Aug 242011
 
"April Fools Day" is an illustration...

Image via Wikipedia

 

April Fools Day is past and this Coot is just fine with that. Who dreamed up that idea anyway? Justin claims that Chaucer was the guy but how would you know. My high school English teacher always claimed that the Canterbury Tales was written in English but you couldn’t prove it by me. You could claim that Chaucer discovered relativity and get away with it. Anyway, whether Chaucer thought it up or not, April Fools Day is past and we got off pretty easy this year. Maybe there is just too much bad news for anyone to be pushing more, even in fun.  Anyway who ever said that April Fools Day was fun anyway?

The Five Worst April Fools’ Jokes

It does seem that the world is going to hell in a hand-basket when you read this story from France. I always think that the French, if they don’t get anything else right are masterful in appreciating the beauty of the feminine form. France is the center of fashion and couture and French women are known for their beauty and culture. But today we hear that a French Mayor has banned a bust of the French heroine Maryanne for — being too busty. Next thing you know he’ll be demanding that she wear a burka. I’m afraid that it is all over for France.

French mayor upset about statue’s breasts

Back in the US, there is speculation that the attack of gibberish-speaking TV commentators is not a random happening; It may be caused by the government’s experiments in mind control. Speculation is that the Tea Party revolution has so unnerved the government that it has upped the level of mind control activity to countermand it and the increased babbling of TV hosts is the consequence. Previously, only politicians were receiving high enough doses to babble and the public became so accustomed to political speak that it became an accepted commonplace. Now that it is affecting entertainment, the government is beginning to worry that somebody will notice that nobody is thinking clearly and can’t talk straight. This Coot is thinking that  It may be time for that tin-foil helmet.

Are U.S. government microwave mind-control tests causing TV presenters’ brains to melt down?

Speaking of the government, it’s all you can do these days to avoid hearing about cutting government extravagance so it is nice to hear a story that proves that the government can get good value for those tax dollars they pry from our hands each April. Take the Pentagon, for example, full of military and civilian workers with only one purpose- the protection of American citizens and the American way of life. With this daunting task, anything that can lighten that work burden and brighten the heavy labor involved is good. So I am happy to learn about the Gurgling Toad Sculpture that on the way. $600,000 was never so well spent.

Pentagon Art: $600,000 Gurgling Toad Sculpture

But there is more good news to share. Thankfully, we aren’t getting nearly so many stories from Japan clogging our media and once in a while there is a happy story like this one. Rescuers have found a dog floating in the ocean in a nearly submerged house nearly three weeks after bin swept into the sea. No word about the dog’s owners or what the dog ate during the ordeal.

Safe and hound: Tsunami dog found alive and well in Japan after THREE WEEKS adrift at sea on a floating house

And finally this week a new cook book that can help you apply technology to your cooking. Want to take your culinary mastery to a new level/ This book will teach you tricks that even Bobby Flay doesn’t know.

Vacuum Sealing for the Everyday Cook

So that’s the Coot’s News Service update for April 3, 2011. I hope you survived April Fools Day and are ready for the Spring weather that finally seems to be breaking out. Be sure to comments on any stories that you could do without and earn credit for your Associate Coot degree.

 

Ralph

Ralph is the inspiration for Cantankerous Old Coots and is our Grand Duke of Cantankerousness

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Aug 242011
 
The Paper Boy
Image by Mike Bailey-Gates via Flickr

Coots read the news so you don’t have to

Dallas Star Larry Hagman’s LSD Trip

Lots of Coots will remember the psychedelic 60’s with pot parties and LSD trips. Those were the days when drugs were fun instead of treatment for what ails you. Larry was always up front about alcohol – or maybe he just couldn’t hide it but now he comes clean. Larry thinks that a little LSD trip is just what our politicians need to get their heads on straight. Maybe he is right. Nothing else seems to work.

Police still uncertain if ex-con was involved in Hollywood publicist’s murder

Ronni Chasen is certainly not a household name but is apparently a well-known Hollywood publicist. Coots are not sure what a publicist does but we think it is similar to Aunt Agnes back home. Out Auntie knew who was pregnant and even better who was at risk of being pregnant. You never knew if it was safe to talk to her because she always managed to find out what you didn’t want anybody to know. Still, if you didn’t talk to her you would never learn the latest gossip. Apparently Auntie missed out by staying in Missouri. Nobody ever told her that she could earn a living doing what she loved. Still, she is 87 and  going strong unlike Ronni. Police seem baffled that a suspect would rather kill himself than talk to them. Perhaps a Dale Carnegie course would help.

UFO enthusiasts want to build memorial to ‘fallen aliens’ in Ukraine

There must be something in the water there in Ukraine that affects behavior because just last week we were reading about topless demonstrations there. Oh wait, there is something in the water. There was something about fallout from a nuclear power plant a few years back. Now it seems that humanists in Ukraine are concerned that humans have not shown proper respect for fallen aliens. It is not clear why these aliens are falling and what is drawing them to Ukraine. Coots wonder if it is the topless demonstrators that have distracted the aliens and caused them to fall – or perhaps it is just another consequence from Chernobyl.

Cellphones abound in California prisons

Coots have been troubled lately by California prisons. Recently the courts are considering whether treatment for prisoners is so bad that 40 thousand of them need to be released, apparently so they can go on Medical. Now we learn that there is a proliferation of cell phones in California prisons. The apparent cause of this epidemic is the poor pay for prison guards who can make $1,000 each time they deliver a cell phone to a prisoner. One of the happy new cell phone users, a criminal named Charles Manson reached out and touched people is several states. Coots aren’t sure if he is one of the 40,000 being considered for release.

Obama issues first pardons (nine of them)

After two years in office, President Obama has pardoned nine lucky prisoners.

“The President was moved by the strength of the applicants’ post-conviction efforts at atonement, as well as their superior citizenship and individual achievements in the years since their convictions,”

It isn’t clear how they managed to impress the President with their redemption but none of them appear to be serving time. None of them are from California either. OK, Mr. President, the Coots can see that you are a compassionate man of the people. Now what about my taxes?

Obama talks to Karzai, thanks U.S. troops during Afghanistan visit

During a surprise trip to Afghanistan, the President thanked the troops and said that because of their efforts Afghanistan would never again be a haven for hostile troops. After declaring victory, the troop withdrawals will begin next summer. There was no comment from the Taliban.

Obama gets bad news on the unemployment front

Coots don’t understand why newspapers think this is bad news for the President, After all, he still has a job.Following  nearly six months of lazer-like focus on what Vice President Joe Biden calls the three letter word – J O B S, unemployment goes up. Maybe the best thing that can happen for unemployed Americans would be some diversion for the administration. Let’s send the President on another trip. There must be some country that wants to see him.

Obama aides, Republicans talk tax cuts (quietly)

The White House and Republican leaders are rumored to be talking quietly to finally resolve the tax increase scheduled to happen on January 1st. These increases are the result of putting a time limit on the tax reductions from 10 years ago. With the economy in the tank, the pressure is on Democrats to relent but even a wipe out last month hasn’t made much of an impact. This Coot see the Democrats as having the same philosophy as my wife. Every thing I earn is our money while what she earns is hers. I get to spend what she thinks is not needed elsewhere. Democrats want everything I earn to help them do good. They don’t even think that the tax increase in January is enough. Next year looks even tougher than this one.

That’s the news for today.  Now this Coot is off to take a nap.

Ralph

Ralph is the inspiration for Cantankerous Old Coots and is our Grand Duke of Cantankerousness

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Aug 212011
 
Mikazaru - Hear No Evil / Day 73 --- 2 of 3 in...

Image by Saynine via Flickr

Take a hike! 

Finding good news this week is like taking a hike in Afghanistan. You have to look very carefully where you step. Still you don’t get to be a Cantankerous Old Coots without learning a few things. The first one is how to plug up your ears and scream when the news shows come on. The second is to stop watching Fox and MSNBC and tune to HLN. Nancy Grace never fails to cheer me up about the human condition and Dr. Drew makes me feel like a caring, compassionate human while I enjoy watching trailer park trash ruin their lives. At worst you listen to a few lawyers but you will never find a politician. Blessed relief from daily life.

But enough about me.

You want the good news this week and the Coots News Service is here to scratch that itch. Let’s start with the very best news. Politicians are fleeing the capital like rats from a sinking ship. I know I’d rather see them all drown but at least the damage they can inflict on you and me is minimized when they are out of that hell hole.

Obama Isn’t the Only One to Take a Break

I don’t know if this is related but oil prices are down and some experts think they will stay down for a while.

Oil-le-lujah! Gas Prices Will Continue Falling in US

Looking outside the country there is good news from Japan. You may know that recently there just hasn’t been much good to say about Japan but today CNS is happy to report that, at long last, there is something good happening there. It seems that the Japanese people are incurably honest. Despite the great losses and property damage recently, people in Japan have been working overtime to make sure that money found in the rubble is restored to its rightful owners.  Heartwarming, isn’t it?

Honest Japanese Return Total of $78 Million in Cash Found in Quake Rubble

It’s always heartwarming when someone saves a doomed animal.  In the UK, there is good news for a puppy in an animal shelter who won the heart of Camilla and now can anticipate a life of royal luxury.

Balmoral bound, the unloved rescue centre pup that won Camilla’s heart

From Russia, some more good news for animal lovers. There has been a second baby mammoth discovered frozen in time. With two of these treasures, perhaps the Russians can thaw them out and start a family.

SECOND WELL-PRESERVED BABY MAMMOTH FOUND IN RUSSIA

We are almost done for this week. I saved the best story for last. For years the Coots have watched the progressive decay of the family. More and more, couples give up on marriage and raise their children in chaotic dysfunctional custody arrangements. Nobody seems willing to live up to the marriage vows about better and worse, richer and poorer. These days if there is a problem, just call it all off. Experts have long studied this problem and complained about how the family is dead. Well there is good news about the family and it all comes from spending less money on government instead of more. It seems that the California budget cuts are going to help us lower the high rate of divorce.

San Francisco court budget cuts will delay divorces

Hang tough. There is always good news, even these days and if anybody tries  to tell you different, just plug your ears and scream bloody murder. Trust me, hey will leave you alone.

 

Ralph

Ralph is the inspiration for Cantankerous Old Coots and is our Grand Duke of Cantankerousness

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Aug 142011
 
Cornfield. Detail of crops

Image via Wikipedia

Are you fed up with Iowa? 

This week it has been hard to find news that doesn’t somehow involve Iowa. Why anyone cares about Iowa or more specifically what Iowans think about anything is beyond me. I confess to never setting foot in Iowa despite growing up in a neighborhing state. There is absolutely no reason to go there. Anything that Iowa has that you might need can be shipped. One good measure of how boring it must be to live in Iowa is that they welcome politicians so they can try our their ‘not ready for prime time’ acts there. It’s bad enough to deal with politicians every two or four years but in Iowa it is perpetual. I don’t know the sad story about how Iowa got to have such unjustified influence on the country but the Coots want to start a groundswell to get it stopped. Ask yourself if there is anything important that ever came our of Iowa and why we shouldn’t give this upstart state its come uppance by kicking it out of the Union. Let’s build on the backlash around the country about having our politicians vetted by corn-fed yokels. Let’s eliminate Iowa so we can get our country back. Maybe it is already starting.

Iowa’s place at center of political world under threat

Ok, so much for politics. Let’s get back to the fun ‘Cool’ stuff like fast boats. Let’s face it, boats have gotten dull. They all look so, well, boat-like. There is just no surprise when you see a boat, even a fast one, until now. There is a new fast boat in town that looks like it might have been created by Batman. If you’ve gotten bored with boats these days then check this one out.

THIS IS THE LUXURY BOATING INDUSTRY’S NEW SUPERHERO-ESQUE SPEED RACER

There is great news for the dating scene this week too. These days sometimes that innocent drink gets spiked with a little something that lowers a girls resistance. What is a girl to do? If she only knew that her date was a scuzz she could avoid a bad experience. Well now she has a solution. There is a new device that can check drinks for the presence of date rape drugs.

SEE HOW A COOL NEW SENSOR CAN DETECT ANY DATE RAPE DRUG IN YOUR DRINK

We’ve got some lifestyle good news as well this week. You know that boring backyard swimming pool that you never use? Kill the damn thing and replace it with something you can really use. Even in LA where a backyard pool is practically required, this couple pioneers a whole new backyard lifestyle.

Granada Hills couple replaces unused backyard pool with dynamic outdoor living space

And another example for that kid of yours that keeps crying because he wants you to send to Berkeley. Since all he will learn there is how to picket military recruiters, cut our the middleman. Send him to Europe to live on the streets so he can become a billionaire.

Life Lessons From a Fire-Breathing, Stilt-Walking Billionaire

And finally, great news for the shoe business. Now you don’t just buy shoes for walking,. Now you can run your air conditioner and hike at the same time. It’s awesome.  Think it would work with gum?

ELECTRIC SHOES..A GAME CHANGER FOR THE HUGE FOOTWEAR INDUSTRY

So that’s the good news for this week. All in all.,I’m pretty pleased. You don’t even have to think about the stock market or politics.  Take a hike and save the planet.

Ralph

Ralph is the inspiration for Cantankerous Old Coots and is our Grand Duke of Cantankerousness

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Aug 072011
 
2010 River Heights Sock Hop

Image by Cloe_rose via Flickr

 

I say fire all the reporters.

Have you ever experienced such a pis poor offering of news as this week? Well it just pushes the Coot’s News Service to work harder finding stories that make the week brighter. Let’s start with the President who reached the half-century mark this week by having a cook-out followed by a sock hop in the White House . The country may be on the ropes but we’ve got a leader that knows how to party hearty. You go Prez!

Obama’s 50th Birthday bash: Stevie Wonder, Chris Rock, Tom Hanks, Whoopi Goldberg, Herbie Hancock, Jay Z

Continuing the good news, maybe you can’t afford to send Junior to Yale- or even community college but it doesn’t mean he can’t have a bright future. Plenty of big companies are run by college dropouts. Just tell him to get a job or- better yet- start up a company in the garage.

Biggest Businesses Run by College Dropouts

Continuing with the good news is this breakthrough research. It seems that living a healthy lifestyle is nothing but hogwash Scientists find that it doesn’t contribute a bean to living longer. It seems that you die when you are supposed to die no matter what you eat and how you exercise so forget all that healthy crap your doctor has pushed on you. Eat up! Loosen that belt and let it all hang out.

Living to see 100 is just luck, not lifestyle 

Have you been conned into a membership with Angies List yet. Apparently it helps you find the best suppliers but it is also a vehicle for complainers. Thanks to Angie, anyone with a beef can post a compliant about a business. Doctors are no exception. Would you like to know that Dr. J has cold hands? Maybe you’d like to avoid Dr. K who has bad breath. Well with all this negative going around Doctors have come back with their own website. This one lets other Doctors know what patients are chronic complainers. It’s only fair.

Doctors Turn The Tables On Their Patients With A New Patient Rating Site

Now we come to a breakthrough new product we may all be needing soon. It’s a coat that turns into a sleeping bag – perfect when you are homeless – a coat you can live in.

How A 21-Year-Old Design Student’s Sleeping-Bag Coat Could Break The Cycle Of Homelessness

We are going to wrap up the news this week with something light hearted. It’s a game. See if you can match the thief with the object they stole. I tried it and believe me it’s harder than it looks.

Match the arrestee with the item they allegedly stole.

That’s the news for this week. Given what we had to work with, I’m pretty pleased. Keep smiling no matter what the reporters throw at you until we post the next edition of CNS next week.  Keep smiling!

Ralph

Ralph is the inspiration for Cantankerous Old Coots and is our Grand Duke of Cantankerousness

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