Random Thoughts 8/30/10

• American Idol has lost two judges this season, Simon Cowell and Ellen DeGeneres. The replacement? Jennifer Lopez. Really. That's too bad. Some wanted Elton John, Justin Timberlake, or Steven Tyler (who might still be a possibility). For me, I would have been interested if they had added someone frank and blunt like Gene Simmons. Another "too nice to judge" judge will make my head explode.
• What do European socialists and Islamic terrorists have in common? They hate Jews. Next to hating Christians, hating Jews seems to always be in vogue somewhere.
  
• White House press secretary Robert Gibbs criticized Rush Limbaugh for attacking "Government Motors." Then Gibbs said, “And then you should ask Mr. Limbaugh — I don’t know what kind of car he drives, but I bet it’s not an F-150.” F-150s are made by Ford, which didn't take any government money. I guess Gibbs doesn't drive an F-150 either.
• I'm really ready for football to begin again. We're already working on fantasy football, getting ready for the 2010 season.
• Teachers have very important jobs, but the idea of the underpaid teacher – according to this graph – seems a bit outdated. My question is if teachers are better paid now, why are so many schools doing so poorly? Could it be the institution itself?
  
• CBS was rated as the least gay-friendly network and immediately promised to do better by adding new gay characters to its shows. Way to cave, CBS.
  
• Here's a great story about a Marine in Afghanistan who stepped on and was blown up by an IED but walked away, mostly unharmed. Praise God for an inept bomb maker.