Here’s this week’s OpinionList. I put some pictures in it, but don’t let that fool you.
POLITICS
No More Tea For Me: That seems to be the sentiment felt by most Republicans these days as they have begun to wake up and smell the coffee. The New York Times reports, “The House voted overwhelmingly on Wednesday, 359 to 67, to approve a $1.1 trillion spending bill for the current fiscal year, shrugging off the angry threats of Tea Party activists and conservative groups whose power has ebbed as Congress has moved toward fiscal cooperation.” 166 Republicans voted for the spending bill with only 64 voting against it. Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK) stated, “Our people learned a lot of tough lessons in the last year, and I think you’re seeing the tough lessons applied.” I hope he’s right.
Have Two Kochs Not: Politico reports, “House Democrats are finally hitting back at the Koch brothers. House Majority PAC, a Democratic group that invests in congressional races, will begin running TV ads Thursday defending two Arizona Democrats, Reps. Ann Kirkpatrick and Ron Barber — both of whom have come under attack from Americans for Prosperity, a conservative group financed by billionaire industrialists Charles and David Koch.” Well, it’s about time! I’ve been wondering how long it was going to take Democrats to strike back, all the time thinking, “Have a Coke and a smile? We have two Kochs and we’re gagging.”
Reid’s Asinine Comment: Republicans are claiming that Senate Democrats wanted the extension to unemployment benefits to fail, so that they can accuse the GOP of obstruction. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid replied, “This is asinine that they would even suggest that.” However, Senator Reid should understand that it’s normal for Republicans to believe this. Liars believe that everyone lies, cheaters believe that everyone cheats, and Republicans believe that everyone is as callous as they are.
TELEVISION
Advice To Jeff Zucker On CNN: Jeff Zucker, CNN’s worldwide president is a man on a mission: to save CNN. He has a 7-point plan which includes keeping news a central focus of the network and pursuing Ann Curry. But on his desire to stay passionate, not partisan, I’d advise him to dig very deep. Back in October 2012, I was very disturbed with the obvious slant towards Mitt Romney taken by most of CNN anchors. In my post from that period, CNN Is Fox News Lite I counted 23 Republican vs. 14 political contributors and I explained why I thought that the network was suffering. Mainly because they were selling themselves as neutral when they were anything but. I wish him luck. I’d like to see a news channel that reports facts without a red or blue filter. I’m just not sure it is still possible to have.
Dressing Down: Could I be taken seriously as an opinionista if I didn’t do a Golden Globe fashion police segment? Of course not. For the sake of brevity, I will only do 10 12 (in no particular order) of the what-were-they-thinking outfits? Disclaimer: Opinions on the dresses are not a reflection of how I feel about the actresses wearing them. For the WHOLE Red Carpet, click on the link. Also, for bigger, better photos of those below, or if you just want to find their heads.
Sandra Bullock: Her designer ran out of pink fabric, then ran out of black fabric, then ran out of blue fabric. Although, it’s possible he ran out of black fabric first. Even possible he wanted the dress to be blue and pink, or blue and black. I’m as confused as he was when he made it.
Julia Roberts: Someone should tell her that you don’t wear your husband’s white shirt over a strapless dress, much less under it.
Jennifer Lawrence: A lot has been written about her dress, whether it was a duvet or a sheet…I thought that the dress looked like what the Michelin Tires guy would wear after a diet and a sex change.
Jessica Lange: 1. Did she use her velvet curtains for that dress? 2. Does she like velvet curtains?
Lena Dunham: Whoa, that’s way too much yellow. I had to put sunglasses on.
Zosia Mamet: Yes, the roots will keep growing and will take over her entire body including her face.
Paula Patton: She could have made another dress with all that extra fabric.
Kaley Cuoco: A coal miner and a painter wiped their hands on her dress.
Berenice Bejo: First red-carpet rule: Don’t wear red. Actually, don’t wear a red carpet.
Kate Mara: This dress makes her look like a sexy Martian. No, it’s not a compliment.
Taissa Farmiga: I have no words, not only because I hate this dress but because I have no idea who this person is.
Elisabeth Moss: I do know who she is, but I still have no words.
LIFE
Taking A Walk: While watching my sons when they were toddlers trying to walk—very cute and very stressful—I used to wonder why we need to learn to walk. It should be kind of automatic, right? I mean it’s not like our feet are pointy. We have two flat extensions at the end of our legs that are perfectly suited for the task. Well, as it turns out, walking is so difficult that even computer simulations fail at times. If you want to laugh, click on the link.
Lovesick: Oh là là, French President Hollande’s partner, Valerie Trierweiler, was admitted into the hospital after finding out that he’s been having an extra-non-marital affair (Hollande and Trierweller are not married) with a younger woman. Just another womanizer making us women—well, at least one—sick. In any case, Trierweller has given a new (and truer) meaning to the term “lovesick.”
Sick With Love?: In a further twist to the Hollande/Trierweiler story, doctors are not allowing the French President to visit his lovesick partner “saying she is tired and needs a complete break.” I’d say she needs a break-up, but what do I know? I’m American.
In the meantime, President Hollande is sending Trierweiler flowers and chocolate and she is now strong enough to give an interview to RTL, a French radio station that reports, “François Hollande has not yet visited her in hospital, but Valérie Trierweiler doesn’t want people to think he is neglecting her at such a painful time. She has let it be known that it is the doctors who have banned the head of state from coming to see her ….” I don’t think he’s neglecting her in the hospital, I think he neglected her when he had his affair with the younger woman, which is why I also find it weird that she’s so worried about how people are going to judge him. Unless, what she’s really worried about is that the French are already discarding her as First Partner.
Note: Original Publication Date: 1-17-14. Date change is for display purposes only.
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