No argument here, Mil, and no joke either because these celebrities are neither funny nor entertaining.  It appears Newton Minow's "Vast Wasteland" has become the Vast Garbage Scow. 

The works of American playwrights Paddy Chayefsky and Reginald Rose, Leonard Bernstein's Young People's Concerts, Made for TV musicals by Rodgers & Hammerstein, Alistair Cooke's Onmibus, Bill Buckley's Firing Line, The David Susskind Show, the social commentary of Rod Serling's The Twilight Zone or that western morality play, Gunsmoke, all gone with nothing comparable on commercial or educational TV to replace them except for the occasional Ken Burns PBS documentary.  Yes, there is House of Cards on HBO, but I don't get Home Box Office.

I know I sound like an old fogie remembering the good ol' days, when you could partake of an intelligent, entertaining meal and not have to settle for a less than sound bite to eat.

Perhaps I'm wrong, that there is no difference between Uncle Milty in drag and Kim Kardashian except that Berle had a slimmer posterior and better makeup.  But back then not everyone wanted to emulate Uncle Milty, just be entertained by him.  The sacrifices of World War II and Korea were not yet forgotten and the age of narcissism was not yet upon us.

Gee, I really know how to depress us oldtimer's, even myself, don't I?

almost ironic that this very interesting history lesson came as a result of motherinlaw's post about Alice in Wonderland, a chessire cat and staying on topic.  many thanks to the contributors to this interesting subject and especially for the links they provided to learn more.  who says straying off topic is a bad thing.

"I didn't know Leadbelly felt like this.  Not knowing much about the life of Huddie William Ledbetter, I don't known if he would have been remembered to the extent he is without Lomax initially recording his songs."

As I remember it, Leadbelly readily admitted that the exploitation was mutual.  He was, mostly, unhappy about acting as Lomax's chauffer and performing other menial tasks for the white guy.

I like quotes, too.  Whether or not Socrates was a real guy, or whether he was just a figment of Plato's imagination, this is a great quote:

“The children now love luxury. They have bad manners, contempt for authority; they show disrespect for elders and love chatter in place of exercise.”

Thanks a lot for the recent posts. This thread has been on the go now for a bit over 5 years and in that time a lot of very nice folks have left posts here. Thanks again and keep up the good work !

That's remarkable, badenwurtca. My thread What is your favorite master or grandmaster game? has received five posts, one of them mine.  Apparently what the Russians call "chess culture" is dead at Chess.com, a site where "fp" posted to the daily puzzle is the height of intellectual achievement.

Perhaps because oldtimers post to this thread, there is more maturity and depth.  That seems to be true from my limited perusing.

Best,
Bob

I do agree with you, fightingbob, that participants in this forum have been notable for their remarkable "maturity and depth."  

And, even though you didn't mention me by Name, I'd like to thank you for this compliment, since I sensed, somehow, that you were thinking of me as representing the absolute epitome in those qualities, because, well, Duh -- who Wouldn't? ! So, thank you!

I have another theory about the life of this thread, though.  I think it's lasted primarily because of our Forum Founder's gracious hosting, especially including his frequent, obviously genuine, expressions of appreciaion for the contributions people have made throughout this time.  Kudos, badenwurtca!

Yes, kudos to badenwurtca's graciousness ... and kudos to you too, Mil, for your rare maturity.  I don't think that came out right.

Don't worry, I'm not picky about receiving "kudos."  I never look a gift compliment in the mouth!  (--not sure that came out right, but fortunately, am not picky about composing sentences either--)

The above was in response to fbob's lovely comment: "kudos to you too, Mil, for your rare maturity.  I don't think that came out right." 

(I hope that clears everything up.)

Thanks for the recent posts. I've been a bit shy about posting here during the last few days, such nice things have been said that I'm afraid I might say something goofy   lol. However I do think of myself like a Bartender at a small pub. It is the visitors that make things interesting in the pub ( without nice visitors the pub is just a empty room with one guy leaning on the bar, all alone and by himself ). Perhaps we should get a thought in here from long long ago: " If a human is modest and satisfied, old age will not be heavy on him. If he is not, even youth will be a burden ." ( from Plato ). 

Even though I don't care for Plato's abstract, Utopian philosophy, I have to appreciate his sentiment here.  Of course, the co-founder of the Denver Post, Frederick G. Bonfils, was quoted as saying "There is no hope for the satisfied man."  Perhaps they are both correct, in their own way.  I know Bonfils' sentiment is what built America.  My ambitions are more modest, "A game of chess, a glass of wine, and chow."  Okay, it's not exactly the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam.

No, not exactly.  And it's the word "chow" that's the giveaway, I think.

When I wrote "That's really rather sad for a first memory," I meant it.  I was trying to be sympathetic, but I gather that isn't in your vocabulary.  Rather, you prefer to impress with your rapier wit that consists of insults and snide remarks.  We are impressed, but we're all too polite to say how and to what degree.

This guy must be a Harding supporter. 

Is that Warren or Tonya? 

Thanks for the posts ( Btw are we having fun yet   lol ).

Found another interesting item: " Don't smoke too much, drink too much, eat too much or work too much. We're all on the road to the grave --- but there is no need to be in the passing lane " ( by Robert Orben ).    

not so cute to remind us all of our mortality.

besides, eating good food and drinking are fun!

Thanks for the post AlCzervik ( I made a small change above ). Btw it is rather a sad thing to say but not one of us is getting out of here alive, sorry about that   lol.

Thanks for the post Kaynight ( I am a ray of sunshine   lol ).