The Den and Doug Show

Here’s an all too typical exchange between D.F. Rogers and myself.

***On Wed 5:47p Dec 10, 2008 Doug Pratt wrote***
Who’s this in the attached picture? You know who it is. You do. But you’re so stunned, so shocked, you don’t want to admit it to yourself, let alone tell me you know who it is.

A well known celebrity

***On Wed 5:52p Dec 10, 2008 Dennis Rogers wrote***
Ozzy Osborne after a face-lift? A female Ozzy Osborne impersonator?

***On Wed 5:53p Dec 10, 2008 Doug Pratt wrote***
Not even close, flyboy! Into the garbage chute with you.

Bigger, Better BlogRat

Lots has been changed. Not just with the blog theme, but with how I capture and edit video. With any luck there won’t be any problems serious enough to force me to go back to the way the blog looked. Let me know what you think. You may, of course, prefer the more claustrophobic format.

One topic I’ve wanted to tackle for a long time is Ayn Rand. Her influence extends from Spider-Man artist and co-creator Steve Ditko to former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan. Here are ten minutes from The Fountainhead, directed by King Vidor.

[flv:http://www.dograt.com/Video/2008/DEC/TheFountainhead.flv 480 360]

For Christ’s Sake say Merry Christmas

A couple of days ago I saw this news item:

(CNN) — An atheist sign criticizing Christianity that was erected alongside a Nativity scene was taken from the Legislative Building in Olympia, Washington, on Friday and later found in a ditch.

As I’ve discussed before, throughout college I was a Born Again Christian, which means that to those of you who believe I’m a back slider. Someone of faith who I knew at school is named Felicia. Her Web presence is Felicia Faith, and if you go there you will find a bumper sticker for sale that says, “For Christ’s Sake Say Merry Christmas.”

FeliciaFaith.com

I think Felicia’s sticker is a great idea. She’s stating the case that Linus makes in “A Charlie Brown Christmas” — Christmas is all about Christ. I think Christmas cards can say “Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays” or “Merry Christmas and Happy New Year” and not offend anyone, even if the recipient isn’t Christian.

I have no problem with nativity scenes on public property during Christmas. Allowing a manger on a town common endorses Christianity no more than displaying a menorah means Judaism is favored by the local government. But I also feel that atheists are entitled say what they want as well. Freedom of speech and equal access.

Pulling signs down because they espouse a position you don’t agree with is silly and stupid. Are these people that unsure of Jesus and their faith in Him? Which brings me to tonight’s word — Stephen Colbert.

What’s up with the DVD of A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All!? First it was on sale, as seen at this Amazon.com link. Here’s Stephen’s pitch for it.

[flv:http://www.dograt.com/Video/2008/DEC/ColbertXmasAmazon.flv 440 330]

But then it apparently sold out and was available only through Amazon Marketplace sellers. But now it’s going to be “released again” on Monday. Why a separate release date? Why not just say it will be back in stock? Confusing. Anyway, I think the Colbert Christmas show is note perfect, although I suppose you have to be of a certain age to remember the ultra-corny Christmas TV specials he’s making fun of.

One of the best bits on the program is with country music singer Toby Keith, who I’d heard had gone through something of a political conversion during the Presidential campaign. The songs Keith does still sound like crank-em-out jobs to me, but this commentary on the watering down of Christmas is worth seeing.

[flv:http://www.dograt.com/Video/2008/DEC/ColbertChristmas.flv 440 330]