Sarah Palin Embarrasses Herself

Have you felt an emptiness in your life recently? A void in your soul? No, it's not because it gets dark around 4:30 or because the weather is turning frigid. It's more likely because you are not getting your daily dose of Sarah Palin that you were so used to during the campaign season. Those winks. Those glasses. Those shout-outs to Joe the Plumber and Tito the Builder. Admit it, you miss her, if only for entertainment's sake.

Fortunately, there's an interview that hit the web today that reminds us why we love Sarah Palin so much. The interview takes place - where else? - at a turkey farm in Alaska where Palin looks like the quintessential hockey mom: winter coat and scarf on, cup of coffee in hand, standing in front of turkeys being slaughtered in a machine. Wait? What? Here she is in all her oblivious-to-what-is-going-on-behind-her glory. Close your eyes at 1:52 if you love turkeys:



Alaska may be "the land of opportunities and possibilities" as Palin says, but apparently not for that turkey. Is this what happens when McCain's handlers aren't around to script her every move?

Thanks to Ashley for the tip!

(CNN covered the story here)

Brian Williams Embarrasses Himself

For being one of Time's most 100 influential people, newscaster Brian Williams sure knows how to make a fool of himself.

Many of you know my Sunday weakness for the free Parade magazine stuffed in the newspaper with the comics and Best Buy ads. Today as I opened up the Post, I saw Brian Williams staring up at me on the cover of Parade with the goofiest grin on his face and a slice of pizza in his hand:

"What America Eats" it reads on the cover. And apparently, Brian Williams is an expert. Where were his handlers and publicist on this one? In an additional article titled "I'm Blissfully in Love With Food Courts," Williams writes:

My problem is limiting the choices. I will do a slice at Sbarro, or I’ll go to A&W—their cheeseburgers are underrated, and need I say more about a cold mug of frosty root beer? Cinnabon exhaust fumes have a hold over me like crack cocaine would over an addict. And when I’m on the road and see that friendly Arby’s, Cracker Barrel, or Waffle House sign, it might as well read, “Brian, Welcome Home.”

I've always been slightly put off by Williams ever since he replaced Tom Brokaw on the NBC Nightly News. I've never really taken to the guy and after seeing that ridiculous picture (there's an even better one in the print version of the story with coffee and a doughnut) and reading his I-love-Cinnabon article, I don't think I ever will.

To read Williams' full story (and you know you want to), click here.

"Kicking It" at Georgetown

Tonight, the Georgetown University Library Associates screened the documentary "Kicking It" at Georgetown's Gaston Hall. The film tells the story of the 4th Annual Homeless World Cup held in Cape Town in 2006 through the eyes of players from the US, Ireland, Kenya, Russia, Afghanistan, and Spain. The tournament, played on a street soccer pitch, hosted 500 homeless players from 48 countries that year.

"Kicking It" does a fantastic job of showing the humanity of these men who have spent time on the streets and in jail and rehab, yet all with the goal of improving their lives through sport, exercise, and teamwork. At the end of the film, which features extensive interviews, training, and actual tournament footage, I felt as if I had made the journey with them even though I'll never be able to fully comprehend the challenges and struggles these men have faced.

Producer Ted Leonisis (of AOL/Lincoln Holdings/SnagFilms fame) and director Susan Koch led a Q&A session following the screening where they discussed the power of film as a catalyst for social progress and what Leonis calls "filmanthropy." "Kicking It" is a great example of the ability of the documentary genre to educate, entertain, and, hopefully, create a force for positive change. It's a must see, especially in these tough economic times which are disproportionately affecting the most needy.

To watch a 20 minute excerpt on SnagFilms, click here.

To visit the official "Kicking It" website, click here.

For more on the Homeless World Cup (to be held next month in Melbourne, Australia), click here.

***UPDATE***: Ted linked to this post on his great blog, Ted's Take (thanks!)

Time to Do This Change Thing

My apartment is back to normal. The beer and champagne bottles have been recycled. The mini keg has been taken out. And the spinach dip that spent the night congealing on the kitchen table has been tossed. Last night's festivities felt like a joyful mix of New Year's Eve, Super Bowl Sunday, Christmas morning, and - oh yeah - Election night, all rolled into one. November 4, 2008 will be one of those dates that you'll look back on and say, "I remember where I was when the American people elected Barack Obama the president of the United States of America."

I'll let the pundits and the historians explain the significance of last night's victory. What does it mean for American politics? What does it mean for race relations? What does it mean for the US's connections with the rest of the world? What does it mean for you and me? Time will surely tell. But those of us living in the United States today will forever be linked to a moment in American history when we smashed the status quo and said we can do better. Nothing is ever going to be the same again - and that's a good thing.

But let's be honest - we just gave Barack Obama a damn difficult challenge. Two wars. The threat of terrorism. An economic meltdown. An environmental crisis. What a reward for almost two years of campaigning non-stop. But I feel Obama is ready - particularly if he surrounds himself with intelligent and dedicated people. I just finished reading James Mann's The Rise of Vulcans: The History of Bush's War Cabinet, a well-crafted, highly-detailed, and fascinating look at George W. Bush's inner circle during his first team. Simply put, you are who you surround yourself with. Every cabinet secretary, administrative assistant, and aide brings a personal history with them when they arrive at the White House which shapes the persona of an administration.

Bush didn't do such a good job of picking his advisors. Over the next few weeks, we'll see who Obama chooses. Joe Biden was a good start. And Rahm Emanuel is a get-things-done kind of guy. So stay tuned to find out who else rounds out Team Obama.

And then let's do this change thing...

Johnny Cash Says Go Vote!

Now I'm not going to guess who Johnny Cash would vote for in this year's election (some guy was bold enough to do that already and was rightly rebuked by Roseanne Cash for doing so), but all I can say today is go out and vote! You're not too busy, it's not too rainy, the lines aren't too long (though they are long), and your vote truly does count. Don't let history pass you by - let your voice be heard and fulfill your duty as an American: