The Salt Lake Tribune — Refuge of a scoundrel

I’ve been reading the Salt Lake Trib letters to the editor for lo these many years. It’s always been a lively forum for people who like to argue back and forth about the same old hot-button topics. Occasionally, new topics get hot, such as medical malpractice.

Apparently, now to be a letters to the editor playa, a good memory and copious enemies files are no longer required… all you really need is an internet connection and a little skill with Google.

Well, two can play at that game, Dr. Trease.

And hmm, here’s something else from the good doctor – doesn’t mention he’s a medico here.

And this is strange – apparently, Mr./Dr. Trease moved to Salt Lake some time last year, because he wrote this letter to the Denver Post claiming to be from Grand Junction (move down about 2/3 of the page).

Hmm, Googling has always been fun, but Googling argument-junkies from letters columns could be addictive, if it’s always this inadvertently humorous.

And might I add, I disagree with everything Mr./Dr. Trease says, but will defend to the death his right to say it.

SSCCATAGAPP

Just now on The Simpsons – “Single Seniors Childless Couples and Teens and Gays Against Parasitical Parents”

Heh heh heh heh. Well, I’d quibble with the “less not free” term, but it was pretty good, and the woman who led “Skatagap” (catchy name!) was portrayed as selfish, rather bitter, but happy about all her extra disposable income… and she actually dismissed a parent as a “breeder!” Woohoo!

All in all, damn fine satire. Even some parents may laugh, which is good. We all need to laugh and not take things too seriously.

Dang Simpsons writers, why do they have to mine the internet for outrageous comedy gold?

I haven’t seen the end of it yet, but I predict the bitter leader-lady will get her comeuppance by the end in some weird and twisted Matt Groening way. She was, however, immune to the attempted heart-melting when Marge brought Lisa out as an exhibit in favor of parenthood. Bart screwed it up by coming out of the shadows holding Maggie (whose diaper was obviously fully loaded) and a purse full of baby puke.

Heh. “Breeder.” Heh.

Things I Look Forward To Doing in 2004

A quick list of movies that will be coming out this year (what? There won’t be a Lord of the Rings movie? What will we do??)

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Aw, Warner Brothers’ website for the movie is cute; it has an animated Wanted poster for Sirius Black. The best link to the new teaser trailer seems to be via the main Harry Potter page – the Windows Media version showed as a series of stills, but the Real media player (fastest speed) played as a normal trailer.

I think I have to watch it again. And again. There’s even a glimpse of the Knight Bus. This third Harry Potter book was probably my favorite, because it started out with Harry getting his first taste of independence and freedom from his horrible blood relations (I won’t call them “family”) without having to depend on the kindness of Weasleys.

Naturally, I like Ginny Weasley, she and I have a LOT in common (although Ron is also a favorite) ((and Fred and George are such crackups, I wish they showed up more in the movies)) (((Percy’s a git. Wait, that’s not a nice thing to say about his parents, who rock. Percy’s a Humungous Bore))).

Hmm…. I can’t wait to see who they get to play the cute and cool older Weasley brothers in the next fillim.

Gotta go… must explore more of this website. I know it’s a marketing tool, I know it’s a pretty corporate shill for kids, but still, I must go…