin Chenoweth, who won for a show that ABC canceled. Her voice is so squeaky high anyway that when she started to cry garage doors all over America went up. But her emotional speech felt very real and heartfelt and after directing her last sitcom, I'm relieved that I didn't kill her career.

The Reality Show montage: five minutes of angry people being bleeped. This is the "excellence in television" we're celebrating tonight.

I was ... happy for Tina Fey and Alec Baldwin (although I would have been happier for Jim Parsons). [Note: Jim Parsons is on The Big Bang Theory; the show of which I recently saw a taping.]

Jeff Probst -- Best Reality Host. Hugh Laurie can't win an Emmy but this guy now has two for saying, "Wanna know what you're playing for?" every friggin' episode.

Family Guy might've won for Best Comedy had they campaigned. [Note: Family Guy gets some love!]

No one who watched any of the mini-series or movies-for-television had the slightest clue what the Dr. Horrible bit was all about.

No big surprises for the honored shows. Mad Men, 30 Rock, The Amazing Race, The Daily Show. All well deserved. But if Lost, Dexter, Family Guy, or The Colbert Report had won I wouldn't have been that upset. [Note: Again, more Family Guy love!]

Considering that Ken Levine was a former head writer for MASH, I probably shouldn't be surprised that I agree with all of his observations. At any rate, if you enjoyed Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog, you HAVE to watch this bit they made just for the Emmy show:

WHY PRIVATE INSURANCE IS EVIL

In honor of Obama's health care speech today, I thought I would do another quick post on this all so important debate. First, I want to give a shout-out to a nice little article that I read on the Indy's site today; it really hits home all the reasons we need to get this thing done. Here's my favorite part ...

I trust the V.A., Medicare, and Social Security far more than an industry that takes profit made by denying coverage to millions and hands it over to lobbyists to make sure that the common guy doesn’t ever get a break.

One of the saddest things I see recently are the misinformed people at political rallies shouting down politicians trying to express themselves. They say they are afraid of socialism while they collect their Social Security checks and rely on Medicare. They say they don’t want a government plan, but they are willing to let a CEO making $30 million a year decide that millions of people be denied insurance so their profit margin moves up. I don’t think they are hypocrites, I think they really must be afraid.

I think that pretty much says it all. But, if this guy's story doesn't get you, then watch ...



We are better than this!