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January 12, 2006
Chuck Norris Facts... and Reacts
Courtesy of Boing Boing, this gave me quite a laugh when I read it -- and gave me a begrudging respect for an aging action movie star who seems to have a sense of humor and some Net savvy. There's a site out there called "Chuck Norris Facts" that was easily the funniest thing I've seen all week. (True, I've had kind of an unfunny week, but these are still amusing.) It lists a whole series of obviously made up "facts" about how badass 80s action star and 90s TV star Chuck Norris is. Among my favorites:
-- Chuck Norris has counted to infinity. Twice.
-- The opening scene of the movie "Saving Private Ryan" is loosely based on games of dodgeball Chuck Norris played in second grade.
-- Chuck Norris drives an ice cream truck covered in human skulls.
From Boing Boing's entry, it appears that the origin of these witticisms is somewhat in question; this guy says he started it. I don't care where it started, these are pretty funny. But where the story gets interesting is when you read the real Chuck Norris' response to it all. He's pushing 70 now, so you might not expect that he'd be one to "get" Internet humor or know what to do with it. But his response is smart.
Some are funny. Some are pretty far out. Being more a student of the Wild West than the wild world of the Internet, I'm not quite sure what to make of it. It's quite surprising. I do know that boys will be boys, and I neither take offense nor take these things too seriously. Who knows, maybe these made up one-liners will prompt young people to seek out the real facts as found in my recent autobiographical book, "Against All Odds?" They may even be interested enough to check out my novels set in the Old West, "The Justice Riders," released this month.
First, he shows a sense of humor. Next, humility ("I neither take offense nor take these things too seriously.") Then, he tries to use them to his advantage in an overt yet unintrusive way. This is either a very smart man, or he has very wise advisors. Either way, that's a very smart response from a guy who clearly "gets it."
I've never been a fan of Chuck Norris; action movies ain't my thing (demonizing whoever America's most feared enemy du jour is, or blowing stuff up/kicking people/vigilante justice crap does nothing for me), and the love that Christian activists showed for Walker, Texas Ranger was enough to guarantee that it would never see my television set. But I'll cut Mr. Norris some slack after reading his response. Besides, if I don't, he might give me a roundhouse kick to the face.
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Comments
The guy definitely understands the nuances of online book marketing.
Posted by: Brent at January 12, 2006 09:37 AM
Chuck Norris's tears can cure cancer. Too bad Chuck Norris has never cried.
Chuck Norris does not go hunting. Hunting implies the possibility of failing. Chuck Norris goes killing.
When Chuck Norris was denied a Bacon McMuffin at McDonalds because it was 10:35, he roundhouse kicked the store so hard it became a Wendy's.
Chuck Norris has yet to get a Jeopardy question wrong. Jesus has missed two.
Chuck Norris doesn't believe in Germany.
Chuck Norris owns the greatest p0ker face of all-time. It helped him win the 1983 world series of p0ker despite him holding just a joker, a get out of jail free monopoly card, a 2 of clubs, 7 of spades and a green number 4 card from the game Uno.
Before email was invented Chuck Norris would attach messages to kittens and roundhouse kick them.
Posted by: Sarah at January 12, 2006 12:51 PM
3 words:
"Walker Texas Ranger"
Posted by: Cuzin Jose at January 12, 2006 05:13 PM
