Milk Box Rally in Ft. Worth, Texas

The police riot at the Rainbow Lounge is not going away. About 150 people gathered last Sunday in Sundance Square in Ft. Worth, Texas to make sure that didn't happen.

It was a patriotic event worthy of the 4th of July weekend. Free speech is a founding principal of our country and that is what the Milk Box actions, named after gay activist Harvey Milk, are about.

Speakers included an eyewittness to the police and TABC actions that night. He assured the crowd that excessive force was used and that the injuries sustained by Chad Gibson were a result of excessive force from the TABC.

Keeping this event in the media and minds of elected officials has resutlted in some action. Investigations are being called fro by not only the Ft. Worth police but by the Mayor and other officials. Protests do work!

Of course the whole scene was a bit strange. A real protest for sure, but the strains of piano bar music drifting through Sundance Square gave it a surrealistic edge. I chalk that up to it being in Fort Worth. Cowtown has always had a special sense of culture and style!

Next Sunday, another protest is planned for the steps of the Tarrant County Courthouse. The event will start at 7:00pm and should be even beter attended than the last. Be there!

(Photo Courtesy of Neko and Oblivion Images)

Why CBS Can't Shoot Fireworks Or Symphonies

I just watched the CBS special from Boston of the Boston Pops 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular. The music was fun but the microphone positioning was atrocious. You'd think CBS could figure out how to mike a friggin' symphony, but hey, who am I to judge?

Finally the fireworks happened and they were spectacular. Over the harbor reflected on the water. Great. Once again CBS failed to capture the event with any kind of skill. You'd think CBS could shoot a huge fireworks show well. But who am I to say?

OK, so here is my take on this. Today the only events that are shot live are sports and the directors and camera people who do that are concerned with showing the action and keeping the camera on the ball. Well in an entertainment show, there is no ball and something like fireworks need to be seen in their entirety not close up. A nice wide shot of the harbor, which they did show occasionally gave the best impression of how massive and delightful the event must have been, but the director who I will lay big money on, shoots football or baseball normally and so he or she kept calling for "zoom in" or give me a tight shot!

The result was a lot of zooming in and out and shots of the crowd in the dark watching. Who cares? We are watching the fireworks not the crowd.

It reminded me of the way modern TV directors try to shoot live dance numbers. The get closeups of faces and feet. Ever see a great musical movie with memorable dancing like "American in Paris", or "Royal Wedding" ? The director shot the numbers wide enough so you could see the dancers whole bodies. Because dance is a full body experience, not a close-up medium. Well same for fireworks!

End of rant. Happy Independence Day!

Happy 4th of July!

Independence Day! My favorite holiday of the summer....well pretty much the only holiday of the summer.

The Statue of Liberty's crown is open for the first time since 9/11 so get those climbing shoes out and start climbing the steps. You will need a ticket and unfortunately they are sold out for another month. Wouldn't you know!

Hardee's B-Hole Vs. A-Hole

OK so part of this is because I am always reminded that people think my name is the same as the hamburg restaurant, and it's not. However, this is a really strange campaign and I have to say I like it.

Palin Quits!

Watching MSNBC, Sarah Palin just stepped down as Governor of Alaska. What the heck is the deal? She said something about the scandals and costing the state money, etc., but I have to believe there is a big shoe about to drop.

My bet would be the probes into her have exposed a big legal problem, that or she is sick and isn't telling. Weird!

UPDATE: Just watched her speech. The most rambling Sarah Palin speech yet. It often made no sense and sometimes it seemed she was trying to talk around whatever the issue really is. I suspect she is about or was about to be indicted on some corruption charge and is resigning to avoid it. Barring that or some announcement of a life threatening disease I cannot imagine what she is thinking.

Michael Jackson's Last Video - Tour Rehearsal Tape

I was amazed by this video of the rehearsal of Michael Jackson's last tour. Posted on CNN it shows his amazing attention to detail and talent. Too bad we will never get to see him perform it live!

Gay Sailor Murdered - DADT Must Go!

Want another reason to repeal Don't Ask Don't Tell? How about this one. A gay sailor was murdered in California on the base. He had told his family he was being harassed, but he could not go to authorities or risk discharge.

This policy is not only hurting our military it is resulting in DEATH! If the president is not willing to use the bully pulpit and prod Congress along the path to repeal, then what option is there. March in the streets of Washington DC for one!

I'll be there October 11 and I hope a few hundred thousand of my close personal friends will be also. We have to hold the Democrats to account or they will discard their promises and leave us holding the bag.

Obama Addresses LGBT Crowd at White House

OK, it's a small step, but it's a first and if we keep the pressure on it won't be the last.