Frisbee: Cash Cow for Wham-O!

Was there ever an invention that required less actual thinking than the Frisbee?

Don’t get me wrong. I love the flying disc and am merely jealous that I wasn’t the one to cash in.

The Frisbee is 55 today—as this was the day in 1957 that new toy company Wham-O started turning out the plastic flying saucers. America has been buying them and losing them in lakes and trees ever since.

A little background is in order. William Frisbie opened a bakery in Bridgeport, Connecticut back in the 1870’s—fast-forward to the forties and it appears that nearby university students were flinging his pie plates around, screaming “Frisbie!” as they did!
Walter Frederick Morrison and his partner then created a plastic version and sold it to Wham-O as the “Pluto Platter”, trying to cash in on the public’s craze with outer space and UFO’s.

Wham-O renamed the disc “Frisbee” in honor of the pie company (even though they misspelled the name) The company that gave us the Hula Hoop and the Super Ball now had another hit on their hands.

Check out this old TV ad for Frisbee:



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3rXoJdu_Ek

That’s hilarious—and the profits were ridiculous. Over 100 million of the discs were sold by 1977—and in the process, a new sport was born.

Variations of Frisbee competition, from Frisbee Golf to Ultimate Frisbee have proven that the appeal is still very much alive.

Although up to sixty manufacturers produce a flying disc, the official “Frisbee” brand is owned by Mattel, which bought the toy from Wham-O in 1994.

Something so simple---yet so much fun. And so darn lucrative, too!

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Etta James: Rest In Peace

Legendary jazz and R&B singer Etta James passed away today—just a few days shy of what would have been her 74th birthday.

A pioneer for both her race and gender, she was—and continues to be an influence on singers to this day. Current star Adele has credited James with being hugely influential to her style.

In fact, that style crossed the boundaries of several genres, from blues to rock. She was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Blues Hall of Fame and the Grammy Hall of Fame (she won six)

The illegitimate daughter of a fourteen year old mother, Etta James had a tough life. From a broken home to substance addiction, James managed to rise to stardom even though her own life was anything but storybook.

Of all the songs she sang, there is none more identified with her than the hit “At Last”.
Here it is—the original, followed by a terrific rendition sung by Beyonce at a Fashion Rocks event in which Ms Etta James is sitting in the front row.

Goosebumps.

Enjoy both:




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1uunRdQ61M



http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=fvwp&NR=1&v=Vx_AhWeFcOU


Etta James---listed at #22 on Rolling Stones list of the 100 Greatest Singers of all time, she was a true original.

Rest in peace!

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SOPA: Over The Top

You can’t go to Wikipedia today. It’s not up.

Google?
It’s there, but there is a black “censor” banner across the logo today.

It’s all in protest of the legislation now pending in Congress that would affect virtually everything we do in our internet-focused, facebook-centered technological world.

SOPA—or the Stop Online Piracy Act—is meant to protect copyrighted material from being infringed upon—a reasonable outcome one would think.

Unfortunately, there are far-reaching unintended consequences. Check out this video, which explains the issue from the perspective of those who oppose the legislation:



http://www.ted.com/talks/defend_our_freedom_to_share_or_why_sopa_is_a_bad_idea.html

So, who’s for SOPA—and it’s related bill? It’s the content providers, the big media companies. While I’m not sure that they are somehow missing out, they've spent millions to lobby that they have in fact, been victims.

True, copying and sharing may cost the originator revenue in the short term, but who’s to say that legitimate SALES haven’t been positively affected by exposure that occurred via (illegal?) sharing? Those doing the sharing in most cases are not “selling” the content—and thus are not making a profit, but huge sites like YouTube and Google are making it hand over fist.

Of course, the distinction here is that these massive sites are merely aggregators—this simple function justifies the traffic—and the dollars earned from it.

A cassette copy of analog audio or a Xeroxed book is inferior in quality - and that fact alone mitigated the rush to create pirating legislation. However, in the digital age, there is no loss of quality from the first to the millionth copy.

Hence, there is a school of thought that says this boldly:

“Anything that can be copied infinitely-indistinguishable from the original---is inherently worthless”.

Think about it.

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The Three Stooges: Not For Women

Girls just don’t get it.

In my fifty-plus years of roaming the earth, I have yet to find a female fan of the Three Stooges.

Conceived perhaps just for children, I know that men and boys are all the same when the Stooges are on TV. We giggle and laugh out loud.

Most guys do a decent imitation of Curly –and all of us believe Shemp was an interloper.
Of course, the Three Stooges are everything that women hate in us men:

Rude.
Obnoxious.
Violent.
Stupid.
Juvenile.

That about sums it up. When many of these mini-masterpieces were produced, the United States was in the midst of the Great Depression—and we needed a laugh or two. That’s not necessarily a bad idea in 2012, although I will say that exposing very young children to this incessant slapping and physical violence is probably not a good idea.

For kids ten and up, though, it’s far less violent than the movies or video games they’re exposed to—and a tad better than your average hockey game.

Thanks to Q97.9 Music and Promotion Director Mike Adams, who supplied me with this subject as he forwarded a YouTube video of “The Curly Shuffle”, that horrible sendoff from the 80’s that gloried Larry, Moe and Curly! Here is that immortal song—spiced up with some great Stooges scenes—and a bonus clip of some truly memorable moments.




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBiHysKnvGs



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FRsBa4KRkc&feature=related


OK, guys! How was that? Ladies, I already know what you’re thinking—and you are right.

We are idiots.

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Presidential Bloopers!

On the eve of the Republican Presidential primary in New Hampshire, I though I’d share this funny video montage.

This young political season has already had its share of gaffes, bloopers and blunders—and we’re just getting warmed up! Lest we forget that the stupid comment or physical mishap is confined to this year, I give you a compilation of some pretty good ones from yesteryear.

Now, to be fair, it has to be tough to live your life in the public spotlight. Especially now, with cell phone videos and YouTube, there isn’t a waking moment that couldn’t end up on the evening news.

All of us trip, all of us misspeak and embarrass ourselves. If you’re a politician today, it’s just part of the process. We all wonder why candidates are so “stiff” and robotic. It may be fear of doing any of the following that causes such behavior----enjoy:



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9L2rq3woXs&feature=related


You can load up the next 3 segments if you like---I’ve had enough tripping and slipping!

As Rick Perry would say: “oops!”

Don’t let that be you if you’re a New Hampshire Republican! Make sure to vote tomorrow!

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HAPPY New Year!

Ah, the first blog of 2012!

I’ve been so darn busy of late that I have chickened out of the daily blog—and hope that I can ramp it up soon.

In the meantime, I may cheat a bit and really let the videos take over when I get something worth sharing. Thanks to Roberta Solomon for sending this one to me!


OK—the economy still stinks, prices may be headed north and Europe could be headed south. I’m sick of the bad news, so watch this—and smile:




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXvJ8UquYoo

Hope that brightened your day!

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Pat Boone: The Anti-Elvis Scores Another #1

The comparisons are unavoidable—it’s the mid 50’s and two young men are launching their careers. Both are white, raised in the south and influenced heavily by gospel music while growing up. One is from Tupelo, Mississippi----something of a “bad boy”—but this one, Elvis Presley—goes on to become the King of Rock and Roll.

The other guy is Pat Boone.

He’s the “good boy” from Nashville, Tennessee. Clean-cut, handsome and wholesome, he’s the dream of many a young girl—and their Moms too!
Unlike Elvis, Pat Boone’s style was strictly conservative—and mainstream.

It was on this date in 1957 that Pat would score his second chart-topper with the ballad “April Love”. He actually rivaled Elvis on the charts for a short time—and was a huge star-albeit of a different sort. A movie star too, here he is performing that hit song in the movie of the same name:




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLaKFpMoRt0

Although Pat Boone played a juvenile delinquent in the film, it’s hard to imagine him pulling it off (but then again I haven’t seen the movie!) Looks like he lands the girl (Shirley Jones) in the end—and isn’t that how all mainstream 1950’s movies were supposed to end?

Completely embraced by establishment advertisers, Pat Boone was a big star for quite a few years—and oddly became enamored with the R&B music that black musicians couldn’t get radio airplay for at the time. Although perhaps best known for songs like “April Love” and “Love Letters In The Sand”, Pat Boone also covered more than a few R&B hits. In fact, his “whitewashed” versions of Little Richard’s “Tutti Fruitti” and Fats Domino’s “Ain’t That A Shame” actually charted higher and were bigger hits than the original recordings by these legendary artists.

And that IS a shame.

Nothing against Pat Boone—he was on the trailing edge of entertainers who catered to the conservative mainstream for their success. The soon-to-come parade of Elvis, the Beatles, Rolling Stones—as well as movie stars like James Dean proved that a counter-culture angle that defies the status quo also had a ready market.

Years later, Pat Boone released a CD of heavy-metal classics. Funny—and in fact a bit disturbing.

His time had passed—and his image would never withstand an effort to modify it. While not necessarily my cup of tea, he was an icon for many—and holds a unique place in music and entertainment history.

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Philly Mayor Tells It Like It Is

Today’s blog is all about the video—maybe you’ve seen it. Mayor Michael Nutter of Philadelphia addressed a church congregation in August of this year.

The topic was originally meant to focus on the “flash mob” violence that the city was experiencing, but Mr. Nutter fanned out a bit and spoke to some larger issues. Citizens of the city were being randomly targeted for violence by groups of young people. Random is the key word here, as robbery was not a motive—nor was revenge . Rather, there seemed to be no provocation whatsoever—just a classic case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Mayor Nutter’s full speech is over a half hour (and worth watching-available on YouTube as well)—but here is an edited clip with some of the highlights:



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vL0QFZBLca4

It would probably be tough for anyone other than a person of color to deliver these harsh words to the audience. Things that need to be said—and an urgent need for parental follow through—the really tough part.

Only time will tell if Nutter’s words have an impact on the “City of Brotherly Love”, but I believe that he’s dead serious about tackling the city’s problems head-on.

I would be thrilled to have him as my mayor. No nonsense. No B.S. Just straight talk that needs to be said---and heard.

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Catch-22 For The G.O.P.

It’s been amusing to see the verbal gymnastics surrounding the proposed extension of the payroll tax cut from the Republicans.

No one is buying the argument that the holdup is over an extension that lasts a year rather than the two months that could be accomplished right now.

Who knows if any of this is good fiscal policy? I won’t pretend to. What I do know is that it’s great politics (for the Democrats)—who can get away with it all and not appear to be “playing politics”

Hoisted on their own petard, the G.O.P. has successfully fended off tax increases for the wealthy on the sole premise that raise taxes on ANYONE during a recession is a bad idea. Well, now that increase falls squarely on the shoulders of 160 million Americans, many from the ever-shrinking “middle class”. A thousand bucks in extra taxes starting next year if you make $50,000—and double it if you clear $100,000. For the average working stiff, the $40 a paycheck angle drives the point home better.

Republicans who fearfully signed a “no tax increase pledge” with Grover Norquist are now about to violate it—and even Grover stumbles in his explanation on how this situation is somehow “different”.

Note to the G.O.P.: When even the Wall Street Journal takes you to task, you’ve got a problem. Jack Kennedy once quipped that the Journal criticizing a Republican was the equivalent of the Vatican newspaper taking on the Pope.

While Speaker John Boehner assails the President for a lack of leadership, it appears that he cannot even count votes in his own chamber. A Tea Party revolt over a compromise between Democrats and Republicans caused the good Speaker to trash that compromise and keep a measure that would surely have passed from even reaching the floor for a vote. For Republicans in tight re-election races, this is toxic stuff. Even Senator John McCain attacked the bickering and urged the passage of the bill.

The presidential candidates are largely keeping mum (except the ever-babbling Newt)—and yet they can see this critical moment as another nail in the coffin for their chances of taking the White House next year. In an election year where the incumbent would seemingly be vulnerable to a credible counter-campaign, the G.O.P. cannot decide which walking disaster they’ll nominate to take Obama on. With each passing day, the Democrats store up more ammo.

So, what should the G.O.P. do? Seems the choices all have costs:

1) Stick to their guns and refuse anything less than a year. President Obama would be happy to blame a tax increase on 160 million Americans on Republicans. And it WILL stick. At least the Tea Party will be satisfied. Unfortunately, this course will not only sweep Obama back into the Oval Office, but the G.O.P. could seriously risk losing the House of Representatives (again)

2) Swallow hard, extend the payroll tax break—and thus anger Grover Norquist and the Tea Party too. Republicans with elections looming could be targeted for removal with either scenario.


Good luck, G.O.P.! The public admonishment of the President’s planned holiday trip to Hawaii when there was still unfinished business in Washington backfired when he decided to stay in town. Now, it’s the Republicans who want to go home for Christmas and must face the fallout from their own words.

The American people are watching very carefully what the clowns on Capitol Hill do with their money in the coming days. Since there will be consequences whatever they decide, a smart Republican would do well to considering the following:.

An angry Tea Party/Base/Norquist----------or an angry 160 million Americans?


Do the math.


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Happy Birthday, National Guard!

Some people have termed the National Guard the “Rodney Dangerfield” of the military---it’s the branch of the U.S. Armed Forces that “Don’t get no respect!”

Never deserving of second-class status, I nevertheless believe that pecking order no longer exists—or at least is not as prevalent—since the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
In the aftermath of 9-11, it was often National Guard units that deployed multiple times and bore a huge burden.

While the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines may have good-naturedly chided the National Guard for duty on American soil (while the aforementioned branches fought on foreign shores), this distinction evaporated in the so-called “War on Terror”. Everyone went abroad.

It was on this date in 1636 that the Massachusetts Bay Colony authorized an organized militia—primarily to fend off Indian attacks. That humble beginning marked the birth of the Guard.

Today, the National Guard is unique in its role as a reserve military force. It is comprised of “citizen soldiers”, who pursue a civilian career and then serve part-time.

Enjoy this short video on the Guard—and their mission:



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yE7dKlHL_5w

Whether it's fighting a war overseas---or rescuing Americans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the U.S. National Guard has been a vital part of the fabric of our country—and indispensable to safeguarding the freedoms that we enjoy.

If you are a member of the Guard—or a veteran of National Guard service, we salute you today.

Happy 375th birthday, National Guard!!!

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