The Flower | Awesome Promotional Video Short

It's not very often that a promotional video catches my eye, but this video promoting the Legalize Marijuana movement certainly captured my imagination. I certainly think the portrait that is being painted here echoes what a lot of people may have been thinking for quite a while.

So, have a look at The Flower...

Something Cool From The YouTube

Well it's a new year and the Christmas Season is over. It always comes too fast and leaves too early for me. I hope you have a very Happy and Prosperous New Year.

During the holidays while surfing around YouTube I ran across a tidy documentary done by the BBC. It's about the story behind a song that doesn't really fit the typical tradition of other Christmas Music - Fairytale of New York by The Pogues.

Not only does the song and video top my list of my favourite Christmas Songs, I think it's a great piece of work and could be listened to and watched any time of the year.

So, I thought I would pop it up here.

Maybe I should have posted this during Christmas but what the hell, I think the song is timeless and I found the documentary very interesting. You might like it too.

FAIRYTALE OF NEW YORK
the video



FAIRYTALE OF NEW YORK
the lyrics

It was Christmas Eve babe
In the drunk tank
An old man said to me, won't see another one
And then he sang a song
The Rare Old Mountain Dew
I turned my face away
And dreamed about you

Got on a lucky one
Came in eighteen to one
I've got a feeling
This year's for me and you
So happy Christmas
I love you baby
I can see a better time
When all our dreams come true

They've got cars big as bars
They've got rivers of gold
But the wind goes right through you
It's no place for the old
When you first took my hand
On a cold Christmas Eve
You promised me
Broadway was waiting for me

You were handsome
You were pretty
Queen of New York City
When the band finished playing
They howled out for more
Sinatra was swinging,
All the drunks they were singing
We kissed on a corner
Then danced through the night

The boys of the NYPD choir
Were singing "Galway Bay"
And the bells were ringing out
For Christmas day

You're a bum
You're a punk
You're an old slut on junk
Lying there almost dead on a drip in that bed
You scumbag, you maggot
You cheap lousy faggot
Happy Christmas your arse
I pray God it's our last

I could have been someone
Well so could anyone
You took my dreams from me
When I first found you
I kept them with me babe
I put them with my own
Can't make it all alone
I've built my dreams around you

copyright 1988 Shane MacGowan & Jem Finer

FAIRYTALE OF NEW YORK
the documentary

The Story Of...Fairytale of New York - The Pogues (Part 1 of 6)


The Story Of...Fairytale of New York - The Pogues (Part 2 of 6)


The Story Of...Fairytale of New York - The Pogues (Part 3 of 6)


The Story Of...Fairytale of New York - The Pogues (Part 4 of 6)


The Story Of...Fairytale of New York - The Pogues (Part 5 of 6)


The Story Of...Fairytale of New York - The Pogues (Part 6 of 6)


Hope you found it as interesting as I did.

Jd

When Is A Monster A Bully

As reported widely in the news, Hansen Beverage Co., the maker of Monster Energy Drinks has contacted a small craft brewery with a trademark warning letter demanding Rock Art Brewery stop advertising, promoting and selling its Vermonster craft beer because of the name similarities, according to the Associated Press.

Hansen also is asking for compensation for attorneys’ fees. WTF!

Check it out!



Now I don't know about you but if I was selling 1 billion(1000 million) dollars worth of energy drinks a year, I'd hardly be concerned with a small craft beer maker that uses a no-so-even-close-name as my own... Vermonster... Monster... Oh yeah, must be the same outfit! NOT!

Is the corporate world gone crazy or what? Do these corporate type marketers realize that this kind of behaviour is going to backfire or do they even give a shit.

Considering Hansen doesn't make anything, as far as I am aware, it's all manufactured by other companies, they also have a distribution deal with Anheuser-Bush. I guess all they do there is market the product, and defend the brand from dilution against attempts from other powerhouse marketers, such as Rock Art Brewery, the folks that actually make Vermonster craft Beer themselves.

I guess they are so busy at Hansen Beverage Company building reputable brands, they don't have time to look under their feet at who they're trying to crush! You talk about going viral in a totally wrong direction. I hope it bites them in the ass!

This Is When A Monster Is A Bully!

Anyway, I am not the only one thinking it's deplorable - Monster Energy Drink, May You Go Bank-Fucking-Rupt.

Update - Monster Energy Drink And Hansen Have Forgotten America | Monster Energy Drink Vs Rock Art Brewery and Vermonster Beer, Round #2

And There's more concern about a fair fight with Monster Energy Drink vs Vermonster Beer.

And yes there is more concern about Monster Energy Drink – Corporate America Gone Bad.

And Liss is having a say about ROCK ART BREWERY vs Corporate America – The Biggest Scam of All!

More alarming is the Monster Energy Drink Side Effects.

And it doesn't stop there!

- Poor and Angry – Monster Energy Drink Hates America.

- The Monster Energy Drink Company Is One Big Vagina.

- Don't Feed The Monster.

- Monster Energy Drink vs Vermonster.

- Monster Energy Drink Kills Mom and Pop Shops

It seems as though more bloggers are not impressed as seen with Monster Energy Drink Sucks The Life Out of Small Businesses, and Monster Energy Drink Attacks Vermont Beer

And here is a question worth asking - Hey Monster – Who’s the Noob Now?

If your looking for Alternatives to Coffee, Postum and Camel Piss (Monster Energy Drink)

And this from Online Stock Trading - The Rock Art Brewery Vermonster Barleywine Real Beer Monster Mash.

Update October 21st

• Monster Energy Drink Hates America By Attacking Small Vermont Beer Brewery


• Why the Hansen Beverage Company and their Camel Piss (Monster Energy Drink) needs to Fail

If Hansen tries to hide behind a I-have-to-protect-my-brand bullshit argument, I hope the customers that drink the energetic swill will take notice and switch to another brand.

It's also reprehensible to engage in such tactics and then expect the tiny tiny company you're attacking TO PAY FOR THE LITIGATION!!!

Here is a link to Vermonster.

So here is my question - If you drink Monster, would you send the company an email stating you will stop drinking Monster until the company stops this ridiculous action? Or even better CALL THEM - Monster Energy Drink at 1-800-426-7367

In the mean time and between time - Don't the Executives at Hansen have anything better to do?

There's a poll you can participate in if you think the folks at Monster are Slimeballs or Not.

You can sign a petition and Tell Corporate America that you will not Tolerate the Bullying of Small Companies

Follow Rock Art Brewery on Twitter

Why you should boycott Monster Energy Drink

join the Facebook group Vermonters and Craft Beer Drinkers Against Monster Energy

Response from Mark Hall, President of Monster Beverage on Facebook

Hey! What's Up With That Stuff?

Three Years for Bush Shoe Throw

Three years for Bush Shoe Throw represents a pretty high priced pair of shoes.

This is So funny... I feel sorry for the guy but what can you say. Throw your shoes today and get three years in jail... unbelievable!

I think I would keep my shoes on at that price.

This shoe throwing thing seems to be gaining in popularity these days. Someone pisses you off!

Throw a pair of size 10s at em! Get 3 years in jail. oops

I think there is a better way to protest... maybe write a letter... what do you think?

Shoe Throw or write a letter?

I wonder what George W Bush thinks of 3 years for the infraction.

So here's my question:

Is 3 years proper punishment for the old Bush Shoe Throw?

Leave a comment and let me know!

Hey! What's up with that Stuff?

Enter at Your Own Risk | Shoe Zone

Welcome to the Shoe Zone. You know, like the no mans land in a frickin' war.

A protester threw an shoe at Wen Jiabao, the Chinese Prime Minister, as he was giving a speech at the Cambridge University Concert Hall yesterday.

Are Shoes turning into weapons of protest or what!

I kinda' like Mens Shoes, any kind really. I can't see myself throwing them at someone even if I was pissed-off at them. Bit of a waste of good shoes really. 

I wonder if these protesting nutcases miss their footwear after?
It seem to me that there is an Increase in Shoe Throwing. Ah, who really cares. 

It's really a stupid effort when you consider these guys never hit the target anyway. It's a bit silly to get arrested for missing, but there you have it!  It's just a continuation of the old bush shoe throw.

It wasn't that long ago that an angry journalist whipped a size 10 shoe at then President George Bush.

So here's my question: Should Shoe Throwing be only used for Heads of State or is anybody fair game?
Hey! What's up with That Stuff?

Michael Phelps | Olympic Swimmer Caught on Tape.

Ok, so Michael Phelps the most winning Olympic Swimmer of all time was 

Caught on Tape smoking something in a bong. 

Then he apologizes for smoking Dope! 

Aside from the admission of guilt, which he should have never made, 

this story is hardly news worthy.

SO WHAT! WHO CARES! I don't give a shit if he smokes pot and this would not have been an issue if it had not been widely publicised. It would have been a different thing if this had happened prior to the Games but it didn't  and he passed all testing.

What I do care about is the media shining a light on this and pretending that it is news. 

Slow day on the presses I guess.

Hey! The New President of the United States of America made it widely known before he was elected that he smoked the weeds and drank too much beer and I didn't hear or see ANY fallout in the press. Good Grief!

So now, Michael Phelps - a World Class Athlete who is a true Olympic Hero, has a little fun and the press is all over it like a wet rag. Go figure!

And here's my question: Do you care Michael Phelps he smoked a little pot or not?

Hey! What's up with that Stuff?

Watch The "We Are One" Concert! President-elect Barack Obama!

Watch The "We Are One" Concert! President-elect Barack Obama!

You'll never see an Inauguration Concert like this again. Great stuff!

You can see it at the HBO We Are One Concert.

Barack Obama is Almost In! 

The parents of Barack Obama would surely be proud. 

I think the whole world is proud.

So, George W. Bush is OUT, and Barack Obama is to be sworn-in on Tuesday. Looks like there's gonna be a big change in Washington but what does it all mean for the rest of the world?

During the Presidency of George W. Bush Americans witnessed the worst terrorist attack on US soil in its history. How did George W. Bush handle it? I guess that will be decided by historians but most Americans believe his term in office was mired in deception.

Will Barack Obama be able to uplift the stature of the USA in the world? Who knows! Can he do any worse than the previous administration? Maybe not.

So as the Obama Train pulls into Washington to take his place as The First African American President in the History of America the whole world is watching with baited breath.

Meanwhile the Gaza Strip is a hotbed of violence, Iraq is, according to George W. Bush, a democracy, and Afghanistan is still a warzone. Looks like Barack Obama has his hands full.

If you want to understand more about these men and their place in history, learn more about George W. Bush and learn more about Barack Obama Biography. It's where you'll get the facts about Barack Obama

Osama bin Laden is calling for jihad.

Osama bin Laden is calling for jihad. In an audio tape released on several militant websites today the author of 911 is calling a jihad for all Muslims against the State of Israel.

Calling for jihad is nothing new for bin Laden as we all know, but this audio tape is running over pictures. Strange as seems people in-the-know say it sounds like bin Laden. I suppose!

Gaza is still under attack and cities all over the world are hosting demonstrations for the Palestinian or the Israelis sometimes getting quite nasty. It seems they both hate each other and who knows what will end it. 

So the headline is: Bin Laden Calls for Jihad Against Israel for Gaza Offensive (Audio).

So here is my question: Do you believe Osama bin Laden is dead or alive?

It hardly makes a difference. He can still incite militant Islamists against the whole world.

Hey! What's up with that Stuff?

Hillary Clinton before Senate Foreign Relations Committee

Senator Hillary Clinton, soon to be Secretary of State, is before the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee today and says the United States has to address Israel's security needs and the Palestinians' aspirations for a state of their own.

Is the Senate Foreign Relations Committee going to actually scrutinize Senator Clinton for this post or is it a done deal?

Take a wild guess... DONE DEAL!

As for the Gaza situation there is very little Foreign Relations taking place.

Meanwhile the bombs keep falling, the bullets keep flying, and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee can sit around rubber stamping the good Senator from New York State that was almost President of the United States of America.

In any event, the statement is as innocuous as can be. Yes, why not just state the obvious and have everyone in Senate Foreign Relations Committee  do absolutely nothing to try and rectify the situation.

Sounds like Business as Usual to me! Someone needs to do something about the situation NOW. Not in a week or a month. 

So here's my question: What will the incoming US President DO about the Palestinians and the Israelis or is that a question everyone will continue to evade?

Hey! What's up with that Stuff?

Democracy coming to Iraq.

Well it's about time. If you believe it.

I view the whole situation as a bad joke.

Sure, the violence is not as bad as it was,

but what does that prove? Humm!

I guess real democracy in Iraq will happen if there is

real equality between all the different factions 

of Iraqi society.

Anyway, I won't hold my breath yet, but it's 

a good thing for the Americans to get out of there!

Considering that they should have never been there,

it IS a step in the right direction.

But I have a question: 

Are the Iraqis really ready to control their country

and will it really be what we call Democracy?

Probably NOT!

Hey! What's Up with that Stuff?

Happy New Year From Canada!

HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM CANADA!

I hope everyone is enjoying New Years Day!

As you can see it's enough to freeze your....

Well, ya' know what I mean!

Hopefully we can all look forward to a happy

and prosperous 2009.  I know I'll be working 

as hard as I can to evade the wolves at the door 

and I know you will be too.

2008 was a wild ride of a year financially, 

socially, and politically  all over world. 

However, today is for hope, peace, and 

stability everywhere on this little blue planet 

that we all call home.

As you can see above, Chucky 

the squirrel is asking the question today!

Hey! What's up with that Stuff?

Happy New Year!

Oil is up! War in Gaza!

The Israeli air strikes that are pounding the Gaza Strip
is causing the price of crude oil to rise.
Well now! Isn't that just a big surprise!

Crude oil rose above $40 a barrel today for

fear of instability in the region.

The oil producing nations in the Middle East

surely didn't want the price of oil to go up.

Statements in defense of the barrage of air strikes in Gaza

from Israels' Defense Minister Ehud Barak

 said Israel is fighting a “war to the death”.

Just what the whole world needs!

It is amazing how things are linked!

War, Hatred, and Oil.

You talk about a slippery slope!

As the world looks on, I am
reminded of a Roger Waters lyric...

God wants goodness

God wants light

God wants mayhem

God wants a clean fight

What God wants God gets

All I can say is the whole affair is CRAZY!

My Question: What does God Really want?

Hey! What's up with that stuff?

Gaza Strip is a Battleground Again!

So the Gaza Strip is being pounded by Israeli rockets. This, according to the Israelis, is in retaliation to the recent mortar and rocket attacks by Hamas.

So all I can say is: Here we go again!

I don't know if it's just me, but all this violence is beyond reason, on both sides. These two groups continue to kill innocent people, and for what - a strip of land that both groups have been fighting over for centuries? Are these people not neighbors?

The international community is picking sides and issuing statements in support of one or the other when the only rational response is that the whole affair is ridiculous and should STOP NOW!

Leaders on both sides should be arrested and thrown in jail for mass murder.
Yeah Right! Oh! I guess this is a war so they're not really criminals! Whatever!

As far as I'm concerned, the violence in the Middle East isn't about Land... it's about Hate!

If there is a God, and that's a question for another day, and God sees what is happening in the Gaza Strip, he must be pissed!

Maybe he'll flood the whole area so there'll be no land to bomb each other over. How many people would be spared the death and mayhem these tribes are raining down upon each other. Give me a break.

There isn't one good reason for any of the violence to continue.

And Yes, I've got a question:

Why in Gods' Name can't we just get along with each other?

Hey! What's up with THAT STUFF?

Bush to the Rescue!

George W. Bush is going to end his presidency on a high note it seems. 

Despite what many republican senators must have hoped for, 

the Bush administration is going to cough-up over 17 billion dollars

in loans and assistance to GM, Ford, and Chrysler.

As far as I'm concerned it's about time someone in Washington

got of their a$$ and actually did what needed to be done. NOW!!!

All the political posturing proved nothing - zip, zero, zilch!

And by the way! A loan that will get paid back is hardly a hand-out!

But here's the question for ya'.

Does this mean the price of a new car or truck in the USA will go up next year?

Hey! What's up with that stuff?

 

Size 10 Shoes.

Who says George W. doesn't have a sense of humor?

This has got to be the funniest thing 

I've ever seen involving a president.

But here is my question: Why arrest the guy? Ha!

Auto Bailout!

So the Republicans refused to pass the aid package sent to them. This is political as far as I can see and shouldn't be confused with caretaker objectives. Saying that the unions should take a pay decrease or some other kind of concession is obviously not the real issue at this moment in time.

When the auto industry first began, it was credited for creating the middle class that created a vast amount of economic wealth. Some would say the North American economy is built on the back of the auto industry.

I think it's also fair to say that when President Elect Barack Obama takes office in the new year there will be a package delivered to the automakers in Detroit.

Here's my question:

What is to be gained by stalling the bailout package and why are the republicans playing stupid party politics when so much is at stake?

Liberals Poised to Take on Harper!

Now we got it goin' on. 

It looks as if Michael Ignatieff will be the new Leader without opposition. 

This should be good news for the Liberal Party and finally give them a chance to put forward a candidate with some solid academic credentials. 

Even though I applaud this and believe Mr. Ignatieff will bring some rational thinking to the Liberals, I am still of the belief that this can only be a good thing for the Conservatives.

Without the credence of any real voter approval within the Liberal Party, and with Bob Rae standing down, I don't think he has any grassroots credibility. This fact, however, may not be a crucial liability and if Mr. Ignatieff manages to work well with the Conservative minority government he may be able to increase his political capital.  

My question:

After the excitement of the past couple of weeks, 

are we going back to BORING? 

Hey! What's up with that stuff?

Lead On... and on, and on...

I am not surprised at the breakdown of support for the current Liberal Leader. I find it quite funny that the Liberals may pick a new Leader without a full vote from the grassroots level of the party as they would in a leadership convention. 

It seems to me that the Liberals are opposed to any kind of election. 

Very strange! Maybe not!

But let's be serious!

Considering that one of the three candidates for the leadership has dropped out, and of the two remaining, one is really NDP, there isn't much to debate really - or is there?

So here is my question: 

Why doesn't the Liberal Party to try to work with the government instead of all this posturing?

Hey! What's up with that stuff?

Outrageous Presentation!

I cannot believe the quality of the video presentation to the nation of Stephane Dion. 

One would think the coalition would present their "Leader and proposed Prime Minister" as a statesman worthy of the position. Instead he looked sly and sheepish.

It should have been captioned... "Would you trust this Man?"

Here's my question: How on earth could the Canadian people be assured with a coalition that has presented their position in the manner they did on national television last night?

Hey! What's up with that stuff?

Let's get Real!

All this talk about the lack of fiscal action is a total red herring.
All the talk of a 62% majority of Canadians is bogus!

Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion was clearly rejected by the Canadian people. He is soon to be a back-bencher.

Jack Layton has no other viable way to ever sit on the government side of the house.

A formal CONTRACT with the Bloc is beyond ridiculous.

I have never, in my 50 years, seen such back-room tactics designed to deceive the Canadian public.

The Conservatives and the Prime Minister clearly have shown that they have difficulty being cooperative in the house. They should have known better than to try and kill the political funding which the opposition parties so desperately need. Trying to restrict the right of public servants to strike was also a poor position to put forward at this time.

However, it really makes no difference if they are right or wrong and these policies have been dropped. They desired effect was achieved.

The Liberals, NDP, Bloc, and all the other parties in the country should hold the government to a high standard. This is why the people elected a minority government.
The spirit of cooperation has to work among ALL PARTIES.
The Conservatives did alter their agenda.

So, here's my question: Did the opposition parties plan to overthrow the conservative government before the financial update of last week?
Hey! What's up with that stuff!