In the last week CNN has been covering, and strongly promoting, some pretty “hot” stories. 

Singer Chris Brown allegedly attacking his girlfriend, fellow performer, Rihanna. 

Jessica Simpson is gaining weight. 

Tyler Perry looking for [film] respect. 

Fiancé donates kidney “Of course we were a match” 

Is the Octuplet mom Obsessed? 

Wow, cutting edge journalism at its finest. Any number of these “hot topics” could put American on track, cure cancer, or at least lower prices at the pump. 

Hey, I am not saying these stories should not get covered (maybe I am) I am just saying is this really what you want to take up prime time television time with? Apparently the answer is “yes.” 

More and more news organizations are catering to what people “want” to see and hear versus what they “need” to hear. The news is no longer about the “news,” it is about entertaining the masses. 

All on board for CNN’s Tea Cup ride! 

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It just appeared overnight. When Obama promised less secrets and more transparency we had no idea how literal the man was. 

It became somewhat of a joke; that the V.P.’s home never showed up on Google Earth while Dick Cheney was in office. Some say it was a “security issue” while others believed Cheney could not be seen on film or in mirrors. Whatever the case, the veil has been lifted. 

Although Google stated the “de-pixilation was updated as new imagery became available” it is just funny that it just happened to be when Cheney moved out and Biden moved in. 

The home (built in 1893) has been the residence of V.P.’s since 1977 and yes, the big picture on the home page is the White House (not the VP’s house). 

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Given Thanksgiving is this week; I was going to make a list of things I was thankful for. I am sure the list would have included the obvious – health, family, and Captain Crunch with Crunchberries. My mistake was I should have written the list in advance of coming up to North Carolina. Once again the Godfather is off the grid. 

When I say “off the grid,” let me elaborate… 

My cabin in North Carolina is very comfortable. We have firewood for the cold nights (and days at this point). We have running water, indoor plumbing, even a television with satellite which we never turn on (except for a Green Bay Packer Game). 

What I don’t have is high-speed internet access. I am stuck on dial-up. 

For those readers not old enough to remember dial-up or frankly those that have never had the pleasure of using dial-up internet you are really missing out. You really should try it once. Want to try it right now? 

Take a piece of string and tie it to your computer (anywhere is fine). Now take the other end of the string and fasten it to a tin can. Stretch the string tight and surf the net to your hearts content – I will wait. 

Yep, you guessed. Sure I am still thankful for family, health, etc. But at this very moment I am really thankful for high-speed internet – and wine. Oh wait, not only did I buy a cabin that doesn’t have high-speed internet, I also purchased a cabin in a dry county. 

Before I close, I don’t want you to think it is all bad. I consider this therapy. I am hoping my time here gets me to slow down a bit. Gandhi said “there is more to life than increasing its speed.” I am going to guess Gandhi never had dial-up in a dry county but maybe I am missing the point. 

So, if The Slow Bleed is a bit sparse on posts this week you will know why – I am running out of string.

Happy Thanksgiving.

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I am amazed at the attitudes of people making their way into the workforce today. Frankly, given the current state of the economy I would expect people to be a bit more humble in their job demands. 

I spoke with someone the other day that brought up the big “e” word…Entitlement. He actually felt since he finished college he was entitled to a good job with significant benefits. 

I think the only people “entitled” to anything are royalty. Years of inbreeding, a careful selection of marriages, and century old rules could make one entitled to be king. 

For example, I believe if 6,492 key people simultaneously disappear off the face of the earth I get to be a prince of Whales (not to be confused with the country “Wales”…more like, as opposed to Dolphins) – I am entitled. If just one less person (6,491) disappears; I get a big cup of jack. 

Let me see if I can clear up this misnomer for the newcomers to the job force. Here is a list of things you are entitled to and here is a list of things that you are not entitled to. Ready? Here we go… 

A. List of things you are entitled to:

B. List of things you are not entitled to (otherwise knows as stuff you will just have to work for): 

Everything not in list “A”

Any questions? 

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I am thrilled to now have the ability (meaning “permission”) to add some quality artwork to The Slow Bleed. The artist is a long time friend – although when pressed to answer ”how long” I will no doubt suffer memory loss as it also becomes a reminder just how old I am getting (but I digress). 

The artist is Jeff Durham and I have always enjoyed his work. I still have a couple “originals” in my home office but I suspect that I am not allowed to share those. 

My plan from time-to-time is to share some of his works when I think I can get away with plugging them into a blog or perhaps just post them in their own-right. The challenge I have immediately discovered (and will no doubt have the artist himself cringe) will be my ability to size them correctly here. I will always supply a link to the original (size and format) on Jeff’s site. In addition to viewing the artwork as it was intended, you can sometimes get a few words from the artist himself.

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Well, instead of the usual warm and fuzzy blog that could go under this heading (keeping in mind The Slow Bleed is not really known for warm and fuzzy anyway) here is some Father’s Day Facts…

• There are an estimated 64.3 million fathers in the U.S. – (There are almost 9,000 men’s clothing stores in the U.S. ensuring that 23 million will get a tie)

• In 2006 there were 159,000 stay-at-home dads – (I am sure the current economy has more than doubled that by default)

• Custodial Fathers receive about $2.5 billion in child-support – (Custodial Mothers receive about $22 billion)

• More than 74 million Americans participted in a BBQ last year – (Probably a good number of those on Father’s Day)

• Nearly 95 million Father’s Day cards were given last year in the United States, making Father’s Day the fourth-largest card-sending occasion.

• Sons and daughters send 50 percent of the Father’s Day card to their dads. Nearly 20 percent of Father’s Day cards are purchased by wives for their husbands. That leaves 30 percent of the cards which go to grandfathers, sons, brothers, uncles and “someone special.”

• While not everyone in America is a fan of Father’s Day, 72 percent of Americans plan to celebrate or acknowledge Father’s Day.

Happy Father’s Day! 

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The Supreme Court has ruled (five to four) that foreign suspects held in Guantanamo Bay have the right to challenge their detention in US civilian courts. 

In addition to changing things going forward, this will also resurrect several cases that have been on hold for months. 

This is not the first time the courts have ruled this way. Two other times the court has ruled the inmates could to go civilian courts and ask the government to justify their continued detention. Each time both the Bush administration and Congress changed the law to keep detainees out of the civilian courts. 

So, will it stick this time? 

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau Population clock…

The U.S. gains one person about every 10 seconds based on the net of births, deaths, and migration.

That is a lot of people.

That brings the question, what will fail first; The Health Care System, Social Security, or General Resources (Food and Fuel)?

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It seems I am having a massive influx of new subscribers to The Slow Bleed – apparently the topics are of interest to a lot of people. Sometimes serious, sometimes fun, the site is certainly a great place to post your comments and share your opinion with others. 

For the next couple days I will keep this post at the top (to help the new people) so look for the latest posts just below this one. I usually add 7-12 new posts per week. 

Secondly, if you wish to not miss a thing going forward, you can either bookmark this page or subscribe to The Slow Bleed (see the buttons on the top right). 

Lastly, if you are just joining us or came upon The Slow Bleed a bit late, here are some of the more popular posts to give you a flavor of the site. 

From Culture…

About Culture

Obama: Who Will Go With Me to the Prom? 

No One to Represent Us? 

No “F” Grade Left Behind

Hamburger Month: Diet Month to Follow

From Economy…

Financial Literacy

Today’s Economy: Financial Stupidity or Greed?

What? Everyone Owes the Government $531,472?!

Gas at $46.23 a Gallon!

From Pride…

About Pride

Sen. Hillary and I Both “Concede” 

Pride and Personal Responsibility

How to Catch Wild Pigs

From Inspirational…

Sing Out Loud

A Home Run For Humanity

You Are Only As Old As You Feel

From Humor…

Hot Dogs Added to Endangered Species

Too Many Choices

Hillary Applies for 3 am Shift at White House 

Ordering Pizza in the Future

There are plenty other posts on the site (about 100 so far), but those are the most popular among current Slow Bleed readers. 

Welcome to the site and I look forward to hearing from you!

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