Tara Lynn Thompson

Quote Them: Because "stuff" happens

2012-01-27T10:10:00.001-06:00

"On Tuesday at the State of the Union, I laid out my vision for how we move forward. I laid out a blueprint for an economy that's built to last, that has a firm foundation. Where we're making stuff and selling stuff and moving it around and UPS drivers are dropping things off everywhere."

President Obama,
during campaign event in Las Vegas, Nevada this week

The complex made ~~stupid~~ simple. Why does Obama's description of the economy sound a lot like Santa's workshop? Or a lemonade stand?

Trailer VIDEO: Monumental

2012-01-26T17:59:00.000-06:00

Hmmm....

During a youth writing class last summer, a very talented, and equally stubborn, 13-year-old argued her case against history. Specifically, she argued a visit to a museum I had scheduled to take my class that afternoon.

Her arguments?
It's boring.
It isn't interactive.
No entertainment value.

We debated the validity of her claims (I asked her if she believed the bombing of Pearl Harbor was a rather dull story, or if there was simply nothing stirring about Titanic - both major motion pictures). Eventually, she relented to go, especially after I asked her if movies, those great bastions of education, where interactive. And, if so, how theater management felt about her running her hands all over the projector screen.

"You're saying I need to learn to like it," she said.
"I'm saying you've never really experienced it," I answered.

When we arrived, I challenged her to absorb the stories around her. To use it to build upon her writing. To take it in and make it part of who she was, who she would be. To recognize the priceless worth of the stories being told.

When we left, she pulled me aside, her eyes wonderfully overwhelmed. "I never saw history like that before," she said. "I just never saw it. I'll never look at a museum the same again."

That, my friends, is getting a sweet drip of history on the tongue. And realizing it's far sweeter than imagined.

VIDEO: SOTU deja vu

2012-01-25T11:56:00.003-06:00

Obama's speech writers are plagiarizing themselves. As a writer, that is one sweet gig.

VIDEO: What can Obama do in three years?

2012-01-24T10:45:00.000-06:00

This, obviously.

Hey, it takes time to complete a task. This is the argument from liberals. Give him more time! But the problem isn't with what he hasn't accomplished, it's with what he has. Take this pretty little chart colored in soft, nonaggressive blues:

Unemployment? Higher. Federal debt? Higher. Gas prices? Much, much, much - to the tenth power - higher.

Like them or not (he does, we don't), these are Obama's accomplishments. This is the kind of job he does. Time to put him on unemployment. If he loves it for so many other Americans, he can love it for himself, too.

99 Ways to Improve Your Thinking

2012-01-24T10:35:00.000-06:00

To think better, or even at all, Eddie Morra took a pill.

It worked. Sort of. In Limitless, Morra's skills in critical thinking, observation and problem solving increased, as did his overall troubles. For a chemically-enhanced smart guy, he was mournfully clueless.

So that's one option. Pharmaceuticals. Make sure you read the warning label.

Or, there's one possibility your liver will sit up and kiss you for, as creepy as that might be. And that's creative writing.

It's great for witty Facebook posts, snazzy Tweets, and that dusty unfinished novel. What many don't realize is that it is also an unheralded, even hushed, protein-serum for the brain. In fact, The University of Georgia now requires all students to pass two Critical Thinking through Writing courses to obtain their bachelor's degree. No matter the major.

What do they know that the public doesn't?

That creative writing is the simplest, surest, as a writer I must also say the most entertaining, technique for critical thinking. It's like Jazzercize for the mind. Or, if you're partial to the Latin culture, Zumba.

During my 99 Ways to Improve Your Creative Writing class, you'll learn how to shake up your mental lags, to razor-wire your observations, to rocket yourself to a new terrain, to see things no one else does, while also discovering an arsenal you didn't know you possessed and the ability to shoot with precision.

Each Thursday night in February, we'll spend two hours learning these techniques and creative writing boons. You'll realize that fresh ideas aren't only for the few creatives in the world. They are available to all.

It starts with learning the technique to step outside of your thinking limitations. Strike that. There are no thinking limitations. With creative writing techniques, you can be limitless.

Enroll now! The class closes in a few days. Contact TCC, 918.595.7200.

180. The movie making people U-turn.

2012-01-11T20:39:00.001-06:00

I stumbled onto this. Twitter is an amazing little site. Not one I visit often. But in there, if you are looking in the right places, you might find a few treasures. This was one of them, posted on David Barton's wall.

So, out of curiosity to learn about this half hour movie he promoted, I clicked the tiny URL...with no intention of watching the full half hour.

I watched the full half hour. So did over two million others, so far. You will, too.

It's simply that good. And not what you think. But I'll let you discover it for yourself, if you choose. Enjoy. And prepare your ideas for the yoga they are about to endure.

Watch it here or on the 180 site.

In NH, Being Alive to Vote is Irrelevant

2012-01-11T19:49:00.000-06:00

An undercover video. Exposing liberal lies. Has to be James O'Keefe.

Yep. It is. The boy is inexhaustible. Click and enjoy the irony in the last minute.

Nothing but Love for Mia

2012-01-10T13:14:00.000-06:00

She's pure conservative heroin. Mia Love is running for the newly opened Congressional district in Utah. Since I can't vote for her, not being a resident of Utah and all, instead I'm going to write her a letter everyday until she concedes to being my friend.

Good idea? Bad idea?

Yes! Watching this video gives me a crick in my neck from nodding my head in agreement. This is everything that conservatives are: Hard working. Positive. Responsible. Giving. Achieving. Fighting. Independent. Admirable. On and on, this girl has definitely won my patriotic heart.

These are the role models girls should be following. These are the representatives we should be electing.

Good luck Mia! Expect me to make a nuisance of myself soon.

Reason #25,367 why I like Allen West

2011-12-23T12:34:00.003-06:00

From his Facebook:

I do not support this 2-month concession to demagoguery. This is probably the grossest bit of incompetent legislation I've seen since I've been up there this year.

Allen West

A man who recognizes a battle worthy of a tussle.

Why Ron Paul is Dangerous

2011-12-16T15:43:00.002-06:00

He's right. On so many things. But there is one instance, one excessively important instance, in fact, the most important responsibility of a President, where Ron Paul is absolutely wrong. He is a man who refuses to accept the dangerous world we live in now.

And Michelle Bauchmann cut right through to the most important fact at hand: We don't need a Commander-In-Chief with views such as his. The woman knows how to make a point. Careful boys. She's pretty. But she's dangerous.

For any Paul supporters, let me say I wholeheartedly agree with his limited government, his Constitutional respect and adherence, his push back against the federal fingers in the economy. All of it. But the most important, most existential job of a President - in fact, you can take every other responsibility away from this office and leave this one and we'd survive just fine - is leading our American military in our nation's defense. At a time where maniacs, absolute insane individuals bent on world destruction (including their own) are obtaining power truly capable of world annihilation, we do not need anyone in office hesitating on when to call our military to action.

Are our military in places we shouldn't be? Yes. And no, I'm not talking about Iraq or Afghanistan.

But fixing our military strategy should never include degrading their importance overseas to keep us safe. Unless, of course, you'd prefer open war on your own neighborhood block. Then bring them home. And gird your loins. If Paul thinks 8,000 soldiers is a horrific casualty (and it is!), then wait until we start adding American civilians and children to that number. THAT is what those brave soldiers gave their life to stop. His refusal to accept that make him not only disqualified, it makes him dangerous.

UPDATE:
To get the full gist of the video, read the Q&A between the debate moderator and Ron Paul. Rush has the full scope of it. Bachmann's response came after Ron Paul basically said, "Hey, if Iran has nukes, we'll just give them more respect!" Then he uses Syria has an example, explaining how we successfully used diplomacy to remove their nukes. Theeeeen, we killed them.

Of course, he continues to ignore the fact Iran actually wants to die by killing everyone else. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad can barely keep his short, little legs from doing a Fred Astaire number every time he speaks of eradicating the world of Israel. This isn't a nation arming themselves for protection. They are arming their plan to bring back the prophet by bringing the end of the world.

Hype? Ron Paul thinks so. But to believe him, you have to tune out the Iranian President, and the culture, entirely. Does Ron Paul really want to show them respect? Then respect their choice to become destructive lunatics.

Here's an excerpt of the transcript from Rush today. If you are looking for clarity on the Iranian situation, or on Ron Paul in particular, read the full segment. A caller puts things in perspective.

PAUL: You know what I really fear about what's happening here? It's another Iraq coming! It is war propaganda going on, and we're arguing... To me the greatest danger is that we will have a president that will overreact, and we will soon bomb Iran -- and -- and the sentiment is very mixed. We ought to really sit back and think and not jump the gun and believe that we are going to be attacked. That's how we got into that useless war in Iraq and lost so much in Iraq.

RUSH: Now, you may have astutely noticed that Ron Paul didn't answer the question. So Bret Baier, after the applause died down, said, "Congressman Paul, the question was based on the premise that you actually had solid intelligence as President Paul" that they got a nuke. We're not talking about being on the come. "I'm asking you about solid evidence they've got one, and yet you still at that point would pull back US sanctions -- and, again, as a GOP nominee, be running to the left of Barack Obama on this issue?"

PAUL: Yes. Eh, eh, all we're doing is promoting their desire to have it. They are surrounded! They have a desire -- and how do we treat people when they have a nuclear weapon? With a lot more respect. What did we do with Libya? We talked to them, we talked them out of their nuclear weapon and then we killed him. So it makes more sense to work with people and the whole thing that nuclear weapons are loaded over there. Pakistan. India. Israel has 300 of 'em! We have our ships there. We gotta get it in a proper context!

Quote Them: Heavy Metal hearts America

2011-12-08T14:39:00.001-06:00

“I feel like Obama’s an Illuminati puppet. He’s basically dragged this country down into the worst it’s ever been. Like I say about the White House, ‘You’ve built this house of shame.’ Everybody looked up at the White House and America and now I think it’s like a house of shame. I miss the old days when people were proud to be American.”

Jonathan David,
Korn frontman crushing on his country. Makes me want to rock out.

Trailer: 7 Days in Utopia

2011-12-05T13:04:00.001-06:00

A movie. A Christian message. Oxymoron? Not today.

This message was fought for. That - to me - is worth about eight dollars and two hours of my time.

How to tell the OWS and Tea Party apart

2011-11-18T19:44:00.001-06:00

Gingrich basically says, "Look at them. With your eyeballs."

His full answer is, of course, more diplomatic.

OWS via Comedy Central. Funny? Distrubing? Both?

2011-11-17T14:42:00.001-06:00

Jon Stewart always deals with reality. Whatever is happening, he's on the edge of it. Covering it. Mocking it. Providing sometimes accurate, sometimes not, information. And for this, we tune in and watch.

Concerning the OWS movement, Stewart is yet again plowing through the unknowns to bring us the real story, to let this disturbed movement speak for itself. And all it took to motivate this video was a handful of deaths, a murder arrest, the White House shooter, multiple rapes, arson, public defecating, mobs, attacks on police, sexual acts in front of children, outbreaks of lice, TB, and ringworm, as well as dump trucks full of garage to clean-up after they leave their dirty needles behind.

Clap, my friends. Clap loud. It's modern day journalism at it's...tardiest.

The Daily Show
Get More: Daily Show Full Episodes,Political Humor & Satire Blog,The Daily Show on Facebook

Best line: This is a personal possession. I'm talking...I'm more against private property, not personal property.

Absolutely. Right on. Because private property is something owned by a person or private group and personal property is something...owned by a... Let me give this another try. Because private property only belongs to specific individuals, not the collective, and personal property only belongs to specific....

Okay, okay. I can get this. Private property isn't personal. Personal property is private. Being private about your personal.... Oh, forget it.

World English Dictionary

private property — n land or belongings owned by a person or group and kept for their exclusive use. Like an iPad2.

Pig v Farmer

2011-11-17T14:23:00.001-06:00

EE-I EE-I Oh?

Patriotic Millionaires: We heart taxes. We hate donations.

2011-11-17T12:41:00.000-06:00

Did they make their money due to independent thought? I have to question that since they refuse to donate to the U.S. Treasury unless they can "hold hands" - not kidding, one of them said this - and do it together.
All or nothing. And this is why they call themselves Patriotic Millionaires?

You can pay more taxes any day you want. You can pay every day you want. You can pay every hour of the day. The U.S. Treasury gladly takes donations to pay down on the debt. Also, there are things like "deductions" these guys are taking that are not necessary.

So why stand there pounding their Valentino suited chest and demanding taxes be raised? If you truly believe in your ideology, you live it even when you have to live it alone.

But maybe they can still stand around and hold hands.

When Playboy really does have good articles

2011-11-16T13:22:00.001-06:00

First, this article comes with no pictures, other than two patriotic boxing gloves. Both appropriately attired in dead cow hide. Second, it's long. Third, it's worth it.

Andrew Breitbart sat down with liberal headliner Paul Krassner (I hear he's famous; News to me) for a back and forth conversation at, rumors are, an Applebees. The article is the transcript, I'm assuming, unedited, since it made Paul look rather melodramatic, conspiratorial, and biting, while Andrew came off exactly like Andrew always does: armed for a fight but relaxed enough to throw swings at his leisure.

Am I prejudice?

Read it for yourself and find out. They cover every topic from Krassner's - quickly becoming obsessive - interest in Clarence Thomas to the Tea Party to ACORN and even a few notes on agnosticism and Judeo-Christian beliefs.

Best, and most telling, line of the entire conversation is the very last.

Can you find the journalism in this question?

2011-11-14T14:42:00.001-06:00

Where's Waldo was a great game to play as a child. It was so challenging, such a rush. Would I find Waldo? Huh? Would I? It felt as if a clocking was always ticking in the background. This Waldo character was so universally important. I had to find him.

Think of this as Waldo all grown up. Can you find the journalism? You have to look hard.

CNN's Dan Lothian to Obama:

"Last night at the Republican debate, some of the hopefuls, they hope to get your job, they defended the practice of waterboarding which is a practice you banned in 2009. Herman Cain said, quote, 'I don't see that as torture.' Michele Bachmann said that it's, quote, 'very effective.' So I'm wondering if you think that they're uninformed, out of touch, or irresponsible?"

Okay. Confession. There isn't any journalism in that question. Hey, I never said Waldo was easy.

And just FYI, the intelligence used to find and kill Osama, an accomplishment Obama enjoys beating his spindly chest about, was gleaned through waterboarding. Who says? Obama's CIA Director Leon Panetta.

Yes, Lothian, someone is definitely uninformed.

Prof. Newt: Class is in session.

2011-11-14T14:29:00.001-06:00

Before we get to the part where Newt Gingrich, with the effort it takes to swat a fly, schooled the CBS debate moderator, Scott Pelley, on what is and is not the "rule of law" concerning American terrorists, let's talk etiquette.

Take a look at Pelley's smugness when he - sadly, ignorantly - believes he has the upper hand about that "rule of law". Someone really needs to take a still of that face, incorporate it into college journalism curriculum, and teach it as the expression not to make after age four.

Also note his "no" when Gingrich answers the question Pelley asked.

I had no idea Pelley wanted to run for President as the GOP candidate. If he's going to debate the candidates, get the man a podium and make him the bull's eye of late night comediennes. I mean, if he wants the job, give the man the whole job.

Thank YOU Veterans

2011-11-11T11:18:00.001-06:00

Here's a tribute to make you cry.

Here's a song to make you want to kick some anti-freedom, terrorist-garbage butt.

I think the two make a lovely coupling, don't you?

"This ain’t a day for quittin’.”

2011-11-11T10:55:00.001-06:00

Yesterday, in the midst of all the spitting and spewing and backwash about Perry, he had one thing to say, "This ain't a day for quittin."
Then he had 10 things to say and went on David Letterman to give his Top 10 Reasons for his gaffe. Funny stuff. Handled well. View here.

Americans love a fighter. Liberals hope for a quitter. Guess who is and isn't happy today.

Perry Flub: This is news? Seriously?

2011-11-10T15:57:00.001-06:00

I try not to get annoyed.

Okay, correction. I try not to get annoyed and blog about it.

Truth is, I can get annoyed about a lot of things. Trivial things. Like when egg white gets on the counter when I crack a shell. Or when I pull out the chap stick from my pocket, pull off the lid, and it's cranked out of the container by a half inch. Or, this is getting bad, when all the tugging in the world won't keep my ankle socks from slipping into my shoes.
I'm annoyed!

What doesn't annoy me, is this.

Bloggers to the left and right are deeming this an irreversible flub. Reporters have spent most of the day asking Perry if, now that he's flubbed a debate answer (oh the humanity!), he'll quit his run for Presidency. And pundits are weighing in to give their bloated opinion about why oh why Perry stumbled.

It's almost as if the man, within 53 seconds of air-time in a debate no more noteworthy than all the other nameless GOP debates, has single-handedly given $535 million in taxpayer money to a bankrupt solar panel company with never a breathe of hope of seeing that money again, armed Mexican drug cartels with weapons that were used in the murder of a U.S. Border Patrol agent, decided a good idea would be taxing Christmas trees in order to promote the sell of Christmas trees, and, only yesterday, cut $4 billion from the national budget only to spend it somewhere else.

Oh wait. That was Obama.

So, yeah, the ridiculous hyper activity over Perry having a brain freeze in a nothing debate doesn't get my dander up. Big freakin' deal. If I choose to vote for him, or for anyone, their debate performances won't even be a factor.

Not even a little bit.

Truth is, I couldn't care less if my President is monotone. If he stutters. If he sings his answers in iambic pentameter instead of speaks them.

What I care about is the devastating direction our country is headed, the unemployment, the lowering standard of living, the fact I - as a business owner - am creating my own wealth in spite of my anti-business President. What I care about are the hours of labor required to remain self-sufficient while a group of potheads dance to drums, riot in the streets, and the sycophantic media lick them clean like a ummmm female dog yeah, that to her newly birthed offspring.

In the end, do these debates even matter? Honestly? I learn about the candidates according to their core beliefs, not their sound bites.

Supposedly, however, we need a President who can carry himself well in public. But look at what we have: A man-child who reads from a teleprompter and, even then, thinks Memorial Day is Veterans Day, that the Army Corp is just lazy man's speak for "corpse", and insults one of our most long-standing allies because he can't 1) figure out when his mic is on and 2) learn to govern with graciousness.

We already elected an orator. Look what that got us.

Now THAT annoys me.

Todays REALITY CHECK brought to you by reality

2011-11-08T17:22:00.001-06:00

According to the New York Post, the 99 percent are actually protesting 20 percent of the 1 percent, not including the 2 percent who are pretending to be the 99 percent.

Confused? So are the 99.

Want to know how 80 percent of American millionaires became millionaires? They earned it.

Roughly 80 percent of millionaires in America are the first generation of their family to be rich. They didn't inherit their wealth; they earned it. How? According to a recent survey of the top 1 percent of American earners, slightly less than 14 percent were involved in banking or finance.
Roughly a third were entrepreneurs or managers of nonfinancial businesses. Nearly 16 percent were doctors or other medical professionals.
Lawyers made up slightly more than 8 percent, and engineers, scientists and computer professionals another 6.6 percent.
Sports and entertainment figures — the folks flying in on their private jets to express solidarity with Occupy Wall Street — composed almost 2 percent.

Strike another Drum cadenza. Time to work up the crowd before they riot for their evening meal.

Steven Crowder: the alternative universe

2011-11-07T21:57:00.000-06:00

Making money is evil. Taking money is righteous. Supporting a black conservative is racist. And Steven Crowder goes Occupy all the way, complete with a peace dance. Welcome to the flip side. Make sure all your container lids burp. Everything is about to get tossed.

New conservative hero: the guy who took on Crowder's evil twin. Now, after witnessing insanity in full summer bloom, all I have left is one question: What brand of jeans have that kind of stretchy give?

VIDEO: What is legislative perfection?

2011-11-03T11:07:00.001-05:00

This, apparently. And I do not disagree.

Honesty has been one of those political footballs that gets tossed around during nearly every major speech, ever major campaign, and used as dishonestly as possible. Oxymoron, anyone?

Will this bill pass? Depends. Honestly, how much honesty do self-proclaimed honest politicians honestly want? I see Republican co-sponsors. No Democrats yet.

Here's my idea: Until a politician can put honest actions behind their "honest" proclamations, they should just shut it. Words are cheap. And far too flexible. Actions are generally cut and dry. So let's have some honest ones.