James Brown, Gerald Ford and Saddam Hussein

With my obsessive compulsive movie binge done (I added Notes on A Scandal and The last King of Scotland to my list, giving me 8 movies in 9 days – disgusting) I now turn my blog to three important deaths that have occurred since Christmas.

1) THE CANONIZATION OF JAMES BROWN.

I will always remember him as the singer of Sex Machine and the author of the second greatest mug shot in history, behind Nick Nolte. What i was not prepared for was the memorial services. I guess now we wait to see if the Pope finds that in fact two miracles did occur at James Brown’s hand. I kid – I know he was a great artist and a huge influence on music. But I wanted to strangle his daughter when she spoke though – I am not sure “which one,” but it was the one that really annoyed me and said “Y’all know James Brown was headlining” in Heaven on Christmas. She bothered me.

2) GERALD FORD – THE GEORGE LAZENBY OF PRESIDENTS.

George Lazenby was the actor who played James Bond for one film in between Sean Connery and Roger Moore. I am not sure more needs to be said except – really? No mail on January 2nd also? The guy was president for an afternoon for Pete’s sake! I had to wait an extra day for my Amazon order. On a related note – most overrated Gerald Ford on SNL – Chevy Chase. Most underrated Gerald Ford – Dana Carvey’s Tom Brokaw anticipating the death of Gerald Ford news stories.

3) SADDAM HUSSEIN – DEATH OF A TYRANT. BIRTH OF A COMIC.

Sure he gassed a lot of people. Sure he ran rape rooms. But like last rites to a Catholic, a comic appreciates sarcasm can be redeeming in the eyes of a comic. The fact that Saddam Hussein went out saying a Muslim prayer… sarcastically, according to one observer, is priceless. I cannot say I am happy about Saddam Hussein’s death. The same way I do not cheer when a Neo-Nazi murderer kills a child molester in prison because “that’s just wrong.” Death should only be dispensed by someone who is beyond reproach, which is why I am against the death penalty in all cases. I will say if we were to condemn Saddam for anything it should be inefficiency. Why kill in 25 years what can be done in 3 ½ years?