Friday, March 15, 2013

...From My Cliched, Dead Hands

Lots of people have aspects of their lives that are totally unexpected, that run counter to our preconceptions.  For instance, I mentioned watching the Daytona 500, not what you'd expect for a liberal Canadian hipster.  Then when I was researching Tom Morello for that post a few days ago, I came across the fact that he's also a huge Trekkie, and even did a cameo appearance on Star Trek: Voyager.

That sort of thing happens so often in our modern and complex society, that it actually stands out when people play into their stereotypes.  I had one of those moments when Chad Kroeger and Avril Lavigne did an ad for the Junos.  As with any liberal Canadian hipster, I already think of the Junos as the symbol of emphasising popularity above all else, and it would be hard to pick anyone to better reaffirm those feelings.  Were Justin Bieber and Carly Rae Jepsen not available?  Then there was the story of how Marc Ouellett, Canadian Cardinal and Papal candidate, went into the priesthood after an injury made him rethink a career in hockey.

The same thing happened when news came out that the NRA is going to sponsor a NASCAR race, in Texas no less.  There'll be al sorts of morality questions asked in the media, but I'm asking:  Does the NRA really need more visibility or positive public relations among NASCAR fans?  Surely they should be sponsoring an art show in New York or a poetry jam in San Francisco.  But then, Tim Hortons does spend a lot sponsoring hockey and curling, so maybe there's something to this seemingly redundant advertising.

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