Patrick J. Sauer Online

It's a good thing Costanza didn't proclaim 2010 to be the "Summer of George," it's too freaking hot to play frolf. He could sit in his Barcalounger all day and nobody would blame him if he didn't leave his air-conditioned apartment. Fortunately, a company called Virtual Dating Assistants has popped up to be your online wingman. No need to rely on the easily distracted Costanza to keep up with Amanda Peet, there's digital minions to fill all your boring relationship tasks.

In other dated pop culture reference news, a company called Surf-Grip has created hand paddles to give all amatuer surfers the chance to be Laird Hamilton, if just for one wave. Spicoli's whereabouts are unknown, so I got the next best guy to give the Surf-Grip an oceanic spin. Jon Reichardt,  water polo coach at Mira Costa High School in Manhattan Beach and lifelong beach bum, shares his thoughts. 

Heh-heh, I know that dude....

The Russian spy ring has us all up in the arms race, but it really hit home for me when I found out that the covert plotting was taking place a block from my apartment:

(Before we get into the Cold War Redux, tear down this HuffPo wall!)

As the sparklers blaze this Independence Day, it's worth taking a moment to reflect on this here beautiful mess known as the U.S. of A.

We certainly have our ongoing issues, but never forget:

We are the land of the free, and the home of engineers who took it upon themselves to combine a toilet and an aquarium.

Now, with the Fish 'n Flush, your crapper can be a source of joy and whimsy for a mere $200.

Enjoy the holiday, pass the potato salad, and God Bless America!

(Even the Tea Partiers. Offer good for one day only.)

(FYI: it's worth checking out the HuffPo comments section for this piece. There's a number of notes from veterans and parents of wounded soldiers.)

No matter what new technologies develop, singular photos always seem to provide the lasting images that sum up wars on the whole. Matthew Brady's shots at Antietam brought the horror and carnage of the Civil War home, the V-J Day "Kiss" captured the euphoria and relief of the end of the "good war," and the terrifying "Napalm Girl" displayed the barbarity of modern weaponry unleashed on a civilian populace.