Category: Rev. Joe Dirt’s Ramblings

The unsolicited, unreasoned, uninformed, unapologetic opinions of Rev. Joe Dirt

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I Did Not Realize I Was So Angry

The other day, a few days before the Missouri primary, I stayed home to do honey-dos around the old hacienda, mostly yard work.  I had stepped inside for a moment, and then I went back outside through the garage, out to the front of our house.  As I did so a middle-aged, somewhat matronly woman was walking down our front sidewalk away from our front door.

I saw a stack of red flyers in her hand, so I asked, “Are you canvassing for a Republican?”

She nodded yes.

That is when the demons took hold of me and I went on a bit of a rant.

“Just so you know, I would never, ever vote for a Republican.  I would never vote for the party that has the convicted felon, Trump, as it leader, for a party that refuses to condemn January 6th, for the party that is hell bent on taking away our voting rights, for the party that is taking away women’s reproductive rights, for the party that is Continue reading “I Did Not Realize I Was So Angry”

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J. D. Vance Owes Me 10 Minutes

J. D. Vance owes me ten minutes of my life back.  Well, actually, whoever started the rumor about this troglodyte having an amorous, physical relationship with a couch owes  me the ten minutes.

One of the late night TV hosts was running on with many jokes about the alleged “romance” between Mr. Vance and the couch.  Señora was totally perplexed.  I told her it has been rumored that Continue reading “J. D. Vance Owes Me 10 Minutes”

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Rev. Joe’s Random Thought #4,245

yeah I know you did not ask!

You should so be blessed – well cursed at times actually – with a mind such as mine, making all these weird connections between my rumored neurons. Just be thankful that I do not share all of my random thoughts.

Various folks over the years have talked about how the fashion industry, Hollywood, etc have created an epidemic of body dysmorphia among young women and likely young men too.  If nothing else, it causes unachievable expectations in young men about what young women should look like.  They take beautiful young people, photograph them in glamorous  situations, using the most flattering of lights, then doctor the photos afterwards to eliminate any blemishes.  Have you ever seen a pimple on a picture of a super model?

I have been thinking about this of late as AI generated images on the web are becoming more and more common. The women depicted are unbelievable beautiful and without a flaw, like nothing I have ever seen in real life.  Even the men in their 60s and beyond have washboard stomachs.

If there is truly a prevalent problem with body dysmorphia in our society, AI is not helping.

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Car Talk Puzzler: Lawn mowing

Long time NPR listeners will remember a Saturday morning staple, Car Talk hosted by the Tappet Brothers, Click and Clack, aka Tom and Ray Magliozzi.  For many years it was the most highly rated show on NPR. One of the regular features of the show was their Puzzler.  Frequently it dealt with subjects automotive, but not always.  The one of interest for this blog posting dealt with lawn mowing.

This particular Puzzler involved a gentleman who had had the same lawnmower for many years.  He had always been able to mow his lawn with one tank of gas.  The last year or so, he had to refill the lawnmower’s gas tank to complete his household chore. Of course, with it being Car Talk you were thinking of various causes mechanical.  After much joviality and Continue reading “Car Talk Puzzler: Lawn mowing”

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Season Liberally

Señora has a bit of an addiction problem with Penzeys Spices.  Well, the truth is that I have a bit of a problem with her Penzeys habit.  I collect lint balls, she collects spices. Whenever they have a sale she is down there.  I frequently feel that we are drowning in spices.

I did find the back of her most recently purchase interesting, however.  Even though I agree with the sentiments expressed on the label, I am generally of the opinion that businesses should keep their politics and religion to themselves. There are several business that I try to avoid due to their politics or religious sentiments, e.g., I never, ever eat at Chick-fil-A.

Her current purchase is labeled Outrage whose ingredients are:  Salt, black pepper, red pepper, citric acid, shallots, lemon peel, white pepper, garlic, green onion..

In case you cannot read the back of the jar in the photo:

The ongoing Republican effort to end our democracy is Outrageous. The party’s purge of those disloyal to the January 6 plotters is even worse. When does a party end and fascism begin? When good people give up on being Outraged. Your love is strong; use it to keep Outrage alive.

Outrageously good on avocados, eggs, fish, vegetables, salads, chicken, hummus, sandwiches, and cheeseburgers.

Season Liberally

Just another day in the extremely divided USA.

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Rev. Joe’s Random Thought #2,805

yeah I know you did not ask!

You should so be blessed – well cursed at times actually – with a mind such as mine, making all these weird connections between my rumored neurons. Just be thankful that I do not share all of my random thoughts.

If truth was required in advertising and political slogans, MAGA, Make America Great Again, would actually read MAWA.  Make America White Again, or more to the point Make America Great for White Men Again.  However, that does not fit on a ball cap and be easily readable, nor is MAGFWMA very pronounceable. MAGAs seem to have no problem with open misogyny, and barely hide their racism behind rhetoric about illegal immigration. They justify their misogyny with religious language. Their racism has even more nefarious roots.

Of course, the underlying implication of MAGA is that America is not great now, but that seems circular.  If America is not great now, it has a lot to do with the MAGA movement.

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Just Saying…

 

I don’t always remember this, but I do not know anyone who has gotten through or is getting through this life unscathed.  Life is nothing if not messy. Or as I say in my current email tagline “Life… such a strange journey.”

My goal for each day should be to remember that each of us carry baggage, and practice a little tolerance, and hope I am given the same latitude – om padme mani hum.

Just saying…

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