Our staff of writers are all leading experts in their respective fields and now bring that expertise to the readers of TontoAndFriends.com

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

CRIME IS A LAUGHING MATTER: EXTORTION 101

By Linus, the Angry Mime - linustheangrymime@hotmail.com

Comment on this article HERE.

Click HERE to subscribe to tontoandfriends.com


Hey.

Absolute power corrupts absolutely.

No shit.

If you’ve got the ability to ruin a person’s future, the world is yours, right?

Right.

It’s not that hard to pressure people for something you want, once the power is in your hands.

Take Arthur Herbert Miller, University of Iowa college professor. He’s being charged with allegedly coercing at least four women to bare their breasts in exchange for better grades.

You know, the timeless plot device found in just about every single porn flick.

Sure, it worked for a while, but he got caught.

Amateurs always get caught.

Next time you’re mad with power, and want to make a few people suffer, give these tips a try, and you’ll be sure to stave off a trip to prison:

1) Work with someone who is disposable - Let’s hypothesize, and say that someone stole Stephany’s house in the middle of the night while she was away. Just hooked up a tractor trailer and pulled that sucker right off the foundation.
Who’s gonna make the call to extort the crazy dame?

Not you.

Cops analyze that shit. You’ll be farming that out to some dumb vagrant.

Who’s gonna meet Stephany in the back alley of a Denny’s to collect the bribe money required to return her house?

Again, the vagrant.

Who’s sitting in the bushes with a sack filled with barbed wire and a deadly aim with a blow gun?

You. One dart lands in your accomplice’s neck after the transaction, or if the shit hits the fan.

One hits Stephany if she spots you.

2) Frame them - People are less likely to tell on you if you’re copping cheap feels on some comely co-ed’s hushpuppies if they’re sitting in hot water, themselves.

Again, let’s use Stephany as a guide.

Say you had some pretty steamy photos of a children’s author getting to know her young readers on – let’s say a more intimate basis.

With those Polaroids in hand, you can demand that she smuggle frozen ovaries for you for as long as you wish. One peep out of her little saucy mouth, and she’ll have the authorities so far up her ass, she’ll be shitting policemen for weeks.

3) Fake your death - Dead people can extort all they want. Again, with the help of your friendly neighborhood vagrant, dress them up, remove their head, arms and legs, and set them on fire.

As long as your wallet and clothes are on the stiff, you’ll have enough to make it look like you’re a maggot snack, which will give you all the time you need to extort the innocent!

Now, go out there and get some bribes!

- Linus is a world renowned mime artist whose productions “She Walks with Ghosts”, and “Sleep” have won him several international awards, such as the Deburau Prize He also served fifteen years in Oregon State Penitentiary for grand larceny. He trained in Paris at the International School of Corporeal Mime and will beat up anyone who has a problem with it.

NOTE: If you liked this article, check out our scurvy-free Ask a Pirate Archives, our attempt at punditry with the Political Article Archives, or listen in to pristine taste with our Music Article Archive!!!

Monday, August 18, 2008

Exclusive Interview with Barack Obama - Discusses Change!

by Slocomb Jones - Mail can be sent to Slocomb through Tonto Balboa at tontobalboa@hotmail.com

Click HERE to comment on this article.

Click HERE to subscribe to tontoandfriends.com


I’ve found my candidate!

I know who’s getting my vote!

Finally, finally, finally, there’s a candidate who gets it. Finally a candidate speaks to me, and my people. The professional bums finally have voice! The voice of change…

Spare change!

During my interview with presumptive Republican nominee John “Boxcar” McCain, I asked him for some spare change and he told me to go see the black guy.

Turns out, that black guy is none other than presumptive Democratic nominee Barack Obama.

C'mon... even a little spare change?!

I had to track down the guy who was basing his whole candidacy on the idea of spare change. I felt such a connection to this man and his ideas, that I knew that we were destined to be great friends.

Or at the very least, I was positive he would spare enough for me to score a 40 oz and a Hustler.

Slocomb Jones: Thanks for your time, Senator. On a personal level, your message really strikes home with me.

Senator Barack Obama: You’re welcome, Mr. Jones. I believe change is something all Americans need right now.

Slocomb Jones: I couldn’t agree more. I’ve been fighting for it my whole life. Working tirelessly on the streets for it since as long as I can remember.

Senator Barack Obama: Me too. And let me tell you right now that one of my key platforms in particular is to bring a good deal amount of change to the homeless, Mr. Jones.

SJ: Holy shit!!! I can’t wait!

SBO: We still have a lot of hard work to do between now and November.

SJ: What’s in November?

SBO: The election.

SJ: Ah, OK. That’s when it is. Good. Will it interfere with the free turkey at the end of the month?

SBO: Thanksgiving?

SJ: Whatever you fancy pants call it.

SBO: No, hopefully there won’t be any hiccups with the election process and I’ll be president before the midnight on Nov. 4th.

SJ: Where did you come up with your nickname?

SBO: Well, before I was truly comfortable with my diverse background, “Barry” made it easier for me to fit in, so to speak –

SJ: Who’s “Barry?” I’m talking about Barack! That’s a great bum name. It’s powerful, but sorta funny, a bit folksy, but with a sense of mystery and adventure –

SBO: No. No. Barack is my given birth name.

SJ: Amazing! Your parents had insight like no other… OK, let’s get back to change –

SBO: My favorite topic.

SJ: Mine as well! What’s your favorite type of change? For me, I like when you get a handful that’s just dropped in your lap, a cacophony of shiny change. I mean, sure, there might be a receipt for something old, or an empty matchbook, but it’s that change, even if it’s dented or not so shiny, it’s the change that matters!

SBO: That’s very eloquent. You know I tend to agree with you –

SJ: Oh, oh, oh, I take that back. My absolute favorite kind of change is when you lay down for a good long nap and when you wake up, there’s change scattered all about your person. It’s like waking up to a new dawn in America.

SBO: That’s precisely the type of change I plan to spread throughout the nation. Everyone will soon have a country that will sparkle with change and give people a new motivation to go out spread change of their own.

SJ: Wait a second, this just gets better and better… you mean, part of your plan is to encourage other people, strangers, to go out there and give change as well?

SBO: Of course! One man can’t do it himself. Could you imagine the type of change we could bring if everyone chipped in, even a little bit?

SJ: That’s a world I’ve been dreaming about for decades!

SBO: Me too.

SJ: Before I let you go, I was wondering if you could spare a little?

SBO: A little what?

SJ: You know, some change? I mean, come on.

SBO: Change comes from inside, my friend.

SJ: What?! The hell it does! And don’t start with that “my friend” crap.

SBO: I think we’re confused here. Do you want a handout?

SJ: Yeah! What do you think this is, “Who’s on first?” Let’s get that change goin!

SBO: There’s a difference between real change and some handout.

SJ: Not in my world, pal!

SBO: You want some handout, go see the green guy.

SJ: Green guy? What in the hell do aliens have to do with giving a guy who’s down on his luck a few bucks?! Politicians… man, all the same. All talk. No change.

Not even spare change.

- Slocomb Jones has been a professional bum for over 50 years. In April 2007, he officially announced his retirement as a bum, and has segued into a successful second career as a retired bum and part-time bum coach/advisor. Ironically, he’s busier now that he’s retired than he’s ever been in his entire life.

NOTE: If you enjoyed this article, check out our Political Article Archive, our Techie Stuff Archive, or ever the ever popular Ask a Pirate Article Archive!!!

Friday, August 15, 2008

USA vs. China 2008 Olympic Breakdown!

by Stephany Ericson stephany.ericson@hotmail.com

Click HERE to comment on this article.

Subscribe to our RSS Feed!

Fast

Graceful

Productive

#1

Yes, these are indeed all words that at one time in the recent past could describe the United States Olympic teams.

USA!USA!USA!

As I sit here in my Barstow Hotel room (thanks for going ALL IN for my lodging Tonto…) covering the Games of the 29th Olympiad, I can only look back in wistful remembrance of a time when the good old US of A dominated all Nations in all the important sports, with the exception of Gymnastics of course.

The Eastern Bloc countries really used to have their way with us in all of those events. And certainly we didn’t produce too many Female Field event winners either. But I digress…

China is kicking our athletic asses in so many traditional American events it makes you wonder if the long feared world Communist take over is at hand.

Quite possibly it is.

We're Under ATTACK!!!!11!!OnE!!Eleventy!1

Let us examine the current state of affairs. Several sports that used to be automatic GOLD for the US are now seemingly automatic GOLD for China:

Diving - now that Greg Louganis is no longer breaking the surface the Chinese will continue to run wild.

Table Tennis - how the Chinese wrestled world dominance from my Uncle Phil I’ll never know. He could whack that ball while eating a burger and holding a soda at our family reunions in Ohio.

Torture and Political Imprisonment - China has really come far in the latter two events in just the past 10 years, but I have confidence the US will soon reassert it’s grand place at the top of this hallowed heap within the year.




If you are like me, you LOVE the Olympics.

You LOVE the US.

And of course you LOVE being dominant in all things.

With this emergence of China in Olympic prowess you may be feeling a little blue, sad, and weepy. Fret not however.

We Yanks are still quite well represented in other sports.
Baseball - well, we did lose to the South Koreans but… they are our friends against China in all things Martial.

Softball - Is there any one else on the planet that can hit Jennie Finch or Cat Osterman?

Basketball - puhlease…the US will be redeemed.

You will also take pride and happiness to remember that we outdistance China in many other things aside from the sporting world. For instance: Politics!

In China there is one political party: The Communists. 1.3 billion people all agree…it’s best to live in a commune. I’ll bet that smells wonderful come washing day…

Stinky!

In the US, we have DOUBLE the number of political Parties!!

That’s right we have a full 100% MORE POLITICAL CHOICE than those communists.

In our glorious system, if you don’t like one candidate… you can vote for the other clearly better choice!!

That is a dream come true and proof positive that God Loves Americans and our completely dominant and Democratic way of doing things with little or no illegal influence from smaller wacko ideologues hardly ever even.

I know, I know! A Gene Wilder film?

Mostly.

Same Tailor?

Also French Fries. Belgian Waffles. Tacos.

Crazy Mimes.

Your Money or Your Life! Make a Choice!

Ted Nugent, Swedish massages and Panda Express.

Try to find any of THOSE in China.

Iroic, yes?

The US continues to Rock!!

Ooops!

- Stephany Ericson是一款获奖的作者,儿童读物等 “这属于你” , “ gordita运行马拉松”和“艺术家schmartist去找到一份工作! ” )中提出的pacoima ,俄亥俄,由爱好祖父母,教育,在阿拉伯联合大公国,并雇用了17年的艺术的糕饼夏克波她带来了她的读者糖包衣,心脏变暖的故事,赎回全部包裹在一个非传统burqua.

NOTE: If you liked this article (and you better have!!!) check out the rest of our Sports Article Archive. If that isn't to your liking, there's always our Political Article Archive... and who could forget our Film Review Archive!!!

Thursday, August 14, 2008

ASK A PIRATE: HOW TO GET FREE DRINKS, GET A LASS TO BE MORE THAN FRIENDS, AND PIRATE FLAG-MAKING TIPS!

By Melvin, the Pirate

Ask Melvin a question or leave a comment HERE!

Click HERE to subscribe to our RSS Feed.

Ahoy there, mateys!

The Hopwood Games have reached their end, me fine and beauteous readers!

Yours truly took silver in the sail races. Were it not for an ill-timed seagull crash landing into me fleshy tabernacle, I’d have surely earned the gold.

But regrets make for a bitter stew, land-lovers! Better to take heart in the good things ye have, rather than curse for the lack and misery ye find in ye life.

The mail bag’s full to bursting this week! Either me readers have flooded me with questions, or some odd lot’s gone and stuffed dead ravens in me mail.

At any rate, it’s time to take notice:

Walter from Phoenix, AZ writes:

Dear Melvin,

I’m an alcoholic, and it’s costing me more and more money to buy enough booze at a bar to get me hammered. Any tips on how to scam people out of drinks?

Walter, Walter, Walter!

I’m a pirate. Getting free drinks comes natural to a pirate as breathin’ comes to ye.

Give this old favorite a try:

Next time ye visit yer local watering hole, come in wearing a fancy hat. Any fancy hat will do.

When ye spot someone with a fresh drink at their side, sidle over to them, introduce yerself, and cover their drink with yer fancy hat.

Bet them an unlimited round of drinks that ye can drink their drink without picking up the hat.

Once they accept yer wager, go crazy. Jump up and down. Make fake slurping sounds for about a minute or two.

Then, wipe off yer face, burp, and tell yer sucker that ye’ve finished their drink, and they can check it out for themselves.

When they lift the hat, grab their drink and down it all in one gulp.

Ye’ll be swimmin’ in liquor in no time!

Elmer from San Pedro, CA asks:

Melvin,

I really like this girl, but I feel like I’m stuck in the friend zone with her. How can I let her know I’m not just her buddy, but a sensual, attractive guy?

One word, me gentle dreamer:

Wrestling.

Pretty words, soft glances, holding open a door – those are all fine and fair. But if ye want to make the muscles under her dress quiver for yer eager thrusts, ye need to wrestle her.

Timing is everything. Ye can’t just meet her and throw her on the ground. Ye’ve got to take something from her that she wants back – a purse, a wallet, her keys.

Keep it light, and start the wrestling at a gentle pace. Then, when ye see that she’s starting to enjoy herself, get to tickling!

Pretty soon, one of you will have the upper hand, and yer faces will be so close ye can feel their hot, ribald breath on yer neck. Kiss her then. Gently, but with enough force to let her know that this was no accident, that yer union is meant to be.

Scarlett from Bridgeport, CT writes:

Dear Melvin the Pirate,

I’ve been working on a new pirate flag for a week now, but I’m running out of good ideas. I want something that will bring suspense and fear. Any suggestions?

Ye can’t go wrong with skulls, Scarlett.

A skeleton’s a sobering sight, when drawn correctly. Black is also a key color to use for yer background.

As for personal flair, why not go with a giant pair of blood-drenched eyes? That will soil the knickers of yer victims!

Got a question for Melvin? Leave a comment!

- Melvin the Pirate has written a number of self-help books, such as “Making Yer First Mate Yer Best Mate,” and “A Time to Rape, and a Time to Respect Wenches.” He lives in Huntington Beach, CA with his partner and prize mastiff, Belvedere.

NOTE: If you liked this article, check out the Ask a Pirate Archives, or the Tontoandfriends.com's Internet and Stuff Archive, or maybe even our Political Article Archive!!!

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Film Review - Stanley Kubrick's "Killer's Kiss"

by Vans McCoy - vanssmccoy@hotmail.com

Click HERE to comment on this article.

Or HERE to subscribe to our RRS feed.

Insomnia is real pain in the ass. There's nothing worse than having to go to court to fight a public urination ticket on no sleep. When you have bags under your eyes and your temper is sharpened by 84 minutes of rest with no nocturnal emission, of course you're going to look like guy who struggleed to muster enough piss to blast off on a Lexus.

Good luck with your "free speech" defense.

Lucky for me... or should I say, the accused... that Stanley Kubrick's Killer's Kiss was playing on some movie channel.

Killer's Kiss

The story follows a rapidly declining welterweight boxer who, for lack of any other life options, starts a humor website to help cash in on his dwindling fame... oh wait, that's the guy I work for! [NOTE FROM THE CHIEF: That's enough with your God Damn cheapshots, dickhead!! - Tonto]

OK, all kidding aside, this fighter, a weenie named Davey Gordon, who might be the worst boxer in film history... which includes the first act montage of tomato cans that Rocky brutalizes in Rocky III, returns home to his dingy apartment from getting his ass KO'd in the first round of what could be his last shot at title fight (Holy Christ, this really could be the Tonto Balboa story) and sees his decently attractive blond neighbor, Gloria Price, getting roughed up by her criminal boyfriend.

It might just be me, but names don't get much more heavy handed than "Gloria Price," (glory, a price - do I have to hold your hand through this shit?) but hey, we're talking film noir, which is pretty heavy handed filmmaking genre, so I'll let this one pass.

Of course, Davey gets involved and he falls for Gloria, and she seems to like Davey enough to make out with and presumably nail (so much for this being a Tonto Balboa story), and the two plan to leave town (there's that "glory" - something pretty important to a spent fighter, right Tonto?)to a ranch ran by Davey's uncle up in Seattle.

It was Kubrick's uncle who financed the film, so setting the fabled "finish line" of the story at an uncle's place is nice way to say "hey, thanks for the cash!"

Ah, but there's no film noir without the villian, in this case the evil Vincent, who runs a dance hall where Gloria works. He too loves this dame and won't stand for her skipping town with Davey (which leads to the "a price" that I was talking about).

Of course, after an hour and change of build up, it all comes down to Davey and Vincent in a fight to the death set in a manequin warehouse, which draws some parallel to the mirror sequence from The Lady From Shanghai. It becomes very clear that Davey has no business in the ring because he really struggles against an overweight, middle age man in a zoot suit.

Plot, schmot, who gives a crap about that? This is an early Kubrick film, which is the only real reason to watch the film. There's better film noir out there, but you can see some of the forming of what would become hallmarks of Kubrick's films.

The film opens with a beautiful long shot of Davey from the floor in a train station where he decides to tell us his story in voiceover. The pacing of the film is slow and deliberate until it builds to the climax between Davey and Vincent.

There's far too much voiceover in the film, but on a low budget you gotta do what you gotta do to get all that exposition across.

The most notable theme in development in Killer's Kiss is confinement. Davey, like Jack Torrence in the Overlook, like Joker in boot camp and Vietnam, like Dr. Harford at a sex party with yuppies, and so on, is trapped externally (in Davey's case by the New York street life) as much as he is internally.

Killer's Kiss is worth a watch if you're a film nerd, or need a break from trying to figure out how to talk your way out of a $100 fine.

2 stars for Killer's Kiss

5 stars for pulling off a First Amendment free speech defense!

- Vans McCoy was knocked out at a Dead Kennedys show in the early 80’s and has been a cultural expert ever since. He has spent time in several small bands over the years. He sang for The Magnificent Cox, played bass in Manson’s Ranchers, and was lead guitarist for Televised Execution. He’s spent 347 days in local jails throughout the country and is now gainfully employed managing a local video store.

NOTE: If you liked this article, visit our Film Article Archive, our funny as a flesh wound Ask A Pirate Archives, or our stupidly poignant Political Column Archive!!!