Stained Glass Artist

Sarah Hall is a stained glass artist who has been getting some big and important commissions. The above image is from a church she did in Toronto. Here is a gallery of more images.

Extreme Training and Recruiting Officers

The Swedes not have a gun culture. When classifying films they rate film violence more harshly than film sex. They are currently not at war. they haven't been at war for a long time. How then do the Swedish armed forces recruit troops and officers. These two ads highlight, which I doubt are part of their training highlight the need to solve difficult and mentally taxing problems or suffer injury or death. That sums up the role of the officers doesn't to solve questions quickly while under physical and emotional stress.

Charisma Not Postive in Leaders

A B-School prof, Igor Kotlyar at has done research to discover one the worst types of "leader" has a lot a charisma. They lead their teams, over a cliff as well. This should not be a complete surprise. We often read about how "leadership" is shown by convincing your followers to do something stupid, harmful, or both. One of the worst leaders in history, one of the most destructive, one of the most incompetent, one of the most rigid reveled in the title "leader", or in his language, Führer. The tyrant who did win WWII, Stalin, may got himself painted in heroic socialist realism paintings,however never seemed to believe his own propaganda. In the early 80's the Canadian Tories looking for "leadership" replaced Joe Clark with a "man" brimming over with charisma. Charisma gives the illusion of competence and other moral qualities.

Here is a precis for Falling Over Ourselves to Follow the Leader.
Here is a ROB article on the same study.

Most Pakistanis in Favor of Al Qaeda and Sharia Law

Here is the poll from World Public Opinion.

Here are some the highlights.

- between 60 and 76 percent of those polled seek the growth of Sharia throughout Pakistan;

- only 26 percent say Sharia should play the same role (15 percent) or a smaller role (11 percent) and 15 percent do not answer;

- only 44 percent favor the Pakistani Army pursuing Al Qaeda

- only 48 percent support the Pakistan Army acting against “Taliban insurgents who have crossed over from Afghanistan”;

- nearly 80 percent are against US pursuing Al Qaeda or Taliban in Pakistan;

Let us remember in our rush to eulogize Bhutto that Pakistan is mostly made up of our enemies.

Practicing Mendacity

"Lying is a skill like any other. And if you want to maintain a level of excellence, you have to practice constantly."

Garak

Its Not a Wonderful Bush

In the movie "its a Wonderful Life" George Bailey finds out that his absence would make the world a less pleasant place. This is not true with everyone.

Light Bulbs Spread Light

Oscar Peterson / Normwn McLaren Collaboration - Beyond Dull Care

This animation, Beyond Dull Care, is result of project between Oscar Peterson and Norman McLaren. I found this video at Cartoon Brew. Here and here are more articles about this film.

Living on Borrowed Time

In reaction to the murder of Benazir Bhutto there was this exchange on alternatehistory.com.

Musharraf is basically living on borrowed time.

Well--okay--he was already living on borrowed time but everyone's going to blame him for this now.

Damn--how likely will this tear the country apart?

Doctor what

Everyone to rule Pakistan since 1947 has been living on borrowed time, Doc...

Thande

But now there's nobody to lend the borrowed time.... Things are going to go south pretty soon.

AHF

No Football Truce

"We were thinking of challenging the Taliban to a game of football on Christmas Day, but I'm not sure they'd get the joke."

Sgt Walley of the Royal Military Police,
quote in Telegraph article,
UK troops prepare for Christmas in Afghanistan.
A reference to the Christmas truce of 1914.

From a link on Samizdata.net.

"Merry Christmas To all at least for tonight" - Batman

Twas was the night before Christmas as told with Batman.

Nice, the animation is not as smooth as on Robot Chicken but the (re)writing is amusing.

Death and Credit Card Repayments

It is an odd credit card ad that can include references to suicide, murder, vandalism, nudism and the need for personal financial self discipline.

Argentine Car Ad Also a dig at Brazil

A man buys a carnival float as his car. Very fun, not very practical.

Theme World

Theme Planet
Uploaded by firat

Who Did You Disarm Last Night (NSFW)

Nice morning after the night before nightmare.

Beer Commercial Includes Solitary Tipsy Individual

This is an usual ad. Most beer ads because of regulatory limits only focus on at the events leading up to getting beer. This ad has a person concentrating on walking in a straight line stopping and going with a drum beat.

Russian Novelist Optimistic View of American Politics

“It’s as if in the United States, for example, they said that everything has changed, that Roosevelt and Franklin are no longer the right political figures, everything they did was horrible and revolting, and we have a new ideology here now, let’s quickly get used to it,”

Sergei Minaev, Russian Yuppie Novelist, in profile
The Tortured Voice of Russia’s Lost Generation.

It is a nice analogy except that has always been members of the American Right who consider what FDR did in the New Deal was an unmitigated disaster. The New Deal may have saved American capitalism but it allowed in the eyes of its detractors too much share of the wealth for the non-rich. The current Bush era "prosperity" which concentrates the economic gains only in the top 1% is seen in some Republican circles as the rightful return to a pre-New Deal economy.

The ChiComs find better Investments Then US TBills

From an article in Saturday's NY Times come the alarming news that the ChiCom Regime has stopped buying US Bonds. They currently hold $400 billion. They let their portfolio shrink slightly. If the ChiComs ever divest themselves of their investment the US$ will fall.

Groo the Philosopher

I do not need anyone to tell me I am stupid. I already know it.

Groo the Wanderer in Groo the Wanderer
Marvel/Epic volume 2, number 66

Murder as a Hate Crime?

DI Sam Tyler: I think we need to explore that this attempted murder was a hate crime

DCI Gene Hunter: As opposed to one of those I really, really, really like you sort of murders.

Life On Mars S02E06

Full Metal Jacket - Santa Style

In the movie Full Metal Jacket a real USMC drill instructor (ret) was cast in the film as USMC drill instructor. He is turns out to be one the most scary pitiless monster in movie history. These ads from Sky play on the image of the DI and depict a boot camp for santas.

Execution Reporting

On The Media has a story, the Neverending Story, looking at death penalty on the wire service reporter who covers every execution in Texas. Listen to the story and then read Orwell reportage of A Hanging he was at as an Imperial policeman in Burma.

Political Truthiness

"Regardless of what the facts are we are telling the truth."

Blake Johnson, director of factcheck.org,
characterization of political campaigns spin when caught
with inaccurate statements. See "truthiness".

Dewey Cox Country Style Sausage

(from adfreak)

Funny and Dumb Jihadis

Liberation Army Against freedom has trouble making their fireworks work.

Forklift Driver Klaus

This begins as a training film and ends as blood soaked slapstick comedy.

(from adfreak)

New Level of Dreck = Mulroney

The word has not been coined to describe the new level of dreck that he has achieved. Thorough I'm leaning towards the word "Mulroney".

John Cleese putting down a talent show contestant,
Ben Mulroney and his corrupt father.
View it on Youtube.

Those Very Bad Bears

Teddy Bear Junction, the worst scum in the galaxy.

Professor Hubert J. Farnsworth, Futurama S05E07

Love isn't Dignified

I also heard you walking the streets, moaning her name like something out of a Tennessee Williams play. It may be romantic, but it is not dignified.

Olive Snook, Pushing Daisies S01E09

Japanese Scientists Create Mice Unafraid of Cats

Japanese scientists have altered mice by taking away their sense of smell. Here is the odd video and the article from the Guardian. The article remarks that the cat used in video was the calmest of all the grad students' cats. Many cats when confronted by a mouse size moving object will bat at it.

My Robot Friend

Cool, very cool.

Here for more info on the band.

Robot Adventure Tourists

A bunch of robot tourists on a photo safari meet a local.

Amboy's List of Things that Offend Muslims

The List of Things That Offend Muslims is an ongoing list that includes such items as teddy bears and pool halls.

2 Too Rude Optician Ads (NSFW)

Hamster Dance

a different kind of Hamster Dance.

Philosophical Election Ad

One line not used, "what competence can you expect from a man named I Kant".

The Policeman's Lot is Not a Happy One

You think this job's heroic, we clean out the gutters that what we do. It is thankless task.

DCI Gene Hunt

The Water of Life is Better Then Life

What kind of monster are you, that was single malt.

DCI Gene Hunt after seeing his captor pour out his flask.

Heroes, Who Needs the Bastards

Pity the country that needs heroes.

Bertolt Brecht

Do Movies Make Money

Well do they? Here is a discussion about how the movie industry doesn't really make money. For the record it is only the industry besides aerospace where the damnyanks have a positive balance of trade.

The Christmas Spirit as a Horrible Curse

This Cocaine ad is almost like the Monty Python skit where everyone starting turning into Scotsmen.

Cold Beer in a Cold Time

Removing Manmade Crap from the Seas

"Pork is the Meat of Kings"

This is a little bizarre. However this song is making hungry for bacon, "mmm...bacon".

Jesus Wants IPod or Wii or Some Other Cool Toy

The Idea Generator

I tried The Idea Generator and came up with Medieval destructive appliance.

mmm Sacreligious

Coffee Restores Reality

Horror Movie or Fetish Flick as Sneaker ad

I found this Converse Ad a little scary. But not as ominous as the disappearing skater.

Does Possessed Food Taste Better

Even Soulless Undead Killing Machines Cover Beatles Songs

And the publishing royalty goes to soulless undead Michael Jackson.

I am Hank Hill and I Approved this Ad

Here is an ad that Hank Hill, "propane and propane accessories", can support.

Magic Cancer Ad

Normally when bald kids are trotted out for a cancer ad things get maudlin. Speaking as a former bald sick kid I normally find such tactics insulting and embarrassing for all concerned. This ad however is set in the twilight reality of street corner magic and is able to give hope without sinking to pathos.

The Economy is Murder

Cost of treating wounded gunshot victim: $25,000
Cost of burying dead one: $18,750
Help the economy - shoot to kill.

Sig of The Sandman who says he is currently
"Locked in Combat with Zombie Castro".

There actually was a Mexican Bus Company that advised its drivers to backup over accident victims. Wrongful death being cheaper than lifetime maintenance of a cripple.

Homeopathic Medicine - an Opinion

This is a pie house not an herbal crack den.

Olive Snook give her opinion of homeopathic medicine
to homeopathic medicine salesman
in Pushing Daisies S01E03

"Until Light Shines out of Your Ass"

The Negative Example - The Past

The TV series Madmen depicts a world before seatbelts and other safety features and practices. Here is and ad for WWF that highlights a number of bad behaviors that is no longer practiced today.