And I'm Right

Have you ever wondered how they name all those storms? Have you ever wanted to find out if your name could be a storm name? And who gets to name storms anyway? Well for hurricanes, you can look here for the list of names. If a storm is too bad, that name is retired. Otherwise, the names are recycled every six years.

But now, even snowstorms are being named by the Weather Channel. I don't know who said they can do that, although I guess if you try something and it catches on, that probably just encourages you to keep doing it. More importantly, where does the Weather Channel come up with names such as the Snowquester? As usual, Stephen had the answer of exactly how they determine these storm names. In what I personally hope comes next is for someone to name each day's weather so we can remember that day by memorizing the weather name that goes with it. Since it is the month of March and it was windy and blew my hair around and I saw a large rabbit, I'm naming today's weather "March Hare." Stephen had other really great weather names.

Nation, Stephen announced proudly that he is a big fan of  the Civil Rights movement. In fact, he even attended the historic 1963 March on Washington while still in his mother's womb. That is one of the reasons he is so interested in the challenge to the Voting Rights Act being considered by the Supreme Court. Shelby County in Alabama is complaining that they shouldn't have to follow that law anymore because it singles out states that historically tried to block the voting rights of some people. Also, things are great now according to Bert Rein on February 27 of this year. "The problem to which the Voting Rights Act was addressed is solved." Stephen celebrated with black and white balloons. If that doesn't motivate the Supreme Court, I don't know what will.

Do you need proof? Well, four weeks ago, Mississippi made slavery illegal!

Who are these people in our Supreme Court and what are they thinking about this issue? Well, take Justice Antonin Scalia --- please. (I couldn't resist that Henny Youngman humor. Sorry.) This is what Antonin Scalia had to say on February 27 of this year:

"I am fairly confident it will be reenacted in perpetuity unless, unless a court can say it does not comport with the Constitution ... It's a concern that this is not the kind of a question you can leave to Congress ... Even the name of it is wonderful. The Voting rights Act. Who is going to vote against that in the future?"

Stephen pointed out that luckily Justice Antonin Scalia is presently on the Supreme Court.


Via satellite last night was Julian Bond, one of the founders of the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), Chairman Emeritus of the NAACP, and Civil Rights pioneer. Julian Bond and Stephen questioned whether or not racism still exists. Stephen thinks it is over with - remember his black and white balloons. Julian Bond thinks it is still with us, even saying that there are many people who are angry at Barack Obama for being president while black.

Stephen brought up some areas of agreement between Justice Clarence Thomas and Julian bond, namely they both have roots in Georgia. Yet, they had different life experiences and have different views on many topics. Justice Thomas thinks one way and Julian Bond thinks another way and Julian Bond is right.

We had what might be called a commercial break or else what Stephen called Thought For Food. We learned that Lunchables are Able to be Lunch and that the Nacho Industrial Complex has discovered the "bliss point."I won't go into the technical jargon as Stephen does, but basically it means you keep eating junk food because it tastes good, but you just can't seem to get enough to fill you up. To help us understand, Stephen had a visual demonstration.


Stephen's guest last night was Brendan O'Connell, painter of WalMarts. (My cousin used to paint WalMarts. I think the walls were usually white, so kind of boring work.) Anyway, he has painted jars of Jif on the shelf, the front of the store where the cashiers are, a woman (his wife) looking at what appears to be snack foods such as Nachos, and another product placement shot. Interestingly enough, I'm pretty sure I could afford to buy the Jif, but not the painting of the Jif.

Also, a quick note for aspiring painters. As many times as he would go to WalMart and photograph what he would then go home and paint, WalMart would ask him to stop doing that. That is why I paint trees. They never complain.

Your Honor, I Move We Adjourn

Stephen talked briefly about the important parts of Super Bowl XLVII, the Spinach Dip Bread Bowl at his party, the wide assortment of ads, and the fabulous Halftime Show with Beyonce. He was surprised at the quality and energy of the show however. Usually, in his opinion, the shows are of a more "sedate" nature with "older" talent. I assume he enjoyed the show this year though.

Speaking of younger talent, Stephen admitted he usually watches the Megyn Kelly Show on Mute. What brought up this tidbit was his discussion of the GOP and their current understanding that now that the election is over and Hispanics voted overwhelmingly for Barack Obama instead of Whatshisname (Chip Ranchero?), they should be voting GOP. They have all the right values and so, they should forget all the negative stuff said about them and just vote for Republicans in the future. We will have to wait a while to see how that plays out.

We got to see what the differences are between a taping of the "The Colbert Report" and a session of the Supreme Court. Needless to say, Stephen's show is much more entertaining. During the interview with Sonia Sotomayor, Stephen was more subdued than he usually is. I figure that is probably because a Justice of the Supreme Court automatically is given a certain amount of respect because the Supreme Court is the highest court in the land. So naturally, you should treat a Justice with some dignity. "Be on your best behavior," is how my grandmother would have put it.

Sonia Sotomayor has a book out, actually two books, one of which is "My Beloved World." It's about her, which makes it an autobiography. There was brief discussion of Dred Scott. But then back to Sonia Sotomayor. She emphasizes that she and the other justices are just ordinary people. Also, if she can reach her dreams, so can other people.


Stephen seemed to have a checkmate situation while they were discussing political affiliation, but he couldn't quite pull off a win. He assumed with all her success and self reliance that she should be a conservative. But how would he know? Well, because Obama appointed her. But actually, she points out that she is an independent.

When asked what her most conservative belief is, she answered, "I believe in the Constitution." If that didn't win her a ton of points with Mr. Stephen Colbert, I don't know what possibly could. (But then there was a whole lot of discussion about who Stephen Colbert is or was or could be. That part was confusing to everyone!)

And as for the other book she wrote. Well that is, "Mi mundo adorado." I am looking forward to reading both books. I wonder which one I will like better.

I'm A Very Famous Person

Immigration. Stephen talked about that last night especially as it relates to Arizona. While the Supreme Court pretty much slapped Arizona's hand, Stephen was quick to point out that states have their own state birds. However, some states do have the same bird, for example the Northern Cardinal, as their State Bird. Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia all have the Northern Cardinal. In fact, if you look at the photos, it appears that they all have the exact same Northern Cardinal.

But yes, each state has their own State Bird and should therefore be able to have their own Immigration Standards. And Currency (with Jan Brewer's portrait?). And Standing Army. And Olympic Team. And Space Program. And debts to China.

Tip of the Hat, Wag of the Finger last night looked at Pixar's latest treat for us - Brave. If you go to the website for Brave, you can see a preview. So that's like watching part of the movie for free. Go ahead, watch it now, then come back here. I haven't see the movie, but I know how to make it work out for everyone. Merida should go to a shoe store, buy a glass boot and then find the guy who fits the boot. Once upon a time that would be good enough. Times are different now.  A simple story about a girl with a mind of her own sends some people looking for secret agendas. I'm anxious to see this movie. I think it will be charming. From the preview, you see the girl molded into her appropriate dress, just like people try to mold her into her perfect stereotyped role. More power to a girl who breaks that mold.

If you watched The Colbert Report last night, I'm willing to bet you found yourself all of a sudden hungry for chicken. And not just any chicken, but some Kentucky Fried Chicken. Stephen talked turkey, oops, chicken, and commercials and Dish Network. Seems they have come up with a way for you to skip right through the commercials. You might think that's a great thing, but as you may have noticed, advertising is all over. If people are not watching the commercials during breaks in The Colbert Report, then the only alternative is for the commercials to be on during the actual show. Thus, we got to see most every kind of chicken you can get over at Kentucky Fried Chicken. And if you get so hungry with all this talk about Kentucky Fried Chicken, you can go to the the website for KFC and find out everything you want to know about KFC. You can even find the nearest KFCs using the Store Locator.

Last night's guest, Richard Ford, is a novelist. Right away Stephen had a problem with that because that means he writes fiction which is made up which means it's all a bunch of lies. Then Stephen had a problem with Richard Ford's latest book, "Canada" because it's about Canada and not about the USA. He also boasted, well not boasted, but told Richard Ford "I'm a very famous person."  Once all that posturing was over and done with, they had a nice conversation. We learned how Richard Ford drove to Canada one day, and felt like the weight of the world was lifted. It took him three years to write the book but it's been in his mind since 1989. "I was in Kindergarten then," Stephen noted. Ah yes, Stephen found a clever way to tell Richard Ford he is old. No matter. "Is it true you keep your notes and manuscripts in the freezer?" Stephen asked him. Apparently yes! If there's a fire, the freezer will probably be the last thing to burn, so his manuscript would be safe. Both agreed the ideas would also be fresher.

Stephen did admit to visiting Canada, Vancouver to be precise. Canada is our neighbor, after all, so I am quite sure Stephen actually thinks of Canadians as friends. You know what would be more fun than reading the book, "Canada?" Reading it in Canada!

A Bear Shifts in the Woods

Yes, tonight there were lots of people helping out in front of the camera. Herman Cain was featured at least twice, but only for a second teach time. Jeffrey Toobin was on to help Stephen understand the workings of the Supreme Court. It's that time of the year when they are in session again. One of the cases they will be deciding is the so-called ObamaCare. Jeffrey Toobin predicts it will be either 4-5 or 5-4 vote.

And yes he had guest Dr. Jerome Groopman, Professor at Harvard Medical School. He has written the book, "Your Medical Mind." Professor Groopman was there to talk about Medicine. "Medicine is not "black and white" he said. As an example he talked about mammograms. Stephen was speechless for a while, but then he explained, saying he got caught once.

At what age should a person begin having mammograms?Ask four different medical experts and you will get four different answers. People need to be more involved in making their own medical decisions. And Dr. Groopman did say that he thinks there should be universal coverage in this country.

But the most important thing Stephen talked about tonight, and the most disturbing thing, was bears. That's right. Bears! You can't turn on the TV without hearing news story after news story about bears. From bears drinking vodka in the Ukraine to bears in people's back yards raiding the bird feeders, to bears climbing in cars and driving them until they crash, bears are all around us.

However, there is a sinister turn of events. Remember the Terminator? He would look through the phone book to find and hunt down everyone with the same name. Well, it turns out that the bear in the back yard in Connecticut was at the home of Rich Colbert. It doesn't take very long going through the alphabet to get from Rich to Stephen.

So, if a bear asks you, (insert photo of Jimmy Fallon here) this is Stephen Colbert!