Getting Americans into the voting booth to vote for Barack Obama may be a matter of nostalgia for some people, as director Ron Howard takes us on a trip back in time to Mayberry and Happy Days to rouse us into voting.

It’s heartfelt, funny and an unparalleled joy to see Andy Griffith alive and well in this short video.

See more Ron Howard videos at Funny or Die

The notion of John McCain as “maverick” has become a national joke.  This photo, though, makes the moniker seem even more absurd — and disturbing, since so many of the young Republicans in attendance (clothed, in particular) are just way too attractive to be aligned with such patent idiocy.

Alas, even cute college guys can be idiots.

McCain spoke at this gathering at Anselm College (in New Hampshire) two days ago. Anselm is a Catholic college, which means the place is overrun with young Republicans who are, undoubtedly, repressing their innate sexual orientation.  Heavens knows what happens when the lights go out and bit too much wine is imbibed.

Only a couple of weeks away from the election and Sarah Palin still does not understand what role the Vice President plays under the Constitution of the United States.

It would be laughable and easy to dismiss if she were simply the governor of Alaska; as the possible, actual VP of the U.S., however, her answer is nothing less than chilling.  God help us if this simpleton and McCain make their way into the White House.

The wonderful Chris Matthews is aghast;  Nancy Pfotenhauer is an unbearable liar and I’m just disgusted. Take a look:

Without hope life is not worth living — that’s the vital message of this beautifully crafted video.  So well done, so moving, I can’t recommend your viewing it strongly enough — it’s really worth your time.

It’s based on a famous quote by Harvey Milk. Created by Dave O’Brien of CauseCast, Malak Quota and Brandon Buck did the superb animation and Michael Cheever did the music.

If the underlying causes of our current financial crisis fly mostly over your head, don’t feel bad—even business reporters need some help understanding why it all happened, what it means, and what the bailout plan intends to do.

At American Public Media’s Marketplace, Senior Editor Paddy Hirsch has been using a whiteboard and simple analogies to explain it to his reporters. Hirsch doesn’t get bogged down in complicated terms or over-simplify things — instead, Hirsch visualizes banks as wayward explorers in the Antarctic (at least in one video).

His other videos on collateralized debt obligations and credit default swaps are also worth seeing. Check out his page here.

The credit crisis as Antarctic expedition from Marketplace on Vimeo.

Sarah Palin went on the Christian Broadcasting Network on Sunday to affirm that she is in favor of a federal Constitutional amendment, necessary, you see, to protect marriage by declaring it is for one man-one woman couples only, reports Crooks and Liars.

“I’m not going to be out there judging individuals, sitting in a seat of judgment telling what they can and can’t do, should and should not do, but I certainly can express my own opinion here and take actions that I believe would be best for traditional marriage and that’s casting my votes and speaking up for traditional marriage that…”

In other words, she doesn’t judge them!  Why should she bother when she can get the government to do it for her!  Here’s the video. But don’t watch on a full stomach or you may lose your lunch.

The list of Republicans lining up for Barack Obama now include well-known longtime GOP stalwarts like: Colin Powell, Susan Eisenhower, Julie Nixon Eisenhower, and Christopher Buckley, notes financial guru Andrew Tobias on his blog, Money & Other Subjects.

Today, he augmented his list, saying: “I should have added Nebraska Senator Chuck Hagel’s wife, Lilibet.  A Republican who contributed to Senator McCain’s 2000 primary, she, too, has endorsed Senator Obama.  And Republican talk show host Michael Smerconish (only click link if you love Jackie Mason…you’ll understand if you click).

Smerconish liked President Bush so much in 2004 he emceed his final Pennsylvania rally – and now has declared he’s for Obama.

This bodes well.

DocFind, an arm of Aetna insurance online, has made its boldest move yet to include gay and lesbian patients.  DocFind has added a Web link to the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association to Aetna’s online directory of practitioners, becoming the first U.S. health insurer to make such a move.

The association’s database lists more than 1,200 primary care providers, specialists, therapists and dentists “who welcome lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender patients.

“All patients must feel comfortable speaking candidly with their health care providers so that the care delivered is appropriate and effective,” said Troyen Brennan, Hartford-based Aetna’s chief medical officer.

Dare I say, this is a smart business move, though a little shocking that in 2008 Aetna is the first to behave so inclusively.