Fireworks

Happy New Year!

Go look at the fireworks at bing.com.

Note: To see last night's fireworks now, you will have to use the back arrow at bottom right corner of bing screen. Today it is a polar bear.

Lego Friends

Lego is coming out with a new product line - Lego Friends. It's for girls and yes it is pink plus other non-primary colors. I was prepared to complain about stereotypes, but now I am going to be a little bit more open-minded and wait until I pass judgement. On the one hand, I don't appreciate when people try to limit options for boys or girls, whether it's toys or career choices. But on the other hand, there is good research out there that supports the idea that, for at least some kids, boys and girls learn in different ways.

I found this article at Businessweek that has some of the background into the decision to make the Lego Friends product. It wasn't just some hour-long meeting where they decided to dip the Lego bricks in pink paint and call it a new product. There was a lot of research and I think they may have done their homework well. Time will tell.

So, if you have a bit of time and are interested in some background on the Lego brand, read the article. You can even read about the town of Billund in Denmark, home of Lego, and Ole Kirk Christiansen, the founder of Lego. I'm sure this will generate a lot of news as Lego Friends starts rolling off the shelves next month. Why not for Christmas you wonder? That also was planned so that there would be more shelf space that could be dedicated to Lego Friends.

Now I can only wonder if Stephen will buy Lego Friends. It could get interesting.

Dum Spiro Spero

That's Latin for, "While I breathe, I hope." It is also the motto of South Carolina, which is the home of Stephen Colbert. He's relaxing over the holidays in South Carolina, but while relaxing, he is still thinking and thus writing. I spotted this guest editorial today in "The State" by Stephen. (I saw it today, but it was in "The State" on December 22.) It clarifies the whole South Carolina primary hullabaloo. All he wants is to have the Republican primary named after him and to let South Carolinians decide if

(_) Corporations are people

or

(_) Only people are people.

It is fascinating to read because Stephen wrote it and everything he writes is fascinating, and it is very informative too. Information is good.

Colbert Guest Editorial: Naming Rights, State Mottoes and the GOP Primary + Video

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas. I hope everyone who celebrates Christmas is having a joyful time tonight. You know, Santa Claus is on his way to your house right now as I speak. If you are still awake and waiting for him, spend a little time with your friendly search engines. Both Bing and Google are festive on your behalf.

Google has animated Christmas icons and some music. Just click on each of those colored squares.

Bing has someone's house (not mine) with animated light show to show Santa the way to deliver toys.

Have a peaceful evening and day. Joy to all. Relax and enjoy your family and friends.

I Get It

It will soon be Christmas Day. Of course, it has been Christmas for a long time now, maybe even since Halloween! It seems that the stores have their Christmas merchandise on the shelves earlier and earlier each year. Some people complain about this. And yet, if we want to keep Christmas in our hearts all year, well then it just makes sense, right? Oh, I know it's more about profit than a sense of good will towards all that brings out the ornaments, cards, and sales for Christmas at your local mall.

Think about it, though. First of all, it probably takes a lot of effort and time and coordination to get everything ordered and delivered and set up at the stores. Gifts that we buy need to be wrapped and mailed. That takes time. Christmas cards also take time and effort to get out to everybody. (Note to self: Get going on Christmas letter. Time is running out!) And second of all, if people had to wait until December before any of the stores had Christmas stuff, there would be just as much complaining.

Here we are a few days from Christmas and I don't have the cards done yet. I think about making Christmas cookies, but in a way it is better if I don't because then I eat a lot of them. They are so tiny, they couldn't possibly have many calories, could they? I don't have many more people to buy gifts for. Luckily, most of that shopping is done. So in a way I am glad that Christmas starts earlier every year to help me focus on what needs to be done. On the other hand, I fall into the trap of thinking there's a lot of time yet, it's only Halloween, or Thanksgiving or early December and then, kapowie! Christmas is here and I'm not ready.

I guess you can't win, no matter what.

So, that brings me around to what this is all about today. Christmas should be a nice thing. (That's my opinion. You may have a different opinion. That's okay.) But I almost dread the first time I see something Christmas-y or hear a Christmas song on the radio. That is almost guaranteed to bring out the grinches. No, not the kind that steal Christmas. The kind that dictate to everyone exactly how they should celebrate Christmas. Don't you dare say "Happy Holidays" to those people. Free speech goes out the window when it comes to what they want you to say.

Case in point from Seattlepi.com. The very same people who call out others for the generic greeting are guilty themselves. "Fox and Friends" are upset with a "Holiday" parade. And yet they celebrate the "Fox and Friends Holiday Party."

I also found a website that also tells you the correct way to handle all things Christmas. Yet I can't help but wonder how serious and pious the guy behind it is. There are eleven ads on the page. Seems like it might be more of a money maker than a wish for blessings to those who navigate to his website.

And why really do we say "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas?" There's most likely as many reasons why as there are days in December. For instance, say it's December 23 and I see an acquaintance in the grocery store. We talk a little bit and then I say Merry Christmas. I like this person and I wish him well, so should I also say Happy New Year? Or should I wait until after Christmas and then wish him a Happy New Year? What if I don't see him after Christmas and before New Year's Eve? Simple solution. Wish him Happy Holidays! I have extended a greeting to him that will keep him merry and happy for more than a week. Santa would be proud.

Now I'm getting down to the "Who do you think you are anyway?" part. Why do I have to celebrate this wonderful time of year the way you want me to? In this land of the free, don't I have the right to do what I want? If I want to have a huge dinner on Christmas Eve with my folks and siblings and all their family members, I should be able to do that. If I want to get together with a few friends on Christmas day and write poetry, I should be able to do that.

This constant battle (and I think it might even be a battle for TV ratings) about what everyone should and shouldn't do at Christmas is ruining it for all of us. Sit down. Shut up. Let us enjoy Christmas.

And when someone says a greeting to you, respond back with the same greeting, a similar greeting, or a plain "Thank-you." No matter who you are or what traditions you do or do not have, the person is saying it to be kind to you. Be kind back to them.

"I get it. The meaning of Christmas is the idea that Christmas has meaning and it can mean whatever we want." That is from Abed Nadir on a recent (although rerun) episode of "Community." His friends were trying to cheer him up because he wouldn't be seeing his mother this year for Christmas.

So, Happy Holidays. That says it all in two short words.

I Wish It Was Christmas Today

Stephen is off until next year, so I will fill in with whatever comes to mind. Last night on Saturday Night Live, the host was Jimmy Fallon. That' right, Stephen's sometime Best Friend for Six Months and now Eternal Enemy for Six Months. Most likely Stephen was home watching SNL because that friendship tie never ends even after six months. Lots of familiar faces were also on the show - Rachel Dratch, Amy Poehler, Tina Fey, Horatio Sanz, Tracy Morgan and Chris Kattan. With those last three being on, you can probably guess what musical treat we all enjoyed -- that all time favorite, "I Wish It Was Christmas Today." If you didn't get to watch SNL last night, enjoy it here from a few years ago when the guys were all younger.

I Wish It Was Christmas Today

I Am a Good Boy

If you care about democracy, and if you did not watch the show tonight, then you should go over to Colbert Nation and watch tonight's episode there. Here's why: Nat Geo Wild, Animal Planet, Stephen Colbert's South Carolina Serious, Classy Republican Debate and Cesar Millan. That should get you interested.

It's that time of year again and you know what that means. It's time for The Blitzkrieg on Grinchitude. Some large department stores are no longer wrapping gifts and Santa is sometimes encouraging kids to lower their expectations, but we get the idea that a long time ago, a certain little boy was heartbroken because he did not get the bike he wanted for Christmas. That's okay. Stephen has moved on since then.

Stephen took a break from reporting on the important news of the day to tell a funny story. Seems like over at FOX recently, Megyn Kelly ran a graphic of the Republican front runners. There was Mitt Romney in second place at 17.2% in the poll. However, if you look closely, you see that it is actually a photo of President Barack Obama. This was a good time for Stephen to throw in Sigmund Freud's name, and a photo of Megyn Kelly. In all fairness, FOX did realize the error and corrected the mix-up. In her explanation, Megyn Kelly clarified, "As it turns out, they are not the same guy."

Daniel Craig was the guest tonight. You may remember him from James Bond movies. (Stephen certainly does.) Not only is he in James Bond movies, he also is in the soon to be in movie theaters, "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo."

The show just kept getting better and better. For one thing, there was a tense and intense arm wrestling competition and I won't spoil it by telling you who won. But the best of all things is Santa stopped by and left a wonderful present for Stephen. An extremely happy Stephen declared, "I am a good boy. I am a good boy."

We won't see Stephen again until 2012! Next year!! So, no more The Colbert Report for a while, but I will continue to post news, trivia, predictions, and whatever comes to mind. In no time at all, it will be 2012 and Stephen will be back. Hang in there.

Nat Geo Wild

More tonight about SCSCSCRD. That's right, Stephen Colbert's South Carolina Serious, Classy Republican Debate looks like the details are getting finalized. While initial plans were to have it on Animal Planet, now plans are to have it on Nat Geo Wild. And all because Stephen got an edible fruit bouquet. Mark your calendar. Stephen doesn't have a date yet, so yes that makes it difficult, but Stephen suggested marking every day next year so that you don't miss it.

You can expect that there will be political news any time you turn on the TV, listen to the radio or pick up a newspaper. Mitt Romney has picked up another endorsement from a political insider. Christine O'Donnell (of I'm not a witch fame) has endorsed Mitt Romney. But what about flip flops? No problem. You see, according to Christine O'Donnell, "He's been consistent since he changed his mind."

Commercial sponsors. Just go look. I can't believe this product exists, but Stephen demonstrated it on his show tonight.

Tonight's guest was Ray Odierno, Chief of Staff, United States Army. No, he did not wear a TV hat. Stephen and Ray Odierno talked about the troops. They are coming home from Iraq by the end of the year. Stephen asked what he would say to employers about these young people coming back and needing jobs and General Odierno made a pitch to employers to hire these highly qualified and well disciplined men and women.

And then, to refresh Stephen's memory, he asked, "Didn't we make a bet that when we finally left Iraq you would let me shave your head one more time?"

It's not often that guests can make Stephen laugh, but Stephen did laugh while denying that any such bet had been made. After an unsuccessful attempt to get General Odierno to throw his hat into the Republican ring, the two men sang "I'll Be Home For Christmas" as a tribute to the troops.

South Carolina Serious Classy Republican Debate

Trump is off. Stephen is on. As you may know, Donald Trump (The Donald) planned on hosting a Republican Debate. Unfortunately, no one was interested. Well, not no one. Two people were interested, but that would be somewhat, if not downright, boring. Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum were planning on attending. So, Donald called it off saying it might be inappropriate just in case he ran for President as an Independent.

Don't you cry. Don't you weep. Stephen is still planning on hosting the:

"Stephen Colbert's South Carolina Serious, Classy Republican Debate"

sometime in January. Plans are for it to be on the Animal Planet.

Stephen reported on the high cost of Free Speech tonight. He threw around numbers like $7.5 million and $270,000. Of course, he got those numbers from Wisconsin back when there were protests at the Wisconsin Capitol. There would not have been such a discrepancy in those numbers if the math teachers had not been fired. But, with the high cost of Free Speech, the answer to paying for it is, yes, Corporate Sponsorship. Problem solved.

Anderson Cooper, of CNN, honored Stephen Colbert recently. Stephen returned the favor tonight and honored Anderson Cooper.

Stephen's guest tonight was Mark Whitaker, Managing Editor of CNN. This seems a little bit suspicious to have him on the show right after a story about Anderson Cooper. Mark explained what a magazine is and Stephen clarified for us by explaining that it is a printed iPad.

As is the case with many of Stephen's guests, Mark Whitaker has a new book out. Mark Whitaker's book has a catchy title: "Mark Whitaker - My Long Trip Home." It is a memoir, so I'm assuming he wrote it from memory. Stephen had some kind words of encouragement for his own children for the day that they write a book about their own family experiences.

Like so many stories, this is a book about his family, but he said it is also a book about our country. Perhaps some of you would like to buy the book as a gift. That is just an idea, something for you to think about, but you would not have to worry about getting the wrong size for someone if you buy them a book.

The Mountaintop

Tonight we learned about anchor babies and grappling babies and apparently there is a difference between the two of them. I also think they both are very different from baby anchors.

The memory is a wonderful thing. It allows us to go back in time and recall what was happening. But it can't match the ability of someone with a host of interns to do research and shed light on how it affects the present and the future. Case in point. Newt Gingrich has a lot of good ideas, or so it would seem to the casual observer. However, Stephen had an in-depth look at Newt Gingrich and many of the James Bond movies that starred Pierce Brosnan. What seemed like a lot of good ideas at first glance ends up being the same ideas that many of the villains in those movies had. So, is a good idea still a good idea if it's the villain's idea? Something for us all to ponder. Thanks, Stephen for reporting on this.

And in what can only be called a sad shame, Norway has a severe butter shortage. Seems like they have a fad diet that lets you eat lots of butter and now it's all gone. (How will they be able to make Christmas cookies?) It's gotten so bad that butter can actually cost $740 for one pound of butter. With prices like that it was inevitable that butter would be smuggled across the border from Sweden. While Norway suffers from lack of butter, Stephen suffers from lack of common sense. One of Stephen's favorite ways to eat butter is the summer favorite butter on the cob. With those cute little holders on each end of the stick of butter, and some nice butter spread on the stick of butter, it makes for a tasty treat. It's easy to see why butter would be an important component of a great diet plan. Stephen really appreciated the commercials tonight.

Samuel L. Jackson was on the show tonight and it was somewhat ironic. You see, Samuel L. Jackson is portraying the Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King, Jr. in the Broadway Play, "The Mountaintop." And Stephen Colbert was osmotically at King's March on Washington back in 1963.

There's also something I wondered about just as Stephen was dashing over for the interview. Samuel L. Jackson was tweeting, apparently for the benefit of Stephen's audience. What would the March on Washington have been like back in 1963 if the internet and Twitter would have been available? That sounds like a book that someone should write. It could be either science fiction or historical fiction, or a combination of the two.

You Don't Want to Know

Stephen provided us with a great update on what some states are doing to provide Homeland Security. Michigan, for example, is spending money to be ready to handle bruises and thirst.

But more importantly, he talked about health in his Cheating Death segment. Funny story. It seems that back in 1998, The Lancet published a study that said Mercury preservatives in common vaccines could cause autism. This seemed to have the effect of causing a decline in the rate of vaccinations of kindergartners against such diseases as chicken pox. Since then, The Lancet has retracted that autism study as fraud.

Some parents have come up with a way that they think is an acceptable alternative. They buy lollipops that have been infected with chicken pox (sick kids lick them) and give them to their own healthy kids to lick. The hope and the plan is that their kids will get chicken pox and won't need a vaccination.

Just in time, Stephen's Prescott Pharmaceuticals is selling Vacsa-yummies. These tasty lollipops have been rubbed on the poles in subway cars, so there's bound to be some germs to satisfy anybody's desire for disease and ill health.

Gut health - enough said.

Stephen talked about Christmas a little bit and then welcomed his guest Jack Abramoff. You may remember him. He was the lobbyist who went to jail. He now has a book out, "Capitol Punishment."

The Nutcracker

I don't usually do this, but I'm going to mix it up tonight. First of all, the guest. Would you believe it was a ballet dancer? That's right, David Hallberg, the first American to join Russia's Bolshoi Ballet was on The Colbert Report. David Hallberg is also with the American Ballet Theatre. That gave Stephen the perceived right to call him a double agent! They talked a little about his decision to be a ballet dancer, his admiration for Fred Astaire, and his comparison of real ballet to a popular movie that was out recently.

And then, like so many artists, he performed for the audience and us. Hold on a minute. Don't say you don't like ballet. Even if you hate ballet, you will love this performance. So, go over to Colbert Nation to watch if you did not see it live on TV tonight. Yes you will probably have to wait until tomorrow to see that episode online, but be sure to do it because the performance is like none you've ever seen.

If you like that and want some more ballet, here's a nice YouTube video.

Back to news and politics. Now that Donald Trump is going to have a debate, Stephen wants in also. He will invite all the Republican candidates, as well as John McCain to the debate that he moderates. Stephen is also working with Dick Harpootlian, Chairman of the Democratic Party of South Carolina, to get a referendum question on the ballot in South Carolina as follows:

In order to address the matter of Corporate Personhood, the enfranchised People of the Sovereighn State of South Carolina shall decree that: (note - O is for voter to fill in circle)

O Corporations are People
O People are People

Stephen will most likely use his SuperPac to finance that initiative. In other politics, we got to see what a TV ad might look like if someone's dad and mom did an ad. It was very family centered.

Now, are you going to remember to look at Colbert Nation tomorrow to see the ballet performance by David Hallberg? You really have to do that.

The Black Keys

I noticed last night that Stephen seems to be using one of his own "The Colbert Report: Logo Light Up Pen" on the show. Go on over to Colbert Nation to buy one for yourself.

Back to the important stuff. Iran seems to have captured on of our drones and it seems like Stephen Colbert is just the person to get it back for us. He presented a very convincing argument.

Donald Trump will host the next (and probably not the last) Republican debate on December 27. Then he will let the whole world know who he endorses.I can hardly wait. Many people have weighed in with their response to this news from The Donald.

Ari Fleischer: "invitation to a circus"

Karl Rove: "I think the Republican National Chairman ought to step in and say we strongly discourage every candidate from appearing."

Mark McKinnon: "this Trump debate is proof the inmates have taken over the asylum"

Apparently, however, Mitt Romney is not going to attend the debate. I wonder if that will make it harder for him to get the "The Donald Endorsement."

In response to all of this, Stephen Colbert is planning the South Carolina Serious, Classy Republican Debate. It will be sometime in January on the Animal Planet.

The Black Keys were on tonight. They are much quieter and more reserved when they are talking than when they are singing. Go to Colbert Nation to watch last night's show and hear them. Also, there's a bonus song on the web, so always a good reason to go to Colbert Nation.

Anything With An Engine

While some may think that Stephen is only interested in the nitty gritty news and politics, there is a more refined and sophisticated side of Stephen. He told us about his honoring of Yo Yo Ma at the Kennedy Center. You may remember Yo Yo Ma from his recent visit to The Colbert Report. Also, Stephen gave us a preview from the book he is writing, "1001 Cello Puns."

"There's always room for Cell-O."

New Segment: Mysteries of the Ancient Unknown - 2012 End of Times

Switching to something completely different, Stephen took us to the Denver International Airport. While some would say, "Welcome to the Denver International Airport," others, such as conspiracy expert Jesse Ventura, wonder about strange, yes, strange things at the airport. You go in to the airport, but you never come out. There is strange art. There is mysterious architecture. And there are signs. But are there UFOs? Is it the New World Order Elite Safe-haven?

Perhaps William Tapley has discovered the answer. He has earned 2 (self-bestowed) titles, Third Eagle of the Apoclypse and Co Prophet of the End Times. What can we learn from his knowledge and experience? Well, he sees phallic symbols everywhere at the airport. And so, logically, he has written many songs about the airport and the end times. We got to hear some of them and the audience even joined in when there was a sing-along.

Sad news to report. Herman Cain has suspended his campaign for President. Said Stephen about this, "That is a shame. He touched so many people."

Tonight's guest was Jimmie Johnson of NASCAR fame. In addition to talking about racing, he also promoted his game, "Anything With An Engine." In a way I was disappointed because there was no video of any of the races. There was no car on the set to look at. Being in a studio left little room for any demonstration of his sport. And yet, beyond all hopes, there was a race! Yes, yes, yes! The race was on. I will not spoil it by saying who won or who lost, but if you want to know, go over to Colbert Nation tomorrow and watch the show online.

914-227-5803

Yet again a recording on my answering machine. And it is a recorded message that is recording. Hope that is not too confusing. Basically, it's not a person, it's a machine, in other words, a non-person.

As usual, the message only starts after my answering machine greeting is complete, so I don't know what the beginning of the message was, but the ending is like this:

"... terms, conditions and associated changes before next billing cycle. This is your final notice as it relates to the financial stimulus."

And then I'm supposed to press 1 to talk to a real person. They never say who they are or exactly what it is that they are going to do for me. And that financial stimulus reference? Yeah, that's to make you think it is really, really, really important.

So, ignore them if they call. I also can probably guarantee that it won't be your final notice. In fact, they called me twice on the same day!

An Eye For an iPod

I am not unattractive.

No, I'm not talking about myself. And I'm not just giving more examples of double negatives like I did in yesterday's post. Actually, this is what Senator Lori Klein said when talking about her relationship with Herman Cain. Stephen had similar words to say about himself when he claimed, "I am not unhandsome." He also mentioned about Herman Cain canceling his appearance on The Colbert Report not once, but twice!

Copyright Infringement - Stephen had a back and forth discussion with Danny Goldberg, President of gold Village Entertainment and Jonathan Zittrain, Professor of Internet Law, Harvard Law School. It's not good to copy stuff on the internet, mmm okay? That is the issue the three of them discussed briefly. In other words, they did not discuss it at length, they discussed in at short-th. It's a discussion that will be ongoing I am sure. On the one hand, thousands, millions, perhaps even billions of dollars are lost in the US due to copyright infringement or downright piracy of intellectual property. But on the other hand, do we really want to throw someone like Justin Bieber in jail because he started out singing his favorite songs on YouTube? I didn't think so.

And just so that we keep the presidential race in mind, Stephen talked briefly about Mitt Romney and Bret Baier. Stephen does not like the hard questions Bret asked of Mitt.

Friend of the show Richard Branson, I mean Sir Richard Branson was on tonight. I think he must have seen the trouble that Brian Williams had with fire alarms recently because he brought a fire extinguisher with him. That seemed strange. Sir Richard Branson is an interesting person. For one thing, he has lots of money, so he most assuredly is in the 1%, and yet he seems to think and act like someone in the 99%. Go read about him over at Wikipedia. Read about his activism. Read about the Elders.

Tonight Sir Richard Branson was on to promote his new book, "Screw Business As Usual." You may remember when Sir Richard was on the show one other time that there was a bit of a water fight between host and guest. Well that did not happen tonight. I would send a warning to everyone, but especially the young folks. Kids, do not do this at home. (Go over to Colbert Nation and watch the episode live to see what I am talking about.)