I just found out Donal Logue played the Boston cab driver from those MTV ads about 15-20 years ago. I like him.
^Did you watch the pilot for “Terriors” last night? I missed it.
No, didn’t hear about it until today… Donal was on the Adam Carolla Podcast.
You never knew that? Those were the best.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xV7C-itbf8c&NR=1[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JgIQ9DBW3M&feature=related[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jd68qvUilDY&feature=related[/youtube]
I was thinking similar thoughts this morning, Bill. I think we collectively are becoming a dumber, more embarrassing society on the whole only as much as we allow ourselves.
I hear so much complaining about the example that people like this jackass in Gainesville is setting, or the example that people like the Kardashians or countless movie stars who clearly who only excel in looks, or possibly in some cases some talent as actors or singers- but other than that, we can’t hold them to such high regards. They are merely entertainers. So why do people (mostly fueled by misguided media overload) constantly hold them accountable for setting a bad example for the rest of us? It is our fault (collectively) by paying more attention to stupid and/or evil or self-absorbed people (Kim Kardashian, Rev. Koran Burner, Sarah Palin, Glen Beck, Lindsay Lohan, Bill Maher, etc. comparing each other to Hitler left and right) rather than celebrating people all around the world capable of doing the right thing out of peace and understanding.
And its nothing new. Holding immoral people as false idols can be traced to our views in history to Ancient civilizations in Egypt, Rome, all through the middle ages, through Columbus, Cortes, the American Revolution and so on.
So its either a matter of “human nature” or human realization. I think its important for people to be exposed to as many things as possible and trust their feelings to decide what’s worth what.
Therefore, I’m choosing to view it all as one colossal joke. The more serious people take some asshole preaching intolerance and hate, the more ridiculous the world becomes. If people are really as smart as we want them to be, they’ll know not to take it seriously also.
People will never be as smart as we want them to be though,…
The more things change, the more they stay the same.
We have and always will hate & come up with more and more ways to kill each other…and over what?
God, money, and invisible lines in the sand that make “boundaries”.
We are doomed as a species.
^^ I don’t get how you can lump Bill Maher in with Glen Beck, Sarah Palin or that Quaran burning douchebag. Maher is a comedian. He’s just trying to make a living telling jokes. If you or anyone else is actually taking him seriously, I’ll go on record as saying that you probably just don’t “get” comedy. I mean I could see lumping Eddie Vedder or Bono or something in with those guys since they are out there always trying to make “serious” political statements to help boost their own egos, but Maher is just trying to get some laughs…and I find him and Stewart and Colbert and Norm and Dennis Miller to be funny as political satirists…so I just don’t get how he fits in with Palin and Beck and those people…but whatever.
I like the way we can all share information and opinions so openly and quickly now and how fast you can basically learn about whatever you want to learn now…maybe collectively as a society we are getting dumber, but given the access to information we have now, I don’t think as individuals we are.
^i guess i was only trying to say that they warrant the same amount of seriousness from people - and plenty of people take Bill Maher too seriously. Just in a different way. The way people react to Beck and Palin and the tea partying Fox News crowd is to take their mission as a matter of life or death, which is clearly more dangerous and ridiculous (and funny).
The way people take Bill Maher seriously (as well as Keith Olberman and a few others) is a lot more subtle. These are people that don’t salute them as leaders or saviors but just are made to feel like they’re stupid or out of touch if they don’t agree with everything they say. Granted I’m not talking about everybody who laughs at their jokes or watches their shows. Its all a matter of weak-minded people wanting to fit in with each other. In a similar way that Glen Beck sets the tone for what’s “in” for one social circle, Bill Maher does the same for another.
If you listen closely, they both tell you that the guys on the other channel are out of touch, that you’re only thinking if you’re on board their ship.
As i said before, its all a joke. What you take seriously is only a matter of your perspective on the size of your universe. And from my current perspective of an ever expanding, infinite universe that no human being has the slightest grasp of actually understanding, somebody on TV trying to convince you what to think and who to hate, no matter what tone of voice their using, should call for a laugh. Its all a joke.
Take foreign currency as another example. The fact that a piece of paper with a “5” and the Queen’s face on it can be 10 times the value as another piece of paper with a “5” and the Queen’s face on it is only seen as a “fact” because somebody decided that it was, and they got somebody to believe it, and they got somebody to believe it, and so on and so on and…
I don’t get what kind of country you live in that a comedian warrants the same amount of seriousness as a politician or a journalist…but maybe you’re right. I just don’t get why you hate on Maher so much and not Stewart or Colbert or Letterman or the million other comedians who base their whole career on making fun of politicians and “societal norms”. I mean they are all taken “seriously” to a degree, but it’s only because they are good comedians that people stop and take the time to listen to what they have to say. I think it’s totally different with Beck or Palin, who people stop to listen to because they are in positions of power.
You’re kidding yourself if you don’t think Bill Maher has an agenda.
Yeah…he’s trying to make money by telling jokes. That’s his agenda. Sure he has a point of view, but unless your name is Jay Leno, if you’re a comedian you pretty much have to. Like I say, Stewart and Colbert and Letterman and Carlin all had things to say about politicians and society that weren’t necessarily popular on both sides of the fence, but Maher just gets way more hate than any of them.
Keith Olberman,…yes. Compare him to Beck
Bill Maher,…No.
I’m 100% with Devin on this one.
Comparing a comedian to Beck, Olberman, or Palin is a slap in the face to comedians everywhere.
Beck & Olberman wish they had half the insight that most comedians have.
The difference is that a comedian knows he’s telling a joke,…talking heads are a joke.
Maher’s agenda is to keep a show on the air and make $.
My cat’s breath smells like cat food.
Religulous was awesome. If Bill’s agenda is to bring down organized religion and make people laugh while doing it, I’m all for it. 
I just realized how excited I am for pumpkin pie and Grandma’s turkey…COME ON T-GIVING!
"GAINESVILLE, Fla. – A Florida minister who had created an international furor with his plan to burn the Quran on the ninth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks canceled the event under intense pressure Thursday, saying he agreed to back off after reaching a deal to move the location of a controversial mosque near New York’s ground zero.
The Rev. Terry Jones announced his decision Thursday afternoon, standing outside his small church alongside Imam Muhammad Musri, the president of the Islamic Society of Central Florida. However, Musri and the imam planning the New York mosque disputed Jones’ contention that a deal had been cut.
After the news conference, Musri told The Associated Press there was an agreement for him and Jones to travel to New York and meet Saturday — on the actual anniversary of the 9/11 attacks — with the imam overseeing plans to build a mosque near ground zero.
“I told the pastor that I personally believe the mosque should not be there, and I will do everything in my power to make sure it is moved,” Musri said. “But there is not any offer from there (New York) that it will be moved. All we have agreed to is a meeting, and I think we would all like to see a peaceful resolution.”
Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf said he was surprised by the announcement and that he would not barter.
Jones, the pastor of a Florida Pentecostal church of 50 members, has said that he believes the Quran is evil because it espouses something other than biblical truth and incites radical, violent behavior among Muslims.
Jones on Thursday said he prayed about the decision and that if the site of the mosque was moved, it would be a sign from God to call off the Quran burning.
“We are, of course, now against any other group burning Qurans,” Jones said during the news conference. We would right now ask no one to burn Qurans. We are absolutely strong on that. It is not the time to do it."
His decision comes after a firestorm of criticism from leaders around the world. President Barack Obama, the top U.S. general in Afghanistan and several Christian leaders had urged Jones to reconsider his plans. They said his actions would endanger U.S. soldiers and provide a strong recruitment tool for Islamic extremists. Jones’ protest also drew criticism from religious and political leaders from across the Muslim world.
They warned that the plan would put Americans in danger around the world. In Afghanistan, hundreds of angry Afghans burned an American flag and chanted “Death to the Christians” to protest the planned Quran burning.
Musri thanked Jones and his church members “for making the decision today to defuse the situation and bring to a positive end what has become the world over a spectacle that no one would benefit from except extremists and terrorists” who would use it to recruit future radicals.
Russ Blackburn, Gainesville city manager: “It’s very good news for Gainesville and good news for everyone involved.”
Jones’ neighbors in Gainesville, a city of 125,000 anchored by the sprawling University of Florida campus, also have said they disapprove. At least two dozen Christian churches, Jewish temples and Muslim organizations in the city have mobilized to plan inclusive events — some will read from the Quran at their own weekend services.
Jones’ Dove Outreach Center is independent of any denomination. It follows the Pentecostal tradition, which teaches that the Holy Spirit can manifest itself in the modern day. Pentecostals often view themselves as engaged in spiritual warfare against satanic forces."
I think both Jones and Imam are both egotistical maniacs. I do however believe that mosque near ground zero is a foolish idea. Burning the Quran is even more foolish—if I were Jones, there is no way in hell I would go to NY to meet with these people–STAY TUNED!
I really only brought up Bill Maher because he’s an easy example. And what I meant by “warrants the same amount of seriousness as Palin and Beck” was more a comparison that they are just as laughable as a comedian in their field (politics) because all politics are really a joke.
sometimes I can’t type as fast as my brain thinks.
I usually only single out Bill Maher as opposed to bringing up Stewart and Colbert because I personally just think he’s more annoying than funny, and I like the other guys. So its easy for me to do so. 
anyway, the Koran burning guy (Floridian but no Skunk Ape) has now changed his mind and is “condemning anybody planning on burning a Koran” because it is “just not the right time to burn a Koran”
like i was saying, you could take that guy as seriously as the Saints game tonight and get just as far across the universe.
Well, if I didn’t make myself clear in my previous post… religion sucks. Seriously. It’s horrible.
^Really?? Dooj! Come on! I love reading your posts…except that one. 
^I think the violence and hatred speaks for itself, no?
I am not suggesting that all religious people all horrible-- I know plenty of fine religious people (as I make my way over to mom and dad’s for Rosh Hashana… 
).
But, organized religion in general has done far more harm than good, IMO. I much prefer the idea of simply not knowing.
Again-- Religulous. Definitely worth a watch… IMO. 