They say bloggers fall into two categories: linkers and thinkers. I’m a thinker. Or at least I think I am. Therefore, I am.
But today I don’t feel like thinking. I just want to share a couple of fun stories that might make you laugh, groan and/or roll your eyes. It’s today’s edition of “30 days, 30 thoughts.”
Those kooky creationists. This HuffPo article tells of a new ad campaign for Dr Pepper that has some of the more devout among us crying foul. This clever ad ties man’s evolution from ape to the discovery of Dr Pepper. Turns out, this man-from-ape imagery doesn’t sit well with folks who believe the Earth is just 5,000 years old. Well, 5,000 years — and 7 days
Followers of marketing trivia may recall another holy dust-up involving Dr Pepper back in 2001. Shortly after the 9/11 attacks, the company issued a special edition can that featured a Statue of Liberty image and the words, “One nation…indivisible.” As you might imagine, the more reverent among us were upset that DP left out “under God.”
NFL fans: Get a clue! I don’t pay much attention to the
NFL, and I almost never read the sports page. But I did get a kick out of this clash of tweets involving the Kansas City Chiefs and an outspoken fan.
It seems that rabid Chiefs fan Travis Wright criticized the team and its ownership. I assume this means KC isn’t doing so well, but like I say, I don’t follow the game, just the gossip. Anyway, the team’s designated tweeter fired back, telling old Travis he should get his facts straight and suggesting he might want to “get a clue.”
Rude? Of course. But somewhere deep inside, I admire the person who posted that message for the Chiefs. Yeah, I know. It’s out of line, not to mention it’s bad PR. But it had to feel great. And does anyone really care?
For what it’s worth, I’ll be rooting for the Chiefs this week. I like their style. And maybe sometime soon, I’ll crank up enough courage to follow in this tweeter’s footsteps. I mean, who hasn’t wanted to tell a blogger, tweeter or Facebook friend to get a clue?
Fact-checkers at the debate? When I’m a retired professor, I hope to have as much energy as Vicki Meyer. She’s launched a petition drive – with a little help from CCN – calling for fact-checkers at this year’s presidential debates. Give her a listen.
Imagine having trained researchers calling bullshit on candidates in real time! Yeah, I know it’s not that easy, as any statement may contain a shard of truth – or be literally true, but entirely misleading. And what about the political biases of the bullshit callers?
OK, this idea needs a little work. But Professor Meyer’s observations mirror my own. People are sick of the lies, and they need someone other than Jon Stewart to sort it all out for them.
Hmmm. Maybe it should be me. If there’s one thing I’ve learned in 6 years of blogging, it’s how to spot the truth — and how call bullshit!
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Special thanks to my able graduate assistant, Celeste Gossmann, for helping me find these fun and inconsequential stories. We need more of these stories, just so we don’t take ourselves too seriously.


Get a clue