Weird Scenes Inside The Gold Mind

A word on negative campaigning:

Current election financing laws tend to make negative advertising more prevelant because "soft" money is virtually unregulated. So while candidate X may be constrained in how much he can spend on direct advertising for himself, the sky is the limit for "concerned citizens" who want you to know that candidate Y eats white Christian babies.

And as long as the first amendment remains mostly intact, don't expect this situation to change anytime soon. Of course, now that we've dispensed with both the fourth amendment and habeas corpus, I'm sure that pesky first amendment won't last long.

As for the impending mid-term elections, I think we can all happily anticipate close Republican victories in all races, regardless of how people actually vote. Remember: It's now who votes that counts, it's who counts the votes.

About the Steve Erwin bit on "South Park", are the Aussies and Brits upset because Erwin is shown as being in Hell? I'd think rap fans would be even more upset with the idea that Biggie Smalls (aka Notorious BIG) would not only be in Hell but be the fodder for a new take on the "Bloody Mary" UL. Or that the families of the victims of Gacy, Bundy and Dahmer would be upset over those three being turned into nothing more than a homicidal Three Stooges. Admittedly, I found the Biggie and Hell's Stooges to be incredibly funny (the scene of Butter successfully summoning Biggie was funny, but Butter's reaction to the choice of being killed or being grounded kept me laughing even through the commercial break; I'm even laughing as I type about it).
Actually, the Erwin bit is funniest simply because Satan actually thinks it's one of his "guests" dressed up AS Erwin and takes the guest to task for it being "too recent" until the guest says he IS Steve and then kicked out of the party for not being in costume. (I kind of think that Hell--at least in the "South Park" view--is occupied by everyone who's died, not merely the "evil" people.)
Of course, Mike, could you imagine the reaction (even, perhaps, yanking from the air) that would have followed had this been done within just a few months of Reagan's death?

WRT Hell in South Park:

It's been established that the Mormons "were right" about Heaven, Hell, and God, and thus that only Mormons go to Heaven (barring the occasional need for a kid who plays video games well).

So, unless Erwin was a Mormon, he would indeed be in Hell on South Park.

RD Francis

It's Irwin, not Erwin. And I was a fan of his. I suppose it is fodder for irreverent humor, but I really don't get the joke. He's left behind a devastated widow and two small children. Ha ha, what a jerk!

Anybody who uses his or her own baby -- or, generally speaking, anybody else's -- as alligator bait is a jerk in my book.

As noted, bad taste is South Park's stock in trade and in their hands it's an artform. Check out Team America now that Kim Jong Il has the bomb; these boys are hardly stupid and they often use their humor to comment on our world and our society, much like Lenny Bruce did 40 years ago.

But I think our friend JosephW (above) got it exactly right: the joke was on Satan, not on Erwin. If you're offended by the concept of Erwin going to hell, well, damn, the dude used his own kid as alligator bait. I might not have read the Hell Users' Guide, but in a fair world that would seem to qualify for at least an outer circle.

Given your excellent movie website, Marilyn (http://ferdyonfilms.blogspot.com/) and the fact that you're a Chicagoan who hangs out at the theater named after him, I'd think you'd be more upset by South Park's inclusion of Gene Siskel (who I knew well as a Conan comics fan) in hell in what I regard as the funniest musical ever made: South Park Bigger, Longer and Uncut. That's certainly what pissed Roger Ebert off, and Roger should know better.

I love South Park, and I loved the South Park movie. I just think the timing of this satire was cruel. His actions with his baby were thoughtless and dangerous, but given his upbringing, I could see that he wouldn't recognize the size of the risk he was taking. I also snorkel and have been in an African game park full of dangerous creatures with not much between me and them. Irwin courted danger, yes, but he also encouraged somewhat timid people like me to get out into nature and explore. He paid the price through a freak accident that could have happened to anyone.

By the way, Ebert changed his thumb in favor of South Park. He's now a fan.

No shit? Wow, I missed that one. Do you know where that one's archived? Damn cool.

Glad to see Roger's improving. Back when he started out on the Sun-Times he was corralled into one of those "visit the high school journalist wannabe" things and he critiqued my work, giving me invaluable advice. A decade later I returned the compliment by arranging an interview for him with Harvey Kurtzman. Roger didn't know who he was going to sell it to -- he hoped Esquire -- but he wanted to interview Kurtzman no matter what.

I was in the Sun-Times newsroom the day two of his magazine pieces were published: one in Esquire, one in Amazing Stories (or, possibly, Fantastic -- I think he sold one s-f story to each, both edited by Ted White). He was handing out copies... of the s-f story.

It's not an all-out rave, but 2.5 stars is pretty good. http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19990630/REVIEWS/906300301/1023

He also made his amends on the TV show. I have no idea if there is a video archive showing it, but I remember it very well.

Roger always answers my e-mails and is great fun at his Overlooked Film Festival. I hope he feels better soon.

Sometimes I like South Park, sometimes I don't. It seems to me they sometimes try to be even-handed in their scoffing, and that doesn't work for me. But I give them props for trying.

Which is more than one can say about the Dems. The only bright spot in this is that Dean seems to be proven right, that a 50-state strategy can work. It's great to see at least someone think outside the Beltway for a change

Bill Maher offers us the ultimate in Crocodile Steve, courtesy Webführer Hauman:

http://time.blogs.com/daily_dish/2006/10/bill_mahers_hal.html

Whether tragic events touch your family personally or are brought into your home via newspapers and television, you can help children cope with the anxiety that violence, death, and disasters can cause.

Listening and talking to children about their concerns can reassure them that they will be safe. Start by encouraging them to discuss how they have been affected by what is happening around them. Even young children may have specific questions about tragedies. Children react to stress at their own developmental level.

The Caring for Every Child's Mental Health Campaign offers these pointers for parents and other caregivers:

* Encourage children to ask questions. Listen to what they say. Provide comfort and assurance that address their specific fears. It's okay to admit you can't answer all of their questions.
* Talk on their level. Communicate with your children in a way they can understand. Don't get too technical or complicated.
* Find out what frightens them. Encourage your children to talk about fears they may have. They may worry that someone will harm them at school or that someone will try to hurt you.
* Focus on the positive. Reinforce the fact that most people are kind and caring. Remind your child of the heroic actions taken by ordinary people to help victims of tragedy.
* Pay attention. Your children's play and drawings may give you a glimpse into their questions or concerns. Ask them to tell you what is going on in the game or the picture. It's an opportunity to clarify any misconceptions, answer questions, and give reassurance.
* Develop a plan. Establish a family emergency plan for the future, such as a meeting place where everyone should gather if something unexpected happens in your family or neighborhood. It can help you and your children feel safer.

If you are concerned about your child's reaction to stress or trauma, call your physician or a community mental health center.

Unfortunately, George Bush is in the media way too much for me to keep up with these interventions.