The Mid Term Elections Nov-2-2010

It’s 4 Weeks to Election Day usually Mid Terms are laid back affairs nothing much matters that is not the case this time around. The Extreme Wing Nut Right which this time includes the entire Republican Party is out to stop every step forward we made in the last two years those steps are nowhere near as far as I believe they should have been. All Troops for the Mideast should have been brought back home. The prison camp at Guantanamo Bay Cuba should have been closed by now I would like to have had President Obama told Congress “We are Closing it now and bringing the prisoners there to trial in US Courts with all Miranda rights or I am setting they all free you got That” same with Healthcare I think there President Obama should have pushed hard for a Public Option he should have gotten into the Face of Republicans and said “We are having a Public Option or I am not going to sign on piece of Legislation” Right now the Republican party is being lead by as we call them for good reason “Wing Nuts” There are 5 candidates running for congress or Governorship that are so Anti Abortion they are against it even in cases of Rape meaning if a Women is assaulted and raped they my law want to force the Women to carry the baby to term. This group wants to abolish Social Security, Medicare and the Department of Education. They want to do away with Minimum Wage Laws they want to repeal the new Healthcare legislation that they refer to as Obamacare . If they were going to replace it with Universal Healthcare I would back they all the way but they want to go back to the way it was where only Rich and working people would be able to get Healthcare. Do you want people like that in our Government ?I don’t want people like that picking up dog shit in the park.. I cannot believe it’s come to this A big part of the problem is FOX News who claim to be Fair and Balanced but in reality there motto should be We Make it Up and You Fools Believe It Then distort every story with a Right Wing Slant and both Staff and Guest belong to that Wing Nut Crew. There Big Star is Glenn Beck who’s followers look upon at the second coming of Christ they believe he has a direct line to Heaven and God is speaking to directly to lead the Nation lead the Nation to what I don’t know. He had a Giant Rally on the National Mall in Washington DC in August called “Restoring Honor” that drew a hundreds of thousands of people consisting primarily of White Christian Scared People what they are scared of seems as they say want “Our Country Back “ by this I believe they mean “White Christian anti Black anti Muslim anti Gay anti foreign anti choice anti adult film and magazine” These were people that want to go back to the Twentieth Century in thinking and living When it was Walt Disney, Rev. Billy Graham, Pat Boone led them and non whites and Hispanics knew there place. These people like there leader see Socialist around every corner the same way in the 1950’s Sen. Joe McCarthy seen Communist around every corner. A Good number of these people may not admit it but it comes down to they cannot accept that a Black Man is the President of the United States. On November 2nd 2010 We have to Stop these people and elect Democrats across the Board we cannot allow the Republicans to gain the upper hand in Congress WE MUST STOP THEM

The Tillman Story

The Tillman Story - For a documentary this was a captivating film. It tells the story of professional NFL player Pat Tillman who left behind a Multi Million Dollar contract to join with his brother Kevin to enlist in the US Army’s Rangers. Directed by Amir Bar-Lev it tells the story of a mission in Afghanistan when Tillman was shot in the head. The Military and US government initially said that Tillman was killed in heroic fashion in a firefight with the Taliban members of his platoon were given orders not to reveal what happen even to his brother Kevin who was at the tail end of the convoy. But little by little with lots of questions by his family especially his mom the truth finally came out as to what happen. Although evidence of who knew and how far the cover-up appears to have went all the way to The Bush White House only one 3 Star General was made a scapegoat . Pat knowing that because he was a high profile name that the military would want to use as a recruiting tool if something ever were to happen left written instructions that he did not want a military funeral. The military tried to push the family into signing onto one they refused and he did not have one. It is amazing to think that the US government and military would go to this length to cover-up a friendly fire incident but the United States government like all the worlds government’s is Corrupt and there call for patriotism is as corrupt. I believe before any country commits to a war it should be required to read THE WAR PRAYER by Mark Twain (Look it up really read it). Pat was not regiloius he was a atheist at his funeral service his brother Rich said “ Pat isn’t with God he’s Fucking Dead He wasn’t religious but thank you for thoughts but he’s Fucking Dead” Go see this Film

Stadium Security and Called ID

Stadium Security and Caller ID

I have been refused entry into local stadiums on consecutive days this week. On Tuesday I was refused entry into The New Meadowlands Stadium to see Brazil at USA ( $48.00) and on Wednesday I was refused entry into Red Bulls Arena for the game between Toronto FC and The New York Red Bulls ($22.00) both for refusing a “Security” Pat Down . This is not security it’s a invasion of personal space now I have nothing against security if you want me to pass through a metal detector as much as I don’t like it I would agree to that. but no more a Pat Down is something that should only be allowed if you are getting on a airplane at a airport or you are being arrested no exceptions. Now will I ever change my position on this and give in ? I can answer that question by another story involving Privacy concerns. When Called ID first came out I phoned my Aunt Flo she picked up the phone and said “Hi Bill” I asked “How did you know it was me ? This was my first introduction to Caller ID it upset me big time asking myself “I do not want whoever I am calling to know it’s me before they pick up the phone what is going on here” Caller ID was now a accepted form of intrusion that I wanted no part of how could I avoid this ? After a lawsuit by the ACLU ( I am a 20 Year) member there was a compromise with the phone company that if someone did not want there phone number showing on someone’s Called ID I chose this option. Sometime after this Caller ID was modified so if someone wanted to refuse to accept a call from someone that did chose to hide there number they had that option. All my friends that activated that feature were deleted from my phone book. I looked at it this way “Look when your phone rings answer it you do not need to know who it is before you answer it” But over time as more and more people started to use this feature it got to the point there was no one I could call anymore so I just threw up my hands and said “I give Up” and took off call block from both my home and cell numbers. So could the same thing happen to my view on Stadium Security pat down and again throw up my hands and tell the terrorist that flew those planes into The Work Trade Center “You guys Won I give up” it took me 20 Years to give in to the phone company and Caller ID so the answer is Probably as to when that is a question to be answered in the future. I just finished speaking with the Director of Security of the New Meadowlands Stadium I made good points he made good points. We understood each others Point of View his positions could even influence that decision for me. To do otherwise would make a mockery of the Open minded and diplomatic stances I say I believe in.

The Terrorist Win (let's admit it)

Last night I was refused entry into the New Meadowlands Stadium because I refused to submit to a Pat Down . I offered to empty my pockets but they said no. So I told them in no uncertain terms “You are not putting your hands on Me” to no avail I attempted to enter at two different gates and was told the same thing at both gates “It’s Stadium Policy“. With The US and foreign governments arbitrarily scanning e-mails, cell phone calls, telephone calls of people not suspected of any wrong doing,. The fact that you cannot go anywhere anymore without being on a camera it’s gotten to a point where you can be given a ticket at a red light with no human being anywhere around. The US Prison camp at Guantanamo Bay Cuba that President Obama during the campaign said he would close where people are being held without charges is still open. The President as did his predecessor George Bush has taken the position that he can order the assignation of US citizens suspected of terror crimes. Opposition to Mosque being built in lower Manhattan because of Radical Racial positions has convinced me that The Bad Guys (the terrorist ) have won we are curled up in the corner shaking changing everything we once were and the way we did things because of “security concerns” They must be laughing all over the Muslim world.

Shoot the Messenger ?

In separate stories this morning (June-23-2010) on General Stanley McChrystal’s remarks about President Obama and his administration to Rolling Stone Magazine the New York Post in a editorial says

“Let’s be Clear allowing any reporter let alone one from Rolling Stone - the unfettered access to McChrystal and his staff that this one appears to have enjoyed was beyond dumb”

and New York Times Columnist Maureen Dowd in her column today says

“So this General with the background in intelligence who is suppose to conquer Afghanistan can’t even figure out what Rolling Stone is “ We’re not talking Guns & Ammos here : We’re talking the anti war hippie magazine “

Why do both views seem to be suggesting this is a (Shoot the Messenger) moment and it’s not General McChrystal and his aids comments that are at fault but Rolling Stone and writer Michael Hastings for publishing the story. If it is a Shoot the Messenger Moment then so be it it’s the price you pay for a open society with a free press.

President Obama's BP Oil Spill Speach

Tonight President Obama is giving a speech to the Nation (8:00PM) one that could be a defining moment in his Presidency on the Gulf of Mexico Oil Disaster . Tonight I want to see the man I voted for. I want him to look BP in the face and tell them how we are going to make this right. Tonight I don’t want the diplomat looking for advice and seeking bipartisanship from the other side of the isle who’s response to anything has been “No” I want a MMA Fighter kicking BP to the ground telling they in no uncertain terms “You will put 20 Billion is a escrow account as a down payment to cover cleanup, damages. lost wages, lost fishing, restaurant , Hotel and B&B lost rooms you will agree to this or I am freezing all your American accounts Do I make myself clear

Drill Baby Drill (not so fast)

“Drill Baby Drill” was first heard at the Republican National Convention in 2008. Now President Obama has announced that he too is open to expanding the drilling that we do off the United States coastline and in Alaska. This drilling should ease our dependence on the importation of foreign oil. This is a good thing but without massive Federal Government oversight there will be a problem. The recent mining explosion at The Upper Big Branch Mine in West Virginia in which something like 30 miners were killed. The owners of The Upper Big Branch Mine Massey Energy Company do not have a good record of safety at there mines and have been called a Union Busting company at there non union mines. Part of the problem of the safety issues have be due to the gutting of regulations during the eight years of the George W. Bush administration. So if we are going to “Drill Baby Drill” it can only be done if that massive government oversight I mentioned is incorporated into any drilling contracts with very stern penalties for accidents that may occur I don’t want to happen what happen when a jury imposed a large fine on Exxon after The Exxon Valdez Oil spill then have that fine gutted in various courts. Yes I to want the United States to award contracts for the drilling off our shores and in Alaska but I want a clause included in those contracts that stipulates something along the lines of “If a drop of oil spreads into a coastline or causes the killing of aquatic life due to negligence all of the companies assets will be held until the entire spill is cleaned to the satisfaction of the EPA the cost of this cleanup will be paid for entirely by that company and non of it will be allowed to be claimed as a tax deduction. Simply put I want the EPA and any other Federal agency responsible for oversight on the drilling operations to be looking over the shoulders of the operation every minute form start to finish without this oversight accidents such as The Upper Big Branch Mine will become the norm rather than the exception.

Review- "Chloe"

The synopsis of “Chloe” simply says “A DOCTOR HIRES A ESCORT TO SEDUCE HER HUSBAND WHOME SHE SUSPECTS OF CHEATING” Now if you have seen past Atom Egoyan films you know it’s can’t be that simple. Throughout his career ( The Sweet Hereafter, Exotica, Adoration) non of Egoyan’s characters are ever what they appear to be nothing changes here. Dr. Catherine Stewart a Toronto gynecologist stumbles onto a text message on her husband Music professor David Stewart phone from a young women saying “Thanks for last night” along with a photo of the two together . This along with David’s constant flirting with every women he finds attractive leads her to suspects of cheating. She hires the attractive young escort / prostituted Chloe she has come to know from the neighborhood. to tempt Davis then to report back with the results. What follows keeps you in wonder and suspense and to who is telling the truth who is lying who is cheating who is not doing anything. The mystery surrounding all has Dr. Stewart on the verge of a breakdown. This in a way is a very different film for Egoyan as many familiar names from his past work is missing his wife Arsinee Khanjian has no part major or minor gone is longtime collaborator Robert Lantos even his production company Ego Arts Film is missing from the credits. Having only to direct seems to have allowed Egoyan to work his magic to a new level This may be his best film to date I don’t know if I would consider it his masterpiece but I do feel it does rise above all his previous work I hope this time his peers in the industry take notice this one deserves a Oscar for it’s director. Let’s leave it at that if you a re a fan of Egoyan you will congratulate yourself on having such good taste if you are not a fan or do not even know who he is go see “Chloe” after you do you will be heading to your local video store or Net Flicks to grab up all his previous work.

NHL Hockey in 3D

MSG Network last night presented The New York Islanders at the New York Rangers in 3D at The Theater at Madison Square Garden and on Cablevision channel-1300 for the few homes in the New York metro area that may have 3D television sets. It was a pretty cool experience it was a separate broadcast from the normal MSG broadcast using it’s own producer , director, camera people and announcers (Kenny Albert along with ex Rangers Captain Dave Maloney. Unlike the normal broadcast that uses the up high camera on the red line this broadcast used as it’s main camera a ice level red line position . It was like sitting in the Red Seats. The 3D really stood out more on the low in the corners cameras when players and officials were next to the glass it looked as it they were skating right there in front of you. The depth really stood out when shooting over the heads of the crowd in fact there was a point when that camera was being used that someone sitting near me shouted “Down in Front” to the screen. Between the 2nd and 3rd periods I bumped into NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and said to him “Gary This is Pretty Cool” He agreed. I’m sure as time goes by they will work out what camera angles and camera positioning work best. One thing I really liked was that there were no commercials in this broadcast it was like watching a early 1970’s MSG telecast before MSG became MSG Network during TV timeouts that camera was just left open shooting the ice with players gathered at there respective benches or the maintenance crew scrapping the ice I think all telecast should be done like that but I know that will never happen. But it was a successful trial there were like 2,000 of us or so can one day say “We were there when the did that 1st experiment in televising a live NHL game even more astonishing and amazing was the Rangers 5-0 Win

Dick Cheney

Good Point brought up today on MSNBC’s The Ed Show one I never Thought of.

Question- Why is not ever US Citizen entitled to the same Level of Care that Vice President Dick Cheney is Currently receiving for his reported “Heart Attack”

Let's Help Spread Freedom

The State of the Union Speech (January-27-2010)

Just thinking how refreshing it would be that on Wednesday when President Obama delivers his State of the Union address that he stops trying to be Mr. Nice "I'll work toward bipartisanship" with the Republicans. And says something Along the lines of "OK Here is what we are doing and as my predecessor once said Your Either with Us or You are Against US" Then state the way Healthcare, Closing of Guantanamo, and Bank regulations are going to be handled.