Things That Irk

 Just some things that have gotten under my skin over the past few weeks...

• Stick Figure Families - cute idea when they first came out.  not so much anymore.
• Magnetic Ribbons on Cars - yellow ribbons, cancer ribbons, save-the-spotted-owl ribbons...
• Convenient Patriotism - particularly after 9/11, but on occasion since then.  why such a rush to buy flags?  if you were truly patriotic, you'd have already owned at least one.  patriotism shouldn't be similar to following your current favorite sports team.
• Political Ads/Signs - pretty much ineffective, in my mind.  the money spent on political advertising could be so much better spent in other ways...
• Commercials Using Covers of Rock Songs - biggest offenders at the moment are really bad versions of "Footloose" (Chase Bank) and "Old Time Rock & Roll" (Shark Pro Steam Pocket--really???).  Kenny and Bob will spin in their graves for a long time (I know, they're not dead yet...).
• National Rifle Association - this once well-respected organization is now being led by nutjobs.
• Montana Senate Republicans - even though they hold the majority in the MT Senate, they have had a very public split between nutjobs and "Reagan Republicans".  unfortunately, the nutjobs are in the majority in that party, so be sure to check back to see what they try to get passed.  on the other hand, maybe the minority Republicans will side with the Dems on the really wacko stuff...