Shout out: to these people

(credit to BHR for finding this little gem)

Shout out to the (famous) men in my life

It was a big night for TV. Both of the (famous) men in my life were on, and in fine, fine form.

First, Jon Stewart presented a great (rerun) interview with Barack Obama. The best question:

Do you feel like you're stuck in a narrative now, and the narrative is that Hilary Clinton is unlikeable but knows what she's doing and Obama is inexperienced but brings change--and no matter what you do, because [these scenarios are] easily categorized, the media or everyone else will just slip whatever happens into [that narrative]?



It's at 2:29 in part 1. I'd recommend part 2 also. By the way, I asked Paul the other night if Jon Stewart could be my free pass, to which he replied, "What does that mean?" Apparently the concept of a free pass is not universal. After I explained, he did not look too happy at the thought, even though I pointed out the probability is low that Jon Stewart would cross my path and agree to sex.

Second, Peyton Manning played some gorgeous football against the Saints. Sorry Brett Favre, but there's a new QB in my life. As some of you know, I was auditioning last season for a new quarterback love. I was holding out for Eli Manning to come into his own because he is so darn cute. But at the end of the day Peyton is just a superior player and stirs all the old feelings from the days before Brett threw a million interceptions per game. Commentator Al Michaels also mentioned that Indianapolis is the most homegrown team in the league, with only four Colts having played for other NFL teams. I like that. Similar to how Green Bay residents own shares in the Packers.

Shout out: Bumper stickers

I love bumper stickers. It's so great when a particularly witty one makes me chuckle. Today I saw a sticker that read:

Stop Stealing!
The government doesn't like competition.

I happen to believe taxation supports important government services (like, say, fine budget analysis from yours truly, or high quality teaching at certain area high schools). But that bumper sticker is still damn funny. Two other favorites (both seen frequently around the Mac-Groveland neighborhood):

Abstinence Only
No Bush, No Dick in '04

and

Jesus doesn't love you.
And neither do I.

See, I'm chuckling right now.

Shout out: MN National Guard

Today's shout out goes to our state's men and women in camouflage. I have the pleasure of working with a few gentlemen from the Guard's administration. In addition to being great to work with, these guys represent a truly impressive organization. A few examples:

• According to recent testimony at the legislature by the head of MN-NG (Adjutant General Shellito), the Minnesota Guard has the best recruitment of any state (even during wartime) and is frequently chosen for federal missions because it is one of the best trained, equipped, and staffed guards in the nation.
  
• MN-NG is developing a nation-leading reintegration program to help returning troops settle successfully back into their lives.
• According to a recent public radio story, MN-NG is one of few military organizations to support blogging by its active duty members despite other military organizations' reticence.
  

It's pretty incredible listening to recent public radio stories about what soldiers (Guard and otherwise) and their families face. With deployments to both Bosnia and Iraq, many of the 2,700 MN-NG members currently on active duty have been overseas 3 out of the last 6 years. That has to be a little more soldier than they expected when signing up to be citizen-soldiers.