It isn't your average Alice, but I didn't expect that from Tim Burton. The new and eye popping Alice in Wonderland is darker than the animated Disney version, but all the usual suspects are there.
Johnny Depp is the Mad Hatter and he plays it suitably loony, but not so much funny as disturbed, Helena Bonham Carter as the Red Queen is wonderful in her terrifying portrayal of a monarch obsessed with beheading.
The 3D was perfection. I often found myself flinching as thing s flew from the screen, and the line between reality and fantasy has all but disappeared. Aside from the effects the story is quite a bit different from the books, yet some of the characters and events flow together nicely in this re-imagining of the tale.
Don't go expecting singing flowers and silly card soldiers and you will have a great time!
Friday, March 05, 2010
Pentagon Shooter - Right-Wing Terrorist
Another right-wing wacko! Just what we need.
The shooter who opened fire at the Pentagon and ended up being killed by police was just such a wacko. He was a conspiracy theorist and radical who was opposed to government in general and specifically to a list of grievances. His rant was posted on a podcast available here.
The growing number of violent right-wing vigilantes should be cause for concern. Fueled by venom from people like Glenn Beck and the teabaggers, these people are getting pretty crazy.
The shooter who opened fire at the Pentagon and ended up being killed by police was just such a wacko. He was a conspiracy theorist and radical who was opposed to government in general and specifically to a list of grievances. His rant was posted on a podcast available here.
The growing number of violent right-wing vigilantes should be cause for concern. Fueled by venom from people like Glenn Beck and the teabaggers, these people are getting pretty crazy.
Vatican Running Gentleman's Club? Sex Scandal in Rome!
OK, not that kind of Gentleman's Club, but one that trades money for sex!
Gentleman of the Holiness is the title of Angelo Balducci, a high official in the Vatican. Apparently he was caught on tape negotiating payment for delivery of men he wanted brought to him for sexual purposes. The price? A whopping 2,000 euros or about $2700 US.
Strange that the Vatican, a bastion of anti-LGBT rhetoric and rulings now has it's own sex scandal brewing. Why is it always the folks who complain the loudest about the "sins of homosexuals" who are closeted gays themselves?
Gentleman of the Holiness is the title of Angelo Balducci, a high official in the Vatican. Apparently he was caught on tape negotiating payment for delivery of men he wanted brought to him for sexual purposes. The price? A whopping 2,000 euros or about $2700 US.
Strange that the Vatican, a bastion of anti-LGBT rhetoric and rulings now has it's own sex scandal brewing. Why is it always the folks who complain the loudest about the "sins of homosexuals" who are closeted gays themselves?
Jon Stewart Exposes Talking Points of GOP
I watched the Daily Show last night as is my habit, and Jon Steward once again exposed the blatant talking points of the right wing. He string together dozens of clips of Republicans and right-wing pundits repeating the exact phrase about the health care reform measure. "Rammed down our throats"!
Oh puleeze! And yet the American public doesn't understand that Fox News, the GOP and the right in general get their talking points every day and stick to them religiously. Don't believe me? Catch this clip and then ask yourself why can't the Democrats try this tactic for a bit, just for a test.
Oh puleeze! And yet the American public doesn't understand that Fox News, the GOP and the right in general get their talking points every day and stick to them religiously. Don't believe me? Catch this clip and then ask yourself why can't the Democrats try this tactic for a bit, just for a test.
| The Daily Show With Jon Stewart | Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c | |||
| The Med Menace | ||||
| ||||
Thursday, March 04, 2010
Christian Terrorist Hate Group? Closer Than You Think.
Not to be alarmist, but WTF?
A Christian hate group in Amarillo is promoting itself as Repent Amarillo. Their website is filled with military images and weaponry and they refer to themselves as the "Army of God". Last time I checked that is the translation of the name Hezbollah and from what I can tell they are cut from the same cloth.
Their site even has a "warfare map" with specific locations highlighted as targets that include gay bars and adult oriented businesses as well as churches they deem too liberal. The Unitarian Church is shows as a "pagan enclave" and the Wildcat Bluff Nature Center is called a "pagan center" because there is an "earth circle" on the property.
This kind of militaristic crap is what can spur right wing wackos into doing deadly tings wrapped in the bible and a false sense of righteousness. Things like that warfare map are intended to scare the non-believer and essentially act as a terrorist tactic. If these folks don't scare you, then you are not reading the fine print.
If you live in Amarillo, keep on your guard, because this kind of thing can get out of control fast. Not to be alarmist or anything but these guys could be easily called the Texas Taliban!
A Christian hate group in Amarillo is promoting itself as Repent Amarillo. Their website is filled with military images and weaponry and they refer to themselves as the "Army of God". Last time I checked that is the translation of the name Hezbollah and from what I can tell they are cut from the same cloth.
Their site even has a "warfare map" with specific locations highlighted as targets that include gay bars and adult oriented businesses as well as churches they deem too liberal. The Unitarian Church is shows as a "pagan enclave" and the Wildcat Bluff Nature Center is called a "pagan center" because there is an "earth circle" on the property.
This kind of militaristic crap is what can spur right wing wackos into doing deadly tings wrapped in the bible and a false sense of righteousness. Things like that warfare map are intended to scare the non-believer and essentially act as a terrorist tactic. If these folks don't scare you, then you are not reading the fine print.
If you live in Amarillo, keep on your guard, because this kind of thing can get out of control fast. Not to be alarmist or anything but these guys could be easily called the Texas Taliban!
Anti-Gay GOP California State Senator at Gay Club Before Arrest?
My feet just can't stop tapping to the beat of the Schadenfreude Polka! Anti-gay state Senator from Southern California was arrested for drunk driving after being tailed leaving a gay bar. Now you gotta love that!
The California Highway Patrol pulled over Sen. Roy Ashburn at 2:00 a.m. Wednesday after an officer noticed his state issued black Chevy Tahoe swerving. A male passenger, not identified as a lawmaker, was also in the car but was not detained.
The Senator has a history of being against gay rights measures. Oh the irony?
The Dallas Voice has more.
The California Highway Patrol pulled over Sen. Roy Ashburn at 2:00 a.m. Wednesday after an officer noticed his state issued black Chevy Tahoe swerving. A male passenger, not identified as a lawmaker, was also in the car but was not detained.
The Senator has a history of being against gay rights measures. Oh the irony?
The Dallas Voice has more.
American Family Aassociation Calls for Sea World Management to be Stoned to Death
When I heard the tragic news of the death of Sea World trainer, Dawn Brancheau, the last people I expected to comment were the crazies at the American Family Association.
Normally, (and I use that word cautiously with these folk) they are the first to respond when LGBT rights are in question or someone decides to give control of a woman's body over to her. Ah, but never doubt their ability to surprise!
A blogger for the AFA has chalked up the whale killing to a lack of following scripture. Damn these people are starting to sound like Muslim Fundamentalists more and more every day!
Here is the quote:
Normally, (and I use that word cautiously with these folk) they are the first to respond when LGBT rights are in question or someone decides to give control of a woman's body over to her. Ah, but never doubt their ability to surprise!
A blogger for the AFA has chalked up the whale killing to a lack of following scripture. Damn these people are starting to sound like Muslim Fundamentalists more and more every day!
Here is the quote:
Chalk another death up to animal rights insanity and to the ongoing failure of the West to take counsel on practical matters from the Scripture. [...] Says the ancient civil code of Israel, “When an ox gores a man or woman to death, the ox shall be stoned, and its flesh shall not be eaten, but the owner shall not be liable.” (Exodus 21:28) So, your animal kills somebody, your moral responsibility is to put that animal to death. You have no moral culpability in the death, because you didn’t know the animal was going to go postal on somebody. But, the Scripture soberly warns, if one of your animals kills a second time because you didn’t kill it after it claimed its first human victim, this time you die right along with your animal. To use the example from Exodus, if your ox kills a second time, “the ox shall be stoned, and its owner also shall be put to death.” (Exodus 21:29)Gotta love that Old Testament slash and burn religion! Watch your back Sea World folks, better wear hard hats to protect yourself from those stones!
Wednesday, March 03, 2010
Porsche Hybrid Conecpt!
Porsche has never shied away from new ideas, and this one is a doozie. The Porsche 918 Spider Hybrid. Yup, HYBRID! Still a concept car, but with the kind of power and buzz this can generate, (no pun intended) they just might.
Sarah Palin Does Stand-up on Leno
Sarah Palin continues to dance across the media stage even though her 15 minutes of fame is up! Her appearance on Jay Leno is absolute stand-up! She actually said she joined Fox because in her opinion there was "too much opinion interjected in hard news stories".
I swear she has a comedy writer working for her.
I swear she has a comedy writer working for her.
Tuesday, March 02, 2010
Republicans In Texas Hate LGBT People
If you ever wanted proof that the GOP herein the Great State of Texas absolutely hates LGBT people, check these paragraphs taken from the 2008 Texas Republican Party Platform:
I am waiting Log Cabin Republicans!
NOTE: There is a resolution on the GOP primary ballot to resend this hateful language. I am also eager to see if this passes.
Marriage Licenses - We support legislation that would make it a felony to issue a marriage license to a same-sex couple and for any civil official to perform a marriage ceremony for such.Now, please can anyone tell me why in Gawd's name a self respecting LGBT person would be part of a party that absolutely and categorically hates LGBT people?
Homosexuality – We believe that the practice of homosexuality tears at the fabric of society, contributes to the breakdown of the family unit, and leads to the spread of dangerous, communicable diseases. Homosexual behavior is contrary to the fundamental, unchanging truths that have been ordained by God, recognized by our country’s founders, and shared by the majority of Texans. Homosexuality must not be presented as an acceptable “alternative” lifestyle in our public education and policy, nor should “family” be redefined to include homosexual “couples.” We are opposed to any granting of special legal entitlements, refuse to recognize, or grant special privileges including, but not limited to: marriage between persons of the same sex (regardless of state of origin), custody of children by homosexuals, homosexual partner insurance or retirement benefits. We oppose any criminal or civil penalties against those who oppose homosexuality out of faith, conviction, or belief in traditional values.
Texas Sodomy Statutes - We oppose the legalization of sodomy. We demand that Congress exercise its authority granted by the U.S. Constitution to withhold jurisdiction from the federal courts from cases involving sodomy.
I am waiting Log Cabin Republicans!
NOTE: There is a resolution on the GOP primary ballot to resend this hateful language. I am also eager to see if this passes.
HRC's Solmonese Says DADT Will Be Repealed This Year
It was a pretty bold statement from Joe Solmonese to promise that Don't Ask Don't Tell will be repealed this year. He made the statement in a speech at an HRC fund raising dinner in Raleigh, North Carolina.
That was the good news, the bad news was he feels that support for gay rights will decline after the midterm elections. That means we have to put the pressure on NOW.
His assurance also really puts Human Rights Campaign's relevance on the table. Success in the repeal will show that the organization still has some clout in DC. Failure will signal it's death knoll.
HRC has been struggling to remain relevant and show that it has some effect on the state of rights for LGBT people in this country and if it can't help move along some of the meager efforts now in the pipeline, then what good is it?
That was the good news, the bad news was he feels that support for gay rights will decline after the midterm elections. That means we have to put the pressure on NOW.
His assurance also really puts Human Rights Campaign's relevance on the table. Success in the repeal will show that the organization still has some clout in DC. Failure will signal it's death knoll.
HRC has been struggling to remain relevant and show that it has some effect on the state of rights for LGBT people in this country and if it can't help move along some of the meager efforts now in the pipeline, then what good is it?
Monday, March 01, 2010
Fort Worth - Still Hates Gays - Still A Hick Town
In the grand tradition of the "good ol' boy" network, Fort Worth has decided to circle the wagons and protect the police in the Rainbow Lounge Raid, by prosecuting the victims. The two men who were "arrested" in the raid both of whom suffered injuries, including Chad Gibson who was hospitalized for a brain injury are being prosecuted for "public intoxication" and "assaulting a state agent."
These same "state agents" were fired by the TABC for misconduct in the raid! The police were reprimanded and the city bragged that this was an "opportunity to learn and move forward."
Well they are indeed moving but not forward. With this ridiculous prosecution Ft. Worth is moving backward into the early 20th century and beyond. They are banking on the short attention span of the public and hoping people will forget the outrageous police riot that sent people to the hospital and enraged the public just a few months ago.
Well guess what Fort Worth? We remember! You (the city) would style yourself as a cosmopolitan mecca, but at the heart you are still a dusty cattle town governed by a bunch of bigots. Fighting words? You betcha, see you in the streets. With any luck there will be bigger and louder protests that the ones after the raid. Enough is enough.
These same "state agents" were fired by the TABC for misconduct in the raid! The police were reprimanded and the city bragged that this was an "opportunity to learn and move forward."
Well they are indeed moving but not forward. With this ridiculous prosecution Ft. Worth is moving backward into the early 20th century and beyond. They are banking on the short attention span of the public and hoping people will forget the outrageous police riot that sent people to the hospital and enraged the public just a few months ago.
Well guess what Fort Worth? We remember! You (the city) would style yourself as a cosmopolitan mecca, but at the heart you are still a dusty cattle town governed by a bunch of bigots. Fighting words? You betcha, see you in the streets. With any luck there will be bigger and louder protests that the ones after the raid. Enough is enough.
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