I try telling myself that my age has a lot to do with my disdain for anything
created by George Lucas. I imagine that if Star Wars was released now instead of
in 1979 I would hold it in the same regard I do Independence Day; Hollywood
bubble gum. But I know I am lying to myself. I know the never-ending joy I have
watching Star Wars and The Empire Strikes Back is not just some nostalgic trip
to my youth but the result of being immersed in a fantastic movie.

Twenty five years ago this May 25, Return of the Jedi opened in theatres and
it was the beginning of the end. Michele
Catalano writes about the Star Wars transformation from brilliant cinematic
story to marketing ploy.

It is true, and evident in my ability to watch the first two
whenever they’re on, no matter what station, no matter how many
commercials, sometimes for a few minutes, in Spanish.  But Jedi? By the end
I’m looking for something else to watch.  And as far as the more recent
trilogy goes, their titles on my digital cable menu carry as much weight as
League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.

The marketing of movies will only increase going forward as we
see more and more movies attaching themselves with products that hardly seem
related.  Indiana
Jones instant ticket lotto game?  Ugh.

I remember talking to a friend when Revenge of the Sith
advertising was in full…um..force, and I mentioned the real crime now in how
they handle the marketing is that no character is safe from shilling for some
product.  I seemed to remember that some characters held on their context
even if they appeared in a commercial.  But when you see Darth Vader
dueling Yoda over a Pepsi you know it is all over.

My friend Boogs took his
family to the Jones
Beach Airshow yesterday and he got to see an F-22 Raptor in action.  I
am officially jealous.

Check
out his blog for some video.

"Let no vandalism of avarice or neglect, no ravages of time testify to
the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten as a people
the cost of a free and undivided republic." — General Logan – May 5,
1868

Dude? 
Dude!

As if that isn’t good enough, "They told the suspicious
working girls they were people of restricted growth working with a traveling
circus, and as State law does not allow those with disabilities to be
discriminated against they had no right to refuse them."

Via Alarming News

Palestinians in
Gaza phonebanking for Obama

Also, here is one of the best descriptions of Obama I have have read to
date.

This story via Hot
Air:

A St. Cloud State University student teacher decided to leave school because
a Muslim student threatened to kill his service dog because he considers it
unclean.  What side does the school defend?  Ed Morrissey sums it up:

And there you have the formula folks.  Placate the ones who threaten with violence and sacrifice the innocent at the altar of misunderstanding.

If you like baseball, this is a must watch.  It is Kirk Gibson’s HR as
told by baseball cards with Vin Scully’s play by play audio.  Awesome!

Thanks to Morpheus for sending it in via Big
League Stew.

Via Jihad Watch

You have to wonder if this man was one of the
"innocents" who’ve been held unjustly at Gitmo.  When you hear/
read MSM stories about the poor
souls locked away for no reason, think of this guy who couldn’t wait to blow
people up.

In his intro to the story Robert Spencer mentions that American
soldiers use gloves to handle the Koran, and that  may just confirms that
the prisoners are the ones in charge.  Commenter
Mentat provided the language in the DOD memorandum on the handling of the Koran:

I’d like to see the reaction if this kind of treatment was
afforded to the Bible.

My co-worker sent me this
little story on Roger Clemens, it explains how he took advantage of the
local Hard Rock while pitching for the Red Sox but what stood out for me was
this:

“Whenever he came into the Hard Rock, they had to play ‘Rocket Man,’
” recalled another ex-employee. “He really liked that.”

Oh man, what a dork.  So, my coworker and I have decided that Roger
Clemens is the anti Chuck Norris.  And like good employees we immediately
came up with our Roger Clemens list.  He are the fruits of that non-labor.

Roger Clemens hates kittens.

Roger Clemens doesn’t wipe.

Roger Clemens chews with his mouth open.

Roger Clemens passes on the right.

Roger Clemens has complex chronic halitosis.

Roger Clemens uses the middle urinal.

After a workout Roger Clemens doesn’t wipe down the equipment .

Roger Clemens doesn’t flush.

Roger Clemens doesn’t cover his mouth when he sneezes.

When Roger Clemens farts he blames the dog and if the dog isn’t around he
blames his wife.

Exiting a plane Roger Clemens doesn’t say "buh bye" to the
stewardess.

Roger Clemens leaves his seat back and tray down when landing.

When Roger Clemens is on fire he goes, jumps, and slides.

If there is a threat it is women and children last for Roger Clemens.

Roger Clemens wears white before Memorial Day.

Roger Clemens brushes back kids at Family Day softball game.

Roger Clemens signs autographs in invisible ink.

Please, feel free to add your own.