Karl Marx, President of USA

That’s according to LinkedIn, assuming you agree that it bears responsibility for this profile to exist.

PS: Not too long ago, when I was trying to delete my own profile, LinkedIn barred my access to the account and asked me for Government ID to verify that it was my account.  I preferred not to oblige.  For the record, LinkedIn explained its action thus:

We take proactive action to protect you when we detect potential unauthorized access or other activity that doesn’t comply with our policies.

Seeing the profile above, makes me wonder about that assertion and, if indeed, LinkedIn has any meaningful checks at all.

The Reinfall

This year’s Christmas spot for the Norwegian Postal Service is a mockumentary that chronicles the rise and fall of Rudolf, Santa’s red-nosed superstar.

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Alternative link

Ball-Busted

British lingerie retailer Agent Provocateur has a new spot that is an “anniversary-inspired update” of its 2015 Valentine’s Day film ‘Love Me Tender’ with an even more ‘Ouch!’ ending.

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Biden’s ‘Head Hitting’ Retort

From the official transcript of an exchange with a reporter, before a meeting with President Herzog of Israel, yesterday:

Q    President Biden, do you think we can get a hostage deal by the end of your term?

PRESIDENT BIDEN:  Do you think you can keep from getting hit in the head by a — a camera behind you?

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Costco recalls butter for missing milk mention

To quote from the NY Post report of the episode:

It’s butter stupidity!

Costco was forced to recall nearly 80,000 pounds of butter because the label failed to mention that the kitchen staple contains milk — and many social media users are rolling their eyes at the dairy dilemma.

The FDA sent out an initial recall for 79,200 pounds of Kirkland Signature butter due to the undeclared allergen in October. Packages for both the salted and unsalted Kirkland Signature Sweet Cream Butter list cream as an ingredient, but do not include an allergy warning that the butter “Contains Milk.”

Kung Fu Crypto

Crypto exchange aggregator 1inch invokes Bruce Lee along with plenty of exaggerated humour to get across its message that crypto is a serious investment.

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Guilty, until proven innocent

From Italy: in a quirky spot for carmaker Abarth, its latest electric offering, the 600e, is the object of attention of an envious police officer.

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Fat Legal Threat

Mike Davis, who is being seen as a candidate for the position of Attorney General in Donald Trump’s new cabinet, went on record on The Benny Show to give a message to New York Attorney General, Letitia James:

Let me just say this to Big Tish James, the New York Attorney General.  I dare you… I dare you to try to continue your lawfare against President Trump in his second term. Because… listen here, sweetheart, we're not messing around this time, and we will put your fat ass in prison for conspiracy against rights. I promise you that.

Art Rate Monitor

From Canada: the Art Gallery of Ontario is offering visitors a data-driven insight into how the artworks on display impact their heart rate and what does that say about them.  The gallery has installed beacons that ping to a wristband worn by each visitor that tracks their heart rate as they tour the gallery.  As explained on the gallery website:

What is The Art Rate Monitor experience? This first-of-its kind gallery experience measures your heart rate as you explore the AGO to provide you with personalized insights on your visit. Through your heart rate, see which pieces captivated you the most, uncover patterns in your preference, and relive the highlights about your visit that might surprise you in a free personalized wrap report.

Your personalized report, sent through email, will identify your art persona, what artworks you spent the longest time with, your preferred colour palette, and more!  So, after you see it and feel it, you can share the art that moves and represents you the most. Plus, learn a thing or two about yourself along the way.

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Something for Everyone

A jealous dog takes centre stage in this year’s Sinterklaas spot for Dutch online store Bol.com.

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Misadventures of a British Tourist

As politely summed up in the headline of a report on the Pattaya Mail website:

British tourist survives fall from hotel balcony into internet café after heavy drinking in Pattaya

As clarified in the headline of the report on the Daily Express website:

Brit tourist covered in poo falls through ceiling in Thailand red light district

And here’s how the latter report detailed what exactly happened:

An incredibly unfortunate British tourist had to be rescued after falling through a ceiling whilst covered in poo in a red light district in Thailand. Paul Hadfield, 51, from Blackburn, Lancashire, was allegedly 'extremely drunk' when he returned to his room in the early hours of Monday morning, November 4.

Staff said they heard groans and banging in the room but thought nothing of it - until Paul's legs came crashing through the ceiling of an adjacent internet cafe packed with gamers. Shocked locals called police as the naked holidaymaker cried for help with his legs dangling through the floorboards.

The balcony from which he fell was directly above the roof of the cafe.

However the drama wasn't over there. Officers were horrified when they checked the Brit's room at The Freelancer Hotel in Pattya, Thailand, and found excrement smeared across the floor.

Also from that report, this is what the police spokesperson was quoted as saying:

We have some ideas about what he was doing in the room to make it so dirty but there was nothing illegal.

It is his private life, so he will have to speak with the hotel to negotiate the bill.

Dump Trump Garbage Bags

I’ll let this report explain:

Creative studio Bear Meets Eagle On Fire has partnered with independent artists in the New York City area, on an anti-Trump design protest project.



The result is a series of orange ‘DUMP TRUMP’ garbage bags emblazoned with the contentious political figure’s face. The swollen orange bags, strewn across the city streets in Manhattan and Brooklyn just days before the election, are a visceral metaphor for a candidate who has run one of the most divisive and contentious campaigns for President, in US history.


Brian Cox Goes to College

In a new spot for Uber One, the veteran actor plays a version of himself, enticed by student discounts.

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Court protection against room being cleaned

Pretty much that, with a bit more.  Let me start with the headlines on a report out of Singapore:

Brother granted court orders against sister who repeatedly entered his room to clean it over 8 years

And this is the subheading:

The sister was also granted a personal protection order against her brother, who had assaulted her over her actions.

HR, as you may have never imagined

A new spot for traveltech company WeRoad takes its inspiration from slasher horror movies and presents a uniquely visualised portrayal of HR, befitting the genre.

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Not stray, but destitute

To quote from a news report out of India:

Cows and other bovines will not be referred to as 'strays' in Rajasthan, as the term is 'insulting' and 'inappropriate', according to a new order passed by the state government. As per the new order, from now on, the use of words like 'helpless' or 'destitute would be encouraged for cows and other bovines that are roaming on their own.

RIP Teri Garr

Unmatched sparkle, and smart and witty to boot.

Tootsie (1982)
   - Sandy freaks out

From her Letterman appearances: Academy Awards dilemma

On Conan: Nudity differences

On Multiple Sclerosis, and living with it (from her autobiography):

MS is a sneaky disease. Like some of my boyfriends, it has a tendency to show up at the most awkward times and then to disappear entirely.

I like to say MS is to disease what Enron is to accounting. No rules. It’s a big fat cheater.

I really do count my blessings. At least I used to; now I get so tired, I have a woman come in once a week and count them for me.

Goodbye Mr. Pig

From France: meat alternative brand La Vie has released its first television commercial.

Link to video

Alternative version

‘Man found dancing and urinating inside minivan’

That’s from the headline of a news report out of Ontario, Canada. The same news was captioned in another paper with this headline:

'Dancing' suspect charged with impaired driving

Here’s what the latter report tells us about what really happened:

An Elliot Lake man is facing multiple charges after an early morning complaint Thursday on Highland Place.

At around 5:30 a.m., Ontario Provincial Police were told a man was slumped over the steering wheel of a blue minivan while the motor was running.

Arriving officers tried to speak with the man, but they say he ignored them while dancing to music inside the vehicle.

“He then proceeded to urinate all over the steering wheel and driver's seat area,” OPP said in a news release.

The man continued to be uncooperative, the OPP said, but eventually entry was gained and the man safely arrested.

“In his possession was suspected fentanyl, crack cocaine, and crack pipes,” police said. “There was also an open bottle of rum and cans of beer, both empty and full, inside the van.”

The minivan was subsequently towed and impounded.

Kevin Mikkelsen, 49, from Elliot Lake was charged with impaired driving over 80 mgs, driving with pot readily available, and possession of hard drugs.

No Bad Choices

A new spot for CANAL+ International finds inspiration in action thriller tropes.

Link to video