The Social Poets: Libya War: Funny Late Nite Jokes Roundup

Image by DVIDSHUB via Flickr

The Social Poets: Libya War: Funny Late Nite Jokes Roundup: "Check out what the comedians lampoon about The Peace President, Obama, going into Libya. Boy, I tell ya, a guy tries to help out some desperate people in a foreign country from getting slaughtered and all he gets is flak from the Republicans and comedians.

Of course, like so many sticky political situations, it's all about The Ego. The mostly male media ratchets up The Ego Meter by declaring Prez Obama is a wimp if he doesn't succeed at deposing Gadafi now that he's declared, 'Gadafi must go!' So, suddenly out come The Big Guns: the CIA operatives magicly appear in Libya 'advising' the rebel forces. Read that as, 'These guys are so clueless the only way to keep them alive is knock some sense into them and show them how to win.'"

Those Funny Huge Political Gavels Politicians Like To Hammer

Check out the amusing history of our American House Speakers and the gavels they wield like weapons in the political chamber.

Outgoing House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California addresses the House after giving newly elected House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio the gavel.


From Denny: Talk about funny. Remember when outgoing Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi gave her last speech as Majority Leader and handed over that outrageously large whacking gavel to incoming GOP Speaker John Boehner? Remember that huge honking gavel that looks more like a croquet mallet, a veritable weapon? Does Boehner plan to play Whack A Mole on the House floor? If terrorists attacked the House Chamber all the politicians would have to do is slam them with that huge gavel to get some order in the House.








The Senate Gavel

So where does the tradition of these huge honking gavels come from anyway? In the Senate from 1789 up until the mid-1950's they used a very unique looking ivory gavel. The Senate was steeped in tradition for centuries. That gavel was more of a knocker as it was possessed no handle. The original Senate gavel was carved from a single elephant tooth, shaped into an ivory cube.

So, why did the Senate quit using the famous tradition ivory gavel? It held up well over the centuries until a heated debate in 1954 involving Vice President Richard Nixon. They were arguing about civilian nuclear power. Nixon got so angry that he crashed down the gavel so forcefully that it smashed into several pieces.  Some might say it was an omen of things to come when later President Nixon resigned from office, the first President to do so in American history, rather than face impeachment for his crimes.

When India first became a newly independent nation they gave America a Senate gavel replacement in 1954. It is not identical for it has a floral band carved around its center. This replica stands four-inches tall like the original. Here's to slamming your desk with a fancy elephant tooth. Government sure has some weird ideas about governing.

Today's Senate Gavel

Currently, the Senate gavel is a bit of an odd duck because it has no handle either. It looks more like an hour glass or a weird egg cup straight off the breakfast table. Yes, now you know what the Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has had in the palm of his hand, slamming hard on the podium. I'm glad someone finally explained it to me as it sure looked odd.

Where did the House and Senate's big gavels come from? Many have been made in the House carpenter's shop, usually crafted from lacquered maple. The huge whacking hammer of a mallet that Speaker Boehner possesses was given to him by an Ohio constituent who crafted it for him. It does make a person wonder if they plan to use it to whack about $100 million out of the budget or maybe just slam to pieces the President's agenda. Either way it has the tone of the bully about it.

                                                            Speaker John Boehner

Funny history of the House gavel

Turns out there have been many a House gavel created, often because they were shattered by enthusiastic Speakers. Makes you wonder how many podiums have been replaced as well over the centuries. Check it out. In 1906, Speaker Joseph Cannon - what a perfect name for this story that is true - hit his desk so forcefully that the gavel's head took flight, coming in for a landing between the clerks on the lower tier of the rostrum. Yes, those autocratic types sure know how to show the House a good time. So much for a gavel living the life as a professional politician's tool.

Not to be outdone there was Speaker Champ Clark who managed to break two gavels - and that was just during the opening session!  Speaker Nance Garner also broke his fair share of gavels.  Garner broke three gavels during the first week of the 1931 session.  Guess that Speaker was a bit embarrassed by his vigor as he ordered an "unbreakable" gavel to be made from sturdy black walnut after that congressional session.

Speaker Sam Rayburn was the longest serving House Speaker.  He enjoyed collecting gavels, one of which was made from the timber of the burning of the White House back in 1814.


Not to be outdone is the comedy crowd:  SNL

SNL Skit: Nancy Pelosi Demonstrates What Makes John Boehner Cry

Comic Kristen Wiig played Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Bill Hader played Speaker Jon Boehner, pretending to be guests on Weekend Update on Saturday Night Live. The skit goes that Nancy presents John with the Speaker's gavel, you know the outgoing Speaker gives over the political symbol of the gavel to the incoming Speaker.

Of course, the fake Boehner decides he will reciprocate a gavel to now Minority Speaker Pelosi, so he gifts her with a teeny, tiny girly pink gavel. Of course, not to be outdone on that one, Nancy makes a decision of her own: She gives John Boehner something to really cry about since weeping is for what he is so famously known. They don't call her Competition Nancy for no reason. Tiny gavel but Big Mind. I want her on my team!






Photo of Speakers Pelosi and Boehner by Charles Dharapak from AP images

Photo of Speaker Boehner and huge gavel by Getty Images




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The Social Poets - news, politics, political cartoon humor
The Soul Calendar - science, astronomy, psychology
Visual Insights - photos, art, music
Beautiful Illustrated Quotations - spiritual quotes, philosophy
Best Spiritual Posts - my own best as well as links to other spiritual posts from all viewpoints
Poems From A Spiritual Heart - poetry
The Healing Waters - health news
Dennys People Watching - people in the news
Dennys Food and Recipes
Dennys Funny Quotes - humor

Funny Video: Happy New Year, Cartoonist Review of 2010

Get a New Year grin at the cartoonist review of our last political year.

From Denny: This is a funny review of the political year from JibJab with Prez Obama and VP Biden as puppets telling the tale of what a horrible year it was. They are glad 2010 is gone (like most of us) and welcoming the New Year of 2011. You might want to turn up the volume as it makes it easier to understand the lyrics of this catchy tune.

For anyone interested in the production of this video, go here for the complete breakdown of the scenes and the writing process: Behind The Scenes of the 2010 Year in Review






This year's New Year's Eve in Times Square, New York City, to welcome 2011:





*** Check out these posts too:

Funny Videos: Happy New Year From Cartoonists - Check out the cartoonists funny idea of wishing us a Happy New Year.

New Year Celebrations: History And Trivia - Check out how celebrating the New Year was once considered controversial throughout history.

Best New Years Cartoons 2010

New Years: Funny Quotes, Resolutions Tips, Poems



*** THANKS for visiting, feel welcome to drop a comment or opinion, enjoy bookmarking this post on your favorite social site, a big shout out to awesome current subscribers – and if you are new to this blog, please subscribe in a reader or by email updates!

*** Come by for a visit and check out my other blogs:

*** Check out Holiday Recipes From Dennys Food and Recipes

The Social Poets - news, politics
The Soul Calendar - science, astronomy, psychology
Visual Insights - photos, art, music
Beautiful Illustrated Quotations - spiritual quotes, philosophy
Best Spiritual Posts
Poems From A Spiritual Heart - poetry
The Healing Waters - health news
Dennys People Watching - people in the news
Dennys Food and Recipes
Dennys Funny Quotes - humor

17 Christmas Music and Fun Videos

Enjoy some popular and traditional sacred music for the Christmas season, along with some funny holiday flash mob videos.

From Denny: A person could spend a lifetime sifting through all the offerings over at YouTube and be happy. What fun to explore, looking for interesting Christmas music to fit a wide variety of reader interests.

Here are the offerings I've gleaned for this year. The first song, YouTube sudden viral hit, is from a newcomer, Becky Kelley, whose father wrote the song after Becky related a conversation from her nephew while they were standing in line to see Santa at the mall.  It's their first published song, a real shock to the music industry who came asking for more of their work.  I guess they had better get busy. :)

And now you have plenty here to help you stress down from  the holiday rush, make you laugh, and even get you pumped back up feeling inspired.


Music Video: Wheres The Line To See Jesus? by Becky Kelley - Check out the newest addition to Christmas music this season born out of a true story - and a YouTube viral hit.

Music Video: Mary, Did You Know? By Clay Aiken - When you need some inspiration to lift your spirits or soothe your nerves during the holiday rush.

Music Video: Pie Jesu by Celtic Woman - Learn the meaning and history of this traditional song, Pie Jesu, which hails from ancient Christianity, rearranged by composers throughout the centuries.

Music Video: You Raise Me Up by Josh Groban

Music Video: The Prayer by Josh Groban, Celine Dion, Charlotte Church

Music Video: In The Arms Of The Angel by Sarah McLachlan and Josh Groban

Music Video: O Holy Night by Celine Dion

Music Video: Note to God by David Foster and Charice

Music Video: The Christmas Shoes

Music Video: Where Are You Christmas? by Faith Hill

Music Video: Christmas Tree by Lady Gaga

Music Video: The Christmas Song by Nat King Cole

Music Video: Michael Buble, Jennifer Hudson Christmas Duet - Christmas music for everyone to enjoy.

Funny Flash Mob Video: Dancing Elf Horde Invades New York City - Get into the holiday spirit with a dance flash mob horde of Santa Christmas elves making mischief in NYC.

Music Video: Christmas Carol Flash Mob Sarcastic British Style - Hear The 12 Days of Christmas like you never heard it before.

Funny Video: NYC Folate Carolers Flash Mob Sings Christmas - Funny and clever singing and dancing takes New Yorkers by happy surprise during Christmas season.

36 Christmas Posts: Music, Humor, Poems, Stories, Quotes - Explore a bonanza of Christmas offerings from music to humor to quotes to food and lots of good stories - and poems, both original and traditions from the past.



*** THANKS for visiting, feel welcome to drop a comment or opinion, enjoy bookmarking this post on your favorite social site, a big shout out to awesome current subscribers – and if you are new to this blog, please subscribe in a reader or by email updates!

*** Come by for a visit and check out my other blogs:

*** Check out Holiday Recipes From Dennys Food and Recipes

The Social Poets - news, politics
The Soul Calendar - science, astronomy, psychology
Visual Insights - photos, art, music
Beautiful Illustrated Quotations - spiritual quotes, philosophy
Best Spiritual Posts - my own best as well as links to other spiritual posts from all viewpoints
Poems From A Spiritual Heart - poetry
The Healing Waters - health news
Dennys People Watching - people in the news
Dennys Food and Recipes
Dennys Funny Quotes - humor

Posts Roundup at Dennys Blogs - 17 Nov 2010

Check out news, opinion, silly political humor and funny cartoons, jokes, recipes, poetry, photography, science, spiritual thoughts and great quotes.

From Denny:   The year just marches on, doesn't it?  This is a roundup of the past three weeks of various posts.  Oh, how I wish I had the time to write more science posts as I do enjoy being curious about my world.  If it were not for the tense political times requiring constant attention I'd be off writing about art, science, poetry, lots of food,  photography and total humor.

With all the tough economic times it seems like we all have to stay on top of our politicians to get the very best from them.  These days with so much in flux economically, politically, rogue countries struggling to become nuclear states and the last gasps of terrorist organizations still rearing their ugly little heads, I'm focused on writing mostly news.  Like you, I long for a time when Life is easier and a lot more enjoyable.  Those times will come again.  Try to be patient.  And while you are being patient, keep your foot in the backs of your politicians, making them crystal clear aware of what you voted for is what you expect to be delivered.  Game on! :)

The Social Poets:

House Democrats Reshuffle, Rangel Found Guilty - Find out the latest of who is heading up the Democratic leadership to battle the Republicans for the next two years.

Rising Rage Over Airport Scanners and Pat Downs - Dont Touch My Junk Video and how airport scanners pose a serious public health risk to millions.

American and World Politics Humor - 13 Nov 2010 - Midterm election shellacking, President Bush, G-20 summit, new orange House Speaker and crazy Tea Party cartoons and a cute dancing political cat.

Friday Lite: Latest Late Nite Jokes and Videos - 12 Nov 2010 - Latest jokes about the midterm election shellacking, funny videos, a Cee Lo Green music video from Colbert.

The Heart Remembers: Veterans Day poem Libations Friday On A Thursday - 11 Nov 2010 - Honoring the life of others as well as our own.

Presidential Historian Michael Beschloss Talks About Midterm Shellacking - Check out the interesting stories from history of how other Presidents responded when handed their heads by the voters in a midterm election.

Late Nite Jokes and Funny Videos - 2 Nov 2010 - Comics have fun lampooning the campaign process. Get Dennys Predictions for what happens next into the 2010 election.

Women, And Their Civil Rights, Abused By Tea Party Activists - A conservative Tea Party Rand Paul supporter attacks a MoveOn protester by stomping on her head. What the Democratic Party needs to do to get back the female vote.

American Midterms and World Politics Cartoons - 30 Oct 2010 - Negative campaign ads were never so much fun to lampoon as cartoonists are enjoying this political season.

Jon Stewart Interviews Obama Economic Advisor - Check out the latest from the Obama economic advisor about the state of the American economy.

Americans Lose Jobs Twice As Fast As Immigrants Gain Jobs - In the 2009 jobs report, immigrants gained 656,000 jobs while native-born Americans lost 1.2 million.

Prez Obama Interviews At The Daily Show With Jon Stewart - Check out the class act of the President talking with Jon Stewart.

Why Women Are Not Inspired to Vote Right Now - Find out what is bothering women voters about this midterm election season.

Posts Roundup at Dennys Blogs - 25 Oct 2010 - Check out news, political opinion, political humor and funny cartoons, recipes, poetry, funny posts, photography, science, spiritual thoughts and great quotes.

American and World Economy Cartoons - 24 Oct 2010 - Check out the national mind and opinions of our economy through the eyes of cartoonists.

American Political Season - 23 Oct 2010 - This sure is a mean - and more competitive than usual - political season.

Friday Lite: Funny Elvira Spoofs I Am Not A Witch Ad - Where Halloween humor meets political humor in America.

Posts Roundup at Dennys Blogs - 21 Oct 2010

Roundup of Late Nite Jokes and Videos - 18 Oct 2010 - Check out this week's late night jokes, latest cartoons, funniest video clips from Stephen Colbert and Jon Stewart.

American Economy and Crazy World Politics - 16 Oct 2010 - To our politicians: the nation's cartoonists are watching you... Check out their latest opinions about the state of the economy, the current election season and world politics.

Chilean Miners Video: All 33 Miners As They Emerged From Mine and More - Listen to rescued miner Mario talk about getting out more Love in the world.

Monday Lite: Roundup of Late Night Jokes and Videos - 11 Oct 2010

American Economy and Crazy Politics - 9 Oct 2010 - Check out this week's latest political humor from the nation's cartoonists. The Tea Party wins hands down on the most talked about this election season.

Poem From God - Libations Friday 8 Oct 2010 - Even God has a sense of humor about how to handle repeated rejection. Take a look.

Beautiful Illustrated Quotations:

A Poem Of Remembrance - Honoring the life of others as well as our own. A love poem for Veterans Day, a memorial poem.

Numerology: Whats So Unusual About The Date 10-10-2010? - Check out some fun facts about the numberology of special dates and the month of October.

How Do You Fit Into The Universe? - A simple spiritual technique to help train the ego effortlessly.

Inspiring Quotes About Dealing With Rejection - Some great advice from famous people about handling rejection.

11 Inspiring Quotes and Poem About Dealing With Rejection - Check out this mind food when you need to pick yourself back up from rejection.

17 Short Beautiful Love Poems - Enjoy some beautiful short poems about our favorite subject: Love - from classic poets of the past as well as today. Many are perfect for use in a greeting card.

What Do You Feel About Love? - Do you have your own personal definition of Love?

Meditative Moon Photos - The moon continues to fascinate humanity - and creative photographers.

7 Thoughtful Quotes About The Future - Enjoy these reflections upon how we think about our future.

A Healing Spiritual Poem: Waking The Day - Spiritual symbolism is all around us in our daily life, ready to help heal and balance.

Ancient Healing Oil: Sandalwood - Modern technology life can be stressful and counter productive to spiritual growth. Try this essential oil to bring balance into your life.

Dennys Funny Quotes:

Life Is Funny Cartoons - 13 Nov 2010 - Enjoy the cracked minds of these cartoonists today as they explore the lives and thoughts of everyone around them.

Funny Video: Colbert Mocks Bush Memoir Decision Points - Colbert enjoys the presidential memoir - a real page-turner.

Funny Video: Potty Training Your Sloth - Check out real life humor of how to potty train a very slow sloth.

Video: 10 Funniest and Seriously Trippy Cereal Ads - Check out some funny demented cereal ads over the decades - and how your mind has been secretly brainwashed to buy their products as adults.

Funny Video: Jon Stewart Mocks Really Negative Campaign Ads - Lots of voter anger aimed at both political parties, especially from these negative campaign ads choking the air waves every election.

Funny Video: Jon Stewart - How Republicans Prepare to Take Back Power - Stewart supporters oppose Republican takeover of our government.

Funny God Versus Satan Joke: Its All In The Creation - Come get a grin as God and Satan duke it out over who helps or hurts humanity.

Posts Roundup at Dennys Blogs - 25 Oct 2010

Funny Work Cartoons - 25 Oct 2010 - When your life does not seem to be quite all together - get a grin to make your day good again.

Funny Video: Scientists Study Drugged Spiders - Check out the crazy antics of these drugged spiders.

Funny Photos: Voraciously Hungry Birds - Check out some startling photos of birds as they catch some unusual finds for their dinner tables - complete with irreverent commentary.

Visual Insights:

Music Video: Cee Lo Green Performs On Colbert Report - Colbert has some fun with popular musician Cee Lo Greene.

Best Of Funny Halloween Cartoons - 26 Oct 2010 - Get a laugh at the cracked minds of some funny cartoonists this Halloween season.

Posts Roundup at Dennys Blogs - 25 Oct 2010

Art and Music Videos: Chinese Painting Demo and The Misty Rain of Jiangnan in China - This music video is great for meditation.

Music Video: From Enya - The First of Autumn - Enya pairs some beautiful autumnal photos with music.

Music Video: Classic Happy Song from Belle Stars - Iko Iko - This catchy song will have you dancing in no time, looking silly to the neighborhood - and you won't care 'cause you will feel so good.

The Soul Calendar:

Is That A UFO In The Sky Or A Planet? - Check out the unusual night sky this month.

How Northern Lights Are Created By Sun Flares - Check out 3 video clips of the solar flares and magnetic filament in action as they create the Northern Lights on Earth.

Giant Asteroid Threatens Earth In 170 Years - Crank up the planet asteroid defense system because Earth is expecting an asteroid impact soon - by astronomical time.

Funny Tech Cartoons - 22 Oct 2010 - Get a grin as cartoonists entertain us with their take on the technology of the day and the influence upon society.

Rare: Super Harvest Moon Occurs On Fall Solstice - Check out rare summer-autumn twilight glow that only happens about every 20 years.

Mapping Our Complex Brains: Human Connectome Project - Fascinating new project mapping the complex circuitry of our brains.

Dennys Food and Recipes:

Easy Holiday Pasta From Chef Michael Chiarello - Check out some easy holiday ideas using pasta to make a spectacular and tasty meal sure to impress everyone - 3 recipes.

Fall Comfort Food NYC Chef Style: Braised Osso Buco, Risotto, Salad - Check out how to make Italian comfort food in an hour, all done in the oven - 3 recipes.

Healthy Recipes: Chef Menu Goes Vegan, 3 Recipes - Check out some healthy vegan substitutes from funny chef author of Skinny Bitch Cookbook.

Drink: Chocolate Martini - A chocolate martini, with the glass rim coated with fresh pear and shaved chocolate, for that perfect sip.

Candy: Almond Brittle - The best combination ever invented: almonds and chocolate. Enjoy this chef recipe of a few ingredients.

Chocolate: Chocolate Risotto - Enjoy a rice pudding style dessert made with chocolate.

Chocolate: Beef Stew With Chocolate - This Chef David Rocco is on a roll with awesome savory recipes using dark chocolate as a star ingredient.

Chocolate: Penne Pasta with Chocolate and Anchovies - Another creative food thought from Chef David Rocco.

Appetizer with Chocolate: Sauteed Shrimp Drizzled with Chocolate - Check out this unusual dish employing chocolate as a spice.

Poems From A Spiritual Heart:

A Man In Love - A true story of just how far a man will go to survive when he is in love during war time - a poem story about the struggle for love reunited. A Thanksgiving holiday poem.

The Heart Remembers - Honoring the life of others as well as our own. A Veterans Day or Remembrance memorial poem.

Loving You - How Love heals, nurtures, comforts, and builds trust so a person can blossom into great strength, and, in turn, give to others in their time of need.

The Understanding - We build Peace in our lives a moment at a time - and this is a poem story of how it can start early in childhood as it did for me.

Walk The World - A poem about sharing our life with others - when we are both in need - to receive the greatest gift.

The Mystics Arrive - Who are the true mystics in this generation? How does a person develop into a mystic?

The Interesting Man - Enjoy a little humor with your romance poetry. Men who love women are always working all the angles.

Honoring Ourselves - Are you honoring yourself every moment of your life?

*** THANKS for visiting, feel welcome to drop a comment or opinion, enjoy bookmarking this post on your favorite social site, a big shout out to awesome current subscribers – and if you are new to this blog, please subscribe in a reader or by email updates!

*** Come by for a visit and check out my other blogs:

The Social Poets - news, politics
The Soul Calendar - science, astronomy, psychology
Visual Insights - photos, art, music
Beautiful Illustrated Quotations - spiritual quotes, philosophy
Best Spiritual Posts - my own best as well as links to other spiritual posts from all viewpoints
Poems From A Spiritual Heart - poetry
The Healing Waters - health news
Dennys People Watching - people in the news
Dennys Food and Recipes
Dennys Funny Quotes - humor