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Wednesday, May 03, 2006
Is the era of big forums over ?????
and their limitations. I had started posting less frequently at FPM largely due to the antics of a serial predator Socrates. His abusive clutter and multiple handles made the place dreadful inspite of many wonderful friends like Donal, JMac, Canadian Steve , Mike and Batya to name a few. I even learned to like anti semitic posters like Uptown Steve, UU and the egomaniacal Prof Pike. I enjoyed sending the dour Pike off the deep end with talk about Van Nuys. He may be to the left but he is a prude.
I spent more time at Bad Eagle and ran into a different problem. Dr Yeagley is a brilliant gentleman. However he chose a moderator who does not share his ideals. Thus we have a site that caters to American Indian Patriots and their allies being moderated by a Scott from Canada who is anti American but not Commie. This Scott was part of a clique that violated rules for its own convenience. This moderator seems to think of Bad Eagle as his site. I have made it clear I have no inention of returning to the forum under current management.
I remember the people at FPM and Bad Eagle joking about the upstart blog. Yet through
perserverence and fresh content we have built our own blog community.Our community spans the world and we admit or restrict who we choose. Even the obnoxious anti semitic Weasie tried to find his place here. He has a few readers and comments he is content and stays out of trouble. Hopefully, he will find an audience and learn some manners.
Maybe the larger blogs are a victim of their size but they need direction. Few people understand what it takes to run a big board Rocco Dippio and Richard Poe understand. I find myself in situations Richard Poe envisioned . Censorship was a non issue on a small blog but as we grew larger new issues arrose. Posters with Psychopathic tendencies like Soc are aborted. Weasie is tolerated until he gets profane or talks of Soc. The problem I have with John Brown is not the disagreement but the vulgarity. The ethnic slurs and Nancy abuse will not be accepted. Anum makes her comments and leaves so she doesn't qualify as a troll and is largely stupid. The Duck doesn't even qualify as a troll as he disagrees coherently and we can have a interesting debate.
I think the larger boards like Front Page Magazine and Bad Eagle are prisoners of their size. They are too big and have divided leadership to have a real sense of community. Somewhere Richard Poe is probably laughing as every one of his predictions came true.
I enjoy the community we have built here. However remember as the community grows some unsavory elements will drift in. We should still welcome newcomer but understand that there are trolls with criminal tendencies out there like Soc. However, each one of us will have to make individual choices.
Mr Beamish in 08, Ducky to the shooting gallery, 167 Back in the Coffin, Soc where is the Meathead another alias bites the dust.
64 comments:
- FLORIAN said...
We miss you at FPM Beaker. Actually, it's never been the same since you left. UU still leaves troll droppings every now and then, Socrates still uses various allises, and uptown is a distant memory (since December anyways). Morgan has disappeared completely, and Jinny makes rare visits. Oh well, like you say--the big forums may have run out of luck. Good thing I followed in your footsteps and started blogging myself.
Any problems with the Recidivist lately? - 8:45:00 PM
- Always On Watch said...
I started out in the smaller community. Sure, I've ventured into some of the larger ones, but I keep coming back here--where my cyber family is.
BTW, at the symposium, David Horowitz made it clear to me why the Islamofascists and the Leftists are on the same side, in spite of what many perceive as incongruities and conflicts (feminism, homosexuality). In short, what they share in common is a belief that they can establish utopie, never mind that personal freedom and civil rights have to fall by the wayside in order to establish that utopia.
David Horowitz is a brilliant and eloquent speaker. I must donate to FPM and read some of Horowitz's books. As a latecomer to the political scene, I have a lot to learn. I don't think that I can ever catch up! I was asleep for decades--not deceived, just asleep. I ashamed of myself for having slept from 1968, my graduation from high school, until 2001. - 9:27:00 PM
- Mad Zionist said...
I hardly ever post at big blogs anymore. The localized ones are much more personal and conducive to hot topical expressions. The biggies tend to get watered down and dull, vanilla and predictable, while the little guys keep it fresh and highly opinionated. Much more fun in small town if you ask me.
- MissingLink said...
I think it depends what you expect from your blog.
Large forums get out of control because the rules are nit clearly defined.
I started my blog as a educational tool to get across a certain point of view.
The general aim to get people off MSM and start participating in spreading news.
Many of these people won't stay around a place where the arguments get into the gutter level.
They need friendly environment, where they do not feel hassled and challenged into mud wrestling.
As you pointed out building a community is important, but this is just the first step.
Gaining large audience is another, numbers mean political muscle and influence – I think only this way we can make a difference. - 10:47:00 PM
- nanc said...
well, i want to thank beak and of course ALL of you for welcoming me into the mix - especially, poor madze who's probably put up with me the longest since the doors of mbc closed - what a sad day - like seeing your only child leave your home.
it is becoming like a neighborhood to navigate through. i go to beamish to link to some of his links, madze's to link to a couple of others, aow to link to quite a few more - linking reminds me of golf. linking is how i met up with warren and some other great minds.
it has become increasingly difficult to go back to fpm. democracy frontline and autonomist are about the biggest blogs i attend anymore.
if you think about it, our differences are what make us interesting to one another, yet the things we have in common are what cement our growing numbers. amazing - i'm not going to fight it anymore. now stop before you make me cry. - 11:11:00 PM
- beakerkin said...
The Recidivist is known on this blog as 167. He has changed his name to 167. He used to post over at our friend Rob Bayns. However Rob may be on the left but is still his own person.
The Recidivist deleted all his posts and started over as a new blogger named Fizhog 101. He is still vehmently antisemitic but fell into a rating trap. He only drew large numbers if he was under attack by me. When he banned all critical commentary his blog became a bore. There never was much
substance to his bile.
I have a fairly low opinion of JLowe as JLowe like Soc is actually
a man who posted under the name Lobsterman. JLowe labeled me Socrates in the beginig in spite of the fact that my writing style is completely different. Soc never invented aliases that attacks him either. Jinny posts are not that great.
UU is not a bad guy in that he plays by the rules. All of us know
he is an anti semite but at least he post under one name . He is not vulgar and one can share a decent thread with him at times.
I do miss Northern Steve, Mike and Zinla to name a few. However FPM has become passe largely due to the antics of Soc who posts under multiple aliases. His fictional creations all demonstrate his lack of skill as a writer.
I am fairly tolerant of others opinions. We accept people for what they are and aren't because we
are human. My big problem with John Brown is the vulgarity. There is zero need to label AOW, Warren, Brooke and any others Klansmen.
If he wants space and to air his Marxist views fine do so like Ducky without the profanity. If he is looking to build an audience it is not likely he will find one here
except Weasie. Even Weasie has toned it down here and is content with a few posters. - 1:38:00 AM
- beakerkin said...
The best Horowitz book is the one that you may not find. If you can aquire a copy of the Second thoughts conference grab it. It is a series of short essays and you will get aquiainted with Ronald Radosh, Julius Lester, Michael Medved and others in a quick refreshing format.
Our community is like a second home
with a series of new members. I look foward to the familiar posts.
Mr Beamish is the funniest man on the web and the ultimate foe of evil.
MZ Where did you pick up Dana ? He is a one note bore and almost a cliche. I have seen worse but it is hard to top the Star Wars obsessed Comme female Jedi Master B%^&%&. Warren read that one as well. I found one in Australia at the brilliant but short lived Why Palestinians get it wrong. There was an incoherent Australian antisemitic girl named Angela with the worst blog in modern history.
She seemed like a mall rat who was out of her element amongs people with double digit IQs.
Nanc it was only a matter of time till you created your own blog. Yet some of our best commenters do not have blogs of their own. Farmer John certainly is eloquent but he has yet to have a blog of his own. TMW seems content as a poster and that is fine .
Felis you are correct in that we do have view to get out. However, Warren and I never expected our community to become so vast when we started. It was rough going at first and many people who scoffed at us are long gone. - 2:01:00 AM
- Freedomnow said...
Dana is my absolute favorite troll. She can always be counted on saying something completely ignorant due to her lack of original thought.
She spits out pre-packaged propaganda without even understanding how badly she sets herself up.
Anyways, there is an interesting ocmmunity of bloggers and commentators out there.
Blogs will never die they will just evolve into more multimedia based platforms. - 2:13:00 AM
Beak- You're right, I have enough on my plate right now! I'll be glad to bring a dish to the potluck, help clean up, wash some dishes, but I'm not able to hostess a gathering at my own place yet! If you need me to come over and dust, just ask!
Top o' the morning to you! Another crummy day in paradise, all sun no rain!
tmw - 6:31:00 AM
- Always On Watch said...
Freedom Now,
Dana is my absolute favorite troll. She can always be counted on saying something completely ignorant due to her lack of original thought.
That's the first definition of a troll.
Mr Beamish is the funniest man on the web and the ultimate foe of evil.
Beamish in '08! And Warren to design the campaign posters and billboards--and Axeman to be head of security.
I am one lucky person to be a part of this community. A year ago, I was feeding Northern Virginiastan, by invitation after a period of time of providing NV with anonymous and pertinent info related just to my region. - 7:29:00 AM
- beakerkin said...
TMW I find myself not interested in Bad Eagle beyond the posts of She Designs and Ecology. Mark Winters is funny but I rarely read anymre.
Dr Yeagley is a good man but Mac does much of his dirty work. Most of the time he does the appropriate
thing but in my case it was a personal fued. Dr Yeagley and the Mad Potter offered me a probationary reinstatement but I said no.
I put more energy into building my
blog and am happy here. The risk one takes when one bans is that valued posters will ask to return
but some do not.
AOW Dana is a predictable Jewish Pie in the sky moron with zero grasp of history. If the Arabs are
defined correctly this whole joke about a need for a Palestinian State becomes moot. The issue is pan Arabism and the Arabs and the left have been playing bait and switch with the creation of new ethnicities.
Indigenous people are not indigenous only when they are Jews and Christians. Colonialism is good
so long as it is sanction by manifesto or Koran.
The above sums up the stupidity of John Brown, Ducky, 167,147 and Dana the dunce. - 8:17:00 AM
- Mr. Ducky said...
FPM made it's bones with extreme unfactual articles. That type of mud slinging is going to attract the hoi polloi, if I say so myself.
They pretty much get by on conspiracy theories. It's a joke site. Entertainment only. - 8:40:00 AM
- Mr. Beamish the Instablepundit said...
Anyone who wants to run a serious forum on any topic must be acutely aware that leftist participants, due to their leftism, aren't ever going to contribute anything anyone would mistake for intellectual content. That's just the nature of the beast.
- Mr. Ducky said...
Beamish, that's the 500th time you've made the same post. Get some new material.
Anyone who puts "Sweet Home Alabama" on the top of his list has his aesthetic sense and intellect so far up his ass that he really should be careful about throwing stones. How about a chorus of Free Bird?
Boy illegal immigration is a hot topic these days. I'm surprised nobody brings up the smashing success of Ronnie "The Dotage" Raygun's amnesty program. Man was that demented butt clown a disaster or maybe something worse? Love the way he put the marines in an undefended position at the Beirut airport. Oh well, enough for now. - 9:25:00 AM
Beaker- I don't go to the forum side at BadEagle anymore, it's to depressing with all the anger and prejudice spewwed there. I comment on the blog and am quite content to do so. You, Ecology, Bodvar, Concha and a couple others are good folks to hang with and now that kps has been banned it is more informative and less acrimonious! Here is where I spend more time with you and your links along with MadZ. Good discussions and a little dust up occassionally are fine by me!
tmw - 9:31:00 AM
I love the small blogs. They remind me of a certain conversation I overheard once, long, long, ago... (Plato, "Gorgias")
SOCRATES: There again, noble Polus, you are raising hobgoblins instead of refuting me; just now you were calling witnesses against me. But please to refresh my memory a little; did you say--'in an unjust attempt to make himself a tyrant'?
POLUS: Yes, I did.
SOCRATES: Then I say that neither of them will be happier than the other, --neither he who unjustly acquires a tyranny, nor he who suffers in the attempt, for of two miserables one cannot be the happier, but that he who escapes and becomes a tyrant is the more miserable of the two. Do you laugh, Polus? Well, this is a new kind of refutation,--when any one says anything, instead of refuting him to laugh at him.
POLUS: But do you not think, Socrates, that you have been sufficiently refuted, when you say that which no human being will allow? Ask the company.
SOCRATES: O Polus, I am not a public man, and only last year, when my tribe were serving as Prytanes, and it became my duty as their president to take the votes, there was a laugh at me, because I was unable to take them. And as I failed then, you must not ask me to count the suffrages of the company now; but if, as I was saying, you have no better argument than numbers, let me have a turn, and do you make trial of the sort of proof which, as I think, is required; for I shall produce one witness only of the truth of my words, and he is the person with whom I am arguing; his suffrage I know how to take; but with the many I have nothing to do, and do not even address myself to them. May I ask then whether you will answer in turn and have your words put to the proof? For I certainly think that I and you and every man do really believe, that to do is a greater evil than to suffer injustice: and not to be punished than to be punished.
POLUS: And I should say neither I, nor any man: would you yourself, for example, suffer rather than do injustice?
SOCRATES: Yes, and you, too; I or any man would.
- Mr. Ducky said...
Farmer, Socrates couldn't take the vote? He must have worked for the Ohio election commision.
" and it became my duty as their president to take the votes, there was a laugh at me, because I was unable to take them."
The truth will be known when the last witness is dead. - 10:52:00 AM
...in other words ducky, Socrates didn't put much stock in the "opinions" of men, as represented by their votes. Yes, a vote can create a "new" reality, but it won't necessarily be a "better" reality.
And as for the truth about Ohio, that is something that can never be known with absolute certainty. It is merely something that men will hold "opinions" about. And many of those opinions will be wrong.
- American Crusader said...
I still use FrontPage magazine as a source of information. This is what I think the larger forums do best. I've read some of the comments but I haven't never posted there.
- beakerkin said...
Do not talk about FPMs factual content when you just spun a whoppper of a conspiracy tale yourself. Everytime the left don't get their way stolen elections and conspiracies abound.
Back to yesterday Duck if communist form and lead a group what is it ????????
Exponential over representation of Marxist in University faculties is adverse impact wait that is only good for admissions . The old boys network in the private sector is evil but Old Bolsheviks network just doesn't exist.
Weasie is trying to emulate your Marxism with a smile act but at least yours in genuine. - 11:36:00 AM
- Mr. Ducky said...
Fact is farmer, you can be ruled by government or corporation. Now, those looking to give us the full Ayn Rand seems to feel there is something mystical about a corporation making choice but the governemnt is not capable.
Well the fact is that the individual doesn't know shit. Adam Smith's entire postulate of a market is necessary because none of us have anything approaching complete knowledge. So we either work at the job of government to generate wise decisions or we pick the corporation.
Currently the corporation is in control (of government also). I see the fruits of this libertarian paradise everytime I go to the supermarket. Rows of soda and potato chips. Now that's choice.
So we've got a system that is great at supplying potato chips and tv's and crap programming for the tv but not so good at health care and education. - 11:42:00 AM
- beakerkin said...
The larger forums do provide a target for trolls. Dr Yeagley does a good job but he made a disasterous choice as moderator. Imagine my making Ducky a moderator at my site.
Front Page magazine is a worthy cause I just donated another check.
The forum is plauged by trolls who post under multiple aliases and steal identities. Your friend Weasie was caught at FPM recently stealing the name of a poster Mahdi
Al Dajal by Nanc.
They are aware of the problems but have yet to come up with a solution. It is very tough when one person has dedicated his life to haunting a chatboard. - 11:52:00 AM
mr. ducky,
I guess I forgot to mention this. Socrates' 1st principle of conduct is also stated above... "to do is a greater evil than to suffer injustice". And there you have the complete reason why Socrate's could NOT take the vote... he could NOT commit the injustice of FORCING the opinions of men upon others.
I suggest you read some stories about Benjamin Franklin and early eighteenth century corporations. About Franklin's "Library Company", "Fire Company", "Lighthouse Company", "Water-works Company", "Hospital Company", etc.
The problem with today's VOLUNTARY, non-force wielding corporation's lies in the fact that they are no longer followed by the initials "Ltd." They have become Struldbruggs.
Extra-credit question... what does the "spot" over a Struldbrugg's eye symbolically represent?
If corporations are Strulbrugg's, the government is a veritable Leviathan
1911 Encyclopedia Britanicca
LEVIATHAN, the Hebrew name (livyathan), occurring in the poetical books of the Bible, of a gigantic animal, apparently the sea or water equivalent of behemoth (q.v.), the king of the animals of the dry land. In Job xli. 15 it would seem to represent the crocodile, in Isaiah xxvii. I it is a crooked and piercing serpent, the dragon of the sea;cf. Psalms civ. 26. Theetymology of the word is uncertain, but it has been taken to be connected with a root meaning to twist. Apart from its scriptural usage, the word is applied to any gigantic marine animal such as the whale, and hence, figuratively, of very large ships, and also of persons of outstanding strength, power, wealth or influence. Hobbes adopted the name as the title of his principal work, applying it to the multitude so united in one person. . . called a commonwealth. . . . This is the generation of that Leviathan, or rather . . . of that mortal God, to which we owe under the immortal God, our peace and defence.
Anybody know of a knight-errant we can send to slay the dragon?
Gee, I wonder why they only hired chivalrous knights, and not the Black Knight, to slay dragons? - 12:55:00 PM
Of course, 1776 marked the end of the aristocracy. It was replaced by a meritocracy... only mr. ducky didn't get the word... so he kept on fighting it, thinking he was battling the old aristocracy.
Soon he hopes to succeed in replacing the meritocracy with the victimocracy ruled by the stupidocracy.
Anyone here familiar with the "Aristocrat's" joke? They're still laughing at it today, they even recently made a movie about it. It must be satire...cuz I don't "get it".
ps - "Those heel kicks hurt!"
Tell you what duck...why don't you go slay the Leviathan, whilst I try and slay the Struldbruggs? It'll make a nice "change of pace".
For to err is human, forgive, Divine.
Sorry beak, you can have your thread back... the seizure has passed.
Silence is true wisdom's best reply. --Euripides
- beakerkin said...
Farmer John
I am thinking of running a Farmer John / Beakerkin special on Utopianism. Do utopians endanger us all ?
I am also running Chapter 1 of the Black Book of Communism for Friday ?
I will run a Rost for Warren as well on the top a rare triple post. - 1:56:00 PM
- Iran Watch said...
Although I might not call FrontPage Magazine fair and balanced, they do bring up articles that you won't find in the MSM. Even though they might be overrun by trolls, I still find a lot of value in these forums. I just don't pay much attention to the comment sections.
I'll agree to participate beak provided I can come to the forum dressed as Aristophanes. Farmer John will probably be busy sowing some new experimental crop somewhere that day.
- Freedomnow said...
The truth is, if you are successful at expressing your opinion on the web you will also attract the negative attention of your enemies, whether you are Right or Left.
Ducky can always be counted on to spin the facts out of proper context. - 2:28:00 PM
You can perform the parabasis. I'll be one of the hypocrites, that way I won't have to do an act.
- beakerkin said...
The Utopia bit is a Farmer John Beakerkin special come dressed as anyone other then Fanon.
The Duck is not a bad guy . He is your friendly local Marxist out to Nationalize your property with a smile. He will send troublesome people like Beakerkin and Warren for reeducation in the wilderness. - 2:47:00 PM
- Mr. Ducky said...
No Beak, I would probably send you for a year at NYU for re-education.
I would not nationalize your property. However I would nationalize some of our resources and attempt to have them put to use for a wider range of people than just "shareholders". - 2:58:00 PM
- Mr. Ducky said...
That's the film school at NYU, Beak.
- beakerkin said...
I lived near NYU and have interacted with the film school students. A trip to the Gulag in the Northeast Kingdom would be prefferable to being amongst that crew. Only the clowns at the nearby New School for Commie Subversion makes them look coherent by comparison. - 3:11:00 PM
- Jason_Pappas said...
The New School? LOL.
NYU actually has a good business school and a decent economics department. I've known quite a few libertarians who studied there. At one point they had a focus on libertarian writers like Hayek and von Mises.
Even their leftists have historically been mild. Sidney Hook, for example, started out as a pragmatic Marxist but ended up at the Hoover Institute. He came around just like Ducky will. - 4:13:00 PM
- beakerkin said...
I keep forgetting that you live not far from my old appartment a stones throw from Union Square. You may be the only person who knows what the joke about the New School for Social Research. It may be the most Marxist bastion of ignorance in the country. - 4:48:00 PM
- Jason_Pappas said...
A friend of mine who once took a graduate course in philosophy at the New School used to tell me about the atmosphere. The big question in those days was whether you were a Trotskyite or a Stalinist. That was the only logical possibilities to these students. Perhaps things have changed ... a few Maoists, Frankfurt school, etc. And, of course, everyone loved Fidel.
Hey, I hear anybody else trashin' the NYU Film School, and I'm going to hire a hit man (wonder if I can get tmw w/her fryin' pan) to take care of you.
I am the extremely PROUD parent of an NYU Film School freshman-to-be. Thanks for the recommendation, Sr. le Duque! It was Hopkins or NYU, and NYU came through w/ an offer I couldn't refuse.
So look to see me in the stands rooting for the NYU Football team, and attending ALL their major athletic events!
- Always On Watch said...
The Black Knight? Have you been reading Ivanhoe? - 5:41:00 PM
- Always On Watch said...
If the Arabs are
defined correctly this whole joke about a need for a Palestinian State becomes moot.
Okay. I admit it. I fell for that nonsense back when I was in college.
Amazing what propaganda-spreading leftists can accomplish. I should have known better! - 5:43:00 PM
You mean there IS a Black Knight??? (Ooops, I still haven't done that particular piece of homework...)
Mmmm, teach, I think my dog ate my only copy... or it got covered over on the reading table... And tmw just recommended Beowulf... and I'm gonna be in this neat play w/beak so I gotta brush up... can I have another few weeks to read that one? Oh, yeah, and that Hamlet assignment still has digested yet...
Boy, now I'm beginning to know how busy you are! (like my load is even 1/10th)
- VerityINK said...
Beak--That jackass Meatheadsub is over on the Coulter thread--how the hell did HE get back on? Lemmee know...
- Kyle said...
As most of you know, I was a regular on Moonbat central, but never got into Front page,
I have to be able to talk back or its a no-go with me. - 6:38:00 PM
- American Crusader said...
Jason, while I was attending graduate school at Florida International, in one of the graduate classes in political science, General Batista's granddaughter was a student. She had some interesting perspectives on the abuses of Fidel Castro. Of course she didn't have as much to say about her grandfather.
Fidel is hated in Miami generally anyways. JFK isn't too popular either. There are still people from Brigada 2506 who dream of what might have happened if JFK had provided air support. - 6:54:00 PM
- American Crusader said...
AOW...the great Palestinian leader Arafat was actually an Egyptian. The whole notion of the Palestinian people is historically incorrect.
- American Crusader said...
ducky...If you're willing to nationalize some of our resources, are you also willing to allow oil expiration in ANWR?
Off the coast of Florida?
How about some new nuclear plants?
What about some new oil refineries? - 7:01:00 PM
- FLORIAN said...
AC we desperately need new nuke plants for energy. I work for a utility company and our rates have increased by 22% in the last 2 years alone. Nuke power is the wave of the future. It's much cleaner, much cheaper and easier to manage. Now if only the environmental wackos would hold off on childish legislation that drives up everybody's rates--we'd be paying very cheap electricity bills.
- Jason_Pappas said...
FJ: see me in the stands rooting for NYU Football team.
NYU has a football team? Damn, I didn't know that and I lived in the Village for 20 years. Is this electronic football Rev 4.5?
AC: Speaking of Cuba, when does Andy Garcia's film come out? It sounds great. I hear he told the truth about Che ... some are having a hard time with that. - 7:12:00 PM
- beakerkin said...
AC I am glad you asked Ducky the question it crossed my mind.
Donal Meahead shortened his name posted once and was likely caught by Roberta - 7:35:00 PM
Of course NYU has a football team! In fact, they've got more than one. There's the little yellow team and the little white team with plastic players whom you paint, and put little numbers on, and who play in this little vibrating stadium that gets stored under your roommate's bed in the dorm, room... and you play whenever your roomate needs to separate the seeds and stems from his stash... which you pretend is natural-turf.... but then again, perhaps that's just a little too much information....
Seem to be a few crows circling... better go read some Poe.
- Jason_Pappas said...
... perhaps that's just a little too much information....
I thought parents are supposed to pretend that they don't know what goes on even though they too were once undergrads. In any case, your son or daughter is a lucky kid to get a chance like that. And for having parents willing to go broke ... but let me not remind you. - 7:55:00 PM
- Always On Watch said...
Easy to figure out very quickly in Ivanhoe...The Black Knight is Richard the Lionhearted. He saves the day many a time.
The best version of Beowulf is that done by Seamus Heaney (sp?).
Your Hamlet assignment still isn't done??? Shame, shame. If you don't already have it, you must get a copy of The Friendly Shakespeare--indispensable. Read Prince Charles paraphrase of the soliloquy.
a few crows circling... better go read some Poe
I'm so tired that the buzzards are circling.
the great Palestinian leader Arafat was actually an Egyptian. The whole notion of the Palestinian people is historically incorrect.
I know that--NOW! But for years I didn't have a clue.
As to Castro, a few of my Spanish profs were exiles from Cuba. I "get it" about Castro. - 8:48:00 PM
- nanc said...
aow - i heard once, maybe a myth, but arafat had christian food tasters to make sure his food wasn't poisoned.
- Mr. Beamish the Instablepundit said...
I have a habit of pointing out stupidity. It's not my fault leftists keep me busy. - 10:24:00 PM
FJ- I don't defend Marxists! How much? which size skillet? how hard? where do you want them hit? and how many? do I get piecework? or by the hour? I'll need travel expenses.
Aow- I think that is the translator of my copy.
Beaker- I live on the east coast of Fla., drill!$3+ per gallon is ridiculous, I can't afford it. Food prices are starting to climb, I won't be able to feed my son! Or clothe my daughter.
Beamish in '08, Aow for Sec. of Ed.,Beakerkin or Warren for Sec. of War, maybe Warren for Sec. of Tech., who for Justice? Treasury? Environment?We need to get lined up folks! Campaign slogan? Press secretary? I want Chief of Staff, I know how to tell people NO. A stack of iron skillets on my desk should save the Prez from dealing with idjits! Free up his schedule, keep it cleared enough for roadkill barbeques with the true believers! And range time of course, I think the American people would be happy to pay for an all purpose indoor range and enough ammo for the Prez to practice everyday no matter the weather! It is part of his oath of office after all! Better than drunk driving and almost running into a Capitol police cruiser!
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In Reply to: Moreton's Neuroma Foot Surgery posted by helenwalker on November 29, 2000 at 05:18:18:
I just had THREE removed from my right foot one week ago. Recovery is going as well as can be expected. The doc thinks it looks good so far. I definitely would not make New Year's Eve plans, given your scheduled surgery date. I am in the surgical shoe until 12/15, which is 17 days post-surgery and will have the stitches removed then. My advice is keep the foot elevated and stay off of it. Ice helps a lot also. Not to mention pain medications. :-) I am surprised that your doc is only removing one of two known, but he must know best. Good luck.
: I am researching into the surgery required to remove neuromas on the feet, as I am due to undertake an operation on the 14th December. I have four neuromas, two on each foot, and the planned op is to remove the most painful one on the left foot. I have read lots of scare stories, and am really concerned at making the decision whether or not to have this surgery. Has anybody had this operation, and can give me advice please? [In addition, will I be able to make New Years celebration plans, or will i still be laid up?!]

subset: commoncrawl


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You look like you could use 20% off everything. Enter YOUEARNEDIT at checkout.
love this, feels very warm
oooh… I just got back from a holiday there yesterday… I have some great shots… it's soooo special and fragile that place… I am really connected there more than ever after the week…
I know what you mean kathleen, you must have got back just in time before this low hit…………….thanks mate
I must get myself up there one day. This is a magnificent capture, Kaz!
Oh, you were just up the beach from me!!! it is gorgeous isn't it?? we haven't been in a little while, you may have just tempted me to return… :)
Karen, this is positively stunning. You`ve used colors and composition with form and texture to create something which is totally unique and beautiful. I don`t know whether you actually found this place and did the rest with post processing, or whether you created it from digital collage. But whatever you did, it`s amazing. Nice work!
And when you gonna visit my Sanctuary? Like chocolates? Belgian beer??
Hugs to you, BB
Hey Billy, this is how it is, not much processing, its just like that……….the place is called Rainbow Beach and it is near Frazer Island just north of the Sunshine Coast in Queensland…………It is beautiful and worth the visit if you ever get the chance……..and Belgian, well the closest I am going to get to there this year is the Greek Isles and Switzerland………………….if I had more time I could do a drive by………LOL
take care mate
thanks for dropping in
Mate from the little image I thought you had painted this, to me it looks like a nude with black hair flowing down over the shoulders, this is an amazing piece, WOW girl you have a great eye…..so love this beach. Happy Birthday to you know who from me….talk soon xoxox
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Thai Economy Averts Recession as Outlook Improves After Coup
Suttinee YuvejwattanaThailand's economy expanded more than estimated in the second quarter as local demand recovered after a military coup ended months of political unrest. The baht advanced.
Gross domestic product rose 0.9 percent in the three months through June from the previous quarter, when it shrank a revised 1.9 percent, the National Economic & Social Development Board said in Bangkok today. The median of 16 estimates in a Bloomberg News survey was for 0.7 percent growth. The economy expanded 0.4 percent from a year earlier, compared to a survey estimate for no change.
Junta leader Prayuth Chan-Ocha, who seized power on May 22, has paid money due to rice farmers, capped fuel prices and outlined plans for a new government to revive confidence. There will be a "steady economic recovery" in the second half of the year, the state planning agency said today, while cutting the upper range of its growth forecast for 2014 to 2 percent.
"Second-quarter GDP confirms the stabilization in economic activity," said Weiwen Ng, a Singapore-based economist at Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd. As the political outlook turns constructive, "we expect the unlocking of fiscal spending to manifest itself in a V-shaped recovery for Thailand in the second half," he said.
The baht gained 0.2 percent to 31.807 against the dollar as of 10:36 a.m. local time. It reached 31.763, the highest level since July 29, and is the second-best performer in the past three months in Asia among 11 currencies tracked by Bloomberg. The benchmark SET Index was little changed.
Export Constraints
The state planning agency today said it forecasts full-year growth at 1.5 to 2 percent from a range of 1.5 percent to 2.5 percent projected in May. The economy may expand 3.5 percent to 4.5 percent in 2015, it said. It cut its export growth estimate for this year to 2 percent from 3.7 percent.
"Even though the economy will recover in the second half and government spending will return to normal, exports still face constraints," Arkhom Termpittayapaisith, secretary-general of the state planning agency, told a news conference. "Private investment is also expected to recover slowly." The agency had skipped its press conference for GDP data the previous two quarters because of the unrest.
Thai consumer confidence rose to the highest in 11 months in July, data earlier this month showed. Exports climbed in June for the first time in four months.
The central bank earlier this month kept its policy interest rate unchanged for a third straight meeting, and said it expects a "V-shaped" recovery in the second half on rising consumption and government spending. The monetary authority has lowered its growth forecast for this year to 1.5 percent.
Private Consumption
Private consumption rose 0.2 percent in the second quarter from a year earlier, expanding for the first time in four quarters, today's data showed. Exports slipped 0.7 percent, while investment fell 6.9 percent.
Elsewhere in the region, Malaysia last week said the economy grew at a stronger-than-estimated 6.4 percent pace last quarter, while Singapore reported an unexpected expansion.
Prayuth has said Thai elections can't be held until late-2015 at the earliest and could be delayed further if the situation is deemed unstable. The junta has written an interim constitution that gives it absolute power and appointed a National Legislative Assembly dominated by the military. The assembly may name a new prime minister as early as this week.


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What is there to say...? It has been a long time coming! Finally...
I can say I am a graduate of the University of Utah!
Driving Up to Midway (this is the face that he gives me when I tell him to smile)!! |
Johnson Mill. Lovely. |
Balcony off our room (it was a lot prettier after the snow storm). |
The loft in our room. If I ever build a house I want a "reading loft". |
Dinner- best churros ever! |
Main Street, PC. |
Brunch |
Eaglewood, March 18th 2011 |
First... our supplies: chocolate cake, cream cheese frosting, candy melts, lollipop sticks. |
Then... bake cake. let cool. crumble cake. stir in frosting. |
Next... rolled cake into balls. inserted lollipop sticks. froze for 1 hour. melted coating. dipped cake. let cool. |
Finished result.... very yummy! |


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FirePlug is a unique feed aggregator that is both aesthetically pleasing and incredibly practical. The iPhone app offers various streams of content from different sources, letting users build and customize as they please.
Upon first downloading, a quick, informative tutorial gives users a concise explanation of what the app actually does. Of course, an account must first be created, and this merely helps save all of your usual news sources. Doing so also creates a profile that tracks your reading habits, and this could be surprisingly useful.
FirePlug offers a vast library of news sources that you can browse through and add to your stream. However, you cannot self-install a source from outside of the app (such as an RSS feed). Don't worry though – the chances are that your favorite news source is already available. The app then lists content from your chosen sources as a single stream or in user-generated categorical playlists.
Another nice feature is the app's social integration. By connecting with Facebook, you can read your socially-added stories alongside the news. This merging of local sharing and mainstream news is one area where FirePlug truly stands out. Unfortunately, the app lacks the integration of Twitter or any other social sharing site, so it would be nice to see this eventually included.
Overall, FirePlug is the perfect example of a mobile news aggregator. Its practicality, design, and purpose make it rise above similar apps.
- News aggregator.
- Beautiful user interface.
- Vast library of news sources to choose from.
- Categorized streams.
- Social networking integration.
- Easy readability.
- >Playlist creation.
Get FirePlug for free from the iTunes app store.
Leave a Reply
You can add your own sources! In Build Streams, go to "Search" at the bottom and type in your URL!


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A handy promotional golf towel made of 100% cotton.
This heavy stitch structured promotional cap is sure to impress when it is imprinted with your custom logo.
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greatlakes4x4.com is the premier Great Lakes 4x4 Forum on the internet. Registered Users do not see the above ads.
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July 24th, 2011, 09:37 PM | #1 |
Senior Member
"04 GMC Yukon XL 2500 Speedometer problem
Vehicle is in the title...has a 6.0 in it and I just pulled and replaced the head on the passenger side to have a sparkplug thead fixed.....put all back together today and had to jump start it as the battery had drained while sitting for awhile...everything works fine except now the speedo reads over 120 mph no matter what speed I'm doing. It started at about 72 then held steady at about 85 and now is at 120. Actually it reads 120 shut off sitting in the driveway! Tried disconnecting the battery to reset everything and still in the same spot. All other gauges work fine, just the speedo has an issue.....Any thoughts or suggestions on what to try?
Thanks in advance..... |
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July 28th, 2011, 09:52 AM | #3 |
I like trees
07187C: Special Coverage Adjustment - Instrument Panel Cluster Gauge Needle Function - (Mar 20, 2009)
Subject: 07187C -- SPECIAL COVERAGE ADJUSTMENT - INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER GAUGE NEEDLE FUNCTION Models: 2003-2004 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV, ESCALADE EXT 2005 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV, ESCALADE EXT (U.S. ONLY) 2003-2004 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, SILVERADO, SUBURBAN, TAHOE 2005 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, SILVERADO, SUBURBAN, TAHOE (U.S.ONLY) 2003-2004 GMC SIERRA, YUKON, YUKON XL 2005 GMC SIERRA, YUKON, YUKON XL (U.S. ONLY) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- THIS BULLETIN IS BEING REVISED TO INCLUDE CERTAIN 2005 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES IN THE U.S. ADDITIONALLY, FOR U.S. 2003-2005 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES, GM WILL PROVIDE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER (IPC) ONLY, AT NO CHARGE TO THE CUSTOMER FOR VERIFIED FAILURES BETWEEN 70,001 MILES (110,001 KM) AND 80,000 MILES (130,000 KM). ANY ADDITIONAL COSTS, INCLUDING LABOR TO REPLACE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER, WILL BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CUSTOMER. DEALERS WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE RETURN OF THE CUSTOMER'S IPC BACK TO THE ELECTRONIC SERVICE CENTER. PLEASE DISCARD ALL COPIES OF BULLETIN 07187B, ISSUED SEPTEMBER 2008.. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CUSTOMERS ARE BEING INSTRUCTED TO CONTACT THE DEALERSHIP TO ARRANGE AN APPOINTMENT IF THEY BELIEVE THEIR VEHICLE HAS THIS CONDITION. THE CUSTOMER IS BEING ASKED TO PROVIDE THE VIN SO THE IPC CAN BE ORDERED IN ADVANCE OF THE SCHEDULED APPOINTMENT. THIS WILL ELIMINATE THE NEED TO KEEP THE VEHICLE OVERNIGHT. DEALERS ARE TO OBTAIN THE VEHICLE MILEAGE WHEN SCHEDULING A SERVICE APPOINTMENT. THE VEHICLE MILEAGE WILL BE REQUIRED WHEN PLACING AN ORDER FOR THE IPC. Condition Some customers of all 2003-2004 model year and certain U.S. 2005 model year Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT; Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado, Suburban, and Tahoe; and GMC Sierra, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles have reported that one or more of the instrument panel (IP) cluster gauges stick, flutter, or become inoperative. This may cause inaccurate readings, including the speedometer and fuel gauge. Special Coverage Adjustment This special coverage covers the condition described above for a period of 7 years or 70,000 miles (110,000 km), whichever occurs first, from the date the vehicle was originally placed in service, regardless of ownership. Dealers are to replace the instrument panel cluster after the condition has been verified. The repairs will be made at no charge to the customer. For verified failures between 70,001 miles (110,001 km) and 80,000 miles (130,000 km) on U.S. vehicles, dealers are to provide the customer with an instrument panel cluster (IPC) only. Any additional costs, including labor to replace the instrument panel cluster, will be the responsibility of the customer. Dealers are responsible for the return of the customer's IPC back to the Electronic Service Center. For vehicles covered by Vehicle Service Contracts, all eligible claims with repair orders on or after September 28, 2007 for 2003-2004 model year vehicles, and March 23, 2009 for 2005 model year vehicles, are covered by this special coverage and must be submitted using the labor operation codes provided with this bulletin. Claims with repair orders prior to September 28, 2007 for 2003-2004 model year vehicles, or March 23, 2009 for 2005 model year vehicles, must be submitted to the Service Contract provider. |
August 14th, 2011, 08:15 PM | #4 |
Senior Member
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Thailand Expat Forum for Expats Living in Thailand The Thailand Expats Forum is dedicated those individuals that have chosen to make Thailand their new home. This forum is an ideal place for Expats now living in Thailand to meet and discuss all aspects to their new Thai way of life. |
Do I need a tourist visa before booking a flight?
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entering a fashion competition :) wish me luck
Java Draw Created Jan 12, 2014 460 x 640px Unless noted Copyright 2014 rowaida2.
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anim3luver Jan 12, 2014
good luck! i luvv this dress design--specially the lacy part on top & the color of it; also like the womans hair :3
Page 1


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# Cotton canvas upper # Metal grommets # Unlined with canvas cushioned footbed # Rubber sole with striping and toe cap outsole # This is a unisex shoe and runs a half size large. Consider ordering a half size smaller than you normally wear. Men's sizes appear in bold with an "M." Women's sizes appear in parentheses with a "W."
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Sounds great!
over 4 years ago • Like
To run forever ...
Dailymile makes it easy to keep track of your workouts. Map your routes and share with a community of active people.
Another hot morning run ... 1.5 with Tippy. Ended with swim in the pool ... sure felt refreshing!!!!! Stay cool!


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The first mouth full is pure bliss, my exact words were "Oh sweet Jesus!"
I was invited by an extremely pleasant waitress to have a look at the two display cases full of delectable chocolates and desserts. I chose Fluer de sel caramel petit pot. The layers of dark chocolate mousse and chocolate ganache, covered with caramel, sea salt and small brownie bits were served in a small glass jar but the flavour was Huge. Velvetly smooth, extremely rich with a hint of salt and brownie. Heavenly.... a Chocolate lovers dream! 4 1/2 mmm's out of 5The day's here, the baby bird is pushed from the nest as I have a firm hold on one wing. I stayed home with my kids and worked part time. Now what? Of course there are my favourite things -eating and drinking wine- I am going to concentrate on sharing them. Yep, that is what I am going to do! If you want to talk about good food and wine, recipes and have a few laughs, jump on board, I could use the company :)


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This is not a trick
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This Gif entitled This is not a trick was created from the youtube video 3 years ago. It uses 12 frames per second and is displayed at 240px resolution. This animated image plays for 4 seconds, was built with normal quality and an estimated weight of 531.47 KB for download. This animation was originally created from the Meet the Amazing Spy video from 00:17 to 00:21.
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Jewish World Review April 24, 2012/ 2 Iyar, 5772 Why Romney's most effective booster is . . . Obama By Jack Kelly
http://www.JewishWorldReview.com |
On Feb. 25, 1964, Muhammad Ali, then known by his birth name, Cassius Clay, shocked the boxing world by defeating heavyweight champion Sonny Liston. Ali used his superior quickness to evade Liston's ponderous punches, and counterpunched so effectively that Liston didn't answer the bell for the 7th round.
The opening rounds of the general election campaign have resembled the Clay-Liston fight. Mitt Romney has counterpunched so effectively Democrats were lying bleeding on the canvas before they knew what hit them.
Within hours after Democratic operative Hilary Rosen said on CNN that Mr. Romney's wife, Ann, a mother of five, "actually never worked a day in her life," Democrats were running from her like scalded dogs.
On a vacation trip in 1983, Seamus, the Romney family dog, rode in a crate on top of their station wagon. Democrats hyped this as evidence of Mr. Romney's "insensitivity." As a boy in Indonesia, Barack Obama ate dog, he said in his autobiography. The Romney team pounced.
"One tweet from an iPad, and the Romney campaign had knocked back five years of dog stories," wrote Dave Weigel of Slate with grudging admiration.
Twice in as many weeks, the Romney team turned Democrat attacks against them. I expect this to happen again and again.
With no achievements to tout, Democrats feel they must run down the other guys. A CBS/New York Times poll last week indicated 42 percent of Americans like Mr. Obama personally, but only 29 percent like Mitt Romney, so Democrats think personal attacks on Mr. Romney will work.
But when a president seeks a second term, the election is a referendum on his performance in office. The president's percentage of the popular vote tracks closely with his job approval, noted psephologist Sean Trende.
Americans give Mr. Obama such low marks on job performance that Washington Post political analyst Ed Rogers thinks "a serious challenge for the Romney campaign will be how to stay out of the way while Obama loses."
The president's numbers will improve if the economy does, but it is getting weaker. So Democrats double down on personal attacks. Their strategy is doomed.
Mr. Romney's low personal approval rating is chiefly the residual effect of a nasty primary campaign. It will dissipate as Republicans consolidate around their nominee.
Mr. Obama's rating will drop. Personal approval and job approval tend to converge, because if you don't like what a president is doing, you tend not to like him much, either. And instead of attacking Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich, Mr. Romney will run ads criticizing the president.
Mr. Obama's campaign strategy will accelerate the drop. In Michigan Wednesday (4/18), he said: "Unlike some people, I wasn't born with a silver spoon in my mouth." This strikes Americans as more petulant than presidential.
The more the president talks about Mr. Romney, and the less he talks about the issues which concern Americans, the more he seems out of touch, in over his head.
But Democrats are so accustomed to turning every issue into a personal attack they can't stop, even when its counterproductive. To mix sports metaphors, Democrats are like a football team that runs the same play over and over, without regard to down and distance.
Early indications are a strategy of distract and smear won't work against Mitt Romney. He counterpunches fast and hard, and then returns swiftly to the issues Americans care about.
Because he knows Americans don't have to like him to vote for him, or dislike President Obama to vote against him, Mr. Romney focuses like a laser on competence. He uses effectively the contrast between Mr. Obama's words in 2008 and his subsequent deeds to make his points. He doesn't call the president names. He acts like the grownup in the race.
Even in polls which oversample Democrats, Mr. Romney already runs even with the president. The whopping 10 point advantage the GOP enjoyed last Monday (4/16) in Rasmussen's generic Congressional poll indicates Republicans are more popular (or Democrats less popular) now than on the eve of the Republican landslide in 2010.
In every election but one (2004) since 1964, undecideds have broken heavily toward the challenger. It's early yet, but the signs indicate Mr. Romney will win, and win big.
Every weekday JewishWorldReview.com publishes what many in the media and Washington consider "must-reading". Sign up for the daily JWR update. It's free. Just click here.
Comment by clicking here.
JWR contributor Jack Kelly, a former Marine and Green Beret, was a deputy assistant secretary of the Air Force in the Reagan administration.
© 2011, Jack Kelly |
Lifestyles |


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The Odd Couple (film)
The Odd Couple | |
Theatrical release poster
Directed by | Gene Saks |
Produced by | Howard W. Koch |
Written by | Neil Simon |
Starring |
Jack Lemmon Walter Matthau John Fiedler Herb Edelman |
Music by | Neal Hefti |
Cinematography | Robert B. Hauser |
Edited by | Frank Bracht |
Distributed by | Paramount Pictures |
Release dates |
Running time | 105 minutes[1] |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Budget | $1.2 million |
Box office | $44,527,234[2] |
The Odd Couple is a 1968 American black comedy film written by Neil Simon, based on his play The Odd Couple, directed by Gene Saks, and starring Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau. It is the story of two divorced men – Felix Ungar, the neurotic neat-freak, and Oscar Madison, the fun-loving slob – who decide to live together, even though their personalities clash.
The film was highly successful with critics and audiences, grossing over $44.5 million,[2] making it the fourth highest-grossing picture of 1968. The success of the film was the basis for the ABC television sitcom of the same name, starring Tony Randall as Felix and Jack Klugman as Oscar.
- Plot 1
- Cast 2
Production 3
- Theme music 3.1
Reception 4
- Awards and honors 4.1
- TV series 4.2
- Sequel 4.3
- References 5
- External links 6
Felix Ungar checks into a fleabag hotel near Times Square, Manhattan and attempts to kill himself by jumping out of the window, but he fails to open it and pulls a muscle in his back. Limping back on the street he tries to get drunk at a dance bar and ends up hurting his neck when he throws down a shot. He stands on a bridge, contemplating jumping into the river.
Meanwhile, in the pig-sty Upper West Side apartment of divorced sportswriter Oscar Madison on a hot and sticky evening, Oscar and his buddies Speed, Roy, Vinnie, and Murray the cop are playing poker and discussing their friend, Felix Ungar, who is unusually late for the game. Murray's wife calls and tells him that Felix is missing. Oscar then calls Felix's wife Frances who says that she and Felix have split up. As they are discussing what to do, and worried that Felix might try to commit suicide, Felix arrives not knowing that his friends already know that his wife has kicked him out of the house.
Felix eventually breaks down crying and his friends try to console him. Oscar then suggests that Felix move in with him, since Oscar has lived alone since he split up with his own wife, Blanche, several months earlier. Felix agrees, and urges Oscar to not be shy about letting him know if he gets on Oscar's nerves.
Within only a week, Oscar is going nuts. Felix is a neurotic, obsessive-compulsive nut, who runs around the apartment cleaning, picking up after Oscar, and berating him for being such a slob. He also refuses to have any fun, spending most of his time thinking about Frances. Felix at one point even telephones Oscar at Shea Stadium telling him not to eat any hot dogs at the game, because Felix is preparing franks and beans for dinner; this distraction causes Oscar to miss seeing a rare triple-play at the Mets game on which he is reporting. The two men are shown bowling, shooting pool, and walking the city streets. Felix has a sinus attack, making loud obnoxious noises while seated in a coffee shop. Finally, after Felix drives everyone at the weekly poker game crazy, Oscar convinces Felix to lighten up and join him on a double-date with two English girls who live in the building – the Pigeon sisters, Cecily and Gwendolyn,[3] who actually "coo" when they laugh.
As the date commences, Oscar tries to get Felix to loosen up by leaving him alone for a while in their living room with the two attractive, and somewhat frisky, sisters. Instead, he winds up talking about Frances, and breaks down weeping. When Oscar returns from their kitchen, the Pigeon sisters, one a divorcee, the other widowed, are sobbing as uncontrollably as Felix. Oscar cheers them up and they invite the boys upstairs for what should be a wild night. Instead, Felix, who realizes that he is still too attached to his wife, refuses to go, opting to "scrub the pots and wash his hair" instead. Oscar joins the sisters in their apartment, but winds up spending the night drinking tea and telling them all about Felix.
Furious about Felix's ruining the date, Oscar resorts to giving Felix the silent treatment and torturing him by messing up the apartment as much as possible. Felix retaliates by just being himself, driving Oscar insane with his endless cleaning and neurotic behavior. Eventually, the tension explodes into an argument that results in Oscar demanding that Felix move out. Felix complies, but leaves Oscar with a major-league guilt trip for having abandoned his still-in-need friend.
Feeling awful about throwing Felix out, and not knowing where he has gone, Oscar assembles his poker buddies to search New York City for Felix in Murray's NYPD police car, which he's not supposed to use. After searching for hours, they return to Oscar's apartment to find out that Felix has moved in with the Pigeon sisters. Oscar and Felix apologize to each other, and realize that a bit of each has rubbed off on the other, with each being a better person for it. Felix agrees that next Friday night, he will be at Oscar's apartment for their poker game. Oscar tells his friends to clean up their mess after the poker game is over, ending the film.
- Jack Lemmon as Felix Ungar
- Walter Matthau as Oscar Madison
- John Fiedler as Vinnie
- Herb Edelman as Murray
- David Sheiner as Roy
- Larry Haines as Speed
- Monica Evans as Cecily Pigeon
- Carole Shelley as Gwendolyn Pigeon
- Billie Bird as Chambermaid
- Iris Adrian as Waitress
- Angelique Pettyjohn as Go-Go dancer
- Ted Beniades as Bartender
- Bill Baldwin as Sports announcer
The Odd Couple was originally produced for Broadway and the original cast starred Art Carney as Felix and Walter Matthau as Oscar. For the film version, Matthau reprised his role as Oscar but Felix was played by Jack Lemmon, who had not portrayed the character before. At one point, Frank Sinatra (as Felix) and Jackie Gleason (as Oscar) were going to do the movie version but this fell through. Dick Van Dyke and Tony Randall were among those considered for the role of Felix (the latter portrayed him in the TV series). Similarly Jack Klugman (who aside from the TV show often replaced Matthau on Broadway) and Mickey Rooney were also to play Oscar. Most of the script from the play is the same, although the setting is expanded: instead of taking place entirely in Oscar's apartment, Simon also wrote some scenes that take place at various outdoor New York City locations (most notably one at Shea Stadium in Queens, New York).
Oscar's poker player friends also made up the cast; they were Roy (David Sheiner), Vinnie (John Fiedler), Speed (Larry Haines) and Murray the Cop (Herb Edelman). The film made its debut at Radio City Music Hall in 1968. It was a hit and earned Neil Simon a nomination for the Academy Award for Writing Adapted Screenplay. The film was also nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy and Lemmon and Matthau were both nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor - Motion Picture Musical or Comedy.
The scene at Shea Stadium, which also featured Heywood Hale Broun, was filmed right before a real game between the New York Mets and the Pittsburgh Pirates on June 27, 1967. Roberto Clemente was asked to hit into the triple play that Oscar misses, but he refused to do it and Bill Mazeroski took his place.
One of the outdoor scenes in the film involved Felix shopping at Bohack, a Maspeth, Queens-based supermarket chain ubiquitous in the New York City area during the mid-20th century. The last Bohack supermarket closed in 1977.[4]
Theme music
The award-winning jazz instrumental theme was composed by Neal Hefti. The theme was used throughout the movie's sequel, starring Lemmon and Matthau and released 30 years later, and also adapted for the 1970 TV series and used over the opening credits. The song also has seldom-heard lyrics, written by Sammy Cahn.[5]
The film has garnered both critical acclaim and box office success. It grossed over $44.5 million in the United States,[2] making it the fourth highest grossing film of 1968.[6] The Odd Couple received universal acclaim from critics, earning a rare 100% "Fresh" rating on the review aggregate website Rotten Tomatoes.[7]
Awards and honors
- Neil Simon was nominated for the Academy Award for Writing-Adapted Screenplay
- Frank Bracht was nominated for the Academy Award for Film Editing and for the American Cinema Editors "Eddie" award for Best Edited Feature Film.
- The film was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy
- Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau were each nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor - Motion Picture Musical or Comedy
- Gene Saks was nominated for the Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Feature Film.
- In 2000, the American Film Institute honored The Odd Couple as the 17th greatest American Comedy
TV series
The film spawned a television series spinoff in 1970, also entitled The Odd Couple. As the series ended, a cartoon version called The Oddball Couple ran on ABC for a year. Produced by Depatie-Freleng, it had a neatnik cat and a slob dog.
A sequel, The Odd Couple II, reunited Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau in their original roles and was released 30 years later, breaking the record for the length of time between a movie and its sequel featuring the original cast.
- ^ a b c "The Odd Couple, Box Office Information".
- ^ Possibly a reference to the two young female characters in Oscar Wilde's play The Importance of Being Earnest, who share the same names.
- ^ Bohack
- ^ The Odd Couple tv theme lyrics and voice over
- ^ North American rentals were $18.5 million. See "Big Rental Films of 1968", Variety, 8 January 1969 p 15. Please note this figure is a rental accruing to distributors.
- ^ "The Odd Couple, Movie Reviews".
External links
- The Odd Couple at the Internet Movie Database
- The Odd Couple at the TCM Movie Database
- 1968 films
- All film articles using the film date template
- English-language films
- Film articles using image size parameter
- The Odd Couple
- 1960s comedy films
- American films
- American comedy films
- Films directed by Gene Saks
- Screenplays by Neil Simon
- Buddy films
- Films based on plays
- Films set in New York City
- Paramount Pictures films
- Films based on works by Neil Simon