Wednesday, October 18, 2006
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Townhall's First HamNation: Bar Napkin Politics
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Posted by:
Mary Katharine Ham at
5:54 PM
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I am such an unbelievable dork in about 19,000 different ways. This is only one of them.
All right, people asked me about it, so I went out and got me a video blog. It's all the rage, right? It is very, very silly, and I hope you'll take it in that spirit. Politics is a dirty, sometimes depressing, affair. Why not lighten it up a bit sometimes? This is the perfect medium for that.
We're playing around with it, so things will undoubtedly change up a little or a lot from week to week-- the music, the length, the subject matter, the host (Ha ha, just kidding about the last one). I, sadly, am not the editorial machine that my friend Michelle Malkin is, so I will not be able to bring them daily, but I'll do my best.
This week, I try to explain the Reid scandal, on a bar napkin, with stick figures. It's very heady punditry. You can't always see my artwork as well as I'd like, but I'm guessing my producer probably did that to spare you. My producer will pay for this, dearly.
Just kidding of course. Many thanks to the very smart and very talented guy who made this happen, even though he's an LSU fan.
For more on the Reid scandal, see Instapundit, Ace, Allah, Hugh, Newsbusters, and Capt. Ed on the continuing scandal.
My take is that things like this don't really stick, electorally speaking, no matter how wrong they are, unless they're really simple. This is not really simple, but maybe the stick figures will help. Please enjoy.
Update: For more from my "producer," who is actually the extremely talented Justin Germany of Campaign Solutions and is doing me a great service by helping me with these, check out his work for Jim Talent, Lynn Swann, and Michael Steele.
Also, a thousand thanks to conservative vlog pioneer Michelle Malkin for letting me guest occasionally on her show Vent. Go watch her today, and every day. I don't know how she does it.
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Both are excellent vids but I have to admit I had forgotten the Reagan (Bear) video. Subtle but very effective (the Bear vid) especially given the time period it is from. The "Daisy" slaps you right in the face with the cold reality we face today of the islamofascists running wild in the world.
The "Cult of Death" serves no purpose other than to cause misery wherever it's cancerous self materializes. Enablers and supporters of the cult are no better than the beheaders themselves.
Keep up the excellent work, as there are far too many pea-brains out there that are nothing more than "useful idiots" to the zealots.
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Keep up the good work. I'm fairly new to the blog world. I really love the video podcasts. I started watching Vent on my computer a few months back where I first heard of you. I just got an iPod a couple of weeks ago. Are you planning to set up podcasts? |
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So you get off on insulting conservatives without addressing any of the issues presented? That tells me you have no ideas.
But at least you know how to toss around a few insults. That should take you far in life.
Why don't you call Don Rickles for some career advice? |
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I'm a fan of the blog, but avoid comments. (Though the fight often entrain me.)
I had to say though, very nice video! It was good a idea, and nice to see bar napkins used for something. As said before bit hard to see the napkins, and it was too light in one spot. (Which was why it was hard to see the napkins.) I look forward to more! |
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MKH, ignore this sleazy troll as he brings nothing to the discussion but mindless drivel. If he has never heard of nor ever even seen the term vlog then he is an ignorant fool not worthy of reply.
Keep the "Vlogs" coming; you're off to a great start!
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MKH you were terrific! Keep making these very clever and funny vids.
Even those residing in the "lefty loonosphere" could comprehend your stick figure, bar napkin diagrams (I think? Hmm, Maybe that’s not such a good presumption). Loved the Ted Nugent/Elvis background music also.
I want my MKHTV!
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Uhh, are you serious? "Vlog" is one of those made-up words, like "blog." It combines "video" and "blog." Thus, "vlog." And, KKKatharine is spelled with an "a," not an "e." |
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MK, nice going with the new vblog. It was fun to watch. I look forward to the next installment. |
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MKH,
First, you are NOT a dork. Speaking as an old dork myself, I can assure you that you don't qualify. While you are brainy enough to be a dork, the good looks disqualify you. However, we will happily consider your application in about 40 years. ;)
Second, great vlog! Malkin has nothing on you.
Third, while I love the special effects, would you like me to get my kids to save their popsicle sticks for your next vlog? :)
Fourth, on a more serious note (yes, I know this vlog was in jest), when you talk about the Foley scandal, ignoring the Hastert aspect of it is basically ignoring the most important part. So you need to draw a fat stick guy on the OTHER side of the napkin. This represents Hastert ignoring the situation. :)
Finally, the reason Fox hasn't called is because O'Reilly is scared. As well he should be. ;) |
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Is your producer from Kazahkstan? What a silly little creation. Right...Foley...not much impact...you probably thought Katrina would just blow over. Why don't you do your little bar napkin thing about what's going on in Iraq. That might help some of us understand. And, do you have the licensing to use those music tracks? My Friend wants to know... |
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It's about time we get to see MK on a regular basis. Maybe we can lobby to get her to replace Katie Couric(OK that's a stretch to think a liberal news network would put on a lady with common sense, but hey , we can dream , right??) |
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MKH:
Hey, loved that opening. Better than Michelle's. (You notice since she's gotten back from vacation that she's worn the same outfit twice? Wait, I digress...) I'd do something about the white balance, cuz I can barely see those stunning bar napkin presentations. They kick PowerPoint's @$$! I can't explain the deal with Fox. Maybe O'Reilly thinks MM and KP are as many women as he can handle at once. Keep plugging away though. There's never a shortage of well-coifed white guys on the news channels.
Remember Jackie Passey? She's losing her online casino links on her blog now that they've passed that law. She may have to get a real job. And you thought YOU had it tough getting a break.
By the way, you're not a dork. Stay in touch. |
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Great job MK! Had a great laugh.I didnt catch the southern accent so much but cant be objective on that living in La. Love your sense of humor hon.Looking forward to more. |
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This was pretty cool. I love the Ted Nugent background. You have a Stranglehold on us!
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Great first effort MK, although AP is kinda upset that he didn't get your for HotAir first.
Maybe incorporate powerpoint instead of your bar napkins? (Though I like the idea!) Keep up the great work! |
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I, too, am a Malkin fan and I, too, hope you don't go to Fox. I can't see paying for cable TV at a home I seem to only visit and most hotel cable systems seem to have CNN as the only option.
From one perspective, Justin Germany seemed to get this one 'just right.' I don't know why [and have inquired], but the Hot Air Vents are grossly over powered on the sound, as compared to dozens of other audio/ video outlets. For this one, I didn't have to adjust anything, except my internal distinction between a bar nap and a dinner napkin. The name, on the other hand, reminded me of an overheating laptop, as in 'Dell-fire and HamNation.' |
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one small suggestion - 86 the call me. |
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MKat, that was great. The napkins were hard to read, but I like the concept. Keep it up.
BTW, turning out the lights to try to read the napkins better is not a good idea. If your wife catches you in the dark, looking at a video of a pretty girl outlining icky stuff on bar napkins, she might not understand. |
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Hi Mary Katharine,
Glad to see your guest hosting gig at Hot Air and your appearances on "The Vent" have inspired "Ham Nation." If you need writers, I'm happy to help write editorials and forward along tips. Keep up the great work. |
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I thought the real scandal was that Harry Rieds three sons were lobbyists and that at least one of them had helped to get the land rezoned for the big profit kill. Maybe you could find out and find one more napkin. You did great. |
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Very cool vblog MK. Not so sure about that intro sequence though... :-)
At any rate, keep up the good work and I hope to see more.
BTW- What kinda bars are you hanging out at that have napkins that big? Are you ordering the Kong-sized beers?
Take care,
Tyler |
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WONDERFUL Blog!!!
1- The napkins could not be seen. Maybe shown on the bar (avoid the spills!) might help!
2- Could you put up a link we can bookmark to, and let us know (about) how often you will put up another? (RealVerse is very intermittant)
Thanks!
Kindest Regards!
Vic
South San Francisco |
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MK, I work in TV/MSM when I'm not singing opera, and that was pretty darned good... you're an engaging speaker, very easy to look at (my wife, a TV veteran, concurs), and it'll keep improving over time... kinda like Ace on the radio, y'know?
And I'll kindly overlook the LSU jab... besides, the Saints are the team to watch from Louisiana these days.
Constructively- I'm sure Justin is aware of this, but you almost have to white-balance to the napkin itself and do close-up shots of the napkin for it to read properly. Don't feel bad- try white-balancing for hockey games. You have to use special filters and what not- it sucks.
Anyway, good work again, and keep it up! I've admired your writing for a while.
tmi3rd |
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Excellent work, Mary Katharine. You make me proud to be from the south. And using Elvis as background music adds the perfect final touch.
I look forward to more vlogs from you.
Kane |
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What a howler I can sent this to my liberal friends it's elementary enough for even them to understand.
P.S. It's good to see all the men here in heat maybe they will be frisky enough to make it to the polls.
P.s.s. DaMav dont be such a downer it's her first vid. It's not like it's being produced in Hollyweird. |
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The "napkins" were basically unreadable on the video, a field of white with some scratches and circle.
This is meant to be constructive. Good luck. |
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Great start, keep it up. And it wasn't bad not being able to see the napkins, It gave me an excuse to keep lookin at you. ;) |
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Nice job, MK! And my brother went to Luxembourg with Bill Hemmer when they both went to Miami together. I'll have him put in a good word for ya! |
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Nice to see you there, Mary - I look forward to more insightful videoblogs. You are quite the attractive young lady, too ;-) Take care and good luck !! |
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In the '80's, America's rebellious youths waved their fists in the air and demanded of their cable providers, "I WANT MY MTV !"
In the first decade of the 21st century, America's rebellious adults will wave their fists in the air and demand of their cable providers, "I WANT MY HAM NATION !" |
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Ms. Mary Katharine Ham rocks.
Outstanding... |
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....the background music is great...
To "looking4statesmen" SouthWest Airlines started on a bar napkin. |
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I remember seeing something on zeFrank about a woman musician who after vlogging concerts from her apartment and selling albums from her website; she was signed to a mainstream record lable. ze had said this was a step back wards, and I agree....
A gig at fox might net more cash, but it would be a step backwards.
I look forward to your next installment.... |
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Didn't realize it wouldn't show, but I'll work on it for next time. My pictures were so awesome, too! Maybe I should scan them and put them on the blog. Yeeessss. |
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Love the FYC intro music. Don't go to FOX. I don't have cable.
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For a first not bad (says the guy who has never done one before). It was light, even humorous. However, it was a bit hard to see the napkins - though it's nice to see napkins being used for something. |
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Shucks MK use a big sharpie.
Sincerely,
Uncle Harold |
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" I went out and got me a video blog" When I slip up and begin to speak in my native tongue (Southern style) like this my Husband begins to twitch *lol*
EXCELLENT barnap analysis! Clever, insightful and reusable! Only a woman would think of that!
Great first VLOG..looking forward to more! |
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Natural in front of the cam.
It's a lonely night in Georgia. |
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I found out about you from Hot Air (I'm sure you've heard that one before), and I am most certainly your biggest fan! Video fan, that is...I don't...really...um...read your blog...um...much. Er, what was I saying?
Congratulations! Welcome to the vblog, or vlog, or vidblog, or vodcast, or video podcast, or whatever, community! Yeah! |
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One more weapon for the football field.
You are a great Pied Pieper for our cause. |
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Very well done - fun to watch and the speaker was exceptionally good looking!!
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big friggin' bar napkins. |
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Nicely done for the first go 'round. And ending it with that tool just made it perfect. |
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