The mugshot conundrum

John Edwards’ newly-released mugshot raises the age-old question: when is it proper to smile for a mugshot?

Certainly he had to know that the mugshot was going into wide release, so why not put on a freshly pressed shirt and tie and smile like a Glamour Shot? After all, it was only misappropriation of campaign funds … it’s not like he killed anyone.

Edwards’ concern for the photo mug-shoot also explains the small stretch of the neck on the side shot, pulling the skin tighter and making him look more fit. It’s an old model’s trick.

So, here’s the lesson: if you know you’re going to be a punch line, roll with it … and look as good as possible.

 

I’d just like to point out …

Caught this on the CNN.com homepage earlier today. Is it just me, or does it look like President Obama is pointing at John Edwards, saying, “Look at this guy! And you almost made him president?!?”

And, of course, the photo of Edwards is whispering to itself, “Don’t make eye contact … don’t make eye contact …”

I love editors with a sense of humor, don’t you?

Sarah Palin = Mrs. Beady?

(Note: File this under “Stuff I should’ve noticed WAY before now …)

Watched the movie The Barnyard (2006) this past weekend and, for whatever reason, Mrs. Beady, the next door neighbor, was totally giving off the Sarah Palin vibe.

Can you see it? There’s just something about the two that seem similar. Is is the cheekbones? Granted, I’m not the first to notice the similarity.

Wait a minute … they both seem nosey … shrill voices … real reactionaries …

Maybe it was a case of look alike after all …

State of the Union word game

NPR posted a word cloud of President Obama’s State of the Union address. Literary/rhetorical/communication/theological theory would hold that the words an author uses the most generally carry the most weight when it comes to the speaker’s personal identity and beliefs.

With that in mind, let’s look at the word cloud and see what sentences we can make. Here’s the only rule: the words must be touching each other, as in a sentence.

Right away, I see:

• “People (Congress) Make America.”
• “Future Americans just take American new jobs.”
• “Republicans need college.”
• “Democrats come part business.”

OK, that last sentence didn’t make any sense, but you get the picture. What sentences can you make?

What we learned from the Florida governor’s race

Well, after 24 hours of waiting, the Florida governor’s race has been called. It was a tight race, but gave us a valuable lesson. The lesson?

A bald white man will defeat (though narrowly) an older, handsome (though not beautiful) white woman. The closeness of the race shows that the gender gap is narrowing.

Now that I look at Rick Scott, there’s something about him I’ve seen before …

Oh, yeah … that’s it. Now let’s see if he runs away and then claims he was kidnapped, leaving the state at the altar …