Great news! After the Susan G. Komen Foundation pulled funding from Planned Parenthood's mammogram program for political reasons, the organization had a surge of donations (mine included) and raised over $400,000 in one day.
The cancer awareness and prevention group bowed to political pressure to cut off their grant to Planned Parenthood and caused a firestorm of controversy. Facebook and other social media sites were flooded with anti-Komen comments and the whole thing seems to have backfired on the group. Normal donations to Planned Parenthood usually total about 100-200 a day, but yesterday there were over 6,000 donations.
Looks like someone else will be "racing for the cure" this year and it won't be me or my friends. We can raise awareness of cancer just fine without the pink ribbons and hoopla.
Thursday, February 02, 2012
Wednesday, February 01, 2012
RIP Don Cornelius - The Soul Train Goes On
Hearing about the unfortunate suicide of Don Cornelius, creator of Soul Train saddened me. I can take comfort in all the wonderful performers he boosted during his career. Cornelius brought soul to TV and gave America a big helping of Black Culture and for that I will always be grateful.
Here is a clip of the amazing Aretha on Soul Train, she was Rock Steady!
Here is a clip of the amazing Aretha on Soul Train, she was Rock Steady!
GOP Wants Direct Funding From Corporations
Say what? It seems that the whole Super-PAC thing isn't lucrative enough for the Republican Party, now they want to amend the campaign finance laws to allow corporations to just funnel as much money as they want into campaigns. Not that they aren't already doing it to some extent, but the GOP wants to clear away the artifice of PACs and Super-PACs to just put the money on the table.
Granted it would be more honest, but at a time when corporations have grabbed more and more control of our daily lives, does anyone but a bought and paid-for politician think this is a good idea? If anything we need to prohibit this kind of thing and put corporations back in the position of being a business not a "person".
As for GOP lawmakers, they are all spouting the talking points in unison, so it's a good bet that they got the memo from their corporate overlords to get this done!
Now before you go calling me a socialist, I have no problem with capitalism, I have a problem with businesses buying the Congress. It's time we took our democracy back from big business.
Granted it would be more honest, but at a time when corporations have grabbed more and more control of our daily lives, does anyone but a bought and paid-for politician think this is a good idea? If anything we need to prohibit this kind of thing and put corporations back in the position of being a business not a "person".
As for GOP lawmakers, they are all spouting the talking points in unison, so it's a good bet that they got the memo from their corporate overlords to get this done!
Now before you go calling me a socialist, I have no problem with capitalism, I have a problem with businesses buying the Congress. It's time we took our democracy back from big business.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Romney Snags Florida - Newt Just Snags
With a 47% majority Romney snagged all the delegates from the Sunshine State and now moves west. Meanwhile the much touted Newt Gingrich bubble, seems to have burst.
The campaign moves to Nevada where Romney has the advantage of being Mormon, and with a large Mormon population he seems a shoe-in there. Though Newt says he will soldier on, I suspect he has blown his wad.
Meanwhile what about Ron Paul?
The campaign moves to Nevada where Romney has the advantage of being Mormon, and with a large Mormon population he seems a shoe-in there. Though Newt says he will soldier on, I suspect he has blown his wad.
Meanwhile what about Ron Paul?
Friday, January 27, 2012
The Cult of Ron Paul
As I drove by Northpark Mall last night on my way home I passed a small group of Ron Paul supporters waving signs and generally having a good time showing their support for Mr. Paul. The fact that the Texas primary isn't for a couple of months didn't seem to matter to them. I have seen them there before and I have to wonder what they are hoping to accomplish?
Ron Paul, who is more a libertarian than a Republican, is a perennial candidate for President. He began his quest running on the Libertarian ticket in 1988. He ran again as a Republican in 2008 and is currently in the race for the nomination in 2012, though he is overshadowed by the two front runners Gingrich and Romney.
From a policy standpoint, Paul is pretty extreme, especially when it comes to social issues. He believe s a fetus should have all the rights of an individual from the moment of conception. He is notoriously blunt when it comes to matters like sexual harassment. Mr Paul says in one of his books, "Why don't they quit once the so-called harassment starts? Obviously the morals of the harasser cannot be defended, but how can the harassee escape some responsibility for the problem? Seeking protection under civil rights legislation is hardily acceptable." I suppose he doesn;t understand that some people who are harassed need to keep working to support their family, pay bills etc.
He has a weird idea of monetary policy that consists of abolishing the federal reserve and returning to something akin to the gold standard. Nice idea but about 100 years too late.
I feel pretty sure I will be attacked by Paul supporters for saying anything about him that smacks of calling hims a fringe candidate, but so be it.
Paul supporters have all the trademarks of Ayn Rand fans. They believe in the absolute power of laissez-faire capitalism and ignore the fact that that particular idea is what got us the housing bubble and current financial crisis. Laissez-faire capitalism is pretty much where China is today, with the singular exception of free elections.
These folks seem very driven, so I am surprised that they can't seem to muster sufficient support for Paul to win a nomination. I admire their optimism, but I just worry about their blind devotion.
OK Let the flaming begin.
Ron Paul, who is more a libertarian than a Republican, is a perennial candidate for President. He began his quest running on the Libertarian ticket in 1988. He ran again as a Republican in 2008 and is currently in the race for the nomination in 2012, though he is overshadowed by the two front runners Gingrich and Romney.
From a policy standpoint, Paul is pretty extreme, especially when it comes to social issues. He believe s a fetus should have all the rights of an individual from the moment of conception. He is notoriously blunt when it comes to matters like sexual harassment. Mr Paul says in one of his books, "Why don't they quit once the so-called harassment starts? Obviously the morals of the harasser cannot be defended, but how can the harassee escape some responsibility for the problem? Seeking protection under civil rights legislation is hardily acceptable." I suppose he doesn;t understand that some people who are harassed need to keep working to support their family, pay bills etc.
He has a weird idea of monetary policy that consists of abolishing the federal reserve and returning to something akin to the gold standard. Nice idea but about 100 years too late.
I feel pretty sure I will be attacked by Paul supporters for saying anything about him that smacks of calling hims a fringe candidate, but so be it.
Paul supporters have all the trademarks of Ayn Rand fans. They believe in the absolute power of laissez-faire capitalism and ignore the fact that that particular idea is what got us the housing bubble and current financial crisis. Laissez-faire capitalism is pretty much where China is today, with the singular exception of free elections.
These folks seem very driven, so I am surprised that they can't seem to muster sufficient support for Paul to win a nomination. I admire their optimism, but I just worry about their blind devotion.
OK Let the flaming begin.
Santorum Gives Up On Florida
Seeing the handwriting on the wall, Rick "Frothy Mix" Santorum has left the Sunshine State for the cooler climate of his home. Seeing an inevitable loss to either Gingrich or Romney, Santorum has decided to pull up stakes in Florida and save his meager campaign chest for future primaries.
His next best shot at the nomination will come in Arizona and Michigan which hold primaries at the end of February. My guess is he will call it quits before then. His lagging poll numbers and dwindling funds make his victory very much a long shot. Even with the backing of the evangelicals and a few remaining Tea Party folks, Santorum's campaign looks pallid and on the verge of collapse.
His next best shot at the nomination will come in Arizona and Michigan which hold primaries at the end of February. My guess is he will call it quits before then. His lagging poll numbers and dwindling funds make his victory very much a long shot. Even with the backing of the evangelicals and a few remaining Tea Party folks, Santorum's campaign looks pallid and on the verge of collapse.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Santorum Says Gays Don't Have Equal Rights "Because they are not healthy for society"
Why do I get the feeling Rick "Frothy Mix" Santorum would be a strong supporter of Eugenics?
In a recent public appearance he told a woman who asked why her gay son didn't have the same rights as every other American, that certain rights are reserved for people who perform activities that are "healthy for society."
I suspect if a bill ever came before Congress to sterilize "undesirables", Santorum would be leading the charge. This kind of thinking is outdated and frankly un-American. The idea that LGBT people are "unhealthy" is groundless and just plain bigotry. Enough said.
In a recent public appearance he told a woman who asked why her gay son didn't have the same rights as every other American, that certain rights are reserved for people who perform activities that are "healthy for society."
"There are certain things that government does that gives people privileges in order to promote activity that are healthy for society and are best for society, and those things we promote would give people advantages or benefits, government benefits because we think that is healthy activity. Mothers and fathers coming together, forming healthy marriages, having children and raising those children. Every American child has the right, and the government should support the right to have and know their mother and father and be raised by their mother and father."
I suspect if a bill ever came before Congress to sterilize "undesirables", Santorum would be leading the charge. This kind of thinking is outdated and frankly un-American. The idea that LGBT people are "unhealthy" is groundless and just plain bigotry. Enough said.
Monday, January 23, 2012
Hate-Filled Pastor, "God hates soft men"
Sometimes people get so angry they almost become comical, almost. Take the case of Rrv. Ken Hutcherson of Kirkland, Washington. He doesn't like "the gays" and has said so many times. He even calls on his god to justify this hatred. "God hates soft men", said the football star turned pastor. Just so his congregation didn't mistake his meaning he went on to say, "If I was in a drugstore and some guy opened the door for me, I'd rip his arm off and beat him with the wet end."
Nice!
The reason this hate-filled Reverend has come to the forefront is the pending legislation for Same-sex marriage in Washington state. Speaking about the state's governor,Christine Gregoire, Hutcherson compared her to the man who assassinated Lincoln.
I guess the extravagant grace of God can extend to him as well, but I wonder if he will be able to understand it.
Nice!
The reason this hate-filled Reverend has come to the forefront is the pending legislation for Same-sex marriage in Washington state. Speaking about the state's governor,Christine Gregoire, Hutcherson compared her to the man who assassinated Lincoln.
"She might as well change her name to John Wilkes Booth because what she’s doing now is trying to put a bullet in the head of one of the greatest traditions that has ever existed and has built our society, and that is marriage between one man and one woman."This kind of blind hatred and overheated rhetoric is a disgrace to the teachings of Jesus and I am appalled that this guy claims to be speaking for God.
I guess the extravagant grace of God can extend to him as well, but I wonder if he will be able to understand it.
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Adieu Kodak. The Age of Celuloid is Over.
When I first picked up a Super 8 camera and began making movies back in the 1960's, I longed for professional equipment. 16MM! By the time I was actually doing film production and directing commercials and music videos, I was indeed shooting with professional equipment. 16mm cameras delivered a pretty good image once it was transferred to video for the final edit, but for commercial work I shot on 35mm with a big honking Panavision camera.
I haven't made commercials in a while, and my personal film making was confined to 16mm and more often video. Most recently I have been shooting everything on digital cameras and editing at home in my own edit suite with my Mac and Final-Cut Pro HD.
I guess it should come as no surprise that the medium I grew up trying to master changed out from under me, and I changed with it to an extent. The idea of shooting anything on film now seems anachronistic. The final product will end up as a series of ones and zeros and will be seen on flat screens or through the magic of DLP projection on a big screen.
That change is most likely what led to the demise of Kodak, the premier maker of professional motion picture film as well as the film for your home cameras. Now it's hard to find a still camera that uses film, and even harder to find a lab who really knows what they are doing.
A few months ago the word came that Panavision, ARRI and Aton the three biggest camera companies were ceasing production of film cameras. They have developed super high resolution digital versions that deliver every bit the resolution of film and more. Son we will see motion pictures presented in HFR Digital projection. This means High Frame Rate. The usual rate is 24 frames per second, but the new HFR cameras shoot at 40 to 60 frames per second which will totally eliminate the flicker of current projection technique. More than that, it will make the screen seem to vanish, an effect I have witnessed at demonstrations and had my breath taken away.
I embrace the new technology because it makes the art of movie making easier in many respects. Yes the "look" of film won't be the same, but I suspect some day we will lament loosing the "look" of good old low resolution TV. Luckily, the huge libraries of film sitting in vaults around the world are slowly being scanned and converted to high resolution digital media, and I applaud the effort. It will keep many cherished films around for a long time.
Meanwhile, I have waxed nostalgic for the whole process of loading film into cameras, dealing with jammed magazines, checking the film gate to be sure no dust was present when the last shot was made. I will miss the physicality of film, but it is inevitable. Times change.
Luckily the art of story telling using moving pictures has not changed, only the medium. But I still miss the feel of the film itself. Think I will go home and thread up my projector and watch a movie....oh wait, I don't have a film projector any more!
I haven't made commercials in a while, and my personal film making was confined to 16mm and more often video. Most recently I have been shooting everything on digital cameras and editing at home in my own edit suite with my Mac and Final-Cut Pro HD.
I guess it should come as no surprise that the medium I grew up trying to master changed out from under me, and I changed with it to an extent. The idea of shooting anything on film now seems anachronistic. The final product will end up as a series of ones and zeros and will be seen on flat screens or through the magic of DLP projection on a big screen.
That change is most likely what led to the demise of Kodak, the premier maker of professional motion picture film as well as the film for your home cameras. Now it's hard to find a still camera that uses film, and even harder to find a lab who really knows what they are doing.
A few months ago the word came that Panavision, ARRI and Aton the three biggest camera companies were ceasing production of film cameras. They have developed super high resolution digital versions that deliver every bit the resolution of film and more. Son we will see motion pictures presented in HFR Digital projection. This means High Frame Rate. The usual rate is 24 frames per second, but the new HFR cameras shoot at 40 to 60 frames per second which will totally eliminate the flicker of current projection technique. More than that, it will make the screen seem to vanish, an effect I have witnessed at demonstrations and had my breath taken away.
I embrace the new technology because it makes the art of movie making easier in many respects. Yes the "look" of film won't be the same, but I suspect some day we will lament loosing the "look" of good old low resolution TV. Luckily, the huge libraries of film sitting in vaults around the world are slowly being scanned and converted to high resolution digital media, and I applaud the effort. It will keep many cherished films around for a long time.
Meanwhile, I have waxed nostalgic for the whole process of loading film into cameras, dealing with jammed magazines, checking the film gate to be sure no dust was present when the last shot was made. I will miss the physicality of film, but it is inevitable. Times change.
Luckily the art of story telling using moving pictures has not changed, only the medium. But I still miss the feel of the film itself. Think I will go home and thread up my projector and watch a movie....oh wait, I don't have a film projector any more!
Newt Gingrich Family Values Include Open Marriage
Personally I have no problem with open marriages or polyamory or whatever, but for a guy who touts his "family values" I just don't think Newt's idea of an "open Marriage" sis going to play in Peoria or to the GOP base.
In an interview with his second ex-wife Mariann on ABC News, she detailed how Newt asked her for an "open marriage" arrangement so he could have his mistress and wife simultaneously. That mistress is now his wife, so you can see how well that played out.
This is one of the numerous GOP voices condemning "gay Marriage" as the root cause of decline of Western Civilization. I guess because I wanted to marry my partner, Newt felt compelled to try the "open marriage" ploy? Go figure.
In an interview with his second ex-wife Mariann on ABC News, she detailed how Newt asked her for an "open marriage" arrangement so he could have his mistress and wife simultaneously. That mistress is now his wife, so you can see how well that played out.
This is one of the numerous GOP voices condemning "gay Marriage" as the root cause of decline of Western Civilization. I guess because I wanted to marry my partner, Newt felt compelled to try the "open marriage" ploy? Go figure.
Rick Perry Finally Does Something Right - Quits!
Rick Perry, the zombie candidate of the GOP has finally stumbled upon a good decision. He is announcing he will pull out of the primary race. The decision comes after a dismal showing in both Iowa and New Hampshire and a series of gaffs that helped to sink his campaign, once thought tp be the leviathan that would save the GOP from Romney.
I mistakenly figured that Perry would stay in the race until at least Florida or such a time as his campaign funds ran out. I suppose he finally came to his senses and realized he didn't have a chance in the race which seems to be moving more and more to Romney's favor.
Perry, still a deluded individual, will throw his support behind Gingrich. Strange since Gingrich is far from a "family values" guy, but such is the machinations of GOP politics. Perhaps he just doesn't want to face another debate where he would undoubtedly provide more fodder for the press with his inevitable gaffs?
More soon.
I mistakenly figured that Perry would stay in the race until at least Florida or such a time as his campaign funds ran out. I suppose he finally came to his senses and realized he didn't have a chance in the race which seems to be moving more and more to Romney's favor.
Perry, still a deluded individual, will throw his support behind Gingrich. Strange since Gingrich is far from a "family values" guy, but such is the machinations of GOP politics. Perhaps he just doesn't want to face another debate where he would undoubtedly provide more fodder for the press with his inevitable gaffs?
More soon.
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