Nobrainer’s Think Tank

How about that!

So I’m here at the lovely Days Inn Waccamaw somewhere near Spartanburg, SC. I got a pretty good price on this one-star rated hotel. For some reason, however, it seems to be nicer than the two-star HoJo I was in last weekend. The room is pretty nice, but I have noticed that someone before me seems to have liberated the iron and alarm clock. Fortunately I don’t need either.

Nothing exciting has happened, but hopefully later I’ll be able to comment on the random things I’ve noticed on the trip… after I win tonight’s Powerball lottery of course.

I know. I’ve talked about this non-stick aluminum foil before, but I’m bringing it up again. First, if you cook and hate it when things stick to your foil, you will love this stuff.

Actually, my research is somewhat related to making a non-stick type surface. Naturally it’s worth taking a brief look at how the folks at Reynolds are getting this done. Our hope is that they use some type of surface roughening method instead of a chemical treatment. Of course I asked my friend google how it worked. It turns out it’s chemical.

But I did find reminders of why I loathe local media outlets.

News Channel 15 - Coverage You Can Count On offers up its endorsement .

Not to be left out, Action 16 asks “Does It Really Work? Reynolds Release.” Uh huh. That’s some real action all right. But if this guy

says its ok, then who am I to disagree?

There you have it folks - from the experts.

And now a part from an SNL skit, back when SNL used to by synonymous with comedy and humor.

Alex Trebek: Yeah, it was a trick question, Mr. Connery. Why don’t you pick a category?

Sean Connery: I’ve got to ask you about the Penis Mightier.

Alex Trebek: What? No. No, no, that is The Pen is Mightier.

Sean Connery: Gussy it up however you want, Trebek. What matters is does it work? Will it really mighty my penis, man?

Alex Trebek: It’s not a product, Mr. Connery.

Sean Connery: Because I’ve ordered devices like that before - wasted a pretty penny, I don’t mind telling you. And if The Penis Mightier works, I’ll order a dozen.

Alex Trebek: It’s not a Penis Mightier, Mr. Connery. There’s no such thing!

Nicholas Cage: Wait, wait, wait.. are you selling Penis Mightiers?

Alex Trebek: No! No, I’m not.

Sean Connery: Well, you’re sitting on a gold mine, Trebek!

First off, why Frist (or Lott or whoever) dubbed the threat to change the filibuster the “nuclear option” is way beyond me. At first I figured it came from the Democrats. Either they figured it would bring total devastation, or they just wanted to be able to giggle everytime they heard W mispronounce it. But no, it came from Frist (or Lott or some Republican). In my mind, nuclear either implies uber-destruction or a grouping of something that stays together. I don’t see this option relating to either of those, nor do I see any reason why he/she/it would use that terminology.

Otherwise, I don’t hate the idea. The Senate has it in its power to change it’s own rules. Let it change them.

As for getting the judicial nominees pushed through, I don’t know that it’s the right move. It’s getting a lot of people all riled up. If the filibuster is sidestepped, you’re going to get additional bad PR (not that the Republicans aren’t used to it anyway). But I say they should let the Democrats filibuster. Of course the filibuster has already changed in that one person doesn’t have to hold the floor continuously a la Strom Thurmond. But even if the Democrats hold the floor for a day, two days, or 10 days or longer, eventually the public will hate them. The Dems will look like a bunch of flaming assholes for being so stubborn as to prevent a small handful of nominees from getting the up/down vote that will grant them their judgeships.

Now that classes and finals are over, I’m beginning to embrace the fact that I can do my research whenever I want to, as long as I get it done. This morning I got up, got in the shower, shaved, then didn’t do shit until lunch. That, incidentally, is why I’ll be heading back to campus shortly.

But it was celebratory sloth. My grades are posted - 2 A’s and a B+. (And yes, I am bragging.) I now only have to take 3 more classes to complete my coursework.

On another note, I just finished unpacking from last week’s trip to Charleston. Tonight I will repack my suitcase for tomorrow’s trip to Spartanburg.

And for some damn reason I got two copies of the National Review this week.

Donald Trump doesn’t get much of my attention. He’s one multi-millionaire that doesn’t impress me. As you are probably already aware, he is pushing the idea that the WTC should basically be rebuilt as it was.

MSNBC is hyping up his plan. I’m sure it has nothing to do with Trump being a huge NBC star.

He is saying the right things though. The proposed Freedom Tower has a great name. Unfortunately there are few remaining good things to say about it. At one point he basically said, “they screwed up. They tried to listen to everyone. Now they have a design that it a hodgepodge of everything and doesn’t work together at all.” I couldn’t agree more.

I hope that Pataki and everyone else involved will pull their heads from their asses, admit their mistakes, then strongly move forward to rebuild.

Add-on: Looks like Rob at Say Anything is in agreeance.

I mentioned this over the weekend to someone, and I want to run with it. At some point in the Wal-Mart history, they added a full grocery section and created the Super Wal-Mart. They shouldn’t stop there. They should keep upgrading and invent the Uber Wal-Mart.

I would like to offer up some ideas that will help take Wal-Mart to the uber level.

In the new uber-parking lots, I want to see mobile home sales with samples and demos. Typical Wal-Mart cut-throat prices will be requisite. As an additional fun step, the Wal-Mart Mobile Home and Trailer Park can be built all around the store. The customer base won’t even have to drive to the store — perfection!

Don’t forget to throw in uber child care. Build a big pen to corral all the yapping little shits. Give them all a good delousing. Even throw in standard shots and medical care that their parents are probably too ignorant to take care of on their own. It’ll keep them out of the store and make people like me a bit happier. Plus you can provide the kids with all the coolest toys in their pen that they will then demand their parents buy for them.

Let’s take it a step further. Creater Uber Wal-Mart schools. Provide sufficient education for cheap and allow consumer choice. Upon graduation, they can attend Uber Wal-Mart U. Of course, the more upscale kids will attend Target U., but that’s the point of competition. The preppy Target U. kids can play the redneck Wal-Mart U. kids in football. It will be a grand rivalry.

I can’t wait. The future will be bright!