Ozzy's True Stripes

Reason.com ^ | May 7 2002 | Sara Rimensnyder

[Senator Pardek]

After this weekend, we all have new reason to worship Ozzy Osbourne. While hamming it up as one of the stars of the annual glitzfest known as the White House Correspondents' Association dinner, the heavy metal papa was asked what message he wanted to pass on to the president.

Some of Hollywood's beautiful people, puffed up with self-importance (among other things), would have felt the need to twitter portentously about their current cause celèbre.

Not Ozzy. He's his own cause celèbre, and all he wants is dual-citizenship. " I want to be American," he called out. "America is the coolest place on the face of the Earth. You've got freedom of speech. You've got McDonald's."

Clearly, Osbourne's already an American at heart: Only a true Yankee spirit could be at once so patriotic and so gloriously self-interested. Of course, this being the outspoken, opinionated U.S.A., not everyone agrees. Lynne Cheney reportedly joined the short list of naysayers after the dinner. "He's hardly someone we should be applauding... not a role model, I am rather embarrassed."

Ozzy's not. Nor should he be.

[Nitro]

Let's keep in mind Ed Sullivan got great ratings showing roller-skating, cigar-smoking chimpanzees...

and almost no-one can look away from a train-wreck!!

[drjimmy]

Let's keep in mind Ed Sullivan got great ratings showing roller-skating, cigar-smoking chimpanzees... and almost no-one can look away from a train-wreck!!
That's the only reason I watched an hour or so of the appallingly bad (even by TV standards) NBC circle jerk Sunday night.

[DoughtyOne]

When I think of what Osborn represents to today's youth, I shudder to think President Bush actually said, "My mother loves your stuff." Every other word out of Osbourns mouth is bleeped. He practically had to be carried out of the dinner the other night he was so loaded. He was passing out on his feet as his wife and aides got him into the limo. Is this the "stuff" Bush should be commenting on lightly? I know a lot of you think I'm a habitual Bush basher, but this is very sad indeed.

[Xenalyte]

I'm pretty sure Bush's remark was what they call a "joke." That happens frequently at the Correspondents' Dinner, I'm led to understand.

[rwfok]

Love your keywords...you might add "The Alamo", next time.

[Billthedrill]

Well, if I didn't know better I'd suspect that he uses drugs or something...

[HairOfTheDog]

That happens frequently at the Correspondents' Dinner, I'm led to understand

Which happens? - the joking? - or the being carried to the limo? lol.

[FreeTally]

Its ironic that terrorist-sympathizing/supporting foreign students can basically get a perpetual visa, but the government might not renew Ozzy's family's visas.

[Poohbah]

You mean Barney the dog DIDN'T eat the list of undisclosed locations, making it impossible to find Dick Cheney that day? I'm shocked! =:o)

[FreeTally]

Well, if I didn't know better I'd suspect that he uses drugs or something...

Nah, GW says he only did it in college.

[Nitro]

I was otherwise occupied Sunday but I must confess that I semi-regularly watch CBS on Monday nights...

"King of Queens," "Yes Dear," "Everybody Loves Raymond" (I only watch this one for Peter Boyle) and "Becker!!"

I also watched a bit of the "Honeymooners" special but just the clips, I clicked away for the self-congratulatory commentary!!

Other than that I scrupulously avoid all network television!!

[Kermit]

I liked the plate spinners, waiting for a plate to fall and break.

[Risky Schemer]

What's the point of making every other word a link? Is anyone really going to click on all those links? Who on earth has the time?

[Xenalyte]

Well, they say inside every successful joke is a kernel of truth. So I'm betting Barney at least ate the slip of paper with Cheney's cell-phone number on it.

[Cable225]

I know a lot of you think I'm a habitual Bush basher...

You are correct in your assumption.

[caddie]

Senor Wences was my fave.

[rwfok]

I prefered Topo Gigo.

[DoughtyOne]

Evidently you guys missed the video of this event. Bush's remarks delighted Osbourn who stood on his chair and blew kisses at Bush, receiving what amounted to rounds of applause from the audience. Your interpretation of this could be that Bush recieved the applause. The next morning more than one newspaper article refered to Osbourn as overshaddowing the President by his attendence.

Do you still contend recognizing Osbourn was a good idea?

[Delbert]

figured I would see you here, never miss an oppurtunity to bash the OZ Man do ya?