Definition of SCHADENFREUDE: enjoyment obtained from the troubles of others

Virtually every aspect of our culture is overwrought with Shadenfreude this month, from sports and entertainment to our beloved world of politics, both state and national. Let’s review, shall we,

1.) Need I say more?
alg_john_edwards

2.) Anthony Weiner’s A Dick
The only good news for Anthony Weiner these days is that he is now in the Media Training Hall of Fame for his two press conferences this month. The first was an unmitigated disaster, first it was “hacked” by Andrew Brietbart, the morning after we had him on the radio show, then Weiner wouldn’t stop talking, answering questions or raising more questions with every answer. I guess that is a trait for anyone who is considered a protege of Chuck Schumer. Weiner wouldn’t stop digging, couldn’t stop thinking he was in control of the situation, and he decided on a second, “retirement” press conference. As a nice touch, he held it at the very senior center where he launched his political career many years ago. The best part was when the senior citizens heckled him, it went downhill from there.

3.) The media making fools of themselves over Sarah Palin’s emails
Liberal bloggers were positively besides themselves with excitement at the thought of Alaska releasing all of then-Governor Palin’s emails. The MSM was right there too, ready with a new innovation for 21-century journalism, outsourcing their jobs to readers! Yes, two of America’s Big Three newspapers, the Washington Post and New York Times, put the shout out to their readers that hey, help us look up stuff on Palin, just like we asked you to do about little known candidate Obama! When the mob turned up nothing, they pretended like it never happen and hoped nobody noticed. We noticed. Hell, the media looked so pathetic, even Jon Stewart was appalled,

“Every negative inference that Sarah Palin has ever made about the ‘lamestream media’ was on full display”

Just this Sunday, Bill Keller, former editor of the Times, penned a column about how much the MSM loathes Sarah Palin. As if we didn’t know already. I guess he’s a bitter clinger.

4.) Beacon Hill: The Way It Is
sal
ELVIS once made a documentary called The Way It Is. Many, many people see the Sal DiMasi story and think the same about the Beacon Hill culture of corruption. Count me among them, although DiMasi does deserve special recognition for his willingness to go above and beyond in the graft game. He was the Speakah and it was time to make it rain, and rain it did.

I particularly liked Jon Keller’s commentary after the DiMasi conviction,

In statements today, both DeLeo and Senate President Terry Murray also raised doubt about whether or not they truly get it.

Murray – overseer of a legislative body that tolerated the openly-sketchy behavior of Dianne Wilkerson far longer than it should have – insisted DiMasi’s crimes “should not cast a shadow” on the rest of Beacon Hill.

DeLeo called it a “slur” to suggest this was business as usual. But DiMasi’s legal team presented compelling evidence that it is just that.

Unfortunately for Sal, the jury today said business as usual is criminal and intolerable.

It appears we’ll be waiting a long time if we expect the political culture to come around to that same conclusion.

5.) Vancouver Canucks goalie Roberto LeBrongo on Mount Chokemore
I don’t know who coined that name, LeBrongo, but my hat is off to you. After talking trash between games…

“It’s not hard (the save) if you’re playing in the paint,” Luongo sniped. “It’s an easy save for me, but if you’re wandering out and aggressive like he does, that’s going to happen. He might make some saves that I won’t, but in a case like that we want to take advantage of a bounce like that and make sure we’re in a good position to bury those.”

…LeBrongo went out and played his best folded like an accordion. The good news for those classy Canucks fans, LeBrongo is only under contract for 11 more years.

6.) Reuters: Charlie Sheen loses early round in “Men” lawsuit

Sheen, who claims in the suit that he was fired after criticizing producers, is seeking more $100 million in damages. Goodman’s ruling puts off the opportunity for Sheen to present his accusations in open court, which could save the parties involved from potential embarrassment. The judge noted in his 21-page decision that Sheen’s contract called for disputes to be referred to arbitration. “We’re very gratified by the court’s ruling enforcing the parties’ arbitration agreement,” Warner Bros. said in a statement.

7.) Then there’s this

American League East W L Pct GB
Boston Red Sox 43 28 .606
New York Yankees 41 29 .586 1.5