The Lesser-Knowns

By the way, this title comes from an educational song that I found on this website.  I wouldn't recommend listening to the clip, because the voices are kind of annoying, but I felt like the lyrics related. 

For example, it begins with,

" Have you heard about William McKinley, Zachary Taylor or Andrew Johnson?

Do you know about Martin Van Buren, James A. Garfield or William H. Taft?

These are some presidents
Some of the lesser-knowns
Who made a difference, who still gave their all.
These are some presidents – some of the lesser-knowns
So let’s try to remember them to honor their call."

I thought this song was appropriate and quite funny.  If you read below, you will find out why.

Currently, I am watching this video on slatev.com that compares Matt Santos (a candidate on The West Wing) to Barack Obama.  They even interlude actual speeches from Obama and one's from the show to form a complete speech.  Check it out...

If I haven't mentioned it before, I love The West Wing.  It's amazing the parallels between the show and real life and it just proves how smart the writers were. 

Ok, well let's get down to business.  In a previous post of mine I showed you a clip of Stephen Colbert's Segment, National Treasure: Portrait of Stephen.  Well, let me inform you a little bit more about what actually happens. 

In the Part 1 of the three part series, Colbert goes to Washington D.C.  He walks across the mall with his portrait strapped to his back and attempts to donate it to the Smithsonian Institute.  First he goes to the National Treasure Museum (National Museum of American History).  When he sees Abraham Lincoln's hat he says, "forget about the secret service, where were the fashion police?". 

Continuing through the museum they see Albert Einstein's pipe, Helen Keller's watch, the ruby slippers of Dorothy, and a uniform of George Washington.  Colbert asks the director, "how did Helen Keller tell time?"  The director's straight face response, "with this watch." 

In Part 2 of the series, he continues through the exhibits.  They even have Carrie Bradshaw's laptop from Sex and the City.  In response to Colbert's question about why they would have Carrie Bradshaw's laptop, the director said that it had influence on America's values and standards.  Colbert responded, "do you have the toilet where America's values went into?"  I swear, the show was more hilarious when he was writing his own material. 

When he makes a bet with the museum director, about whether or not a college age male would choose Stephen Colbert's portrait over the ruby red slippers, he loses.  Stalking out of the museum Colbert asks, "how will I give me to America now?". 

Finally in Part 3, he visits the National Portrait Museum and Museum of  American Art.  Taking a stroll around the museum, he quickly condemns the person in each of the portrait.  With rapid fire he finds something negative to say about everyone.  For example, calling people communist sympathizers, tree hugger, and "liberals the size of my pillow".  Going around he says, "Jackson Pollock, my kid could do that," and  "Jack Kerouac, couldn't punctuate."  Finally, his portrait is accepted.  It hangs right outside the Hall of Presidents...above the bathroom. 

While the portrait was originally only going to hang for 6 weeks, the date was extended until April 1st because admission to the museum has doubled in the past time.  You can see the difference in popularity below in the video.  American Presidents vs. Stephen Colbert, who will win?

This weekend, my family was in Washington D.C. because my brother and sister were looking at colleges down south (in VA and DC).  I took the Marc train--only 7 dollars-- and met them in the city.  I stayed in the hotel room for a majority of the time because I was kind of sick and because the weather was bad.  But, in the time that I went out, I saw my Uncle Terry and the Portrait of Stephen Colbert.  We went to my Uncle's apartment in Arlington, VA and it had a huge movie screen where we watched Man on Fire.  The movie was depressing overall, but I highly recommend it. 

In regards to Stephen Colbert, my whole family went to go take pictures with the portrait.  It was kind of hilarious to see the whole family identifying with a bunch of college-age males.  I joked that we should send the picture of our family as a Christmas card next year to Stephen Colbert.  Maybe we would end up on the show!

Anyway, it was a nice and relaxing weekend and was happy that I was able to hang out and see my family.  I won't bore you with the horrors of my midterms and the stress I had this week. 

Oh and for the videos below, the second one you can really tell the difference in popularity.  It's quite hilarious when you see the crowds around Colbert's portrait.  In the first video, I just have to point out my favorite quote.  One of the people interviewed says, "Colbert is essential to our existence, just like restrooms."

So, I hope everyone has a good week!    Until next time...

Comments

[M.L.T.]

Interesting as usual Jackie, you turn out readable material, how about tackling the election! Goodbye and Goodluck!!!

MLT

[Eric Packard]

Hey,
I like your site. I work w/your Uncle Terry @ the UA, he wanted me to look at your blog. Also, I was @ the museum when they filmed the Colbert story you have posted. They asked me to talk and I was on work time so of course I said no.
Eric