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March 31, 2010

For Apple Geeks only..

You will fail!!

Estrogen Wednesday

“What we have here is a failure to communicate” (the workings of) the male brain

March 30, 2010

Finally- a bipartisan issue most of us can agree on..

The fringe-nuts are circulating this pseudo-Norman Rockwell cartoon around the Net. (About time they realized who they were screwing with!!)

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Vindicated after Twenty Years?

As the continuing revelations of past and present scandals and cover-ups from the Vatican snowball into tomorrow's history books, the artist whose career was ruined- and who plunged overnight from fame and world celebrity status to scorn and mass public ridicule- may ultimately be perceived as a modern-day Cassandra.

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March 29, 2010

Testosterone Tuesday

Venus and Venus and Mars..

It's Probably Not in My Place to Say..

.. but can I at least ask?

What should be done if the leader of an independent country just happens to be one of the worst criminals in recent history and who has hordes of followers who worship and adore him throughout the world? Should not all of us (at the very least) publicly and officially condemn this leader in the strongest language possible? Should not all right-thinking countries cry out in anger and outrage- and demand his immediate removal from office?

Since the country this criminal leader resides in (and the people who support him) continue to look the other way in shameful disregard, shouldn't all nations of the civilized world take the unorthodox, but courageous and urgently responsible step to try this powerful lawbreaker in a World Court- or at the very least ban him from entering their borders and demand that he be legally and immediately removed from office by his own citizens, state officials and countrymen?

Other than outright murder and kidnapping, what could be more heinous than what this man has done- this powerful leader who single-handedly covered up hundreds of crimes against helpless victims, and who knowingly protected untold dozens of the worst and most unrepentant predators- criminals who destroyed the lives of so many innocents?

Tea-bagger Bag Job

The point of this post isn't to mock the Tea-baggers or to question their judgment. The point is to appreciate the power of conservative political rhetoric in 2010. Many of those who stand to benefit from a stronger safety net have been led to believe they want a weaker one. Many of those who'll finally be able to get better care under a health care system that's been screwing them over have been convinced that they won't, or can't, benefit from reform.

Guaranteed Porn Blocker

Works 100% of the time. No more checking up on the kids!!

March 28, 2010

My Non-Review of the New Jeff Beck Album

(from Burt Cohen)
“Charles: I'd love to hear what you think of Emotion and Commotion”.

(On 3/28/10, Charles Laquidara wrote):
“Burt:
I listened to the Beck album a few times. Still undecided- Here's why:

There is no denying Beck's superlative talent- and his “feel” for the pieces he is playing. It's kind of like the way I felt when Sarah Vaughan sang Broken Hearted Melody and Charlie Parker did Summertime and In the Still of the Night- Great versions of songs by artists who stepped out of their realm of pure jazz in order to appeal to the masses with catchy hits.
  I also recall Roy Buchanan's spectacular playing on the song, “The Messiah Will Come Again...” and Jeff Beck doing Girl from Mill Valley. All of these songs are melodically beautiful, but- they either came out as individual songs- or were spaced out on different albums.
  This time around, (except maybe for the great version of I Put a Spell on You with Joss Stone), Jeff puts all of these slow, haunting songs on one album, and- unless you are a diehard Beck fan and feel that anything he does would be spectacularly exciting- many fans might find this album difficult to play from beginning to end, over and over- as one might do with his Truth or Beckola albums.
(Personally, I think the only way I could play this album over and over and over and over would be if I were on heroin- or if my girl just dumped me for a short, fat, gay guy).
  I'm not denying the craftsmanship here; Jeff Beck is one of the world's greatest guitarists- arguably the greatest- but, just as I could not listen over and over to Frank Sinatra singing an entire album of 14 melancholy torch songs- this CD works for me only if I put it in my iTunes folder and press “random”- mixing it in with Beck's Bolero, Cause We've Ended as Lovers, Rice Pudding and Stroll On.
  That's my review- but, of course, I'm not a reviewer! lol

(By the way, I Put a Spell on You is this week's Big Mattress Song of the Week- and in itself is probably worth the price of the album..)”

March 27, 2010

Introducing.... (long drum roll....)

Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Murray
In twenty minutes I will no longer be a single man....!”
Over here! I think this looks like a great place..”
“I like it- I like it- Jeannie, grab my han- Oooops!”
“Aaahh.. This is much better!”
“It's not too late to change your mind, honey..”
“Nope- I'm in it for the long haul, babe!!“
“Look at those two whales breaching!!” It's a good sign!”!
“Charles, how much did you have to pay those humpbacks to do this show??!”
“Jeannie- Let's do it- before the sun sets.. Who's got the rings?
“Don't mean to sound smug, but I just might be the luckiest guy in the world right now! ”
“I think we're both pretty lucky, and this sunset is proving it!”
“Hey, Jeannie, you know what?”
“What..?”
“I, being of sound mind, and of sound- whatever else!- (hehe)
I am damned ready to up and marry you like forever and like right now! Let's do IT!!”
“..til death do us part... We do.

March 26, 2010

How the Nuclear Deal with Russia was Really Made

The boldest move of his presidency..

March 25, 2010

Blog Video of the Weekend

“George and Clean Willie were in love, so they said...”*

* Steely Dan: Haitian Divorce

March 23, 2010

"This is a big f___ing deal!"

The Fool on the Hill
You know- at first Vice President Joe Biden's verbal gaffes were kind of embarrassing to me, because it just seemed like he was always putting his foot in his mouth. But this latest and greatest plunge into the depths of, "He's just like me!" scenarios reminded me of why a DJ named Duane Ingall Glasscock was so popular back in the day. Joe Biden is Everyman. He screws up every day. He consistently makes mistakes like all of us do, and he is definitely not the "elegant and classy" personage that we all usually expect from our Presidents, our Kings and Queens and our dignitaries-and all those "tres" sophisticated members of current Western Civilization.

Well- I have decided to accept you for what you are, Joe Biden- for better of for worse. Big hugs to the big VP! I'm officially on board until further notice. And l maintain that- if the time came- Biden can run the country as well as any other President we have had- It will just be a bit more of an adventure!
We might have to kind of "cringe up" once in a while and do the "no-neck" gesture with a big smile on our red faces.
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But I am okay with that.

Italians Getting Big Government to Work For The Good

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An old Italian lived alone in New Jersey. He wanted to plant his annual tomato garden, but it was very difficult work as the ground was hard.

His only son, Vincent, who used to help him, was in prison. The old man wrote a letter to his son and described his predicament:


Dear Vincent,
I am feeling pretty sad, because it looks like I won't be able to plant my tomato garden this year. I'm just getting too old to be digging up a garden plot. I know if you were here my troubles would be over.. I know you would be happy to dig the plot for me, like in the old days.
Love, Papa


A few days later he received a letter from his son.


Dear Pop,
Don't dig up that garden. That's where the bodies are buried.
Love,
Vinnie


At 4 a.m. the next morning, FBI agents and local police arrived and dug up the entire area without finding any bodies. They apologized to the old man and left.


That  next day the old man received another letter from his son.


Dear Pop,
Go ahead and plant the tomatoes now. That's the best I could do under the circumstances.
  
Love you,
Vinnie

March 22, 2010

Estrogen Wednesday

Women shower differently than men.

Testosterone Tuesday

Big Sale!!!

Big Mattress Song of the Week

Flo and Eddie: Keep it Warm

(You can always hear the song by clicking on the red button- top right corner of the main page- and browse as you listen.)

Click below to see lyrics. "KEEP IT WARM"

(Words and Music by Mark Volman and Howard Kaylan)

Write another song for the money
Something they can sing, not so funny
Money in the bank to keep us warm

Stick another grape in the juicer
Or fill your guts with grease and get get looser
You are what you eat , so eat it warm

Roll another joint for the Gipper
Get the Gipper high, he gets hipper
Stick it in his mouth and keep him warm

Elect another jerk to the White House
Gracie Slick is losing her door mouse
Take her off the streets and keep her warm

Fight another war if they make you
Squeal on a friend or they'll take you
The future's in your lap, so keep it warm...

  Warm, here in your arms   Safe from all harm,
  where I belong
  Warm, cozy and calm,
  another Dawn together warm....

My woodie's broken down by the beach now
And TM's gotten far out of reach now
Tell the Mahareesh to keep it warm

George is suing Paul, suing Ringo
and immigration wants John and Yoko
All they need is love, to keep them warm

Kill another whale with your power
Or shoot a bunch a kids from a tower
Snipe them in there cars
Blood keeps them warm

Or

Make a better world from the old one
Make yourself a baby and hold one
Hold her in your arms and keep her warm,
Keep her warm, Keep her warm,
Keep her warm...........

March 21, 2010

Whoever Has the Most Money WINS!

Lest we all forget that horrific Supreme Court Decision that was made on January 21st...

Warning: Be prepared to be on the losing side of every future political election in your city, your state, and our country until further notice.

   In 98% of all future elections, the incredibly humungous infusion of corporate monies which will be spent to support their agenda will make any candidates who are deemed “enemies” of Big Business, big-time losers. Starting with the upcoming November mid-terms, you will see every single candidate who is not in corporate pockets lose, and lose big-time. Save this post and see if I am wrong.
   Those who today are ringing their hands in the health-care victory should enjoy this brief moment hoping that now we have a new and more compassionate America- but you are going to be sorely disappointed in the coming months.
  Until that SCOTUS decision is changed, this is going to be a very ultra-conservative, divided and mean-spirited country. The real irony here, is that the biggest losers will be blue-collar workers, rednecks, Tea-partiers and lower-middle-class Americans- all those who have been exploited by corporations, war-mongers, and big-business lobbies for the past 50 years and who still angrily believe that “tree-hugging liberals” are their mortal enemy.

Inspirational Sunday

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March 20, 2010

Your Two Cents

Occasionally, we select your most interesting comments and ideas, and incorporate them into a feature called YOUR TWO CENTS. It is the writings of you readers, un-edited (unless they make no sense as written) and posted here, for all the world of cyberspace to see. The following was sent to CNN Political Director Sam Feist by Steve from Quincy who also sent the Big Mattress a copy:

“Mr. Feist:
    I am deeply concerned that your company would seek to employ the services of Erick Erickson as a contributor. The fact that S.G. Tallentyre in describing the philosophy of Voltaire wrote "I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it" can not be applied to the practice of fair journalism, if the speech of a contributor is malicious or inflammatory.
Erick Erickson, using Twitter, wrote the following about Supreme Court Justice David Souter:
"The nation loses the only goat-fucking child molester to ever serve on the Supreme Court in David Souter's retirement." (7:27 PM Apr 30th, 2009)
This, and other comments are to be expected from time to time in crowded barrooms or heated telephone conversations, but not by people who are responsible for influencing the opinions of millions of viewers. Your company and you personally should be held in deep contempt by thinking people around the world for even seriously considering giving such a person an office and forum on your network. You should resign and lead a boycott against the network rather than continue to work there. Every serious investor in your company should seek to withdraw their funds from Time-Warner's control as long as Erick Erickson is employed by Cable News Network.
   There is sometimes an urge among liberal thinkers to compare strong right-wing opposition with Naziism. Often it is hyperbolic to do so. However, the rise of the Third Reich was not as swift as the resulting Blitzkriegs across Europe. It was incremental, and aided by acquiescence and apathy among powerful groups who could have stepped in to stop the easy acceptance of hate speech and virulent ad hominem against respectable leaders. In the case of your employment of Erickson, you have made the type of error those thinking Germans made. Since you have the benefit of access to a large history documenting the faults that led to Germany's tragic shift to darkness, you bear even more of the guilt than you might, had you not been aware of the possible consequences of satisfying your profit motive with support for such people as Erickson.
   The ability of people to think and fight against fascism and fear will trump whatever stupidity your corporate thinking can come up with, so I am telling you now to be prepared to rescind this hiring, or lose more respect, viewers and money than you could ever possibly gain.”

March 19, 2010

Facts and Myths as we get to Zero Hour

Everyone who likes the facts, just the facts and only the facts should save this site on their browser!

March 18, 2010

Flawed Logic

Southie Rep Stephen Lynch.
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Blue dog or Big Insurance Lobby hack?

The Final Countdown Has Begun..

10.. 9... 8... Timothy gives the Purist a back-handed compliment 17egan-custom1.jpg !

March 17, 2010

Big Mattress Song of the Week

The Parallax View

This is the guy the other side paints as a “looney” and an “idiot..” a “charlatan,” a “weirdo” and a “moron...” If one is capable of a truly objective read, many minds may be changed by this.

March 16, 2010

Don't Let Truth Get in the Way of Your Agenda

Every few months, I feel it is important to point out the difference between facts and fiction here on my blog. Take the hackneyed phrase that the Right have puked out so many times, that even many on the Left and in the Center now believe it:
“Al Gore claimed he invented the Internet!!”
Not true- but of course the new, media-in-the-21st-Century-rule is, “if you say something enough times, people will believe it's true”. So, let's review:
Did Al Gore claim he invented the Internet? If you don't like that source, try this one.. or this one. But don't take my word for it- do your own research and let me know how you make out.
(It's one thing to disagree with your opponent's views, but let's deal with the facts- unless, of course, the lie serves to confirm your own political viewpoints...)

Estrogen Wednesday

Colorful_notes.gif “Bicycle seat a bit too high...”

March 15, 2010

Testosterone Tuesday

All drinks on the house! (Not Work or Family Friendly)

Geezer Monday

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Florida Bikers' Bar

The Ides of St. Paddy's Day

(Thanks to Julie B. for finding this gem by Boston comedian Steve Sweeney.)

You Never Know Who's Taking Notes

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Bill Spurlin was an engineer/all-around “handyman” at WBCN almost from Day One and he has a great blog (which is more like a diary than an actual blog). His thoughts, opinions, photos, observations and quips are priceless!

March 14, 2010

N.Y. Times: STFU!!

Is this news organization (that I normally respect and read regularly) doing something dumb- and possibly bordering on treason? Unless it was going to be released by other sources, I believe that this story should have been buried. We are in a time of war against terrorists. I could be wrong, and would like to hear from knowledgeable people about this (not from the Wingnuts who have always hated the Times and call it “left-wing liberal biased reporting”)*. The release of this story perplexes me. What's your take, people?
*(I will delete any dumb-ass “I told you so” comments from the Right. I need information- not blabber.)

Preaching to the Choir

Unfortunately, the people who should be reading this are checking the stock market and forwarding political hate email.

March 13, 2010

Charles and Howie WRKO: 3/12/10

Here's my 40 minutes of WingNut fame.

March 12, 2010

Rewriting history

That left-liberal N.Y. Times is giving us more one-sided commie information again. Dangit!

March 11, 2010

Friday tomorrow March 12, 2010

This Friday, (Date Night) March 12, tune in to WRKO. I'll be Howie Carr's guest for one hour starting at 6pm Boston time. (Haven't got a clue what we're going to be talking about....) This is how they're promoting it:

On March 12th at 6 PM EST Charles Laquidara returns to the airwaves in Boston. A rare appearance live on the Howie Carr show, 
 WRKO AM 680 and streaming at WRKO!

March 10, 2010

How the Mighty have Fallen..

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March 9, 2010

Testosterone Tuesday

Milford Memorabilia

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March 8, 2010

Estrogen Wednesday

A husband had just finished reading a new book entitled, "You Can Be THE Man of Your House." He stormed to his wife in the kitchen and announced, "From now on, you need to know that I am the man of this house and my word is Law. You  will  prepare me a gourmet meal tonight, and when I'm done eating my meal, you will serve me a scrumptious dessert. After dinner, you are going to go upstairs with me and we will have the kind of sex that I want!
  Afterwards, you are going to draw me a bath so I can relax. You will wash my back and towel me dry and bring me my robe. Then, you will massage my feet and hands. Then tomorrow, guess who's going to dress me and comb my hair?"
    The wife replied, "The funeral director, I'm thinkin'….."

March 6, 2010

Dumb Riddle of the Month

..but nonetheless, you'll find the answer to be startling:
What nine letter word in the English language is still a word when eight letters are removed, one by one?
Hint: You don't delete the letters in order....
Click here
for video answer. (It starts off loud, like a commercial on Direct TV, so lower volume first..)

March 5, 2010

An Open Letter to POTUS

In today's political climate, it's probably not cool to admire Michael Moore.
I was never cool.
If you'd like, you can cross out his signature in this letter and replace it with mine. I'd be proud.

Jonboy outs the (unfair and unbalanced) News NUTwork

In case you missed it- a wonderful Daily Show from earlier this week.

Big Mattress Song of the Week

Black Dub/Trixie Whitley: "Surely"

Recipe for cool:
Blend one great producer/songwriter, add the fruit of the late Chris Whitley's loins and sprinkle with one of the best drummers in music today. Voila!

(You can always hear the song by clicking on the red button- top right corner of the main page- and browse as you listen.)

(Click below for lyrics) If he refuses I still go on

‘Til the heaven and earth are gone

Time may rage, but rage in vain

My designs unchanged remain
Night is my shepherd, the moonlight is my guide

You were close by, but now the distance is so wide

You found me blind, you taught me how to see

Now it’s so hard to have you away from me
Surely you were meant to be mine

Surely you were meant to be mine

You command my hand to write

In the dark hours of deep midnight

Your love is a love, a love like no other

Wings of joy forever flutter
Surely you were meant to be mine

Surely you were meant to be mine

Surely you were meant to be mine

Surely you were meant to be mine
Fortune favors the brave they say

My bravery could not convince me to stay
If he refuses I still go on

‘Til the heaven and earth are gone

Fortune favors the brave they say

My bravery could not convince me to stay
Surely, surely you were meant to be mine

Surely you were meant to be mine

Surely you were meant to be mine

Surely you were meant to be mine.
Surely, surely, surely
Surely you were meant to be mine

inspirational Sunday

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March 4, 2010

So long, Mr. Bill

One down. Two to go. As much as I hate the possibility of Republicans taking another seat in MA; what I hate worse is corruption, “old boy network” back-room dealing, ineptitude and cowardly politicking. The Braintree (Bishop) debacle was a shameful incident in Massachusetts history. Every state and every party has this problem- and wherever and whenever it happens- those responsible should be held accountable.
“The congressman has faced recent questions about the handling of the 1986 Amy Bishop shooting case, which occurred when he was Norfolk County district attorney. Delahunt has said consistently that his office was not told that Bishop fled with a loaded weapon after killing her brother in what police then called an accident
.”

March 3, 2010

On Your Way to the Dropkick Murphys Show..

... or wherever you're going a week from this Friday, (Date Night) March 12, tune in to WRKO. I'll be Howie Carr's guest for one hour starting at 6pm Boston time. (Haven't got a clue what we're going to be talking about....) This is how they're promoting it:

On March 12th at 6 PM EST Charles Laquidara returns to the airwaves in Boston. A rare appearance live on the Howie Carr show, 
 WRKO AM 680 and streaming at WRKO!

March 2, 2010

Testosterone Tuesday

Not Work or Family friendly! Is it a bird? is it a plane? no- it's a nut bra!!

March 1, 2010

“Avatar” audio track on “Pocahontas” video track

Post-Nor'easter Post

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