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That's a really good question, ZZ! I'm sure some members of future generations won't be lobotomized, but I bet a goodly number of those who rely on television for their daily mind-fill will definitely be dancing pretty close to the edge of idiocy. I think one of the long-term trends that has been moving us in the direction of lower-quality television is the sheer number of channels and programs that make large audiences a thing of the past. And, without large audiences, there isn't enough advertising revenue to hire good writers and talented actors. Reality TV doesn't require much in the way of writing or acting, so look for more of it in the years ahead. As there are more and more channels with more and more hours to fill, the good programming gets used up pretty quick and we're left with stuff that nobody has put much thought into, except the thought of how to run an extra commercial or score some product placements. For the most part, I think we masses are being 'entertained' by hacks. On the plus side, as our entertainment becomes less cerebral and more primitive, we should eventually find our way back to our roots.

Is he trying to say Lucky's full of shit? . . No, I think he's trying not to say Lucky's full of shit.

Well, that took me deeper into HTML than I ever hoped to go. If OZ or TY can delete these two core dumps, I'll get on about my business. If not, at least I should make the Today's Top Posters list.

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MER has become my purlieu, As there's always a fun thread or deux. But is it très gay If I post en français When I'm here in my favorite milieu?

Perhaps you could give us a glimpse every now and then.

I had planned to sit next to Princess B but, alas, never made it through check-in.

Apple says it's a bug and all a big misunderstanding, and then proceeds to show they understand it very well by: • cutting the stored data down to seven days worth • eliminating it from backups to your computer • stop collecting it when you have "Location Services" turned off • encrypting it when you have "Location Services" turned on They also said that some of the location data comes from cell towers that can be a hundred miles away from where you actually are, but neglected to mention that location data can (and often does) also come from a wifi point in the very same room. The software update with the fixes should be available shortly.

Well, it turns out the Danes have a much smaller economy than the U. S., and they work less than anybody except the Belgians, and they usually pay the highest taxes in the world. And yet they're the happiest people on earth. Go figure.

Odd topic for an escort site, but an interesting one, and it seems to have 'legs'. OZ sure knows how to pick 'em. Thanks for all the insights. The only thing that surprises me about your info is that Coke now ships the product ready-made. I don't doubt you; it's just that I thought Coca Cola would rather ship a lighter product if they could. I'm sure they like the control it gives them over the syrup/seltzer ratio. I know I hate it when somebody serves me a Coke with very little syrup and very little flavor. Not only does it taste bad, but I know the soda jerk is nickle-and-dime'ing me. As long as I'm ranting, the guys who piss me off most are the ones who started using artificial flavors. Dr. Pepper tastes like it came out of a lab. (A chemistry lab, not a labrador retriever. Close though.) And A&W used to be the best national root beer brand, but now it tastes like tiger piss. Or so I'm told. Don't want to give anyone the wrong impression.

Woe betide the Coca Cola territory manager who failed to have his sales territory shipshape when the Brass came through. He would hear about it from the regional manager, who would hear about it from the vp of sales, who would hear about it from the senior vp of sales and marketing, who would hear about it from the executive vp in charge of reaming everyone a new asshole. Plenty of grief to go around. There's lots of profit in a serving of Coke (even more now that sugar has been replaced by HFCS) and distribrution is the name of the game. Sodas are usually impulse purchases, and the customer can't buy what he can't find. That's why Coke and Pepsi spend huge amounts of money getting shelf space in the grocery store and other retail outlets. The nozzle-clogging story is a funny one and would certainly be consistent with a high-margin, impulse-driven product. Coke and Pepsi each want to be the exclusive brand, and pay big bucks for the privilege. They do it in fast food joints, and they do it in schools. Can't remember the last time I went to a fast food restaurant and had a choice between Coke or Pepsi. Does make me wonder though how Coke managed to get an exclusive with Santa Claus, and if the switch to HCFS will have any unintended consequences.

Apple's in the spotlight this week after two British software developers uncovered a hidden iPhone file that tracks and records the owner's whereabouts for up to a year. They've released an application that will let you see what your phone's got on you. Of course, anyone else who has access to your iPhone, or your unencrypted backup files, can see it too. In other smart phone news, the ACLU is asking the Michigan State Police how they're using some high tech data extraction equipment they acquired a while back. According to the manufacturer, the UFED devices are capable of getting around user passwords and downloading "existing, hidden, and deleted phone data, including call history, text messages, contacts, images, and geotags", even mapping existing and deleted locations on Google Maps. What's more, it can do it in a couple of minutes or so. The ACLU is asking the State Police to show how they're using the devices, and whether or not they're being used during traffic stops. The police say it will cost the ACLU upwards of half a million dollars to get the info. I'd been planning to get an iPhone 5 when it's released later this year to finally replace my old-fashioned Samsung clamshell with its rudimentary camera and texting capabilities. Maybe I'll hang out with my fellow cave dwellers a little while longer.

TY swears he'll never borrow OZ's Spyder again!

TAN . . . don't burn . . . use COPPERTONE ®

I didn't hear it, but I read it last evening. It appeared he was appropriately framing the upcoming debate around the issue of what kind of nation we want to be, and what he himself stands for. Seems to me a very appropriate thing for a leader to be doing at this point. Especially glad that he's put defense spending squarely on the table. That budget is almost as big as Medicare and almost as big as Social Security. A 20% cut in 'defense' would be real money. I like Obama. If I have a beef, it's that he sometimes seems to compromise too early in the process. That could be my own inexperience speaking, however, as I'm not good at compromising on issues that really matter to me. It's why I'll never be a politician. For now, I'm willing to keep tagging along. I think he's delivered some good stuff to the country in twenty-seven months, and expect there's more where that came from.

Don't mean to speak for Hitoallusa, but I think he was referring to what we are doing by bringing the babies' lives into the public discussion. They may end up being tarnished by these accusations, and each of us has to decide whether or not to keep the conversation going. As long as the kids are getting plenty of love, that's good enough for me.

You caught me with my pants down, TY. I was in a rush and snatched the first limbo pic I saw. I do hope it will act as catnip for BBB.

GE's tax machinations were the subject of a hoax today when the Associated Press fell hook, line and sinker for a story that GE was going to give back the $3.2 billion refund they received on their 2010 taxes. The fake press release was issued by a group called US Uncut (not associated with MER's Pornification Forum) and supported by another group known as The Yes Men. GE acted quickly to disabuse everyone of the notion that they were planning to give anything back, and a retraction was issued within the hour. We can all rest easy tonight knowing that, if we do end up providing any kind of economic safety net to U. S. citizens, it won't be coming out of GE's corporate coffers. By the way, did you know that U. S. corporations covered 30% of all federal revenue in the 1950's but, in 2009, covered only 6.6%? Of course, corporate panties are still bunched in the nation's boardrooms, as they squeal it's still far too much. Wonder how low they're fixin' to go?

Your brother may be closer to the mark than you think. This NYT article explains how GE earned $14.2 billion in profits last year, and got a U.S. tax refund of $3.2 billion. Hint: Former Treasury Department official John Samuels heads up their 975 person tax department.

In full agreement, TY, and buoyed by your passion. With all that's going on in this country and in the world, for our legislative branch to be obsessing over the best way to cut health services to the elderly and poor is a disgrace. I don't see how these guys sleep at night. I expect that most have acid stomach.

I think he was responding to my post. Lookin is very close to Lucky. Lucky himself has been busy in another thread, covering his assets, and will perhaps join us here with a few lurid digs once he has successfully secured his vast holdings.

I should have noted it came from a Wikipedia article on Norman Lear. So true. She once famously said, " . . . I've done everything but rodeo and porn." Bet she'd have given both audiences their money's worth.

Norman Lear was definitely prolific. Other links in the All in the Family chain were Good Times (a spin-off of Maude) and Gloria (a spin-off of Archie Bunker's Place). I well remember the show where cousin Maude came to take care of the Bunkers when all had come down with the flu. Archie asked her what the awful stuff was in the bowl she handed him for breakfast. With her impeccable timing, Bea Arthur told him, "Cream of Wheat with cheese. It's light, but it binds." Good times.

Found myself wondering less about the guy in the picture and more about all the other guys fluttering over his decor. Something tells me there might be a few tacky interiors on the other side of the keyboard too. Well, gotta run. The Architectural Digest crew is due in half an hour, and I've got pillows to fluff!