Sailing Across the North Pole

The Northwest Passage is now open. You can now sail across the North Pole. While I'm sure this is good news for those engaged in the Nunavut - Siberia transport business, for the rest of the planet I suspect htat a thawing icecap isn't such a great thing.

Obama Rock Star

Wind on the Plains

Topeka Named Top 5 "Greenest" Cities

Topeka has been named #5 in the list of "Greenest Cities" prepared by Yahoo Inc.

They must have something wrong with their methodology. I lived in Topeka for seven years ... the place is a cess pool.

Tuvalu No More

The mighty island nation of Tuvalu is about to disappear from the face of the Earth. Due to global warming, the islands will be underwater in 30 years. Rising sea levels will completely swamp the entire country. All 10,000 citizens must relocate ... or, at the very least, learn to swim. I think this raises some facinating issues of international law. What liability does the developed world have when an entire nation is lost due to carbon emissions? Coal-fired plants in China and gigantic SUVs in California have cost this nation everything. What can be done about it?

Larry Craig Left Message at Wrong Number

In addition to be a pervert, US Senator Larry Craig is also incredibly stupid. It seems he left a message discussing spin strategies regarding his decision to reconsider resignation AT THE WRONG NUMBER.

"Yes, Billy, this is Larry Craig calling. You can reach me on my cell. [Sen.] Arlen Specter [R-Pa.] is now willing to come out in my defense, arguing that it appears, by all that he knows, that I've been railroaded and all of that," Craig said on the voice mail. "Having all of that, we've reshaped my statement a little bit to say it is my 'intent' to resign on Sept. 30.

"I think it is very important for you to make as bold a statement as you are comfortable with this afternoon and I would hope you could make it in front of the cameras," Craig continued. "I think it would help drive the story that I am willing to fight, that I've got quality people out there fighting in my defense, and that this thing could take a new turn or a new shape; it has that
potential."

Although it could not be determined who the Senator was trying to reach when he incorrectly dialed the phone number, Craig recently hired Washington, D.C., lawyer Billy Martin, who put out a statement Saturday in support of his new client.

Midnight

It's after midnight and I've accomplished absolutely nothing today. Hopefully tomorrow will be a more productive day.

Toy Soldier Collection

Malcolm Forbes, HG Wells and Douglas Fairbanks collected toy soldiers. I believe that I need a hobby that doesn't involve endless hours in front of a computer screen. So, I am also considering a toy soldier collection. It's a bizarre thought. I know absolutely nothing about the military or military history. The only uniform that I ever wore in my life was a baseball uniform. I'm not History Channel-type guy obsessed with the minutiae of obscure Civil War battles. I've never been interested in models or miniatures. It really makes no sense that I'd consider a toy soldier collection.

Regardless of how ridiculous the thought, I'm still intersted in toy soldiers. The Michigan Toy Soldier Company has a great website. I think that it would be neat to have a display case full of these little fellas behind my desk. Of course, toy soldiers are expensive. I have no extra money just sitting around. And, even if I did, my wife just wouldn't understand. So it's very unlikely that this will ever happy. But, if I win the lottery or something, I'd sure like to have a toy soldier collection.

Top 10 All-Time Greatest TV Theme Songs

1. Cheers - "Where Everybody Knows Your Name" by Gary Portnoy
2. Addams Family - "Addams Family Theme" by Vic Mizzy
3. Highlander: The Series - "Princes of the Universe" by Queen
4. Malcolm in the Middle - "Boss of Me" by They Might Be Giants
5. Moonlight - "Theme from Moonlighting" by Al Jarreau
6. Weeds - "Little Boxes" by Malvina Reynolds
7. Miami Vice - "Miami Vice Theme" by Jan Hammer
8. Sopranos - "Woke Up This Morning" by Alabama 3
9. Dukes of Hazzard - "Good Old Boys" by Waylon Jennings
10. MASH - "Suicide is Painless" by Johnny Mandel

Weeds & Little Boxes

As I stated in an earlier post, Showtime's Weeds is the second best program on television.

The theme song, "Little Boxes" by Malvina Reynolds, is very cool. In the second season, Elvis Costello performed the theme in one episode. As did Englebert Humperdink. In the kickoff to the third season, it was Randy Newman. This is a neat addition to a great program. (And, by the way, I don't smoke pot. I just enjoy watching a program at about a pot dealer).

Larry Craig is Reconsidering His Resignation

US Senator Larry Craig is reconsidering his resignation. The whole saga is just too funny. You can't make up shit like this. I have no idea why Craig thinks he should stick around. The media, bloggers, comedians and Democrats aren't going to let this story die until the guy disappears back to Idaho. Good luck redeeming yourself Larry.

The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down

Showtime has been replaying Martin Scorsese's docu/concert film The Last Waltz. I think that it's the best concert movie of all time. I'm not a huge fan of The Band ... in part because I don't understand how a Canadian band became so big in Southern rock. However, the film perfectly captures a time when rock was an artform.

Last night, my wife made me watch the Justin Timberlake FutureSex/LoveSounds concert. The Last Waltz is a perfect contrast. The Band was about making music ... Justin is nothing more than a laser light show.

The Band drummer Levon Helm has one the greatest voices in rock history. Levon did that terrific voiceover narration for the movie The Right Stuff. In The Last Waltz, Levon belts out the lyrics to "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" with an emotional Arkansas drawl. It's not a ballad of historical accuracy or significance ... but the haunting power of Levon's voice makes it one of the truly great American songs.

Weird News 1

Some dude is going to auction a lock of Che Guevara's hair. This is weird news. But, I'm really blogging about this because I think that it's really cool to have Che's picture on my blog. It says "I'm a rebel."

I really don't know anything about Che other than the fact that the CIA had him whacked in some jungle. I bet the guy had chicks all over him.

Polygamy TV

HBO's Big Love is the best show on television. (Note: Showtime's Weeds is also pretty freakin' good).

The 2007 season just ended last week, and I'm already suffering withdrawal.

HBO only makes 12 episodes per year. Luckily, HBO programmers never skimp on placement of reruns. I'll have ample opportunity to view all of this year's episodes again and again.

Big Love benefits from great writing and good acting (too things rare on television serials). I'm particularly fond of Jeanne Tripplehorn ... because her character is believable as a reluctant polygamist ... and, also because Jeanne is a native of Tulsa OK. It's always good to see an Okie do well. Bill Paxon is a Texan ... and, unfortunately, his Texas bravado shows. He's not quite believable as a Mormon fundamentalist. The FLDS-types aren't chest-thumpers. They're usually squirrelly and reticent ... traits of those on the fringes of society. Second sister wife Chloë Sevigny is dead-on as a true believer in "The Principle." Third sister wife Ginnifer Goodwin isn't as convincing, but she's infinitely likable. There would be more tolerance for polygamy if more women like Ginnifer were available for multiple marriage.

Big Love is loosely based on the polygamy subculture of Colorado City AZ. I doubt that actual polygamist integrate as easily into suburban life. It's still fascinating to take a look at a taboo like multiple marriage from a different angle.

Getting Started

I ran a blog called KansasRINO for about a year. I usually discussed Kansas Republican politics. I'm a bona fide liberal Republican. And, I've spent most of my adult life fighting the religious right. However, I've finally grown bored with the Kansas GOP. I'm probably more of a Democrat anyway.

So, with Prophet of the Prairie, I'm moving on. I want to discuss issues other than politics. Of course, I'll have a bit of political commentary or gossip on occassion. But, for the most part, this blog is going to be about contemporary issues, environmental issues and social commentary.

Welcome and I hope that you enjoy my genius.