HOT AIR GAZETTE

Monday, February 4, 2013

NEXT!

Johann Wagener 2-4-13

Now that the game (Super Bowl) is a thing of the past it’s time to find new ways to pass the time while we save up for the next big game.

Even though this year’s numbers aren't in yet it’s safe to say that, if the trend stays the same, Americans blew a whole bunch of cash; money that could have gone to retirement savings or the kid’s college fund on a game.

Wer'e not talking chump change here. We’re talking about “billions of dollars” ,some of it tax dollars, to put on this 2 hour spectacular. Even though this years numbers aren’t in, based on the last few years trends, I can safely say it will be over $50 billion and probably much closer to $100 billion.

READ ABOUT HERE; http://www.treehugger.com/culture/by-the-numbers-super-bowl-facts-and-figures.html

AND HERE; http://blog.turbotax.intuit.com/2012/01/22/super-bowl-bound-how-much-is-spent-for-americas-biggest-game/

OR HERE; If you want to know how your tax dollars are used; http://nextcity.org/daily/entry/the-economic-mixed-bag-that-is-the-super-bowl

So, what to do now? Well, not to worry. The folks in Hollywood have found something guaranteed to get your mind off your troubles and pass the time.

Just click on IMFDB.ORG where you can while the hours away looking at what your favorite stars packed blowing away the bad guys (sometime the good ones). NOTE: no mass murder shooters please! This is just for family entertainment.

P.S. I hesitated a little in posting this because of who’s attention I might draw. On the other hand, I concluded that it’s better to bring this to everyone’s attention. The shooters have probable already been there.

Sunday, February 3, 2013

OXY-MORON

Johann Wagener 2-3-13

Having a “therapy” session with a “disturbed” individual on a gun range’ and giving him a loaded assault weapon to help him work through his issues? The contradiction is astounding to say the least.

Chris Kyle may have been a sharp shooter, but wasn’t too sharp when it came to assessing dangerous situations. His death, like many others lately, was another of those senseless tragedies that could have been avoided.

This is especially true in this case.

What this also brings into the light is how this culture not only glorifies guns, but also those who get high scores on the number of kills. The fact that these 160 plus targets were the enemy doesn’t have much to do with how society reacts to killing people. Enemies and targets are all relative and change all the time. Sometimes they are just imagined. Newtown is a stark example.

Getting a “best selling” book out of the deal would not be in the cards if we respect life.

Disabled Piglet Chris P. Bacon Uses K'nex Wheelchair

DEAR MR. La PIERRE

DEAR MR La PIERRE!

Johann Wagener 2-3-13

I woke up this morning thinking about Wayne La Pierre. No, not like that! Get your mind out of the gutter!

What got me to thinking about Mr. La Pierre were the comments he made recently when, in his staunch reassuring way, he told members of a Congressional Committee investigating gun control that, “the only thing to can stop “bad” people with guns are “good” people with guns.” That got him both cheers and boo’s depending on whose side the audience was on.

But for me, it got me to thinking. So, after a few weeks of letting the thought incubate, if you will, I came up with one question for Mr. La Pierre and his fans.

Mr. La Pierre, would you answer this question for me?

If the solution to our gun problem are “good” people with guns stopping “bad” people with guns, please explain, how do we tell the difference between the “good” one’s and the “bad” one’s?

Will they be wearing T-shirts that say “I’m One of the “good” guys?”

Or will everyone be wearing a different colored arm band like in those war games the military put on?

Or, are we going to be able to tell by their skin color? Will that give them away?

Maybe it could be the color of their clothing? Are they wearing a hoodie? Or playing their music too loud?

I need some guidance here Mr. La Pierre so that when I take myself and my kids to a movie or the mall; or school, I’ll be able to know who my target is.

It’s not like the old days when I could pick out the good guys because of the uniforms and badges they wore. Back then I could just assume that the rest of the folks; except for maybe a “disturbed” few, were just like me (at least sort of) going to take in a movie, or do some shopping.

This is going to be much more difficult if you have your way Mr. La Pierre, which is why I’m asking for an answer to my question.

Should I just use the “stand your ground” guidelines so that when I “perceive” that someone is a “bad” guy, I can pull my Bushmaster and empty a 100 round clip into them?

I need to know Mr. La Pierre, because I don’t want to waste all that ammo by mistakenly mowing down one of the “good” people.

I need to know that, like the guy in Florida a few months back, that I can “stand my ground” if perceive that someone playing their music too loud is one of the “bad” ones? Read more here: http://www.politicususa.com/man-killed-florida-teen-loud-music-alters-story-fit-stand-ground.html

If you answer this question for me Mr. La Pierre I’ll back you and the NRA 100% in your battle against gun control.

Just so you know, I’m not going to hold by breath while waiting for an answer because I don’t really expect one anytime soon, if ever.

A BOX OFFICE HIT

GUN TOTING TEENS IN THEATERS NEAR YOU!

Johann Wagener 2-3-13

Relax! They’re not in the seats next to you. They’re up on the big screen blowing warm bodies apart as fast as you can count them.

Read more here; http://www.eonline.com/news/383587/warm-bodies-primer-5-things-to-know-before-warming-up-to-the-hottest-zombie-rom-com

Wow! What a blast (excuse the pun) that must be! Heads being blown off; brain tissue splattering all over the screen. I’m told this mind blowing (Oh! another pun) hit is going to be right up there with the Super Bowl another much revered form of entertaining ourselves. (I’m being sarcastic) I wonder if there are people standing in line in Aurora, Colorado or Newtown, Connecticut just dying (pun intended) to see this one?

So, just in case, you might want to look at the person seated next to you. What to look for is dark clothing, possibly a bloated look from covering up body armor, and a duffle bag. If the profile fits anyone in the auditorium I suggest you head for the nearest exit.

Whatever you do don’t yell “gun” because if the NRA had its way, no one is going to come out of there alive.

Just a suggestion.

SIFTING THE WHEAT FROM THE CHAFF

Gallup: Here Are the Most ‘Conservative’ & ‘Liberal’ States

SUPER MADNESS DAY!

SUPER MADNESS

Johann Wagener 2-3-13

What is it about watching a bunch of tattooed emblazoned over grown men, pumped up on steriods, running up and down a field chasing a ball, and scrambling their brains in the process, that gets Americans so excited? How did that become the “great American pastime”?

I know I’ll get into trouble for asking this question. I’ll hear, “Hey! Don’t mess with my football” just like I heard, “don’t mess with my guns” when I questioned the popularity of killing people.

On the other hand, a question unasked, is a question that will never be answered. And, believe it or not, there are plenty of people, including the players who want some answers;

read it here: http://www.pri.org/stories/arts-entertainment/nfl-faces-class-action-lawsuit-from-thousands-of-former-players-12846.html

There might be rational arguments on both sides, but I would think we could all agree that making money (up to $3,600.00 as seat for today’s spectacle) and calling it “family entertainment” is pushing the envelope on morality a bit. After all, aren’t we a civilized society that respects life? Aren't we the one’s who want to even protect an embryo from harm? How does that make any sense if we make so much hay about football considering all the people it damages? It’s sort of schizoid, don’t you think?

Let me end on a conciliatory note; I know that there plenty of football fans who just love the game and feel bad about the damage it may cause to some of their heroes. They just want to enjoy the game. In fact, so much so, that they have been good at just ignoring the damage and just focused on the game. That’s more difficult to do now that the cat is out of the bag and many of the players and their families are crying “foul.”

So, here’s a suggestion. How about playing a good old fashioned game of all American “Flag” football? I remembered playing the game as a kid. It was fun, and other than a few skin burns and being out of breath, I came out of the game unscathed. I looked it up on Wikipedia; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_football and it looks like nothing has changed, other than maybe fewer people are playing or watching it these days. The rules are a little different. For example, there’s “no tackling” but then that’s a good thing, isn’t it? Just think how many more of our heroes in tights could live out their lives without needing to be spoon-fed. Other than that the game is pretty much the same; there’s a bunch of pumped up guys, a ball, a referee or two, a field and bleachers, and a few fans that are still enjoying the game. Oh! And a flag.

All that’s missing is the broken bones, bruised muscles, and scrambled brains. So, what do you say, football fans? Let’s play!

Now, for those who might be balking and thinking, “that’s no fun” I think they should take a breath and think about what it is they really “love” about the game. If it’s what I think, then I’d suggest they think about making an appointment with a mental health professional which, by the way is the same advice I gave to the gun “lovers” who just couldn’t have any fun with the gun unless it could mow down at least 20 people in under a minute.

If this is what we call “great American pastimes” I suggest that we do a little soul searching on this one.