Co-creator of Flinstones dies

Joe Barbera, the co-creator of cartoon characters as Tom and Jerry, Yogi Bear and the Flintstones, died today. Bill Hanna, the other co-creator, died in 2001. CBC reported Barbera died at age 95 due to natural causes. Seems like this marks an end of an era that greatly influenced American pop culture. Look at the spinoffs, such as the Simpsons, the Family Guy, American Dad and so on ...

Even though these cartoons were created before my time, I recall rushing home from school to watch the Flinstones during the lunch hour on the local CTV station affiliate CKCK. It didn't matter if it was I had seen the episode already. It was the oh-so-clever banter between Fred and Barney, the mischevious antics of the alien Gazoo. Apparently he was exiled from his home planet Zetox for inventing a weapon capable of vapourizing the universe. He apparently had to help "dumb-dumbs" like Fred and Barney as part of his punshiment. The best part was that only Fred and Barney saw Gazoo (interesting that Gazoo only was helping these pair of "dumb-dumbs). By the way, if you want to learn more useless trivia about the Flinstones, there's a site dedicated to them.

Never was a fan of Yogi Bear. He seemed to be a bit too dense. Fred, however, had an ounce of smarts ... just enough to get him in trouble with Wilma, usually. This cartoon, though, really had quite a strong statement about female and male relationships. Wilma was the fiery and independent red-head who wants to do something more with her life (remember her entering that baking contest ... yea, it is a domestic affair, but still, her drive to win ...) and her attempts to use the nest egg for that new appliance without Fred's knowledge (while Fred tried to sneak that same money to buy a new bowling ball). Of course, Wilma is often frustrated by the patronistic and machoistic attitude of her brute of a husband. Fred was smart enough to keep his marriage together, which you gotta give him some credit.

bugging politicans

Who would have thunk the "Greatest Canadian", the meek-mannered minister from Saskatchewan, would be followed for decades. Seems like the police didn't trust Tommy Douglas when he was in office ... in fact, CBC news reports indicated Douglas had no clue under surveillance. Police suspected Douglas of being involved with Communist parties, but none of these beliefs could be verified.

It baffles me how suspicious people can get based on a few actions. Could you imagine all your conversations and interactions being followed without your knowledge? Wouldn't you just be mortified to find that out? Wonder what Shirley, Douglas' daughter, thinks about this latest report.

It seems most of this material is still sealed ... which the Library and Archives has some of this material. Hopefully the sensitive parts will be blacked out and the rest of the historically relevant materials will be preserved in a tactful manner.

Gift or no gift

Hmmm ... buy nothing for Christmas. Justine referred me to this link on my previous post. I think it's a great idea! (no, it's not just because I don't want to fight the crowds in malls, although that is a good reason)

It does refer to some alternative gifts to give. Essentially, the most treasured gifts are those that reflect the thought and time put into it. Guess the old adage ... "it's the thought that counts" really does hold water.