Rambling

(LAS VEGAS) - The truth is...I've got nothing. But, even though I have a few days off, I feel obligated to write, so I'll do just that. Sometimes this Jackson Pollack-esque blank canvas thing winds up being average. Sometimes it's a splattering of words that mean nothing to anyone but the author. Proceed with caution:

- Why the fuck do people bring food on an airplane? It's usually just one jackoff, but it still screws things up for everyone else as their Burger King feast wafts throughout the cabin. This isn't some Bill Maher-esque New Rules rant on obesity. The prick who did it on our flight out here yesterday was overweight, so that's not the issue. It's just something I don't get in general. Because...anyone who has flown recently...especially Southwest...knows that you have to line up and wait for around 10 to 15 minutes and then probably spend another 10 minutes before you get to your seat. So, dickface saves his burger for 25 minutes just to enjoy it in the comfort of an airplane cabin? What is the point? Yeah...I get that sometimes people are running late, but is eating a 25 minute-old burger sitting on a plane better than eating it while it's "fresh" and walking to the gate or standing in line? Fuck you, food on the plane guy.

- We're staying at The Palazzo this time. It's the newer tower adjacent to The Venetian. I've been to Las Vegas probably in the neighborhood of 15 times, and I've stayed at The Palms, Hard Rock, MGM, Bellagio, Venetian, and now The Palazzo, and I would say that The Palazzo is the best of the bunch.

- Lots of big poker tournaments going on around town. My issue for these things is a) will I get up by the time they start (noon) and b) do I want to spend 12 hours playing while I'm out here? We'll see. The Bellagio has the WPT Festa al Lago going on. That started yesterday. The Main Event was a $15,000 buy-in...and some of the biggest names in poker were playing. Yeah...$15k isn't going to be happening for my South City ass. I saw Daniel Negreanu got knocked out when some guy called a raise,re-raise, all-in with 66 against his JJ...and caught a 6 on the flop. That would've been fucking dreadful. I may shoot over to the Bellagio and see what's going on. But, more likely I'll play in the Caesar's Palace Classic. They have a series of tournaments over the next few days, and today they have a $300 buy-in at noon. I love Caesar's room, and I've been to two final tables there, so that one looks most likely.

- On top of that, Friday is out of the mix because that's when U2 is playing at Sam Boyd Stadium out here. The show starts at 7 p.m. with the Black Eyed Peas opening up. I wouldn't consider myself a Black Eyed Peas fan. I actually enjoyed them pre-Fergie. Speaking of her...I'm not normally a fan, but she looks really hot in that DirecTV commercial.

- And, there will be no poker tournament on Saturday either...because I cannot fucking wait to roll out of bed...maybe around 3 p.m. or so...and head down to this sports bar at The Palazzo. It's got to be one of my favorite places to watch a game. All of the booths are like their own little rooms with everyone having their own TV. I realize that's not a cutting-edge concept, but the layout is the tits. It used to be Jay-Z's 40/40 Club, and now it's Emeril Lagasse's Sports Bar...which seems odd. But, I don't really care. I love the place, and I will be salling in with a bucket of Bud Light, some wings, some other fatty dish with french fries, and watching the Tigers take on the Longhorns. Can't fucking wait. I smell an upset.

- How random is this? insideSTL.com STL Rams writer Timmy Klutsarits is out here with his wife for the U2 show. They were on our flight yesterday.

- There will be no Spearamint Rhino trip this time. I'm done with it. It's always so damn crowded, and you can't go two minutes without some "girl putting herself through medical school" soliciting a "private dance," that is actually her just getting on top of you on your chair while she dry fucks you like it's prom night...except this time it's $100 for this thrill.


An Email That Warms My Heart...And I'm Actually Being Sincere

Got this email from a reader last night, and while it's obviously complimentary of me...it's the greater principle that he's paying attention to that makes me such a fan of it...and also how it can be applied to the farce that was the Rush Limbaugh-Rams situation last week:

Just wanted to say how incredibly impressed I am that Mr. McKernan consistently features conservatives as guest columnists. Mc Kernan could easily (and rightfully so) use his website to furhter his own political views (which he readily admits are liberal) with no regard to balance. But instead he truly "walks the walk" when he says that different views have merit, even if they aren't his. In a world where most media claim balance but have none, insideSTL is the very rare exception.

What's even more admirable is that Mr. McKernan has absolutely NO obligation to entertain other views since his is an entertainment site to do with as he pleases, and not a "news" outlet that is journalistically required to be impartial. This should be celebrated and I wish it were "screamed from the rooftops" in some way! It is one of the reasons I continue to patronize his site, even though i moved out of Missouri years ago. And probably the part that would please McKernan most, that as a conservative, it actually encourages me listen to "liberal" arguments that at times can make my blood boil, because of the rare example of someone who is fearless in his conviction of free speech.

Anyway, enough of my rambling, just wanted to congratulate Tim on setting such a fine example of, yes, I'll say it, journalistic integrity!

Regards,
Ken K.

My response: I read this to Anna-Marie as I was going through emails and told her that this email is one of the best compliments I've received...because the principle of free expression is something I consider so important. It drives me up the fucking wall when someone---usually someone who fancies himself or herself a liberal---talks about the importance of a minority, homosexual, or other liberal-approved group being able to express their discontent with their current lot in life, but if a conservative---or even something I'd find vile like a bigot or religious fundamentalist---expresses his or her views, it's deemed inappropriate, and often they call for a boycott.

Is that really supporting freedom of expression?

It's the ultimate double standard.

Last week was the ultimate local example. You had some people completely on board with Rush Limbaugh's potential ownership bid for the Rams simply because of it being Rush Limbaugh...and someone whose political views they share. I would have loved to have seen what would've happened had the Rev. Al Sharpton or Michael Moore been involved in an ownership bid. Would that support for "it's his money to spend as he likes" still have been there? And, on the other side of it, you had those who hate Limbaugh's politics so much that they'd defend an inaccurate quote being attributed to him, "because he's said so many other bad things."

Personally, I disagree with Rush Limbaugh. But, I sure as hell think he should have the right to express his opinions. It's a free for all. If you want freedom of expression, you can't pick and choose...and come up with the proverbial excuse of "oooh...that crosses the line" to keep you comfortable.

It's got to be absolute...because the line is different for everyone.

I've cited it before, and it comes from a surprising source considering it's a random romantic comedy/drama, but the following from Michael Douglas' character President Andrew Shepherd in The American President sums up my feelings on freedom of expression:

"America isn't easy. America is advanced citizenship. You've gotta want it bad, 'cause it's gonna put up a fight. It's gonna say, "You want free speech? Let's see you acknowledge a man whose words make your blood boil, who's standing center stage and advocating at the top of his lungs that which you would spend a lifetime opposing at the top of yours."


Your Daily insideSTL.com Halloween Party Promotion For The Festivities At Helen Fitzgerald's Halloween Night

insideSTL.com is pleased to announce our first Halloween Party at Helen Fitzgerald's (3660 Lindbergh). The fun and games take place on Halloween night at 9 p.m. until close. We're giving away $1,000 for most creative costume...and then $1,000 for the sexiest costume. Joe Dirt will be playing at the First Annual Halloween Bash at Helen's, and you can get tickets in advance for $10 at Helen Fitzgerald's or at the door on the night of the event.


This should be one hell of a cocktail party. It's all Halloween Night at Helen Fitzgerald's, and it's all made possible by Monster Energy Drink , The Tan Company, Halloween Thrills, Eureka Butcher Haunted House,  and Red's Corn Maze Massacre.


Leading up to the event, we'll be displaying costumes from one of our sponsors, Halloween Thrills located at 14918 Manchester Road in Ballwin. You can give them a call at (636) 527-7131.

Log-in to post your comments, or you can email me at tmckernan@insidestl.com.