Baumblog EST 1968 - A blog for the Baumbachs who originated in Syracuse, NY

Conservatives devour porn
posted by GJ on February 28, 2009 @ 7:41AM

Nothing like family values, eh? Top consumers of online porn...wait for it...are generally those that voted for McCain last election. Huh?

Of course, if you've lived in the South for any amount of time, the significant presence of the gentleman's clubs was always quite amusing--their billboards are typically right next to the big church billboards, and they're typicaly right around the corner from one another.

Anyhow, check out the survey that describes what I'm referring to here.

6 comments | Tags: politics

Rise and Fall of the Nazi Dinosaurs
posted by GJ on February 19, 2009 @ 10:43AM

This is um, right up my alley. You know what that means. Do you dare click PLAY?

5 comments | Tags: video, weird

Truer words have rarely been displayed
posted by GJ on February 18, 2009 @ 9:20AM

Coutesy of Jalopnik.

No comments | Tags: pictures

Why I Believe in Spanking Children
posted by Marc on February 16, 2009 @ 9:23AM

About a minute in, you'll see why the title makes sense:

26 comments | Tags: video, funny, stupidity

Geoff said 14 minutes later

She needs more than a spanking. A shovel to the head might be in order.
GJ said about 4 hours later

Culture, folks. This isn't an American airport, and none of these folks are American. Geoff, remember how silly the reactions of people in that Korean flick "The Host" were to the loss of their daughter? They behaved kind of similar to this, didn't they?

I would agree that this is completely out of line for someone raised under, let's face it, British standards. Decorum is generally considered a much more important attribute here than in many other countries. That in and of itself doesn't make decorum a universal expectation that should be applied worldwide.
Geoff said about 4 hours later

That kind of behavior doesn't generally get a plane to come back in the States. Now, if it does in Asia Pacific then all the power to that whiny baby. If she did that here, she probably would have been shipped to Guantanamo.

On the topic of The Host. That was by far one of the worst scenes in a movie I ever saw. I would probably attribute most of that to the dub over which was horrible, but usually I'm pretty tolerant since I've watched a few dubbed foreign flicks. Did you watch the dubbed version or go with subtitles GJ? That scene was comical at best.
GJ said about 8 hours later

If you wondered what an "Ugly American" was, check the mirror sometime. Although the use of "tolerant" above had me LMAO.
Marc said about 16 hours later

The high pitched screaming can be attributed to culture and language, sure. While I personally can't stand to hear it, I understand it. Note I didn't say tolerate...I'm not gonna lie, I wouldn't tolerate it. :)

But the tantrum on the ground, that's universally childish.
Geoff said 1 day later

That lady flew off the deep end and I'm glad that kind of behavior is not TOLERATED in the US. It's bad enough I have to listen to my cat screech. Paint me ugly, sure beats whatever the hell you call this lady.

GJ said 1 day later

Do you have any idea of the specifics behind this incident? Here's what we know: it took place in Hong Kong International Airport. It involved a female of unknown upbringing, as well as two apparent airport employees. It appeared to take place near a ticket counter, and the provider of the video claims the woman missed her flight.

We don't know why she was flying, or what kind of timetable she was on. We have no idea of the impact of not making this flight on this woman's life. If she was missing a business meeting at her destination, the behavior seems a little odd. If she was flying to meet a dying relative who has perhaps hours to live, does it seem as odd?

My point is, you cannot make a valid judgment about a person's character based on a single video with no real background information. Both of you did just that.
Marc said 1 day later

Here's the background info: http://www.thewest.com.au/aapstory.aspx?StoryName=551891 (Australian Associated Press)

Usually when visiting dying relatives, you tend to wait at the gate, rather than shop. She's just a nutty woman, and thus I shall enjoy watching her antics.
Kristen said 1 day later

It is interesting to think about how differently this would have looked had it happened in the US. (which unfortunately is where she was headed). Can you imagine the 4 letter words that would have come out of an american's mouth? And security I bet would have been much harsher and quicker to respond.
Interestingly, the people who "comfort" her in the video hardly seem surprised or alarmed by her reaction. Even scarier is that the people around her seem hardly to notice! A crowd of people would have surrounded this woman if this happened in the states. (also with cameras) But ah, I generalize!
She was pretty hysterical though--one would think she had just witnessed a chimp mauling.
GJ said 1 day later

I hate to say it, but that article was just full of "apparently" and "appears." Those words don't exactly inspire confidence in what was written by the author. Marc, you'll note that she was "apparently" shopping prior to her flight, and that older man "appeared" to be her husband. Obviously, this is very second-hand information.

Here's what I can tell you: hysterical behavior is not out of place in Asia. You see it frequently during mourning activities. Based on a particular Korean drama show Darcy occasionally watches, it appears that it's often used by manipulative matriarchs to, well, manipulate. Either one could be at play.

The same doesn't hold true here. Hysteria is generally not tolerated here except in times of disaster. By our standards, she's a crybaby with the emotional maturity of a three-year-old. However--she's not American and likely lacks our cultural norms.

My point, which Kristen got but apparently Marc and Geoff still don't get, is that applying American cultural norms to non-Americans is simply an insensitivity to other's culture--i.e., the Ugly American syndrome.
Geoff said 1 day later

I'm sure these folks are real sensitive to all of our cultural norms. This doesn't apply to just Americans, it applies to everyone. The Ugly American syndrome, please.
GJ said 1 day later

You would know, O World Traveler.
GJ said 2 days later

Check out the Encarta definition on Wiki, if you have time.
Marc said 2 days later

And I thought you were simply stating we should adopt the metric system!
GJ said 2 days later

Of course! That's been my whole point in this entire exchange! I gotta take some courses in communication, I guess.
Geoff said 2 days later

I guess you didn't see "The Bolt" at the Summer Olympics. It isn't just Americans who are ignorant, brash and nationalistic. I think there's plenty of that to go around in the world, though I'm sure being the big man on campus we tend to hog more than others.
Geoff said 2 days later

GJ said 2 days later

You're mistaking individual jerks for cultural insensitivity. Bolt? Jerk. Woman here? Possibly a jerk--problem is, here you're jumping to that conclusion based on judging others by your cultural standards. That jumping bit? That's the Ugly American thing I'm referring to. Really, this isn't that hard a concept. :)
GJ said 2 days later

I can't say if the translation is on the mark, but it makes it a whole lot funnier.

And yes, you should watch that Korean drama that Dar watches. Holy crap, the mother-in-law behaves *just* like this. It's actually most of what makes that show so much fun to watch. :)

Still, I'm sticking on my cultural theme here. While it's not hard to recognize what this is (a tantrum), it appears that it's a common affliction among prima donnas in certain cultures. In other words...it doesn't necessarily mean the same thing it does in our culture. Assuming it does is the mistake I'm highlighting.
GJ said 2 days later

And gosh it's funny to see what topics get us going. Nice to see one that doesn't involve Greys or God. LOL!
Geoff said 2 days later

:)
Kristen said 2 days later

I couldn't help but get a visual of what she was arguing for: like when I used to miss the bus all the time, I could just run after it and catch it at the corner of Glacier Ridge and North Entry road. I'd run behind it and hope that the kids in the back would stop laughing long enough to let the bus driver know I was on her tail. I can just imagine people running after airplanes trying to catch them as they taxi down the runway!
Marc said 2 days later

Kinda like the scene in the end of Liar, Liar? I've always wanted to hijack a runway staircase.
GJ said 2 days later

Actually, having flown about 30-40 trips over the past decade (probably not close to Steve's haul, but I have seen a lot of airports over the years), it's always fun watching the newbies. They're the ones that *generally* miss planes, and they're the ones that go bezerkazoid in the security lines. They are always fun to watch.
Kristen said 2 days later

Exactly Marc! LOL Everything in life comes back to Liar Liar.
GJ said 3 days later

You guys (and girl) scare me.

om nom nom
posted by GJ on February 12, 2009 @ 9:52PM

6 comments | Tags: video, funny

For those that don't browse the intrawebs all day, part 2
posted by GJ on February 9, 2009 @ 1:48PM

Apparently, Chad Vader went to the dentist last week, too!

No comments | Tags: video

Curmudgeon Time
posted by GJ on February 9, 2009 @ 12:14PM

Ever hear of indulgences? Like, wow. That's some interesting score-keeping there. Religion is unbelievably complicated, ya know? It's a wonder humans didn't misinterpet (or was that create?) these complicated rules from God without much more than a collection of writings (written by and edited by humans, allegedly inspired by God as told to us by the humans who wrote and edited the material) collected into a holy book to go on.

Anyhow, it's a good thing they aren't charging for these--apparently, that's a bad thing. Donating to the church for one apparently isn't, but the distinction is lost on me.

3 comments | Tags: religion

Lest you all think I'm a total curmudgeon...
posted by GJ on February 9, 2009 @ 11:38AM

...here's a story to take your mind off it. Watch the video too!

And here's a few lame atheist jokes:

(1)

One day the zoo-keeper noticed that the orangutan was reading two books - the Bible and Darwin's Origin of Species.

Surprised, he asked the ape, "Why are you reading both those books?"

"Well," said the orangutan, "I just wanted to know if I was my brother's keeper or my keeper's brother."

(2)

When some people came to dinner, the hostess turned to her six year old daughter and said, "Would you like to say the blessing?"
"I wouldn't know what to say," the girl replied.
"Just say what you hear Mommy say," her mom answered.

The daughter bowed her head and said, "Lord, why on earth did I invite all these people to dinner?"

(3)

The Meaning of Easter

Three typical Americans die and are at the pearly gates of heaven. St. Peter tells them that they can enter the gates if they can answer one simple question: "What does Easter mean?".

St. Peter asks the first fellow, who smiles and replies, "Oh, that's easy! It's the holiday when we get eggs in baskets and candy from the Easter bunny..."

"WRONG!!!," replies St. Peter, and pushes the button sending him straight to H - E, double hockey sticks! (HELL!)

Then he proceeds to ask the second fellow the same question, "What does Easter mean?" The second guy hesitates and looks around. Finally he replies, "Easter... Easter... Easter is when we put on our Easter bonnets, with all the frills upon it, and be the grandest fella...."

"WRONG!!!" replies St. Peter who shakes his head in disgust, and pulls the leaver sending him down into the eternal flames. He then peers at the third man and asks, "I hope you can tell me what Easter means?"

The third fellow nervously smiled then said, "I know, I know what Easter is... Easter is the Christian holiday about Jesus... He and his disciples were eating at the last supper and... the Romans took him to be crucified... and he was hung on a cross, and then he was buried in a nearby cave which was sealed by a large boulder... And then they rolled the boulder away and Jesus came out... and saw his shadow and there were six more weeks of winter!"

No comments | Tags: cars

FLORIDA COURT SETS ATHEIST HOLY DAY
posted by Steve on February 6, 2009 @ 12:25PM

In Florida , an atheist created a case against the upcoming Easter and Passover holy days. He hired an attorney to bring a discrimination case against Christians, Jews and observances of their holy days. The argument was that it was unfair that atheists had no such recognized days. The case was brought before a judge. After listening to the passionate presentation by the lawyer, the judge banged his gavel declaring,"Case dismissed!" The lawyer immediately stood objecting to the ruling saying, "Your honor, how can you possibly dismiss this case? The Christians have Christmas, Easter and others. The Jews have Passover, Yom Kippur and Hanukkah, yet my client and all other atheists have no such holidays." The judge leaned forward in h is chair saying, "But you do. Your client, counsel, is woefully ignorant." The lawyer said, "Your Honor, we are unaware of any special observance or holiday for atheists." The judge said, "The calendar says April 1st is April Fools Day. Psalm 14:1 states, 'The fool says in his heart, there is no God.' Thus, it is the opinion of this court, that if your client says there is no God, then he is a fool. Therefore, April 1st is his day. Court is adjourned.

You gotta love a Judge that knows his scripture!

4 comments | Tags: funny

For those who don't browse the internet all day
posted by Marc on February 6, 2009 @ 11:11AM

1 comment | Tags: video, funny


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