Prime Time

No Boys.  Only the one crack at Keith and Rachel because it’s all Maricopa County and Joe Arpaio all the time on MSNBC during the weekend.

AMC has M*A*S*H x 2, the movie with all the minor characters who got cut from the TV Series like the Painless Pole (without whom the ‘Suicide is Painless‘ theme song doesn’t make much sense) and Spearchucker Jones and Duke (who’s absence, since he’s the second lead while Trapper John McIntyre only makes his appearance halfway through, is pretty puzzling).  Only Gary Burghoff is the same.

Yes, I did read all 3 novels by Rchard Hooker.  Why do you ask?

Son, we live in a world that has walls, and those walls have to be guarded by men with guns. Whose gonna do it? You? You, Lt. Weinburg? I have a greater responsibility than you could possibly fathom. You weep for Santiago, and you curse the marines. You have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know. That Santiago’s death, while tragic, probably saved lives. And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, saves lives. You don’t want the truth because deep down in places you don’t talk about at parties, you want me on that wall, you need me on that wall. We use words like honor, code, loyalty. We use these words as the backbone of a life spent defending something. You use them as a punchline. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said thank you, and went on your way, Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a weapon, and stand a post. Either way, I don’t give a damn what you think you are entitled to.

Later-

Alton has all you’d ever want to know about pressure-cooking broth.  Toon has new Children’s Hospital (new link), Dr. Quymn, Medicine Woman (memorable), and Look Around You does Sports (Darts and Fencing become ‘Dencing’, though I can perhaps think of another fusion).

There will come a time when you have a chance to do the right thing.

I love those moments. I like to wave at them as they pass by.

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    • on 08/14/2010 at 01:44
      Author

    What did we do wrong? We did nothing wrong.

    Yeah, we did. We were supposed to fight for the people who couldn’t fight for themselves. We were supposed to fight for Willie.

    • on 08/14/2010 at 01:59

    The mets are really godawful this season.  But i watch anyway, hoping, hoping beyond hope that something will get them to play baseball rather than whatever game they think they’re getting paid for.  

    • on 08/14/2010 at 02:02
      Author

    so Friday Thurber.

    • on 08/14/2010 at 02:08


    Through early morning fog I see

    visions of the things to be

    the pains that are withheld for me

    I realize and I can see…

    [chorus]:

    That suicide is painless

    It brings on many changes

    and I can take or leave it if I please.

    I try to find a way to make

    all our little joys relate

    without that ever-present hate

    but now I know that it’s too late, and…

    [Chorus]

    The game of life is hard to play

    I’m gonna lose it anyway

    The losing card I’ll someday lay

    so this is all I have to say.

    [Chorus]

    The only way to win is cheat

    And lay it down before I’m beat

    and to another give my seat

    for that’s the only painless feat.

    [Chorus]

    MASH

    The sword of time will pierce our skins

    It doesn’t hurt when it begins

    But as it works its way on in

    The pain grows stronger…watch it grin, but…

    [Chorus]

    A brave man once requested me

    to answer questions that are key

    ‘is it to be or not to be’

    and I replied ‘oh why ask me?’

    ‘Cause suicide is painless

    it brings on many changes

    and I can take or leave it if I please.

    …and you can do the same thing if you choose.

    Written by Johnny Mandel (music) and Mike Altman (lyrics), son of the film’s director, Robert Altman, for the 1972 movie. It is sung in the movie by “Private Seidman” (Ken Prymus).

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