Viral Video All-Stars

Another video about all the Internet-famous folk we've been entertained by over the years - set to We Didn't Start The Fire by Billy Joel. Check it out:

Ode to Ron Paul

Dear Ronald Ernest Paul,

I was a doubter, a naysayer, a skeptic. I did not fully comprehend the fervor of your followers, but you have me listening now. Let me explain to my reader out there, an experience I had on Saturday.

I live in a town, its rather large. The city of angels, that's right, Los Angeles... LA, the place where nearly 12 million people dwell. Where our mayor dates reporters, our houses catch on fire and the sun never ceases to shine.

One would think, that despite the many political enthusiasts amongst the city, a certain degree of anonymity would be afforded to me in this sprawling metropolis. And keeping my political interests/life at arms reach from my actually home, would be an easy feat to accomplish. In the past I was correct. But upon walking out of my place on Saturday morning, I ran into my neighbor and he disproved my assumption quite handedly.

My neighbor can be described as the following: Male. 55, tall, slender with salt and pepper hair. Lives with another guy - but i think they're straight. His mother moved into his place a month ago - ouch. Drives a Ford Taurus, circa 1995 - he works on it most weekends to keep it running. Occupation: unknown - but I've seen him selling clocks on a corner before. Daily attire consists of shorts, tennis shoes, no shirt, blue tooth ear piece affixed on right ear. Generally, very courteous to me in our very brief exchanges, but overall profile: odd local dude.

Upon this fateful Saturday morning he sees me walking by and I notice something amiss. His car, the beautiful faded grey that it normally is, has been obscured by decals of some sort. As I get closer and they come into focus. RON PAUL FOR PRESIDENT. A big red, white and blue sign. But wait, not just one though, 5 of them! All around his car...and two bumper stickers! One on each side of his other bumper sticker (originally the only one) which reads "Support your local cat house".

Overnight his car transformed into one huge advertisement. We greeted eachother and my neighbor proceeded to laud Ron Paul to me for the next 8 minutes. I was transfixed at the sight of this man. A man who I never had any real connection to and knew nothing about...came out of no where and became this political juggernaut to my Saturday morning. He was attaching one of his many signs to his bicycle, which he was going to ride down to the beach to gain supporters with. He and his buddies had in the last day raised $28k and were going out for more donations. He was quite proud of this and went on and on about the merits of Ron Paul. Lauding him with each and every sentence. Our exchange ended with my neighbor making me take one of his signs. He instructed me to post it proudly, put it in the back window of my car...anything. Mind you, this sign is 3x2 feet, not exactly a lil' bumper sticker.

So...I'm currently driving around with a Ron Paul sign in the trunk of my car. I don't have a serious conclusion to this meandering post, but damn, that was an interesting slice of political enthusiasm I was given. Just wanted to share. Good times.

Ron, even if you don't win, which I think its safe to say you won't, you've carved a special place in my memories of this election. Even though you converted my neighbor into walking, talking version of yourself, I'm impressed with the effort and have been touched by the long arm of your supporters.

Stanton

Obama Edges Clinton in Recent Hollywood Fundraising

Let's face it. Money talks and bullsh*t walks. Um...well, this phrase actually has nothing to do with my story, but I kinda dig it, yah its a bit archaic and pseudo-lame, but its old school and under utilized. So, there you go. Pass it on.

Hill-dog is leading in California polls, National polls and is overall kicking ass and taking names. BUT, oddly enough, Hollywood is not listening - and the Obamanator continues to garner huge support. In Q3 of this year he has even managed to outpace Clinton in contributions. ($$$$)

Is Hollywood full of a bunch of dreamers?...a misguided bunch of liberals who stray too far from the general public, who are in for a rude awakening of wasted money? or is there still time for the Obama machine to gain the ground on Clinton. Eh, odds don't favor the under dog, but let's keep watchin'. In the meantime, your Viral reading of the day is this Variety article, Hollywood's equivalent to the finance world's Wall Street Journal. Does he still have a chance?

Edwards Scoffs at Clinton's Arrogance

Ha. Okay...John Edwards is annoyed that Hillary is acting like she's already won the Democratic nomination.
a) Hillary's killin' it in the national polls compared to Edwards
b) eh...Edwards is kinda close in the Iowa polls, sure
c) BUT the best part of the article is not really that Edwards joked, “Did I miss something? Did we already have the Iowa caucuses? Did we already have the New Hampshire primary?” ...but rather that he did so to a scant 60 people ...and better yet, while gathered in a machine shed at a farm.

Hillary should counter by taking a rally in a basement in Ohio and Obama should do the same in a treehouse in Michigan - you know, to keep up with Edwards. Read the Desmoine Register article here.

Star Wars X-Wing Launch

Okay, there's nothing incredibly viral about this video and you have to wait 2min 50sec for it to happen. BUT, all geeks out there can appreciate some bigger master geek dropping 5,000 bucks on creating a life size replica of the Star Wars X-Wing, dragging it out to the desert and amassing a group of fellow geektoids to watch a potentially disastrous launch. Btw, next can we see a nerd strapped to a Boba Fett inspired Jet Pack... Anyway, check out the X-wing for yourself:

Actually, here's launch if you dont want to see any of the set up. Click this link and you'll see the 22 second clip.

Iowa Polls Yield Mixed Results

With three months to go before primaries, it looks like Hawkeye voters haven't quite made up their minds on the Democrats - and Iowa's gonna come down to the wire.

Sen. Hillary Clinton holds a 6 point edge (30-24 percent) over Sen. Barack Obama in the latest American Research Group (ARG) poll, while Obama edges out Clinton by four points in a Newsweek poll (28-24 percent). Meanwhile, John Edwards comes in a close third in both polls — with 19% in the ARG poll and 22% in the Newsweek poll.

Random Iowa facts (you know... cause I know you wanna know):
a) Iowa's also known as the Tall Corn State.
b) Iowa has about 3 Million people.
c) Iowa state motto: Our liberties we prize and our rights
we will maintain
d) Famous Iowans: Jonny Carson, Herbert Hoover, Ashton Kutcher and John Wayne.

You can read more election info on the CNN political ticker here.