The Daily Grill

Critical Mass Communications

Does anyone besides me remember that AT&T was forced to break apart years ago by the government because they had a monopoly on telecommunications? It doesn't seem like it, as the FCC (or Freaky Communications Clowns) have just approved AT&T's acquisition of Bell South. I'm sure it's all part of an insidious plan that went into motion as soon as they were busted up. Just a couple of years ago they gobbled up Southwestern Bell (which had changed its name to the acronym SBC shortly before THEY consumed Pacific Bell in Northern California.) I'm not sure how much more they have to go, but it won't be long before we're staring the resurrected purveyor of all telephony square in the face again. Once again we're forced to ask who watches the watchdogs who are supposed to keep this from happening?

Sign Off

As I was tooling north on Highway 99 today through Bakersfield, I caught a giant illuminated sign above a car dealership. It was proclaiming to the those passing by:

Now Hiring
New & Used
Salespeople

Hanging Around In Iraq

Middle Eastern justice doesn't mess around. Saddam Hussein was executed today by hanging, just five days after losing his appeal against the death sentence he'd received. After stories the past couple of days that said they had up to 30 days to actually do the deed, and that they didn't know if Iraq's President would authorize it, I think the American press was stunned that the hanging actually happened so fast, with the NYTimes using terms like "terrible swiftness". There were no candlelight vigils held by people unconnected to the case, hoping for a last-minute reprieve, nor was Hussein kept alive in a jail cell for a couple of decades and thousands upon thousands of dollars of taxpayers' money while everyone waited around for him to be put to death like we do here in the U.S. I'm not a proponent of the death penalty per se, but in certain cases, like when a miserable soulless despot orders the death of thousands of people, there's nothing like a little execution to cleanse the palate between regimes. I will, however, have egg on my face if DNA evidence shows up in the coming years that somehow clears Saddam's name in the 148 deaths of men and boys he ordered back in 1982. Now that he's gone it seems our "mission" in Iraq should be counted as well and truly over but no, the Decider has made it clear that the war machine will keep grinding on. In a statement, White House Resident Bush not only said, "Bringing Saddam Hussein to justice will not end the violence in Iraq," but he had to make sure we think that the Iraq War was somehow still to be muddled up with 9/11 by concluding "but it is an important milestone on Iraq’s course to becoming a democracy that can...be an ally in the war on terror." That song's so old it's gone from being one of Bush's Greatest Hits to a Golden Oldie...

Where's The Warmth?

Global warming continues to agressively ignore Denver, showing its utter disdain for Mile High City by dumping more than two feet of snow on it last night.

A Paler Shade Of Politics

Democrap John Edwards has announced his bid for the Presidency in '08. John Kerry's former running mate is free to revive my slogan for their failed attempt to grab the White House in '04: "The Blanding Of America".

Tastes Like That Other Chicken

The FDA has announced that it is safe for humans to eat cloned livestock. That's liable to lead to brand new ad campaigns, like "Cloned Pork: Another Other White Meat" And In 'N Out Burger can introduce their Double Double's Double.

Tough Gig

It's taken 35 years but the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 has finally caught up with India's snake charmers. Under pressure by international do-gooders (who have little more to do, apparently, than block peoples' hereditary livelihood), the turbanned performers have had to empty their baskets from which they used to induce their reptilian slaves to perform for tourists visiting the country. Now they're stuck trying to get gigs playing for weddings, festivals and children's birthday parties. Picture Edgar Bergen performing without Charlie McCarthy. So don't worry, kids -- this year there'll be plenty of cuddly venemous snakes to adopt!

Welcome To The Yule House

Brains were working overtime at a home in Newport Beach, CA, when the family hit on the bright idea of harkening back to their Scandinavian roots and decorated their Christmas tree with lit candles. Yeah. I know people who won't leave the room without turning off the lights on their phony tree and these folks thought this piece of folkery would be a good idea. Now they're hoping Santa shows up in the form of a fat insurance check to replace their newly-remodeled $2.3 million home. I'd say they've earned a permanent spot on the ol' Naughty List...

Time For A Cop Out

As you may have heard, Time magazine announced its "Person Of The Year" which, this year, is you. Err, I mean, us. Each one of us. With the rise of such entertainment destinations as YouTube, personal electronics like computer and console games and the like, they feel the emphasis of everyone's attention is on themselves. So rather than take a stand on choosing a single person, Time waffled itself into thinking how cool it would be to proclaim that you are the POTY. In honor of their indecision, The Daily Grill hereby names the Publication Of The Year...your own blog!

From All Of Me To All Of You...