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Now in our third calendar year!

PCR #129. (Vol. 3, No. 37) This edition is for the week of September 9--15, 2002.
Mike's RantMike's Bust
Hello, gang. Some news and notes and my thoughts about 9/11 one year later. Shall we begin?

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ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL
As Matt alluded to, he and I are once again playing the fantasy football fools. As he submitted his piece early, he wasn't able to graciously accept his defeat at my teams' hand. Allow me to do it for him by quoting John Cleese in "A Fish Called Wanda:" I WHUPPED HIS ASS REAL GOOD!

And let me just say that Tony Dungy looks weird with that damn horseshoe on his hat.

As I write this, I am saddened to hear of the passing of Football Hall of Fame Quarterback Johnny Unitas. Johnny U was easily the greatest quarterback in the history of the game. As a member of the Baltimore Colts, he helped bring the NFL into the limelight. When I lived in Baltimore, a theatre I managed was down the street from the shopping center that housed Unitas' restaurant, "The Golden Arm." He was a frequent visitor to the theatre and was always more then gracious with the many fans who would approach him. A true gentleman, Mr. Unitas passed away this evening, 9/11/02 from a heart attack. He was 69.

WOULD YOU LIKE MUSTARD ON THAT?
The good folks at PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) have asked the Milwaukee Brewers to include a veggie dog in it's nightly wiener race. Every game after the 6th inning, large costumed characters consisting of a hot dog, a bratwurst, a Polish sausage and an Italian sausage race from the bullpen to home plate. What are these people thinking........like a bunch of soybeans could whip an Italian sausage!

MOVIE NOTES
Director Paul Schrader has been named to replace the late John Frankenheimer and will helm the upcoming "Exorcist" prequel. Skellen Skarsgard has also replaced Liam Neeson in the role of Father Merrin, a missionary who does an exorcism in post-World War II Africa. Schrader, who won an Oscar for his screenplay of "Taxi Driver," has the upcoming Bob Crane film "Auto Focus" coming out October 18. He also wrote the screenplay for "Raging Bull," and wrote and directed the 1982 remake of "Cat People," as well as a personal favorite of mine, "Hardcore." The untitled "Exorcist" film is scheduled to be released next July 18. Starting November 1st, you will be able to see "Star Wars: Episode II: Attack of the Clones" at your local IMAX theatre. The film will be digitally remastered to fit the IMAX screen (8 stories high, 100 feet wide). It will be the second theatrical feature shown in IMAX, following the upcoming release of "Apollo 13."

MUSIC BITS
George Harrison's final album will be released this November. It is his first solo effort since 1987s "Cloud Nine." In addition, a Harrison tribute album is currently in the works, including contributions from Julian Lennon and Roger McGuinn.

Make sure you catch the season premiere of "The Simpsons" in November. Among the guest stars will be Rolling Stones Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. In an episode where Homer attends a rock and roll fantasy camp, you'll also get to hear Tom Petty, Elvis Costello, Lenny Kravitz and Brian Setzer. How do you judge the popularity of this show? Do you realize that over the years "The Simpsons" have featured Aerosmith, Spinal Tap, the Who, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Bachman Turner Overdrive, Linda Ronstadt, Elton John, Michael Jackson, Billy Corrigan (Terence's boy!) as well as George, Paul and Ringo. I'd like to think that, were he alive, John Lennon would have made many an appearance.

ONE YEAR AGO
Not meaning to sound insensitive, but I am so glad today is over! From 7 this morning until now, 1145 at night, I have been bombarded with images and thoughts I'd rather not have to relive. What happened was a national tragedy. We have had our period of mourning and it is now time to move on, better our nation and catch the murdering bastards that did it. I no longer want to go to Walmart, as I did today, to see the weeping image of a man who lost his young wife in the tragedy. That was what was broadcast nationwide on the Walmart in-house television network. I no longer want to see the planes hit the WTC from 10 different angles, nor watch the mighty towers crumble. I don't want to contemplate the last thoughts of those who perished at the Pentagon. And, as much as I will always admire Todd Beamer and his fellow passengers on flight 93 for their heroism, I have no desire to wonder on what his last thoughts or those of his fellow passengers were. (To this list I would also add countless short videos played on local news stations of young school children singing off-key versions of national anthems and patriotic songs. This trite and cliché attempt to "tug the heartstrings" got real old after the tenth time.---Nolan)

It's been a year now. And the first question I must ask is "are we safer today then we were last year?" I don't believe we are. (I agree--N) On my recent vacation, my son and I decided to visit Canada. After waiting in a long line, we were stopped at the border and asked to not only provide a photo ID but also our birth certificates. As we don't normally travel with them, we had to answer several intensive questions and show other forms of identification. After about 10 mins, we were in the Great White North. Coming back to the USA, we were again stopped. After a quick glance at our drivers licenses we were asked two questions: How long had we been in Canada (a couple hours) and why we went (to say we had been to Canada). We were then waved through. As I drove off I thought, "Holy shit! Is it that easy to get into this country in a time of "high awareness?" Jesus Christ, no wonder the terrorists came in through Canada. Can you believe it's harder to get into Canada then America? Man, good thing Canada doesn't border Mexico. There wouldn't be one illegal immigrant in Quebec, I can tell you that. It's all well and good to have jets patrolling the skies. But until something is done to make our borders less easier to pass over, I'll have to say no.

Incidentally, the winning New York Lottery Pick 3 numbers tonight (9-11-02) were 9 - 1 - 1. (And THAT is just TOO beyond coincidence!--N)

Well, that's it for now. Have a great week.


"Mike's Rant" is ©2002 by Michael A. Smith. Webpage design and all graphics herein are creations of Nolan B. Canova. All contents of Nolan's Pop Culture Review are ©2002 by Nolan B. Canova.