Satire is, according to Merriam-Webster, “trenchant wit, irony, or sarcasm used to expose and discredit vice or folly.”  All I know is, they bring the truthful funnies.

During election season, the amount of information, either truthful or rumored about a candidate is ripe for a clever wit’s picking.  There are tons out there proliferating impersonations and delivering facts in a manner that mirrors the candidate, only humorously.  There are, however, others, who take that truth and add some spice to it.

“Paris for President” music video

I’m pretty sure everyone’s well aware that Paris Hilton is running for Prez.  I mean, the “old guy” said she was, so she guesses she is?  After the hilarious video and its follow-up, Paris Hilton comes up with a music video announcing her stand on the issues.  “Paris for President” is chanted repeatedly over an electro beat while creepy doll-faced secret agent guys dance around in the background.  “No more player-hatin’ in the U.S.A.” and “Fashion police?”  Sounds solid, don’t you think?

“The Vet Who Did Not Vet”

This one’s hilarious.  Using Seuss-ian rhymes, it gets its point across.  It does announce itself by the beginning that it’s a “cautionary tale.”  I’m not sure if kids will get the big points of this video, but still, it’s pretty entertaining — real-world caution juxtaposed with child-like visuals.  Why is it so funny?  Because it’s TRUE!  What bothers me is the last few seconds on this one, since it turns into an endorsement.  I like my satire neutral, so that I can smile at funnies made about each one.  (While still taking the issues seriously, of course.)

“McCain – Obama Dance-Off”

Forget the elections!  Settle the issues in a dance-off!  That way, people know what exactly they’re voting for.  This feature by mini-movie features some slick editing, something right up there with those silly video edits they make on Leno or O’Brien.  But of course, dancing skills should NEVER EVER replace true ability to lead, because if popularity’s any indication — we’re all pretty much screwed if the winner in the dance battle wins.  (That’s so non-neutral of me, wasn’t it?)

Well, those’re my favorite political satire videos at the moment.  Though I was initially tone-deaf for Paris’ music video, the lyrics are starting to catch on.  Let’s not hope that I won’t chat that next week on 11/4.

Do you know any other good political satire vids that I missed?  Share ‘em over the links, or discuss them over @ The Jabber.

I realized recently that when you think you know someone, they always come out and do something unexpected. And sometimes, that isn’t a good thing.

A friend came crying to me on the phone last night. She’d just been dumped by her boyfriend, and it was only then that another friend told her that she had seen him with another woman for three months now, and was too afraid to say it. To be honest, I understand that. If they broke up because I was a tattletale, I would feel guilty.

At first, I couldn’t believe it. The guy, her ex-boyfriend, was one of the nicest people I knew. He was the type who would hold open the door for a lady, the type who would rearrange cans on a shopping aisle if it looked messy, and the type who always insisted on paying for dinner.

This morning she called me again. The ex had come over to apologize. That was normally a good thing. Too bad he brought his new girlfriend with him. For the guys, you should at least know this is really bad form.

I dropped the phone and laughed really hard after hearing my friend’s reaction to the little visit. Let’s just say that the ex now has two bruised little friends.

Packing is something we all despise. I know I do! How do I fit everything I need in my bag without it looking like I’m a pack mule? Finally, I came up with an effective method to fit all that stuff in.

1. Fill up the spaces. Every little nook and cranny, fill it up with something. Stick your perfume in a box in that space between your folded clothes. Wedge that hanky in the corner. The little packages of jam you tucked away from the hotel’s breakfast can fit in that small bag pocket.

2. Un-pack what you don’t need. You’re not going to stay in Costa Rica for a month, only a week, so remove the excess clothes. Ditch whatever you can buy easily (and cheaply) in the place you’re heading to. And for heaven’s sakes, take out that portable cabana.

3. If all else fails, close that bag quickly and forcefully, and zip or snap it closed! Your packing is done! Your bag looks like it’s about to explode, but at least everything’s packed, right? Just watch out when you have to open it.

There you have it! You should have no more problems after reading my guide.