Slide Show

Techno Thrills

In 2005 I told y'all about using fluorescent light scanning to digitize my old 35mm  slides.  Hundreds of them.  What happened was this.  After spending untold hours on the project, the file just up and disappeared from my hard drive Poof.  I said the hell with it.  Last year Woot had a deal on an ION slide copier, so I picked it up.  But guess what?  I couldn't find my slides. Just disappeared. Poof. Today I went downstairs to get a tub of spackle for the laundry room, and instead found my slide collection; Mo-Sup had "organized" them for me.  Ahem.  Anyway, I just now did my first one.  Now, this sumbitch is prolly 60 years old.  I think I'm shimmying up a coconut tree to sniper Japs on Guadalcanal.  Or, it's my honeymoon in Puerto Rico.  Can't tell one from the other anymore. Lord knows what I'll find next.  I took pictures of everything.  Everything.

uh ...

James Wieghart, cross dresser

Cut on the bias

“ -- consider the life and career of James Wieghart, who died this week at the age of 76. Mr Wieghart's tenure in journalism was, by any measure, successful, star-studded--and emblematic of the problem of bias in American journalism.  His journey, step by step. the Milwaukee Journal staff, Sen. Wm. Proxmire staff Rep. Henry Reuss Washington reporter New York Daily News Washington bureau chief  New York Daily News Executive Editor New York Daily News Scripps Howard News Service, where he wrote a column. staff director for Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass. spokesman for the Iran-contra special prosecutor, Lawrence Walsh. chairmanship of the journalism department at Central Michigan University/ 'consultant' to the Iran-contra investigations for four more years. Mr. Wieghart's obituary in The Washington Post, which recounted his various comings and goings, did not see fit to comment on the propriety of mixing journalism with partisan political labor, except to quote Mr. Wieghart to the effect that, working as an investigator for Walsh, involved "a never-ending battle with a lot of lily-livered lawyers"--who, no doubt, were defending their clients against political prosecution. [What Liberal Bias?] Ahem: Stephanopoulos and Obama Chief of Staff on daily phone briefings from the White House ”

Them's some tight britches

Paint?

Gore Lies

The thinking man's ... snort

How did I miss that cover!   The Thinking Man's Thinking Man?  As Ms. Malkin is wont to say, "Ow. Ow. Ow. I am laughing so hard I can’t breathe. Can. Hardly. Type."  The cover, along with yesterday's quote from a democratunderground droid  (Is the series "Undercover Boss" an attempt to make GOP values appealing?), surly defines today's Democrat.  As in, it would be an act of mercy to put them in a burlap sack and throw that sack into a neon green river.   I came across it by reading IBD's editorial, Al Gore's Nine Lies, which ends: “ One by one, Gore's prophecies of doom and those of the climate charlatans he inspired are being exposed as the work of con artists. From the CRU to the IPCC, the climate dominoes are falling one by one. His silence speaks volumes. Goodnight, Mr. Gore, wherever you are. ”

Baby pictures

Islam's rule by the sword

"All Islamic states in history have ended [by] maintaining their power by force. " Including, now, Iran

I used to have a group of expat Iranian  bloggers who linked me. They skittered off, I imagine,  after one of my "alternate behavior" periods (for which I don't apologize, but try to control).  By following links  gleaned from site meter, I grew to admire them, and their concern  for their native country.  Now,  when I see Iranians in open defiance of that brutal regime; being shot dead in the streets of Tehran, I admire them all the more.  How many times in our lifetime has that happened?  Where the people, not the military, the people rise against hard fisted fascist regimes?  Hungarians, in 1956 .Romanians in 1989.  Not many.  I wonder whether we, if it ever came to that, would have the stomach.  I'm sure we would, at least for now.  This is a good article;  Iran's Emerging Military Dictatorship

Robin Facts

In Passing

In Passing

Three Things

USA USA USA “ 1) Pediatricians: Things Can Choke Kids; We Need Labels In talking to CPAC this week, George Will noted that the "agenda of dependence" is enabled by trial lawyers, the cultural result being the infantilization of the populace with warning labels like, "Do not fold stroller while child is inside." As if on cue, a call for warning labels on foods that could choke your kids: There are certain types of food that have high-risk characteristics that pose severe choking risks," Smith said. "For example, foods that are round or cylindrical in shape and are roughly the diameter of the back of a child's throat -- these types of foods can completely block the child's airway. When that happens, the child cannot move air. They then lack oxygen. And if that obstruction is not removed within a short amount of time, brain damage and death will ensue. So these are very serious choking risks." Looking for suggestions here Boss.  I'm stuck on "firing squads." 2) Ow. Ow. Ow. I am laughing so hard I can’t breathe. Can. Hardly. Type. WaPo brings us the beyond-satire news that the White House wants to put SEIU president Andy Stern on the federal deficit panel. JFC!  That would be like ... I dunno,  like if they had put Jamie Gorelick on the 9/11 Commission, LOL. 3) “Four ways to fix a broken legal system” Author Philip K. Howard (The Death of Common Sense, Life Without Lawyers) gives a talk at the famous TED conference: Click Pic for great video ”

Tora Tora Tora

Game on?

“ So who would I keep an eye on? Democrats who voted "no" from marginal districts (not heavily McCain districts), especially those from Northern districts. My short list: Adler (NJ-03), Baird (WA-03) (ret.), Boccieri (OH-16), Gordon (TN-06) (ret.), Kosmas (FL-24), Kucinich (OH-10), Massa (NY-29), McMahon (NY-13), Murphy (NY-20), Nye (VA-02), and Tanner (TN-08) (ret.). If you see a few of these members sign on to Obama's bill, then I think it really is ‘game on.’ ” That's Sean Trende's bottom line assessment from his RCP piece - Is It Really 'Game On' for Reconciliation?, and I can't dispute it.  I do have some problems with how he got there, like puzzlement over why Ben Nelson and  Blanche Lincoln voted for this bill in the first place?  Also, I think anybody doing analysis of what motivates the Democrat party leadership ought recognize 1) - a hard core Marxist ideology, and 2) the obsequious relationship with Moveon.org, Kos, and unions.  The latter having served notice that without a Healthcare victory, no money, no voter manipulation, no nothing, save enmity.  This really is a kamikaze mission for Democrats, and  the ship of state is the target. Whatever it takes to stop them is fair play.  Lock and Load.

Real Handy

Great Hand Jobs

Getting to the Root

The Root, a Washington Post-Newsweek sponsored Blog lists 21 Black Folks We'd Like To Remove From Black History

“ Marion Barry ("Bitch set me up") Michael Steele ( will go down in history as the first black chairman of the Republican National Committee.) O.J. Simpson (beat a murder charge, but end up serving time for stealing your own stuff?) Sheila Dixon ( lost her job as Baltimore's mayor for boosting holiday gift cards intended for charity) Dennis Rodman (recent butt-slapping of bar waitresses) D.C. Sniper John Allen Muhammad (blacks could always say, "Well at least we're not crazy enough to be serial killers.") Dr. Conrad Murray (Five words: He killed Michael Jackson Alan Keyes (allowed himself to be a pawn of the GOP) R. Kelly (fought off jail time, but still married a minor, and still creeps us out) Flavor Flav (makes us look bad) Clarence Thomas (opposes government programs aimed at helping Blacks) Omarosa Manigault-Stallworth (perpetuates the bitchy-black-female stereotype) Bishop Don Magic Juan (This ex-pimp  is to the clergy what a pork-chop sandwich is to a vegan diet.) Wesley Snipes (seems to date a lot of white women) Soulja Boy Tell 'Em (his lyrica, content isn't lyrical) Karrine Steffans (her life story can be best summed up as "slurping for success.") Idi Amin (Idi Ami? - was one of the most brutal military dictators in post-independence Africa.) Papa Doc (was a crappy ruler of Haiti - Duh) Baby Doc (the acorn) Robert Mugabe (one of the worst dictators on Earth ) Rafael Trujillo (another bloody Haitian) ” The list is comprised of politicians, murderers, entertainers, and mostly dead strong-men.  I looked for a pattern for inclusion in each group, but, with the exception of the Republicans,  I couldn't really find any.  I guess it's just someone's chance to do a list, always a popular blog device.  But, because it bears the WaPost imprimateur, it warrants scrutiny.  (Note to me: Do a list)   There are five politicos on the list.  Two, Barry and Dixon, were found guilty of felonies while in office. Which leads to questions I won't ask about myriad other "candidates." Three, Steele, Keyes, and Thomas are of course guilty of being Republicans.  But, if that's a sin worthy of imposing the shun,  what of Ken Blackwell, Ward Connerly, James Meredith , et.al.?  Do they worry about being ignored here? I don't know squat about the entertainers, for the most part, and don't care to learn. Of the three murderers, one (Murray) has not been convicted, so what's with that?   O.J. is not on the list for murdering two people, but for being a chump. The DC sniper only makes the list because Afro-Amers can no longer say there are no Afro-Amer serial killers (I guess Wayne Williams didn't count). What about the 1,371 (duly convicted)  Blacks currently on death row?  What I glean from this, according to The Root,  is that murdering a human being  is way less serious than looking stupid in the eyes of Whitey. The inclusion of  dead evil dictators was a surprise.  I didn't know there were just four. At least they put Mugabe on the list.  I do too.  One final thing. Since the Blog's  name is ROOT,  how did Alex Haley miss the list after making all that stuff up, and winning a Pulitzer for it?  Talk about embarrassing.

Be careful out there

So, will he call her?

(moderately suggestive content)

John Bolton on Barry

Boltin' John Bolton!

Ambassador Bolton is one of the few Washington insiders who command my full respect.  Had you asked me how he would answer these two questions, I would have come pretty close to word-for-word after you  excised obscenities and threats.  He has gravitas.  I report.

Undercover Boss

Lifting Boats Here Boss Is the series "Undercover Boss" an attempt to make GOP values appealing?

Last night we watched a Tivo'd episode of Undercover Boss- 7-Eleven, our first exposure to the series.  You can watch it online with the link.  The premise is that a "boss," in this case CEO and President of 7-Eleven, Joe DePinto, goes to work as a new employee in his own stores. His cover: he lost his job, and is building a new life.   Putting aside all my usual cynical thoughts, etc., I found it tremendously uplifting. I excerpted this clip, where trainee "Danny" rides with a 7-11 delivery truck driver named Igor, an immigrant from Uzbekistan, I believe. This guy is genuinely in love with the United States for giving him the chance to succeed.  Igor sure lifted all boats in this household.  In the end the trainers are all flown to Dallas for the reveal.  All except one, a good looking woman who had trouble getting her lights fixed.   Wonder what happened there?  I think I'll write a book about it - the one that's already ion my head. I digress. Now for the bad part, courtesy of some Obamanites, for whom the promise of America is still an enigma. Duration 1:48 “ I watched it last night, and while on the surface it's a feel-good series about the CEOs of companies (7-11 in this one) going undercover and working with the average workers and learning how hard those jobs are, I got concerned about a number of things. The CEOs are really appealing guys, deeply concerned about their employees and charmingly incapable of doing the mopping up while the generally noble (one woman was working between dialysis sessions, for Christ's sake) employees teach them about how hard it is out there for a working person. There was a long exchange with an immigrant about how America's the land of opportunity, how "only in America" could a guy with only 50 dollars become a truck driver working the third shift delivering deli food to stores, etc. Eventually the reveal happened, everyone felt good and the employees got the adult equivalent of a pony--well, to be fair, they got some help in job advancement. But it felt like an ad for how great the CEOs of corporations treat their people, how as soon as they know there's something wrong they leap in to fix it, how much they truly are emotionally invested in the well being of their employees rather than profit. ”

Pretzel Lady

Pretzeled

A little old lady sold pretzels on a street corner for 25 cents each. Every day a young man would leave his office building at lunchtime, and as he passed the pretzel stand, he would leave her a quarter, but never take a pretzel.    This went on for more than 3 years. The two of them never spoke.  One day, as the young man passed the old lady's stand and left his quarter as usual, the pretzel lady spoke to him.  Without blinking an eye she said, "They're 35 cents now!"  Tommy Mann

WTSHTF

The Great Recession of 2011-2012 aka - a new beginning in the land of opportunity?

BIG WHEEL KEEPS ON TURNING “   Are you ready for the Great Recession of 2011–2012? You should be, for it is getting under way even as you read this. Just as the 2009 “greatest economic crisis since the Great Depression” actually began back in 2007, so we are in the early days of the next cycle. Only this recession is going to be a doozy. And the aftershocks will be felt long after President Hillary Clinton leaves the White House in 2024. The coming crisis should be no surprise, for we all have had plenty of advance warning. If it is a surprise, blame those chat-show economists who have become so politicized that they ignore the truths of their own science in order to acquire celebrity. Nor should we forget those politicians who deliberately suborn national interest for the security of zero-sum pork-barrel politicking. Combine it all with a news media largely made up of self-referential ignoramuses and it is small wonder that most of the world has been diverted as Dorothy was in Oz by the lightning bolts, explosions, and billowing smoke screen being generated by the men behind the curtain. The truth is our wizards dare not admit that the levers they pull are not really connected to the true crisis that confronts America or its place in the global market. Despite the self-congratulatory assurances from the White House, Congress, and part of Wall Street that we have been saved from a slide into a 1930s depression, our most serious trials still lie ahead of us. [continue] ” This is obviously not what I wanted to see this morning, but it does comport with what I've believed probable since at least October of 2008, and more so with each passing day.   But, I think we here in the USofA are better positioned than most of the world, and this will be a world-wide "thing."  Why?  First, we Americans are uniquely prepared by our nature, and in practice, to act independently. The only thing to ever stop us in our industry has been intrusive government.  CLIP “  One has to feel a twinge of sympathy for the people who have chosen careers of service in government—not just in Washington but in all the capitals of the industrial West. Life just is not going to be as uplifting as it once was back when policy innovations were both credible and idealistic.  ” This, I think, is why Big Sister refers to us "as big of a concern as international terrorists."  But, think about it.  We have as much oil as the Arabs, but have been stopped from using it by a government catering to a minority.  We have other natural resources up the wazoo.  We have the most productive agriculture in the world.  We are an armed nation, willing to protect ourselves from outside threats.  I see only long term opportunity, and a return to values that made as a great nation.  We know how to make lemonade.  Hooray for us, and get the hell out of the way. PS.  I updated  When TSHTF

Garage door bibs

WHY WE WIN!

Well, it's why-we-win if you're a German.  Munich's style-your-garage obviously sent agents to mine my future brainstorms while I slept, and voila.  I posted some that I would be delighted to have,  but there are seemingly no end to available designs. Prices range from $199 to $399 for the double-door. My guess. 100% of men will put one up today if they were free. 100% of women will threaten go home to mother if they do Exception to #2.   Wives who've given up all hope for a clean garage and happen to be crack whores. I could be completely wrong about # 2.  My apologies to non-crack whores.

Perp Walk Here Boss!

White House Accused of Federal Crime in Specter, Bennet Races “ "Is it true that you were offered a high ranking job in the administration in a bid to get you to drop out of the primary against Arlen Specter?" "Yes" replied Sestak. ”

“   A bombshell has just exploded in the 2010 elections. For the second time in five months, the Obama White House is being accused -- by Democrats -- of offering high ranking government jobs in return for political favors. What no one is reporting is that this is a violation of federal law that can lead to prison time, a fine or both, according to Title 18, Chapter 11, Section 211 of the United States Code. The jobs in question? Secretary of the Navy and a position within the U.S. Agency for International Development. [Continue] ” Ach!  Prison time?  Never mind, I thought this was a capital offense.

Light

Ward Churchill won't stay dead, so ..

Ward Churchill is still at it? Ward Churchill appeal: If he doesn't win, "tenure means nothing anymore" WTFF?!?

“ Last April, a jury found that controversial CU professor Ward Churchill had been fired from his job in part because of statements he'd made. But jurors like Bethany Newell only awarded Churchill $1 in damages -- and in July, Judge Larry Naves declined to order that Churchill be reinstated. That's the kind of ruling that begs for an appeal -- and now, one has arrived. [Arrrrrrgh!] ” If academia can't get rid itself of a Ward Churchill, then "tenure" needs to be killed with a wooden stake through its heart.  Actually, that needs to happen in any event.

Smash Mouth Politics Now

THESE ARE THE SWING HEALTH CARE VOTES!

“ We don’t believe that there is any chance of stopping Obama’s renewed push for his horrible health care changes in the Senate.  Harry Reid is going to use the reconciliation procedure to jam it through with 51 votes — and he will get them.  All the hype about how difficult it will be is to distract us from the real battle which will come in the House. There, where every member faces re-election, it will be a lot harder for Pelosi to round up the vote she needs.   Last time she passed health care by 220-215.  This time, a lot of the Democrats who voted for health care are going to be so worried about re-election that they might be induced to jump ship.  [Who, How, When] ”

POW!

Tea Party Invites Olbermann
look-a-likes at MSNBC

Whacking Destructo

Destructo

Laura Rozen of Politico has written an assessment of Vice President Biden’s nuclear policy speech from last week that the White House is sure to love.  But that’s because she appears to have bought their line of argument a little too uncritically and has mistaken symbolism for substance.  No doubt this is exactly the response that administration salesmanship has been calibrated to create, but it misses the deeper problems— problems which, the White House knows all too well, still loom. Rozen makes much of the fact that the Veep was introduced by Secretary of Defense Gates.  And I agree, the symbolism of that move was pitch-perfect PR.  Gates is A) a veteran Republican and B) on the record as being in favor of certain steps that the administration is on the record opposing.  So the implicit message of that introduction was: The Obama administration is wholly united on nuclear policy; even the nuke hawk Bob Gates is on board with the Prague agenda (i.e., the nuclear free world vision); critics to the right—above all the Senate’s “Gang of 41”—need not worry about this administration’s commitment the reliability of the stockpile; Gates has vouched for Obama. Rozen seems to buy that in toto.  She shouldn’t. [The Administration's Nuclear Games cont] ”

KEGELS - most important 5 mins of your day

If Men Wrote Women’s Magazines

MORE

S'why I bookmarked this JJ piece

Ahem

“ Praise for Scott Brown being reserved By J.J. Jackson web posted January 25, 2010 Scott Brown's election to one of Massachusetts' Senate seats was a foregone conclusion to anyone watching the polls. Martha Coakley did not stand a chance on Election Day.  She was a dead woman walking for trying to sugar coat her support of unpopular policies.  No number of buses packed with ACORN bought voters or SEIU members could have saved her from her own incompetence. But I am bothered.  In the wake of Mr. Brown's victory I see a lot of conservatives acting little better than giddy and foolish Democrats did upon the accession of Barack Obama to the left right hand of Nancy Pelosi Almighty.  Many of my fellow patriots on the right and correct side of the isle have a lot of good things to say about Scott Brown and his successful election bid for one of Massachusetts' Senate seats.  But at times they are downright deifying this man as the savior of our Republic.  While breaking the filibuster proof majority of the liberal Democrats in the Senate may be an important move, need I remind you that there is still Olympia Snowe lurking in the chamber's shadows for her shot at the limelight. And need I remind you that she can certainly not be trusted to form a coherent thought or support the concept of limited government? [continue] ” That didn't take long BROWN VOTES FOR 'JOBS BILL'; JOINS DEM MAJORITY

Best Ghost Pictures

Best Ghost Pictures Ever Taken

More here.  Maybe not as good as this one, but still postitve proof that Obama is possible.

All Presidents were liars like Obama

How very predictable Found on TPM When we had  a  debauched Democrat in the White House, the media responded to Clinton's sexcapades by making, mostly unfounded,  charges  that (in my best Dr.Nick voice) "Hey everybody! Everybody did it!"   Now Obama needs  help. This is why I have the category, Filthy Democrats.

Union Teachers

Bar Talk

“ Deacon Blues     I found this quite incitful regarding the Teachers' Union. George Parker, head of the Washington, D.C., teachers union, about the voucher program there, he said: "Parents are voting with their feet. ... As kids continue leaving the system, we will lose teachers. Our very survival depends on having kids in D.C. schools so we'll have teachers to represent." ”

"They Were Afraid"

Gen. Boykin Pulls No Punches

C/R

Just Kidding

What's this doohickey?

Barbie’s Next Career? Computer Engineer

Colin Powell Redux

Colin Powell’s Endorsement of Obama Will Live… in Infamy

“ For more than a year after Barack Obama became president, there was no word from Colin Powell about a man he described as having “great insight into the challenges we’re facing of a military and political and economic nature.”  Today, Powell broke his silence.  Did he have the courage to admit his mistake, his blunder, his betrayal? No.  Speaking on Face the Nation, Powell said he did not regret endorsing Obama, though the former Republican appointee could not bring himself to say much of anything positive about him.  He claimed, absurdly, that the nation is more financially secure since The One took office and that “slowly but surely we are starting to see the kind of improvements the American people wanted and voted for him for.”  Lackadaisical leadership, cronyism and corruption, massive unemployment, soaring deficits, weakness overseas – does General Powell really believe that these are the changes the American people wanted? Let’s compare Powell’s analytical skills now with his purported sagacity during the campaign.  [See it here] ” Here's what I think was behind it.  Powell's military success was largely due to his ability as an office politician.  He knew which horse to ride, and for how long.   I doubt that he had any further political ambitions when he endorsed Obama. Blacks who strayed too far from the Liberal cotton fields, as did Powell and Condi Rice by serving in the Bush Cabinet,  were scorned by the "official" Black community (media activists) as Uncle Toms.  I think Powell wanted that stain removed from his civilian uniform blouse, and this was a way to do it; and be on the right wagon at the same time.  FWIW.

Buy Buy American Pie

C/R

Pick one cookbook

Please answer: If you could have only one cookbook, which one would it be? Thanks!  Merrily

I gave this careful consideration. My first thought was to go high fa-luting and say "Mastering the Art of French Cooking (2 Volume Set), "  except I don't own it, and never read it (which I'm sure is to my discredit as a world famous chef wannabe).  I went over to the cookbook shelf in the liberry, and perused what must be 100 titles that we've collected over the years.  From these, I selected two for consideration: Better Home & Garden Cookbook The Better Homes NEW COOKBOOK is the one MoSup brought into  marriage.  I had owned just one in my life to that point, The Drinking Man's Diet.  Not that I needed a diet.  My bachelor regimen consisted of working all day, drinking and carousing all night, doing the Watusi at J.O.P.A., or the Fort Story O Club, and occasionally sleeping. Keeps a man fit. Anyway, The BH&G is an excellent cookbook, with recipes for damned near anything American.  Hell, even political progressives will be happy to find a Russian  Borsch recipe (p. 294).  But, I didn't choose this as my one cookbook. HE WINNER I chose the The Escoffier Cook Book A guide to the Fine art of French Cuisine.  And not because I'm putting on airs.  This is the translation of Escoffier's original book, first published in 1903.  When I read Merrily's request, I immediately thought survival, else why would I have but one cookbook, n'est-ce pas? And that's where this book shines.  When Escoffier discusses fuel for the grill, he's not talking about propane.  The cook is advised when to move the pudding to the cooler coals.  There is not a single reference to Jello, condensed milk, or packaged anything.  With this cookbook, a nice Winchester Model 1886, and an iron skillet, you'll do nicely.  Well, your mileage may differ. If memory serves there's a colonist's cookbook out there, but I don't own it.

Lottery sense

In Passing

In Passing

Bad Eggs

The stink of sulfur “ EPA's attempted power grab Since the climate legislation power grab stalled in Congress, the Environmental Protection Agency is trying to circumvent the legislative process and pass rules to regulate carbon dioxide under the Clean Air Act. CPAC's Odd Ending Ron Paul out-polled Sarah Palin almost 5 to 1 and keynoter Glenn Beck got huge ovations as he disavowed any conservative ascendency within the Republican Party.  Where is the momentum from the Marco Rubio speech and the Dick Cheney "Obama is a one term President" moment? The Fat Lady Has Sung Mr. Thomas L. Friedman discovers that Tracy CA. residents must pay for 911 calls because Obama is misunderstood, and the Republicans are as irresponsible as they've ever been, which is was, way - and won't sanction massive tax increases which, as everyone knows, is what pulls an economy out of recession.  You Bastids! When the force of your personality fails to produce ... Obama Giving Black Farmers $1.25B in Reparations Well, so much for that issue.  Dictators make scrambling eggs look so easy. Obama to Endorse Rules to Limit Health-Insurance Rate Increases OMG! He has all the answers to everything now!  Former cold war agent gagged by the CIA HE remembers the women sunbathing naked on the deck of a passing yacht.  I don't have to tell you more. This link is going viral baby! ”

Hearse Towed?

get me to the hearse on time

Drudge on 2-24-09

One Year ago - 2-24-09

Retro Sex Ed.

And we liked it that way!

Mocks Black History Month

Why We Win Fraternity Mocks Black History Month With "Compton Cookout"

Another Liberal contribution to America is a perverse celebration of  diversity, e.g.  how we're different from one another, called Black History Month (which seems never to end). Not the good  "one out of many" kind of  diversity. There's an undercurrent of  poking  sticks in WASPish eyes, from people who gave us Kwanzaa.  Far from celebrating the homogenization of cultures, it seems to me, BHM is today used to perpetuate divergency from any notion of e pluribus unum.  People notice.  In this PC culture we live in, parody is a useful release valve.  Is the cookout in poor taste? Very, and way over the top, but then so is what they're spoofing. That's why we win.

fortune cookie