The eighth deadly sin are Award Shows. Combining gluttony, sloth, pride and vanity the phenomenon corrodes our society. On the upside, it allows Joan Rivers and her daughter a chance to throw barbs at poorly dressed celebrities.
In addition to the kiss of death GRAMMYs, there are any number of “Red Carpet Events” for the elites to thank the little people.
http://postconventionalwisdom.blogspot.com/2011/01/winners-maybe-not-so-lucky.html
People's Choice Awards is a classic. Held annually since 1975, the awards are voted on by the general public via online polls and recognise the best of popular culture. In reality, the People's Choice is more accurately reflected in box office receipts. Online polls can show kangaroos are more popular than root canals, ooops bad example. Online polls lack credibility, whereas someone's ability to plop down 10 bucks to see a movie is a clear example of the people making a choice.
Critics Choice Awards exist solely for Roger Ebert to show he has friends. Since the passing of Gene Siskel, poor Roger has been seeking meaning in his life and has fallen into the trap of political activism. Critics alarmed that the people had away of expressing their own opinion, created a venue to once again show they are the smartest people in the room.
The Golden Globes, surprisingly, are not presented to the actresses with the most convincing augmentations. Instead this “prestigious” award is presented by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, the Golden Globes recognises the best in film and television from the US and around the world. This allows the Belgian and Portuguese version of Roger Ebert to show they have more friends than the Chicago Sun-Times critic.
The Screen Actors Guild awards is the best example of AYSO's effect on society. In the American Youth Soccer Organization, everybody plays, no matter what skill level or proficiency you exhibit. In addition, everyone in AYS0 wins some type of award. The SAG is a US union for artists in the entertainment industry. Its famous awards focus exclusively on the performers, so don't expect to see awards for Best Film or Best Comedy. Instead the 13 awards focus on the actors' performances in film and television, including awards for best film cast and best television ensemble, with a separate award for stunt ensembles. In reality the SAG are a forum for Susan Sarandon to give a speech.
The ESPYs are an award ESPN gives to ESPN for being ESPN. ESPN takes clips from ESPN and based upon ESPN standards champions the best example of what ESPN is all about, which of course is ESPN.
Mr. Irrelevant is awarded to the person who was the last pick in the entire NFL draft. Former winners include Terry Morris, a manager for Verizon, Tilden Sprague, a salesman for Larry H. Miller Subaru in Glendale, Arizona and Don Nottingham who actually played four years with the Baltimore Colts. Mr. irrelevant is very closely related to the Screen Actors Guild awards.
The Sammie's are awards given to citizens who act as citizens. The Sam they are named after is of course Sam Adams, the famous beer maker.
The Daytime Emmy Awards, soft porn without nudity, and the AVN awards, hard-core porn with nudity and just about anything else are awarded to people at different stages of the sex industry.
The proliferation of awards reduces their importance. Every book, every movie, every TV show and every fart has won an award, or at least been nominated.
For the sensitive actor to feel love, would it be easier just to wear a shirt that says, “My mommy thinks I'm special."
Friday, January 28, 2011
Thursday, January 27, 2011
It's just so sad… And there's nothing they can do.
This year marks the first time in 10 years there have been no black actor nominees for Academy Awards. In part, it is because Oscar favors a certain kind of movie, dramas, historical epics, and bio pics.
For some reason, Tyler Perry in drag, for the third time... is not considered a historical epic. If only transvestitism was more widely accepted.
For some reason, Tyler Perry in drag, for the third time... is not considered a historical epic. If only transvestitism was more widely accepted.
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| This Time It Will Be Funnier |
Hollywood laments a problem they create, and wring their hands with faux guilt that is just not credible. If the motion picture industry was interested in making black dramas here some ideas.
A black family deals with black on black violence. A crime is committed and none of their neighbors will testify. The family does not go postal, instead they are ground down by a system indifferent to their plight and a community terrorized by a criminal element.
Sounds dramatic to me.
A third-generation family is caught between the example of Booker T. Washington, the rage of Malcolm X and the passion of Dr. Martin Luther King.
This could easily be described as a historic epic.
A middle-aged father tries to explain to his son that family values, middle-class values and religious values are not unique to any particular race.
Sounds like a character study.
Problem Hollywood runs into, is their own racism. There are a limited number of “recognized" roles is for black actors. Most of them center around victimization and racism; most of them advance a cruel stereotype that doesn't exist today.
Conventional wisdom would suggest the federal program is needed to ensure a higher caliber role be offered to nonwhites.
No doubt next year Clint Eastwood's remake of A Star Is Born will land Beyoncé and Academy award nomination. But is this a solution or the perpetuation of a broken model?
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
A bold prediction, or at least a couple of funny lines
Hollywood requires that movies achieve an identity and pedigree before being green lit. Identities are 15 to 20 word descriptions of the story. It cannot be original, far too risky… It has to be a composite of two things that have worked in the past.
An example of an identity would be Risky Business meets Home Alone ,only the guy is in his late 30s and this is his first time away from his wife and kids. The movie opens with him saying goodbye to everyone, his wife telling him there is food in the freezer and not to worry. He acts worried, but is clearly happy to have time alone.
In a montage we see him doing absolutely nothing and getting bored over the course of 45 minutes. He sits in front of the television and flicks channels, hand tucked into his belt “Al Bundy style." As lethargy sweeps his body, he comes across the beginning of Risky Business. The chords of "Old Time Rock 'n Roll" brings a smile to his face and as the camera pans out… We see the entrance to the living room is the exact same as the shot of Tom Cruise dancing in his underwear.
Yikes it is too easy.
The pedigree part is a lot harder. You have to massage the egos to collaborate. You need a star, a second star, eye candy and a director who can work with the eye candy and second star.
When it all comes together you have a master piece, when it doesn't... the project is released straight to DVD.
Because Hollywood is so successful at selling blind men rats ass holes as wedding rings, their example is used all the time.
Take the charm and eloquence of a sincere Eddie Haskell, with the generosity and coolness of Howie Mandel, sprinkle in a couple of pinches of the confidence and sophistication of Johnny Depp… Then add the optimism and statesmanship of Ronald Reagan and you know what you have?
A call for civility, a call for a new investment in infrastructure, a call for freezing the budget and ending earmarks, a call for our country to fulfill its promise, to come together and thrive because we are diverse, a mandate to use the power of Washington to save our nation, federal programs, state programs, a laser-like focus on jobs and the economy for the third year in a row.
Rhetoric and reality are rarely joined at the hip. Now is the time for intuition backed by knowledge and experience to supersede the “speeches are peaches” mindset of the last 30 months. The State of the Union Address is an obligation of the ruling class to “explain itself” to the voters. This is not a time for Axel Foley to star in Mommy Dearest.
Monday, January 24, 2011
The winners, maybe not so lucky.
February 13, 2011 write it down. The GRAMMYs are once again going to be televised. If you go to their website there is a countdown clock, including seconds. Any time you're counting seconds, you know it's something really important.
The Recording Industry Artists of America (RIAA) is one of the few organizations that truly bathes in the tears and urine of Narcissus. With any more hubris the RIAA could become a second United Nations.
In their own words, the RIAA servers the world, and all creatures blessed with hearing by doing important work:
Celebrating music through the GRAMMY Awards for more than 50 years, The Recording Academy continues its rich legacy and ongoing growth as the premier outlet for honoring achievements in the recording arts and supporting the music community. The GRAMMYs are the only peer-presented award to honor artistic achievement, technical proficiency and overall excellence in the recording industry, without regard to album sales or chart position. As we move ahead in an ever-changing music environment, The Recording Academy looks forward to the new opportunities of a growing organization. Over the last decade particularly, The Academy has expanded its goals from the important work of recognizing the best in music through the GRAMMY Awards to establishing itself as the preeminent arts advocacy and outreach organization in the country. The Academy's mission statement is simple, but represents the heart and soul of the organization's efforts: to positively impact the lives of musicians, industry members and our society at large. The Academy can be proud of its accomplishments on behalf of its constituency. Through the efforts of the volunteer leadership and the capable professional staff, the music community, music lovers and inheritors of America's great cultural legacy are reaping the benefit.
Not quite on the same level as “Here I come to save the day, Mighty Mouse is on his way.” Yet at the same time, more lyrically sophisticated than Nelson Riddle's theme to the Batman TV show, which goes, “Batman, Batman, Batman,Batman, Batman, Batman, da-da-da-da-da-da, Batman".
Here are some of the cultural values the GRAMMY has been used to honor over the last 50 years.
Two-time winner Francis Albert Sinatra. More than living a Mad Men lifestyle, Mr. Sinatra was the prototype and more. In addition to having blue eyes and a great voice, Frank understood drinking heavily with the solution to all problems. Then when you're liquored up any time a woman question your authority, hit her. Using either an open hand or a clenched fist almost all of the Chairman of the Board's films feature some dame getting the sense knocked into her.
In 1961 Bob Newhart won for his album the Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart. This album was singled out because stutterers need love too. Despite being awarded a GRAMMY Mr. Newhart went on to a distinguished career in television and comedy.
The Beatles took home a little gold statue in 1968. One year later they broke up. Some people blame Yoko Ono, others blame John and Paul's egos… Others recognize the kiss of death when they feel it.
1971 Simon and Garfunkel followed suit. This advanced the idea that although being succubus, Yoko Ono in and of herself cannot cause a band to break up.
Stevie Wonder took home three GRAMMYs in four years and went blind.
In 1978 Fleetwood Mac and Rumors took center stage, followed by a breakup. A new generation had its very own Yoko Ono, this time it was known as Stevie Nicks.
Cocaine addiction and the spreading of sexually transmitted diseases was celebrated by the RIAA in 1979 by awarding the album of the year to Robert Stigwood's creation; Saturday Night Fever. Three years later his organization was bankrupt. 30 years later the Jersey Shore came into being, proving evil never dies.
The all-American value of marrying supermodels was triumphed in 1980 when Billy Joel got his for 52nd Street. Their union produced children that look like him and sang like her. They were divorced and poor Christie had to do infomercials with Chuck Norris.
The with the advent of MTV the music industry was torn in two directions. The RIAA awarded Christopher Cross a nice little gold statuette and MTV said he was too ugly for television and his career a one way of Meatloaf without the Rocky Horror Picture show.
If Mark David Chapman had shot Yoko Ono, John would've still won an award.
1984 the Lifetime Achievement Award for Pedophilia was a real tossup either Cardinal Bernard F. Law from Boston or Gary, Indiana's own Thriller.
1985 to 1979 marked the demise of Lionel Richie, Phil Collins and Paul Simon's contributions to American culture. This time the kiss of death was professional.
From standing at the top of the pop charts, to kneeling in public restrooms, George Michael has kept the faith and his award.
And the beat goes on....
When you look at the long record of unmitigated disasters associated with winning a GRAMMY… It is a wonder that anyone would bother to show up.
The Recording Industry Artists of America (RIAA) is one of the few organizations that truly bathes in the tears and urine of Narcissus. With any more hubris the RIAA could become a second United Nations.
In their own words, the RIAA servers the world, and all creatures blessed with hearing by doing important work:
Celebrating music through the GRAMMY Awards for more than 50 years, The Recording Academy continues its rich legacy and ongoing growth as the premier outlet for honoring achievements in the recording arts and supporting the music community. The GRAMMYs are the only peer-presented award to honor artistic achievement, technical proficiency and overall excellence in the recording industry, without regard to album sales or chart position. As we move ahead in an ever-changing music environment, The Recording Academy looks forward to the new opportunities of a growing organization. Over the last decade particularly, The Academy has expanded its goals from the important work of recognizing the best in music through the GRAMMY Awards to establishing itself as the preeminent arts advocacy and outreach organization in the country. The Academy's mission statement is simple, but represents the heart and soul of the organization's efforts: to positively impact the lives of musicians, industry members and our society at large. The Academy can be proud of its accomplishments on behalf of its constituency. Through the efforts of the volunteer leadership and the capable professional staff, the music community, music lovers and inheritors of America's great cultural legacy are reaping the benefit.
Not quite on the same level as “Here I come to save the day, Mighty Mouse is on his way.” Yet at the same time, more lyrically sophisticated than Nelson Riddle's theme to the Batman TV show, which goes, “Batman, Batman, Batman,Batman, Batman, Batman, da-da-da-da-da-da, Batman".
Here are some of the cultural values the GRAMMY has been used to honor over the last 50 years.
Two-time winner Francis Albert Sinatra. More than living a Mad Men lifestyle, Mr. Sinatra was the prototype and more. In addition to having blue eyes and a great voice, Frank understood drinking heavily with the solution to all problems. Then when you're liquored up any time a woman question your authority, hit her. Using either an open hand or a clenched fist almost all of the Chairman of the Board's films feature some dame getting the sense knocked into her.
In 1961 Bob Newhart won for his album the Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart. This album was singled out because stutterers need love too. Despite being awarded a GRAMMY Mr. Newhart went on to a distinguished career in television and comedy.
The Beatles took home a little gold statue in 1968. One year later they broke up. Some people blame Yoko Ono, others blame John and Paul's egos… Others recognize the kiss of death when they feel it.
1971 Simon and Garfunkel followed suit. This advanced the idea that although being succubus, Yoko Ono in and of herself cannot cause a band to break up.
Stevie Wonder took home three GRAMMYs in four years and went blind.
In 1978 Fleetwood Mac and Rumors took center stage, followed by a breakup. A new generation had its very own Yoko Ono, this time it was known as Stevie Nicks.
Cocaine addiction and the spreading of sexually transmitted diseases was celebrated by the RIAA in 1979 by awarding the album of the year to Robert Stigwood's creation; Saturday Night Fever. Three years later his organization was bankrupt. 30 years later the Jersey Shore came into being, proving evil never dies.
The all-American value of marrying supermodels was triumphed in 1980 when Billy Joel got his for 52nd Street. Their union produced children that look like him and sang like her. They were divorced and poor Christie had to do infomercials with Chuck Norris.
The with the advent of MTV the music industry was torn in two directions. The RIAA awarded Christopher Cross a nice little gold statuette and MTV said he was too ugly for television and his career a one way of Meatloaf without the Rocky Horror Picture show.
If Mark David Chapman had shot Yoko Ono, John would've still won an award.
1984 the Lifetime Achievement Award for Pedophilia was a real tossup either Cardinal Bernard F. Law from Boston or Gary, Indiana's own Thriller.
1985 to 1979 marked the demise of Lionel Richie, Phil Collins and Paul Simon's contributions to American culture. This time the kiss of death was professional.
From standing at the top of the pop charts, to kneeling in public restrooms, George Michael has kept the faith and his award.
And the beat goes on....
When you look at the long record of unmitigated disasters associated with winning a GRAMMY… It is a wonder that anyone would bother to show up.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
A Fairytale, Just Like Pretty Woman
Once upon a time, in a perfect land, inhabited by perfect people, who really, really, really cared lived a man named Johnny. Johnny worked very, very hard. He had a nice family, and a wonderful life.
To make Johnny's wonderful life even more wonderful, he decided he was going to take his family to Canada. They wanted to see Loverboy received a lifetime achievement award from the Canadian Music Authority.
In order to afford this wonderful trip, Johnny put in for overtime, and took on a second job so he could take his family across the border to the land of back bacon, maple syrup and people who had a difficult time annunciated the word "about."
Every day Johnny would get up and smile. All he could think about was the unmitigated joy associated with seeing one of the premier MTV created "Hair Bands" receive a prestigious Canadian award.
Johnny had never been to Canada, nor had Johnny ever received even a certificate of appreciation from an important cultural organization. He couldn't wait to see Mike Reno and Paul Dean strut the red carpet. He wanted to be blinded by flashbulbs and wowed by the fabulousness of the pomp and circumstance.
As Johnny was working a second job, a miracle occurred. A brand-new $100 bill was being minted. The special bill was magical. The bill and its small mind knew they would be used to bring incredible happiness to hard-working Johnny.
Finally the big day came, Johnny was going to get paid and was going to go to Canada, to see the single most important cultural of all time.
The brand-new $100 bill was getting ready to be handed to its first owner. Everything was working out. Nothing could go wrong.
Suddenly without warning or consideration for everything that Johnny wanted to do, the King decided he needed some of John's money to do the things that the King needed to do. So the King came and decided to take the brand-new $100 bill and give Johnny $75 back.
Johnny was shocked. The $100 bill, felt abused and confused… It knew in its heart it was meant to be spent on a Canadian vacation. Instead one quarter of him was taken away.
Johnny looked at the hundred dollar bill and said, “I know we were meant for each other, I know I worked hard for you… But the King would never take money from hard-working people unless he needed it. It's okay I can still get there with just $75.”
The $100 bill looked up and smiled. It said, “A penny saved is a penny earned.” $100 bills usually quote Ben Franklin whenever they're upset.
As Johnny was putting the $75 in his billfold, the Duke came up to him and in a strange Austrian accent, said something about California or cauliflower needing money to pay for some very important things that the state just couldn't live without. And just like that the $75 became $65. Before Johnny could put the $65 into his wallet the mayor of Berkeley came running up and said he needed six dollars so that the people who work for him could have sex change operations.
Johnny wondered why the mayor of Berkeley would hire people who had such acute issues with their projected gender identity. He wondered why the city of Berkeley couldn't attract better candidates for the positions they offered.
But Johnny understood that someone as important as the mayor of Berkeley, the strange Austrian sounding Duke and the King of the entire country knew better than he did. These people had studied at universities, or been in action films and their knowledge was much greater than his. If they needed his money, he should give it to them. The people of Berkeley who processed transfer payments and inspected rental property needed to feel good about themselves while wearing a dress. And if that could only happen, if they had the appropriate genitalia for their costuming… Johnny was happy to know he helped bring a new level of joy to the mayor's workers.
Now having only $59, from the c-note he earned, Johnny could not afford to go to Canada. His family would never see Loverboy rock the award show.
Johnny went home and told his family they were not going. They cried. Johnny said, "Don't worry, what we wanted to do was stupid. The King, the Duke and the mayor all know much more than we do. They will use that money for good. Not one dime will ever be wasted.”
Johnny went down to the thrift store and bought four red head bands. He then went across the street to the to music co-op and bought three kazoos and a set of bongos. That night his family pretended they were Loverboy and played “Turn Me Loose” and "Working For The Weekend” on their new instruments. They had a wonderful time.
The irony that Johnny's efforts were never Turned Loose was lost on him. Nor did it occur to him that he was not Working For The Weekend, he was working to help others use his money.
The End
To make Johnny's wonderful life even more wonderful, he decided he was going to take his family to Canada. They wanted to see Loverboy received a lifetime achievement award from the Canadian Music Authority.
In order to afford this wonderful trip, Johnny put in for overtime, and took on a second job so he could take his family across the border to the land of back bacon, maple syrup and people who had a difficult time annunciated the word "about."
Every day Johnny would get up and smile. All he could think about was the unmitigated joy associated with seeing one of the premier MTV created "Hair Bands" receive a prestigious Canadian award.
Johnny had never been to Canada, nor had Johnny ever received even a certificate of appreciation from an important cultural organization. He couldn't wait to see Mike Reno and Paul Dean strut the red carpet. He wanted to be blinded by flashbulbs and wowed by the fabulousness of the pomp and circumstance.
As Johnny was working a second job, a miracle occurred. A brand-new $100 bill was being minted. The special bill was magical. The bill and its small mind knew they would be used to bring incredible happiness to hard-working Johnny.
Finally the big day came, Johnny was going to get paid and was going to go to Canada, to see the single most important cultural of all time.
The brand-new $100 bill was getting ready to be handed to its first owner. Everything was working out. Nothing could go wrong.
Suddenly without warning or consideration for everything that Johnny wanted to do, the King decided he needed some of John's money to do the things that the King needed to do. So the King came and decided to take the brand-new $100 bill and give Johnny $75 back.
Johnny was shocked. The $100 bill, felt abused and confused… It knew in its heart it was meant to be spent on a Canadian vacation. Instead one quarter of him was taken away.
Johnny looked at the hundred dollar bill and said, “I know we were meant for each other, I know I worked hard for you… But the King would never take money from hard-working people unless he needed it. It's okay I can still get there with just $75.”
The $100 bill looked up and smiled. It said, “A penny saved is a penny earned.” $100 bills usually quote Ben Franklin whenever they're upset.
As Johnny was putting the $75 in his billfold, the Duke came up to him and in a strange Austrian accent, said something about California or cauliflower needing money to pay for some very important things that the state just couldn't live without. And just like that the $75 became $65. Before Johnny could put the $65 into his wallet the mayor of Berkeley came running up and said he needed six dollars so that the people who work for him could have sex change operations.
Johnny wondered why the mayor of Berkeley would hire people who had such acute issues with their projected gender identity. He wondered why the city of Berkeley couldn't attract better candidates for the positions they offered.
But Johnny understood that someone as important as the mayor of Berkeley, the strange Austrian sounding Duke and the King of the entire country knew better than he did. These people had studied at universities, or been in action films and their knowledge was much greater than his. If they needed his money, he should give it to them. The people of Berkeley who processed transfer payments and inspected rental property needed to feel good about themselves while wearing a dress. And if that could only happen, if they had the appropriate genitalia for their costuming… Johnny was happy to know he helped bring a new level of joy to the mayor's workers.
Now having only $59, from the c-note he earned, Johnny could not afford to go to Canada. His family would never see Loverboy rock the award show.
Johnny went home and told his family they were not going. They cried. Johnny said, "Don't worry, what we wanted to do was stupid. The King, the Duke and the mayor all know much more than we do. They will use that money for good. Not one dime will ever be wasted.”
Johnny went down to the thrift store and bought four red head bands. He then went across the street to the to music co-op and bought three kazoos and a set of bongos. That night his family pretended they were Loverboy and played “Turn Me Loose” and "Working For The Weekend” on their new instruments. They had a wonderful time.
The irony that Johnny's efforts were never Turned Loose was lost on him. Nor did it occur to him that he was not Working For The Weekend, he was working to help others use his money.
The End
Friday, January 21, 2011
The Brat Pack is Killing Romance
The ruling party in Iran has outlawed St. Valentine's Day. They believe it leads to no good, advances Western values and was no doubt invented by an international Jewish conspiracy, headquartered in Israel.
A more leveled head would blame Molly Ringwald.
Molly Ringwald is an American actress, singer and dancer. She became popular with teenage audiences in the 1980s, as a result of her starring roles in the John Hughes movies Sixteen Candles (1984), The Breakfast Club (1985), and Pretty in Pink (1986). She resumed her acting career with her role as Anne Juergensin the ABC Family show The Secret Life of the American Teenager.
The State Department of United States of America will neither confirm or deny suspicions that Ms. Ringwald is involved with George Soros to destabilize currencies and promote social anarchy across the planet.
Yet when you look at her work, you can't help but see she is nothing more than a trollop looking to exploit her pouty good looks to get her away.
Imagine if this ideology were to take root in Iran.
To better understand the paranoia associated with the possible release of 16 Candles II, you would have to look at United States of America's obsession with Godzilla and The China Syndrome.
In both of these movies unchecked nuclear greed created apocalyptic doom. In one case a demonic presence forced itself on screen and carved a path of destruction never before seen; but enough about Jane Fonda. In Godzilla, a large atomically mutated lizard destroyed most of Japan.
The net result, an obvious conclusion… Nuclear power should never be used because we cannot risk mutation or new Jane Fonda films. Keep in mind with Jack Lemmon's passing, the only way the cast could reunite, is with two more deaths. Based on the results of Mr. Zeta-Jones' recent work… Maybe only one and a half more deaths.
Fears both rational and film-based are real. When you have a visceral reaction to something you see... you will put up with anything to keep it away.
The Iranians will punish people with lacy red heart shaped cards next month. At the same time, stimulus money will be used to make sure the DNA of salamanders remains in tact.
If only Michael Anthony Hall had kissed sweet, young Molly, there would be one fewer problem in the world today. Damn John Hughes, without his meddling…
A more leveled head would blame Molly Ringwald.
Molly Ringwald is an American actress, singer and dancer. She became popular with teenage audiences in the 1980s, as a result of her starring roles in the John Hughes movies Sixteen Candles (1984), The Breakfast Club (1985), and Pretty in Pink (1986). She resumed her acting career with her role as Anne Juergensin the ABC Family show The Secret Life of the American Teenager.
The State Department of United States of America will neither confirm or deny suspicions that Ms. Ringwald is involved with George Soros to destabilize currencies and promote social anarchy across the planet.
Yet when you look at her work, you can't help but see she is nothing more than a trollop looking to exploit her pouty good looks to get her away.
Imagine if this ideology were to take root in Iran.
To better understand the paranoia associated with the possible release of 16 Candles II, you would have to look at United States of America's obsession with Godzilla and The China Syndrome.
In both of these movies unchecked nuclear greed created apocalyptic doom. In one case a demonic presence forced itself on screen and carved a path of destruction never before seen; but enough about Jane Fonda. In Godzilla, a large atomically mutated lizard destroyed most of Japan.
The net result, an obvious conclusion… Nuclear power should never be used because we cannot risk mutation or new Jane Fonda films. Keep in mind with Jack Lemmon's passing, the only way the cast could reunite, is with two more deaths. Based on the results of Mr. Zeta-Jones' recent work… Maybe only one and a half more deaths.
Fears both rational and film-based are real. When you have a visceral reaction to something you see... you will put up with anything to keep it away.
The Iranians will punish people with lacy red heart shaped cards next month. At the same time, stimulus money will be used to make sure the DNA of salamanders remains in tact.
If only Michael Anthony Hall had kissed sweet, young Molly, there would be one fewer problem in the world today. Damn John Hughes, without his meddling…
Thursday, January 20, 2011
The Giant Xerox Machine
“It is not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends that does the most damage.” This is Martin Luther King's other quote. It speaks to the awful darkness that coincides with abandonment.
When thinking about Dr. King is he viewed as a Reverend, a civil rights leader, a black leader or a man consumed by a passion that became his life's work?
Leader is defined as: The person who leads or commands a group, organization, or country. A person that is followed by others. An organization or company that is the most advanced or successful in a particular area.
The universal whore that is the language, can be coerced to act as your own private virgin. The definition of leader is appalling in its lack of qualifications. This explains why “black leaders” exist today.
If you substitute the word white for black, does “black leaders” become racist? In the 40 years the media has been anointing “leaders” has any form of leadership actually been delivered?
Dr. King and his work resulted from the relentless pursuit of a passion that consume him. Martin Luther King would not accept compromises or half measures in his belief that all people were equal. His example continues to be life-changing and inspirational.
Speaking to an emotional truth, understood at a subconscious level Dr. King broke down the immoral prejudice inherent within bigotry. Martin Luther King spoke more to caucasians than blacks. Based upon his impact, was he a "white leader?"
If this was a pop song, I would repeat the refrain about "the universal whore that is language" again. If this were a concert, you would all light matches, sway and secretly hope I could turn the song into a medley and with Stairway to Heaven.
Today we look for leaders, we should be looking for examples. Leaders do great work when there is a specific and unique task at hand. Examples are much more powerful.
Look at the Chinese. They value achievement, traditions, family, sacrifice and hard work. Their economy is robust and their people have a clear understanding of how to succeed and improve the quality of their lives. It's almost as if Beijing took the 1950s United States of America model and infused it into their culture.
Examples work.
Be one.
When thinking about Dr. King is he viewed as a Reverend, a civil rights leader, a black leader or a man consumed by a passion that became his life's work?
Leader is defined as: The person who leads or commands a group, organization, or country. A person that is followed by others. An organization or company that is the most advanced or successful in a particular area.
The universal whore that is the language, can be coerced to act as your own private virgin. The definition of leader is appalling in its lack of qualifications. This explains why “black leaders” exist today.
If you substitute the word white for black, does “black leaders” become racist? In the 40 years the media has been anointing “leaders” has any form of leadership actually been delivered?
Dr. King and his work resulted from the relentless pursuit of a passion that consume him. Martin Luther King would not accept compromises or half measures in his belief that all people were equal. His example continues to be life-changing and inspirational.
Speaking to an emotional truth, understood at a subconscious level Dr. King broke down the immoral prejudice inherent within bigotry. Martin Luther King spoke more to caucasians than blacks. Based upon his impact, was he a "white leader?"
If this was a pop song, I would repeat the refrain about "the universal whore that is language" again. If this were a concert, you would all light matches, sway and secretly hope I could turn the song into a medley and with Stairway to Heaven.
Today we look for leaders, we should be looking for examples. Leaders do great work when there is a specific and unique task at hand. Examples are much more powerful.
Look at the Chinese. They value achievement, traditions, family, sacrifice and hard work. Their economy is robust and their people have a clear understanding of how to succeed and improve the quality of their lives. It's almost as if Beijing took the 1950s United States of America model and infused it into their culture.
Examples work.
Be one.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Yeah, well it just didn't work out.
When people return their pets to the Humane Society, they have to fill out a form that explains why the animal is being surrendered. The common excuses include, change in the family structure, allergies, new home that doesn't allow pets and/or failure to be trained.
There is was story in the news about dog that was returned because all it wanted to do was shake hands. Most pets do not have obsessive-compulsive disorders. When thinking, Dr. Phil, gone canine… My guess is the animal wanted attention. It believed shaking hands was away to connect to the rest of the pack and just wanted to be loved.
The gray matter between the cold, wet nose and the droopy ears understood certain behavior, sitting in front of someone extending a paw, was the single most important step in gaining acceptance. After a long lonely day in the house or garage. What could be greater than reconnecting with the rest of the pack?
A quick shake, asking "who's the good dog", rubbing or scratching the pooches head and throat followed by a quick change of clothes and a simple walk around the block would make everyone happier.
Instead the handshake became a nuisance.
To the more sophisticated human brain, handshakes were yesterday's news, a thing from the past, something we just don't do any more. Before returning the dog for extermination, yelling, gesturing and extended periods of further isolation were used to cure the pet of the offending habit.
Back in the doggy cranium, binary emotions continue to rule the day. The dilemma; how to regain my status in the pack? The answer is obvious, submissively scurry in front of the alpha, sit, bow head and extend the right paw to be shaken.
Oooops.
Due to an acute injustice, four-legged animals are not allowed to return their owners. So on the long silent ride, the wrong being was led to the desk by a leash. Without doubt, the dog sat quietly extended its paw and was so happy, the clerk shook it without screaming...
Every day we teach the world who we are. Sometimes the lessons are obvious, sometimes they are obscured by the structure of an imperfect moment.
Pets want to be loved, they try to do what you've taught them, love them.
Children must be loved. Unlike pets, they only occasionally do what you've taught them. Children learn emotional responses and social interactions from their parents. Because your children learn something every day, it is important to teach love first. All other answers are wrong.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Experiential equivalency is just as foolish as moral equivalency.
Hello lamppost, what's ya knowin'
I've come to watch your flowers growin'
- Paul "Rhymin'" Simon
We the people of the baby boom generation inherited prosperity, opportunity and leisure time previously unknown on planet Earth.
All the people we used to know
They're an illusion to me now
Some are mathematicians
Some are carpenter's wives
Don't know how it all got started
I don't what they're doing with their lives
But me I'm still on the road
Heading for another joint
We always did feel the same
We just saw it from a different point of view
Tangled up in Blue.
- Bob "Spokesman for the Woodstock Generation" Dylan
The marketing of work changed with this generation. Previous people worked because they needed things like shelter, food and yo-yos. You worked to support your family. You worked so your family could do the things you only dreamed about.
Sacrifice?
It's not for me
I want paradise
Give it to me now
- O. G. Tru "Fictitious Recording Artist" d'Rather
Without needs, values quickly erode. Without values hedonism thrives. Then the unspeakable occurs, experience becomes the most important thing in the world. The ego riots because the entire universe fails to satisfy wants.
You're the kind of person, you meet it certain dismal dull affairs.
Center of the crowd, talking way too loud, running up and down the stairs.
- Mick "This Will Be Our Last Tour" Jagger
What and how you feel is private. The complexity of human emotions is the greatest motivator in the world. If you feel like a sewing machine that just attached a turd to a garbage pail lid, do something about. Feeling bad is God's way of letting us correct our own behavior.
Feeling good is reason to celebrate. Triumphs are significantly better than experiences. They are rare and unique... they are reasons to show what humans, when motivated, can accomplish.
Hello world here's a song that were singing
Come on get happy
- David "I was on TV" Cassidy
Feelings nothing more than feelings,
trying to forget my feelings of love.
Albert "Phillip Made More Money" Morris
As in most cases, the Partridge Family provides a much better role model than a wimpy, morose one hit wonder. The people that went to Woodstock talk about a great experience it was… But they can't remember most of it and the net result on their life is minimal.
At roughly the same time, in Seattle, the idea of serving coffee with outstanding customer service started a second wave. Today which has a greater impact on your life, Hot Tuna or latte's?
I've come to watch your flowers growin'
- Paul "Rhymin'" Simon
We the people of the baby boom generation inherited prosperity, opportunity and leisure time previously unknown on planet Earth.
All the people we used to know
They're an illusion to me now
Some are mathematicians
Some are carpenter's wives
Don't know how it all got started
I don't what they're doing with their lives
But me I'm still on the road
Heading for another joint
We always did feel the same
We just saw it from a different point of view
Tangled up in Blue.
- Bob "Spokesman for the Woodstock Generation" Dylan
The marketing of work changed with this generation. Previous people worked because they needed things like shelter, food and yo-yos. You worked to support your family. You worked so your family could do the things you only dreamed about.
Sacrifice?
It's not for me
I want paradise
Give it to me now
- O. G. Tru "Fictitious Recording Artist" d'Rather
Without needs, values quickly erode. Without values hedonism thrives. Then the unspeakable occurs, experience becomes the most important thing in the world. The ego riots because the entire universe fails to satisfy wants.
You're the kind of person, you meet it certain dismal dull affairs.
Center of the crowd, talking way too loud, running up and down the stairs.
- Mick "This Will Be Our Last Tour" Jagger
What and how you feel is private. The complexity of human emotions is the greatest motivator in the world. If you feel like a sewing machine that just attached a turd to a garbage pail lid, do something about. Feeling bad is God's way of letting us correct our own behavior.
Feeling good is reason to celebrate. Triumphs are significantly better than experiences. They are rare and unique... they are reasons to show what humans, when motivated, can accomplish.
Hello world here's a song that were singing
Come on get happy
- David "I was on TV" Cassidy
Feelings nothing more than feelings,
trying to forget my feelings of love.
Albert "Phillip Made More Money" Morris
As in most cases, the Partridge Family provides a much better role model than a wimpy, morose one hit wonder. The people that went to Woodstock talk about a great experience it was… But they can't remember most of it and the net result on their life is minimal.
At roughly the same time, in Seattle, the idea of serving coffee with outstanding customer service started a second wave. Today which has a greater impact on your life, Hot Tuna or latte's?
Friday, January 14, 2011
Many of the TV shows from the 1960s are still haunting us, why?
Shirley Booth played Hazel in the TV show called Hazel. In the golden age of great television, known as 1961 they often produced self-titled television shows. Hazel was an extension of Ted Keys single panel comic strip featured in the Saturday evening Post.
The stories followed George Baxter, Mr. B, a highly successful corporate lawyer who is always in control of everything at the office, but almost nothing at home. When he returned from work he found himself, his wife Dorothy and young son Harold in the world of Hazel. Hazel was the maid and housekeeper, who ran the Baxter household more efficiently than George ran his office. In a precursor to year 2K programming, Hazel was always right, knew exactly what needed to be done and preempted Mr. B's authority with alarming regularity.
The show was a comedy.
50 years later we are all Mr. Baxter. 50 years later it isn't a comedy it's a matter of life and death.
The biggest problem facing the Mr. Baxters of the United States is unemployment.
The greatest problem facing the White House is being reelected in 2012.
Oil prices are set to plateau near $100 a barrel.
Washington's solution will not be energy independence through utilizing the Gulf of Mexico and Alaska. Instead they will promote the ideas like bicycles and public transportation.
Hazel was an employee, how she ever kept her job required the viewer to suspend disbelief and accept the premise. Washington's actions are as audacious as Hazel's. The assumption that they know exactly what needs to be done and are free to preempt the authority of the people is not a comedy it is a tragedy.
If we approached our elected officials as being nothing more than glorified maids and butlers… Would things be better?
Chris Christie has been successful at challenging the cost of our help. When the Transportation Department takes the money for roads and uses it for something other than roads, is it theft? If your housekeeper takes money for groceries and instead serves TV dinners would you still employ her?
In the upcoming election cycles we don't need planners, there are enough plans. We need people who can get the job done for less money than is budgeted. The cost of "the help" needs to be brought online with the job they are doing. It is not difficult to fill in potholes. Shovels, asphalt, cement and wheelbarrows have already been invented… Use them.
We do not need new rules, new laws and new regulations. We need to utilize the resources we have and secure additional resources through trade.
Elected officials are not leaders, they are executives who should be following the will of the people. We do not live in a situation comedy. We live in United States of America, the greatest country on earth. We should accept nothing less than continuing the pursuit of liberty in the advancement of freedom.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
What if a movie used acting and a well reasoned script instead of theatrics?
Winter's Bone is a little movie very few people have ever seen. It is available on Netflix and the soon to be neighbors of Brontosauruses, known as video rental stores.
http://www.wintersbonemovie.com/
Abject poverty and brutal isolation cast a very long shadow, making the movie very difficult to watch. The performances, across-the-board, are unflinching in the harsh, selfish and cruel behavior associated with lives in bondage and no way out.
Set in the Ozarks the story chronicles a 17-year-old girls obligation to care for her family. Her father, a freelance pharmaceutical producer and distributor has disappeared and he put up the families hardscrabble cabin as collateral for his bail.
As one might imagine, freelance pharmaceutical producers and distributors that disappear… Rarely have happy endings. The conventions of her community and the dysfunction of her family provide very few options.
What sets Winter's Bone apart from other Cineplex themed offerings, is a moral and cultural truth that feeds your soul. Unlike underwire brassiere cast heroines, Ree Dolly is not consumed by her appearance, popularity or libido. In Jennifer Lawrence's performance, she exemplifies the power of doing what is right, sacrificing for the greater good and putting family first.
In the story is a counterpoint to popular culture. Instead of advocating the pursuit of self-esteem, the movie focuses on the development of character and earning respect.
http://www.wintersbonemovie.com/
Abject poverty and brutal isolation cast a very long shadow, making the movie very difficult to watch. The performances, across-the-board, are unflinching in the harsh, selfish and cruel behavior associated with lives in bondage and no way out.
Set in the Ozarks the story chronicles a 17-year-old girls obligation to care for her family. Her father, a freelance pharmaceutical producer and distributor has disappeared and he put up the families hardscrabble cabin as collateral for his bail.
As one might imagine, freelance pharmaceutical producers and distributors that disappear… Rarely have happy endings. The conventions of her community and the dysfunction of her family provide very few options.
What sets Winter's Bone apart from other Cineplex themed offerings, is a moral and cultural truth that feeds your soul. Unlike underwire brassiere cast heroines, Ree Dolly is not consumed by her appearance, popularity or libido. In Jennifer Lawrence's performance, she exemplifies the power of doing what is right, sacrificing for the greater good and putting family first.
In the story is a counterpoint to popular culture. Instead of advocating the pursuit of self-esteem, the movie focuses on the development of character and earning respect.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Q: What happens when seagulls mate with rats? A: Pigeons
When does the evolution stop? The other question is, where did evolution stop?
From the concept of amino acids coming together to form proteins, then morphing into single celled animals is an incredible feat. From single cell animals to multiple cell animals is nothing more than a parlor trick, as long as each cell has access to the environment.
When life that was two cells thick made the quantum leap to specialized organs, Katie bar the door all kinds of wacky things were in the midst.
From amoebas to ants, from ants to lawyers, from lawyers to people with souls… Quantum leap, after quantum leap, after quantum leap.
When evolutionary powers were applied to celebrities, we now have amateur celebrities… a higher form of celebrity, something we clearly needed. Traditional celebrities add value to our lives by their ability to read scripts, sing, pout or have impossibly high cheekbones. Amateur celebrities exploit their status as victims or fools in exchange for "fame".
Thank you very much, you've been a great audience… Drive safely that's as far as evolution can take us.
What if, evolution exists beyond our planet, beyond our comprehension? What if there is a being as far beyond our level of sophistication, as we are beyond amoebas? Beyond the sophistication of Barbra Streisand, beyond the moral complexity of Keith Olbermann and beyond even the transformative leader called President Obama… What would we call this being?
People with Darwin Fish on the back of their cars do so in an attempt to show irony and intellectual superiority. Would the same people be willing to show a caricature of Mohammed as a cab driver or clerk at a 7-11?
Mocking people's faith is not a value. Intellectual curiosity should be advanced beyond political agendas.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Just like in the game of clue, I think I can solve the crime.
The assassination in Arizona of representative Gifford is tragic as the loss of life and equally tragic in the loss of lives. In all tragedies people with axes to grind try to co-opt the event to prove their point. What is not heard is the obvious atrocity, the one that is never spoken to, the one we cannot name.
Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) said in a conversation on Sunday Giffords' husband, astronaut Mark Kelly, lashed out at the cantankerous politics dividing the country. Representative Hoyer, also believes that the course politics dividing the country are the reason that McDonald's doesn't have Filet-o-Fish sandwiches ready for him to eat when he pops by golden arches. At the same time, Rep. Hoyer does not believe the cantankerous politics dividing the country have any effect on our ability to secure Afghanistan, North Korea, Iraq or Iran in the name of liberty.
Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) said in a conversation on Sunday Giffords' husband, astronaut Mark Kelly, lashed out at the cantankerous politics dividing the country. Representative Hoyer, also believes that the course politics dividing the country are the reason that McDonald's doesn't have Filet-o-Fish sandwiches ready for him to eat when he pops by golden arches. At the same time, Rep. Hoyer does not believe the cantankerous politics dividing the country have any effect on our ability to secure Afghanistan, North Korea, Iraq or Iran in the name of liberty.
Many believe people named Steny should never be allowed in front of a microphone.
As Claude Rains quipped in Casablanca, “The usual suspects” have a new poster child to advance a gun control agenda. It is unclear how the gun control choir feel about the Filet-o-Fish issue... but I'm sure the solution is outlawing semiautomatic pistols is part of the solution.
Investigators have focused on Loughner's online anti-government ramblings as the chief motivation for the shooting. The investigators are much more interested in garnering favor with Rep. Hoyer than doing anything useful.
Historical precedent is needed here. The Roman general's used to sit on top of a hillside and watch the tactics that were used against the legions. If the battle lasted more than a couple of days, they would use their observations to develop new strategies that would lead to victory.
When the Romans encountered The Hun, they watched Attila's foot soldiers overwhelmed Caesar's cavalry. The Romans countered by sending out more legions and less cavalry the next day. This time, The Hun came blitzing on horseback and cut the legions down.
Every time the Romans observed The Hun's tactics and advised strategies to defeat them… It didn't work. The Romans concluded that there was either a spy in their midst or Attila was a deity capable of instantaneously ascertaining the Roman strategies and devising countermeasures.
The reality was, The Hun fought with whatever they had at that moment. In the first part of the battle they didn't have horses, so they didn't use them. After they had taken mounts from the Romans, the next day they utilized the new asset.
The Romans, believing in order, assigned the attribute of planning to an Army that worked primarily on anarchy and opportunity. The Romans could not believe that people would enter into a battle with a plan no more sophisticated than “kill them”.
Because there were never Filet-o-Fish sandwiches for sale when the legions were hungry, Rome fell.
Why was Rep. Gifford killed?
A 22-year-old who was a a drug user, without meaningful employment or definable values copped an attitude and to inject meaning into his existence… Went out and killed someone.
Think Taxi Driver, not processed fish sandwich.
Wake and bake trumped work ethic. Societal acceptance and the soft prejudice of lowered expectations provided “educational opportunities” and non-judgment of a lifestyle that includes “casual drug abuse, the victimless crime."
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