Monday, August 31, 2009

And You Call This Journalism?

Liz Cheney is really the perfect face of Washington's political culture, a perfect manifestation of all the rotting diseases that define it and a pure expression of what our country has become and the reasons for its virtual ruin.


Couldn't have said it any better.

Fires In Los Angeles

(pssst.... this is my 1,701 post!)



The fires burning off Angeles Crest Highway north of La Canada, even though probably about 40 miles away from me, are visible vis-a-vis the clouds, which look more like atomic bomb clouds. Here are a few pictures I took from my home and my office with my cell phone.


























Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Dead Kennedys Tribute (probably in bad taste - but where mind was going)

Just thought I'd go with the flow ... no matter how off the wall it is.





Unfortunately, YouTube is lacking in vintage Dead Kennedys' videos.
Enjoy before YouTube police delete it!

RIP Teddy

Ted died tonight. When they interrupted my television show for a "special announcement" I really did know it was that Ted died.

Eunice and Ted in the same month. The Kennedy family must be really grieving.

I will have much more on this subect over the weekend. We lost all the Kennedy's of my era, now, except Jean.

RIP, Teddy.

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Ricky Fante

Loves Ricky. Always have a shot glass ready for him!



Probably only song he really gets props for.



I could hear him down the hall, when he'd come visit ... his voice always preceded him.

"Na, Na Na Na ..."

"Do it like Lucy" ...So say Wilson Pickett.



And the others.





Can't believe no YouTube Ricky Fante version. Damn.

"Just My Imagination"

Since this was sung over the credits, there is actually no scene or video that can be posted, but here is Gwyneth Paltrow and Babyface singing "Just My Imagination."



And, of course, the original.

CSI Episode Aired Again In England And My Blog Hit Numbers Rise

Everytime that Chateau Rouge episode of CSI is aired, I get a ton of hits! Search engines zero in on my post about the real integrated casino in Vegas back in the 1950's, the Moulin Rouge.

Contribute To Standing Up For The Public Option

I tried to see if I could put up the ActBlue thermometer that shows the money being raised in just a couple of days to support the progressive wing in congress that is in revolt over Obama's capitulation to the disgusting six over health care reform. Maybe it was late and I can't read it right, but all I can do is link to the page.

I don't wish to be redundant, for I have already stated my opinions as to why Obama is failing as the president many blog posts ago, but it is apparent all over the blogosphere, and indeed, finally in mainstream press, that Americans are not happy with how the White House is handling things.

As usual, the astute Glenn Greenwald
says it better than I ever can.

If one were to analyze matters from a purely utilitarian perspective, one could find ways to justify the White House's attempt to write a health care plan that accommodates the desires of the pharmaceutical and drug industries [mandates (i.e., 50 million forced new customers) plus government subsidies to pay their premiums plus no meaningful cost controls (i.e., no public option)]. All other things being equal, it's better -- from the White House's political perspective -- that those industries not spend vast sums of money trying to defeat Obama's health care proposal, that they not pour their resources into the GOP's 2010 midterm effort, that they not unleash their fully army of lobbyists and strategists to sabotage the Democratic Party. That's the same calculating mindset that leads the White House to loyally serve the interests of the banking industry that caused the financial crisis (we don't want to make enemies out of of Goldman Sachs or turn investment bankers into GOP funders). Indeed, that's the same mindset that leads the White House to avoid any fights with the Right -- and/or with the intelligence community and permanent military establishment -- over Terrorism policies (there's no political benefit to subjecting ourselves to accusations of being Soft on Terror and there's plenty of reasons to cling to those executive powers of secrecy, detention and war-making).

In essence, this is the mindset of Rahm Emanuel, and its precepts are as toxic as they are familiar: The only calculation that matters is maximizing political power. The only "change" that's meaningful is converting more Republican seats into Democratic ones. A legislative "win" is determined by whether Democrats can claim victory, not by whether anything constructive was achieved. The smart approach is to serve and thus curry favor with the most powerful corporate factions, not change the rules to make them less powerful. The primary tactic of Democrats should be to be more indispensable to corporate interests so as to deny the GOP that money and instead direct it to Democrats. The overriding strategy is to scorn progressives while keeping them in their place and then expand the party by making it more conservative and more reliant on Blue Dogs. Democrats should replicate Republican policies on Terrorism and national security -- not abandon them -- in order to remove that issue as a political weapon.

As Glenn further noted, the problem is that Obama pledged to do just the opposite of everything he is doing. He used the power of the netroots, which supported liberals and progressives financially, not to mention Obama, and ran roughshod over the right wing fanatics that ran the White House the last eight years by electing the largest Democratic majority control in years! And that includes State and local elections as well, where Democrats and progressives took control across the board. This country is not right wing nor is it center right in any fashion. It never really was, but because of he consolidation of power and control in corporate America leading to just a handful of outlets feeding the American public with "news," we have been spoon fed this crap that America doesn't want to lean left, and Americans hate liberals and progressives. For the umpteenth time, that is simply not true!

I bagged on Obama's appointment of Rahm Emanuel from day one. Once he put that man in a position of power in his cabinet, I knew we, as Americans, and us especially as bloggers, were no longer considered necessary to the Obama Administration. I knew from day one that we were sold out, and that nothing Obama would do would benefit the Americans that came out in droves to vote for him, and vote to elect more Democrats and progressives into the Senate and House.

That's why the numbers are tanking for Obama. And what is really sad, is how apparently clueless Obama is about this. He's become as insulated in his own bubble as Bush was in his.

Like Greenwald says:

On most fronts that matter -- civil liberties, national security, economic policy, servitude to corporate interests, even rising opposition to Obama's long-promised escalation of the war in Afghanistan -- that defines rather clearly what the Obama/Emanuel approach has been thus far. Stopping it somewhere -- anywhere -- is vital, and for many reasons, the health care fight provides an excellent opportunity (at least as good as any) for doing so.

Stopping it -- somewhere. Start by contributing to the ActBlue campaign, Standing Up For The Public Option.

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Barney Frank Let's It Rip!

Barney Frank's response to the nutjob at his townhall meeting: "Ma'am, trying to have a conversation with you would be like trying to argue with a dining room table. I have no interest in doing it."

Monday, August 17, 2009

When Did It Stop Being A Crime To Be Near A President With A Gun?

This is so not right. Protesters wearing T-shirts that criticized Bush at rallies were arrested. People with bumper stickers on their cars at Bush rallies were arrested. And now, in our new Amerika, grown white men carrying GUNS to Obama rallies are touted as not breaking any laws?

What the fuck?

Who The Fuck Cares If You Prove You Are Innocent After Convicted?

Apprently, Scalia doesn't believe it matters. Go ahead and execute the innocent. Hell, they had a trial, right?
This Court has never held that the Constitution forbids the execution of a convicted defendant who has had a full and fair trial but is later able to confince a habeas court that he is "actually" innocent.


Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the dissenting opinion from Justice Antonin Scalia of SCOTUS!

God help us all.

H/T to Think Progress.

More Advertisers Pulling Out Of Glenn Beck Show

Eight More Companies Decide to Pull Ads from Glenn Beck; Twenty Companies Have Now Pulled Advertising.

Good.

Saturday, August 15, 2009

In That Mariachi Mood

Ok, seriously been there, and done that!

Woodstock's 40'th








Pictures courtesy of Woodstock Dot com.


Sheesh, I remember how I celebrated my 40th! That was major fun. I only celebrate my birthday every ten years (won't go into discussion about my 30th online, many could be arrested just for being there!). 40 was held at the restaurant La Poubelle in Hollywood on Franklin Avenue. I am pretty sure she is still there (owner and restaurant). Jacquie acquired the restaurant in her divorce and I used to frequent it when I live in the canyon in my early 1980 years. I did a dinner party for about 16 hand picked guests -- and damn them, they got a male stripper past me (Jacquie was drinking my champagne which she let me bring for just a corking fee - was screaming up a storm ... "more, more more!") I rented a Las Vegas hacienda for my 50th. Six bedrooms, six bathrooms, back yard putting greed, few blocks off the strip ... another story! Planning my 60th to be a disco party at a local theater here in Los Angeles.


Anyway, I posted this on a friend's blog about his attending the Woodstock festival which was on this weekend about 40 years ago. Here is my comment:




I think it is really unique that you were actually at Woodstock. Being only 17, not a dr ug user (that would come much later) and living in Los Angeles, pretty much made it impossible for me to be there.



However, because of being raised in a music family, most of the entertainers were known to me, and I have enjoyed viewing the movie about the event, many times.



I am not averse to large crowds, as much as I grew up cabaret style, and so, as aresult, I prefer to see shows or hear bands or other things, in small venues, not large ones. I did, however, fork over big bucks to see The Boss, Stones and the Gunners back in the 80's when they were all doing concerts in Los Angeles. In fact, saw the Stones twice, not same concert of course, but they did do two tours almost back to back where they played the Collesium.



I preferred the Troubadour, Whiskey, Roxy and other venues, especially back when you could still see good concerts at the Forum (about 16,000 seats to 18,000 depending on how you laid out the floor). Saw Bowie there. Hell, through most of the 60's I saw just about every r&b goup that existed at the old Long Beach Arena! (Smokey, Four Tops, Joe Tex, etc.) But saw Temps with Little Stevie as opener, here in L.A., either at the Hollywood Bowl or the Greek (yeah, my memory is that bad!)



Point is I like small venues. (speaking of point, I saw Pointer Sisters at Universal Ampitheater).



I do remember meeting bands like Buffalo Springfield, Hermans Hermits and Sonny & Cher when they would perform on a TV show a friend of the family was producing, although, I can't remember if it was Shindig or Hullabaloo or one of those others that popped up back in the day.



And, because my uncle, on his days off, would love to go to Disneyland and play with the regular band performing in Dixieland, we'd kids would all pile into the Pontiac station wagon (which he used to transport his drums to local gigs) and go with him. Back then, it was A through E tickets (laughing at memories). We'd all just get a pass that would allow us to go to the head of the line. I can't tell you how many times I've been to Disneyland! It was cool when I was a teenager because I could go listen to some of the venues were the rock and roll and r&b bands were playing. Got autographs of Jr. Walker and all the Allstars at Disneyland!



Of course, for reasons that I don't wish to go into, I no longer have said autographs.



Anyway, I have digressed. For my two cents worth, I think it's cool you got to be at Woodstock.

Thursday, August 06, 2009

Ok, The "Give Me Your Panties" Was A Stretch ... RIP John Hughes



I know it's just a trailer, but it is still available on YouTube.

I'm an '80's babe ... I have this DVD. And the music.

RIP, John Hughes.

Wednesday, August 05, 2009

So You Think You Can Dance, Finale

Yes, that is my ticket! I was at last night's taping of the finale of So You Think You Can Dance, probably (next to Survivor) my favorite reality show. I have watched it religiously since its inception. Of course, after the show airs tonight, tomorrow night's show will reveal the winner.

Being from Hollywood, and with a past in show business, I never go to tapings. If you've been to one television show taping, or have been on the set of a movie shoot, you know that it is hours and hours of waiting. Movies are no fun at all, because it may take them three or four hours to set up a scene that takes all of 30 seconds to actually film (or shoot). Television shows, like sitcoms, are boring because, in a way, like film, they have to set up the shot, then film it. With television, lots of mistakes are made, which are the only real fun for the audience -- the bloopers, as it were.

For a television show taping, I have to admit it went rather fast, and aside from something that I am not sure is going to be actually shown on either tonight's show or tomorrow's show, there were no retakes -- well, one when Kat screwed up her lines and they reshot it. There was a mistake (the music tape stopped) on the Chorus Line "One" routine that was choreographed by Debbie Allen, but I am not sure if this was for the audience (touted it as something special not being shown on the program) or we were just told that. Either way, after the tape broke and they had to reset it to start the dance from the beginning, my posse and I left. After you have seen Chorus Line a zillion times, there's really nothing special about it to make us stay after we had been there for five hours.

Actually, about two thirds of the way through, one of my buddies and I left the Kodak Theater and found a bar and had a couple of drinks, then went back in time to catch the last dance routine. I think we only missed one routine out of all of the routines performed.

Still, for me, it was just kind of cool to actually be there, and watch the performances live. I like it better on TV, but the atmosphere was intense, since it is generally filmed at CBS, but for the finale, it was at the 3,000+ Kodak Theatre, so we were, as an audience, VERY LOUD!!!!

I did find it funny after the show was finished the guy that does the warm up and talking to the audience said "now, don't go home and vote!"

Tuesday, August 04, 2009

Go Keith, Go Keith! You Kick Ass!

It's good to see that Keith Olbermann is not taking his marching orders from the parent company. Thank goodness he's back from vacation, and on fire!



And he was brilliant in calling out the congressmcritters who are lying to the American citizens on the public option in health care reform. (sigh) And here I thought Olbermann was going to be muzzled. Ummmm, NOT!

Monday, August 03, 2009

And You Thought Corporations Didn't Own America!

If there are even a remote few of you out there that do not believe corporations control America, this little tidbit ought to finally shut you up and make you a believer.

From the NYT:

Over time, G.E. and the News Corporation concluded that the fighting “wasn’t good for either parent,” said an NBC employee with direct knowledge of the situation. But the session hosted by Mr. Rose provided an opportunity for a reconciliation, sealed with a handshake between Mr. Immelt and Mr. Murdoch.


This relates to the ongoing "fighting" between MSNBC's Keith Olbermann and Fox's Bill O'Reilly. Mostly, O'Reilly ratcheted up the "fight" with Keith by attacking MSNBC's owner, General Electric, while Keith would occasionally take on Fox's owner, Rupert Murdoch. So, the two bosses, not really giving a shit about the "fight" between the two newsmen, or even whether there was merit in either party's arguments, decided to censor both of their "employees." I wonder how long Olbermann will last with this gag order, despite his wildly popular show. Last time he was gagged (by ESPN) he quit.

As Glenn Greenwald succinctly puts it:

In essence, the chairman of General Electric (which owns MSNBC), Jeffrey Immelt, and the chairman of News Corporation (which owns Fox News), Rupert Murdoch, were brought into a room at a "summit meeting" for CEOs in May, where Charlie Rose tried to engineer an end to the "feud" between MSNBC's Keith Olbermann and Fox's Bill O'Reilly. According to the NYT, both CEOs agreed that the dispute was bad for the interests of the corporate parents, and thus agreed to order their news employees to cease attacking each other's news organizations and employees.

Bad for the interests of the corporate parents. (David Sirota also has a good commentary on the corporate interference with news). Let that sink in for a while. If corporate "parental" interests can dictate what a news reporter/commentator can say, it is quite obvious that corporate "parental" interests can dictate more -- shall we say, Congress.

Let's talk about the insurance debate going on, and the Blue Dogs and other Democrats trying to water down anything that would be meaningful to the American public, and help the insurance companies keep their stranglehold on America. As David Sirota explains, there are 13 members of congress who represent a disproportionate number of Americans (approximately only 4 percent, and predominately white, rural and poor Americans) that are holding the health care reform hostage on behalf of the insurance companies. These same 13 members also took in approximately $12 million from these same insurance companies. Not only are they working against what is in the best interests of their constituents, who are the most in need of health care reform, but they are clearly selling out their own, and the other 96 percent of Americans, based primarily on their own financial greed. $12 million between 13 members of congress. Sirota calls them Health Care's 13 Tyrants.

Here we have 535 House and Senate delegates elected to give all 300 million of us a voice in the solution. And here we have just 13 of those delegates holding the initiative hostage.

Pay very close attention to this congressional recess, and the ratcheted up town hall brouhahas organized by the insurance industry to bombard the congresscritters into submission -- and into doing what they want, and not what the majority of Americans want.

13 white men representing approximately 4% of the population, receiving $12 million in contributions from the insurance industry are dictating how Congress will handle this matter. Very, very sad, indeed.

UPDATE: Glenn has another great post up on the GE's control over news media. It is a MUST READ.