Al's Blog-o-Sphere

Christmas Creep. No, it’s not a nickname for the Grinch.

I’ve complained about it here before, how stores start advertising and selling Christmas merchandise earlier and earlier each year. But now it has a name: Christmas Creep.

The Consumerist, the Consumers Guide blog, has a whole section devoted to it.

This year, it seems to be even worse than before, as if retailers are desperate to make up for the bad economy in one big Christmas buying frenzy. We started noticing signs of it before Halloween this year. By now, nearly Thanksgiving, the TV commercials are already at a fever pitch…

[dewplayer:http://gritzmacher.net/wp/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/suddenly-its-christmas.mp3]

While watching TV, I’ve learned a few things. No, not from the programs I watch, but from the commercials that we’re hammered with every six-eight minutes. Here’s a few:

October is Ford Truck month. (So was September and so will November be…)

Today’s a great time to buy a new car. (Anytime is a great time, if you’re a car salesman.)

Mac Guy isn’t impressed with PC’s promises about Windows 7. (But forgets that people are having trouble with Snow Leopard.)

25-28mpg is a big deal to some car companies. (Didn’t we get 33mpg from a VW Beetle back in the 70’s?)

Erectile Dysfunction drugs can cause a “sudden drop in blood pressure.” (Yet, some blood pressure medicines cause ED. Maybe they should just give Cialis or Viagra for hypertension?)

If hurt, I should call Dewey, Cheatham and Howe* Attorneys. (I’d much rather call them ambulance-chasers or shysters.) * Not a real law firm. I changed the name because I don’t want to be sued. Of course, someone named Dewey, Cheatham, or Howe might sue me for calling them a lawyer…

I read an article on Hybrid cars the other day and it’s pretty clear to me that the manufacturers of those cars could have a heyday with their MPG ratings. Watch a few commercials and you’ll see claims for 50MPG or more. The new Chevy Volt is touting 230MPG.

First of all, how do you give an electric car a MPG rating at all? It doesn’t take any gallons, unless you count windshield wiper fluid. Continue Reading…

While the Right-wing has been having a heyday objecting to President Obama talking to our kids in school, at least some people have been having a little fun with it. I hope the vast majority of people will understand it for what it is, a sincere address meant to inspire students.

Meanwhile, let’s enjoy the stupidity of those who see something sinister in it by turning to that bastion of citizen parody, You Tube: