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Jewish World Review
Sept. 21, 2009
/ 3 Tishrei 5770
Accordion players are squeezing me for an apology
By
Dave Barry
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http://www.JewishWorldReview.com |
Before I get to today's topic ("Worms Making News"), I want to apologize to those readers, both human and elf, who were unhappy with my column on "The Lord of the Rings."
It turns out that my readership includes some VERY serious fans of the movie and the classic book by the late J.R. (Scooter) Tolkien. Many of these fans took time out from their busy schedules to write lengthy letters detailing the errors in my column, and observing that I am a stupid idiot. Here are some of the specific points they made (I am not making these points up):
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"For your information, Dick Cheney is NOT in 'The Lord of the Rings.' "
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"It is not right to refer to Aragorn as 'Lord Aragorn' until he claims the throne of Gondor. He's just a Ranger right now who happens to be really good in battle."
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"I don't think that you fully understand that if they don't destroy the ring, the world will fall into definite evil."
These are all strong points, and so I want to say to you Tolkien fans, by way of sincere apology: Are you, by any chance, Hoosiers?
No, seriously, I'm sorry if my column offended you, or in any way has caused the world to fall into definite evil.
While I'm at it, I also want to apologize to the accordion community for a recent column in which I encouraged people to throw accordions into ponds. That statement earned me a stern rebuke from James O'Brien, Ph.D., a professor of music at the University of Arizona. Dr. O'Brien informed me that making fun of the accordion is "inappropriate," and concluded his letter with this menacing statement: "Gary Larson did this years ago, and quality accordionists still boycott his 'Far Side' calendars as a result."
As a humorist, I am all too aware of the devastating effects of being targeted for a boycott by quality accordionists. I don't want to wind up like poor Gary Larson, who today is penniless, dressed in rags, holding a cardboard sign that says he will draw talking cows for food. So I apologize to O'Brien, who has two CDs for sale: "Accordion Accord" and "Reason for Squeezin'."
This brings us to our popular attraction "Worms Making News," which today features two exciting items:
DATELINE, MINNESOTA - According to a story in the Duluth News Tribune and brought to my attention by alert reader Brian Rohland, a Duluth man has succeeded in doing something that, for most of humanity, remains only a dream: making wine from tent caterpillars.
The man, Ray Reigstad, got the idea from the fact that Minnesota is regularly infested with tent caterpillars, which are also called "armyworms," because during certain times of year they wear tiny knapsacks. According to the story, Reigstad and his girlfriend collected a large quantity of these worms last June, "when they were big" (meaning the worms were big). Reigstad then poured boiling water on them "to kill them instantly" - no worm suffered needlessly in the making of this wine - then mashed them, then added sugar and yeast, then let it ferment until it was a "green liquid," which he then flushed down the toilet.
No, wait, that's what I would have done. Reigstad put it in wine bottles and gave it to people for Christmas.
Speaking of food:
DATELINE, CAMBRIDGE - According to an Associated Press story sent in by alert reader Donald O'Brien, biologists at Harvard University have "manipulated hundreds of genes to create roundworms that are sleek and trim." This is wonderful news for the literally millions of roundworms who suffer from obesity to the point where they do virtually nothing all day except sit around and vote for contestants on "American Idol."
But it's also great news for overweight humans, also known, technically, as "Americans." Because if scientists can deactivate the genes that cause roundworms to gain weight, it stands to reason that, in time, they will be able to deactivate the gene that causes human beings to play the accordion.
No! Just kidding! Please don't boycott me, quality accordionists! I am truly sorry! Here, have some wine.
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Comment by clicking here.
Previously:
I have strong scientific evidence that men and women are different
I call this work 'Sad Ballad of a Clueless Idiot'
When it comes to shopping, I'm the big Cheez-It
Kids better wise up, or they're doomed to repeat
The Mother of All Parties
Summertime, and the livin' can get a bit fishy
The best summertime vacation is a good ol' staycation
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My diet plan is a surefire way to lose your spouse
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I've found a guy who can write this column better me
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Just weighting for the day I can build a better body
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Heartland's moovers & shakers are an udder disgrace
I've found a guy who can do this better than I can
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Graduates, the world is your oyster and it's shut
How to look good in a swimsuit no ifs, ands or butts
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For faithful readers, a course in Journalism $1.01
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This houseguest is ready to throw in the towel
Fixing your home can truly be a bonding experience The lies about this mammal just drive me batty
In spin cycle of love, hard to be delicate
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My daughter's party, I'll cry if I want to
Sanguine ride on rabid transportation
One experiment worth repeating
Nothing like a good trip to help me see the light
The lord of the dance doesn't have anything on me
Invention clearly worth the brewhaha
Safe on the slopes
Why-oh-why-oh-why-oh…
A gross national columnist
Mr. Language Person: Weird word
I (cough) was a teenage smoker!
Frogs hop into the headlines
Great American turkeys
Mr. Fixit strikes again
Einstein Gap: It's all relative
Lost in space
The Trojan Twinkie Caper
MR. LANGUAGE PERSON: WATCH YOUR LANGUAGE!
Feeding your worst fears
Sock it to 'em, sartorially
The rubber band man
Does public art make sense?
Needling the birthday boy
On calamities (in the sky and on your head)
Modern medical mysteries
Bored games
Dave's Field of Nightmares
Lewis and Clark stepped here!
The ultimate water gun
Poetic license, with no rhyme or reason
Great moments in science
This won't hurt a bit
One giant leap for frogkind
My visit to Nether-Netherland
Smile and say cheese
Shooting carps in Wisconsin
The perfect storm
Stickup in aisle 3
Please don't feed the tourists
Land of the Frozen Earwax
The birth of wail
Honk if you're married and can't cope with anger
Rabbit ears get poor reception
Percentage of frogs in food jumps
Night of the living roach
Mr. Language Person: Some words of wisdomality
Mind your P's and Q's and teas
Loose lips sink sequels
NOW WE'RE COOKIN'!
The right to Bear clubs
Science: It's just not fair
Road warrior specials
Where's the beef? (Low fat)
There is nothing like a male (guys)
MOTIVATE! THEN FAIL! NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS
Rooting for the midgets of the Midway
Revolt of the rodents
He can drive any truck named Tonka
All bets are off
How do you spell S-A-T?
Sour grapes and mud
Pro golf: A game of non-stop boredom
Guard-dog vigilance is nothing to sniff at
Warm and fuzzy Cold War memories
The funny side of Beowulf
HOLY HEAT WAVE, BATMAN!
Abs-olute madness
Beware of brainy bugs
I'm in a sorry state
The frog plague: The inside story
If she had a hammer….
Keeping an eye on crime
Camping and Lewis and Clark
When in Iowa, don't forget to duck
Junior takes the wheel
Growing old with Dave
Sites for sore eyes
Beware of sheep droppings
Ireland, land of bad Elvis
Mr. Peabrain's misadventures
When they're out to get you, keep cool
Mothers of invention
Kill 'em with kindness
© 2006, The Miami Herald Distributed by Tribune Media Services, Inc.
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