Tag Archives: Mr. Blog’s Tepid Ride

Imponderable #52: Norway

29 Jun

June 29, 2012

Before this article I knew Norway as little more than the home of Sig Hansen, Rose Nylund, and not the Vikings.

I’m not sure I understand the problem here. While it would be cruel under Norwegian law to sentence him to solitary, where is the problem if no one can simply be found to bunk with him? I do not interpret the law (and yes, I am a noted Norwegian law scholar) as saying that it is a mandate the he have a cell mate. Is this a state-sponsored hook up?

The Norwegian government is acting like the parent of an unpopular 9-year-old, trying to bribe his classmates to come to his birthday party by throwing it at McDonald’s and promising them a clown and a Justin Bieber concert. Should the government really be in the business of finding friends?

On the other hand, how would you feel if the government came to you with the news that you have been selected as a potential friend for this guy? Would you like to be told you are a potential friend and cellie of a sociopath? Of course we are talking about other inmates who likely have similar tendencies, but still, that isn’t a compliment.

Why is Norway playing matchmaker with its craziest inmate?

The question is Imponderable.

Seems to me this is a classic case of throw the guy under the jail.

Like A Walrus Needs A Clam?

28 Jun

June 28, 2012

You need me
Like a walrus
needs a clam
Like a fat kid
needs a ham
You need me

ANNOUNCER: Yes, I’m sure that everyone within the sound of my voice on the WBTR airwaves remembers those words. Hi, I’m Bruce E. Freedkin and the writer of that beautiful verse from the #1 hit single of 1958, “Eat Me, Porcupine,“ is here with me in the studio. He turns 97 today! Welcome to the show, Max Duffy! Hi Max, how are you today?

MAX: Eat me, porcupine.

ANNOUNCER: That was such a great song, how did you ever come up with it?

MAX: Well, back then we used to work in the Brill Building, all of us song writers. It was wonderful. All of us like-minded people, song writers, just writing music, playing music, sitting around piano, banging out tunes, high on pot, naked as jay birds-

ANNOUNCER: I’m sorry, did you just say-

MAX: There was always plenty of blow around back then too. And the broads! I remember one time Carol King did this thing with her-

ANNOUNCER: Excuse, me, are you saying that back then, when you were writing hit songs for the likes of Tony Bennett and Frank Sinatra you were all just, just, –

MAX: Stoned out of our minds. But it wasn’t just the drugs or the booze, it was the power. We were kings! I remember one day not long after Summer Wind was a hit for Frankie we brought in a sack of kittens and some baseball bats and we-

ANNOUNCER: What? I’m sorry but we have to go to-

MAX: -just for the hell of it. Who was going to stop us? We were hot hit song writers, dammit! We did what we wanted! We got The Supremes mixed up with a coven of witches. Except that damn Diana Ross, she was a [BLEEP], quit the group over it. And the orgies!

ANNOUNCER: OK! WOW! That’s it! Thanks Max Duffy! (faintly off mic) Cut his mic! Cut his mic!

MAX: I [BLEEP]ed Marilyn Monroe on a pile of fifties!  

ANNOUNCER: SHUT IT OFF! SHUT IT OFF NOW!

Cut to commercial

The Brill Building. Home of money, madness, and murder.