how jedi are you? :: by lawrie malen
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Proof yet again that green is the color of positive morality
This is a short (less than three minutes) film called After Oz. It was created by a Vancouver Film School student...
...named Percy Kiyabu.
...named Percy Kiyabu.
John Hajduk feels properly chastised
Further to yesterday's statement:
Well, uh...yeah. That was sort of, kind of, half the point (at least). Of course the idea is so senseless as to be laughable, so incongruous that it invites ridicule. The test is, whether or not you think I'm so foolish or stupid as to make such a statement seriously.
Apparently, you do.
Point taken, and I feel properly chastised. But humorous or not, the statement was still idiotic.
John Hajduk
Well, uh...yeah. That was sort of, kind of, half the point (at least). Of course the idea is so senseless as to be laughable, so incongruous that it invites ridicule. The test is, whether or not you think I'm so foolish or stupid as to make such a statement seriously.
Apparently, you do.
Friday, May 23, 2008
I'm not one to give fashion advice...
...but in this picture, do you think Dita Von Teese means to be dressed like Tinky Winky, the gay Teletubby?
(Gad, I'm such a bitch...)
(Gad, I'm such a bitch...)
Game Over
Y'know...I'm sure it'll pass...but for the past day or so I've actually been feeling kind of sorry for John McCain. I think he's gonna get creamed, and I want him to, but...man, he's just getting worked like Tina Fey's publicist.
He actively seeks the endorsement of two "controversial" pastors, then, when their comments become too hot, distances himself from them. So he's alienated people who were offended by those comments, but most of them weren't going to vote for him anyway.
He can't even claim, as Obama could, to have tried to stand by a man in bad times as well as in good out of friendship and respect.
But McCain's also alienated the very people whose votes he was courting by seeking the endorsements in the first place.
Plus of course, he's a republican at a time when gay child molesters in Tennessee are more popular than republicans (should John Hajduk be looking in, I'm being comic).
But it's not just that. Everyone, including McCain himself, makes jokes about him being old. But there's more to it than jokes. I don't know if he really gets (or cares) that everything he's said or done is now fair game--and can be brought to the masses.
Could he have imagined even eight years ago, the last time he ran, that some schlep in Seattle would be sitting there pitying him?
If anything, Obama may have to work at least a little hard to avoid the appearance of picking on an old man.
He actively seeks the endorsement of two "controversial" pastors, then, when their comments become too hot, distances himself from them. So he's alienated people who were offended by those comments, but most of them weren't going to vote for him anyway.
He can't even claim, as Obama could, to have tried to stand by a man in bad times as well as in good out of friendship and respect.
But McCain's also alienated the very people whose votes he was courting by seeking the endorsements in the first place.
Plus of course, he's a republican at a time when gay child molesters in Tennessee are more popular than republicans (should John Hajduk be looking in, I'm being comic).
But it's not just that. Everyone, including McCain himself, makes jokes about him being old. But there's more to it than jokes. I don't know if he really gets (or cares) that everything he's said or done is now fair game--and can be brought to the masses.
Could he have imagined even eight years ago, the last time he ran, that some schlep in Seattle would be sitting there pitying him?
If anything, Obama may have to work at least a little hard to avoid the appearance of picking on an old man.
John Hajduk takes things a wee bit too seriously
Got time for an email?
("Yes, Ben, there's always time for email, launch the rocket and we sail, flying from Mars to email...Gotta go now, I've gotta make out with Mick Jagger.")
This is from John, commenting on my post w/the David Bowie video yesterday:
Now, there are two possibilities here. One is that I truly do think David Bowie is the inventor of rock and roll, and was being idiotically disrespectful to folks like Robert Johnson, Chuck Berry and Ray Charles.
The other is that I was using deliberately inflated rhetoric to pay tribute to someone who is something of a hero (along with Kraftwerk and Roxy) to the kinds of musicians that I like.
Which do you think it could possibly be?
("Yes, Ben, there's always time for email, launch the rocket and we sail, flying from Mars to email...Gotta go now, I've gotta make out with Mick Jagger.")
This is from John, commenting on my post w/the David Bowie video yesterday:
David Bowie, "inventor of rock and roll"? I like your blog, but that's about the most idiotic thing I've read in I don't know how long. It's also incredibly disrespectful to all those folks who preceded him (and who I'd guess he'd credit himself).
John Hajduk
Now, there are two possibilities here. One is that I truly do think David Bowie is the inventor of rock and roll, and was being idiotically disrespectful to folks like Robert Johnson, Chuck Berry and Ray Charles.
The other is that I was using deliberately inflated rhetoric to pay tribute to someone who is something of a hero (along with Kraftwerk and Roxy) to the kinds of musicians that I like.
Which do you think it could possibly be?
Right: I am not making this up...
Believe it or not, every afternoon, I sit down here, and I say, "OK. I'm not going to do any posts about Hillary Clinton." And every day she does something that I find absolutely irresistible to comment on.
Like yesterday, when, as I said, she equated the "disenfranchisement" of Florida and Michigan with slavery. Or, like today, when she said the reason she hasn't dropped out of the primaries is because, y'know, Robert Kennedy was shot in June and you never know what might happen.
Now: That would be a shitty thing to say under any circumstances (especially when, as I understand it, Obama had to take Secret Service protection early because of threats). But considering what happened to Ted Kennedy this week...it's an exceptionally stupid and insensitive thing to say.
And indefensible.
Like yesterday, when, as I said, she equated the "disenfranchisement" of Florida and Michigan with slavery. Or, like today, when she said the reason she hasn't dropped out of the primaries is because, y'know, Robert Kennedy was shot in June and you never know what might happen.
Now: That would be a shitty thing to say under any circumstances (especially when, as I understand it, Obama had to take Secret Service protection early because of threats). But considering what happened to Ted Kennedy this week...it's an exceptionally stupid and insensitive thing to say.
And indefensible.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
The New Republic is even less impressed with Clinton right now than I am
This hardly seems possible. But here Jonathan Chait makes the case, that with her latest actions--equating the "disenfranchisement" of the Florida and Michigan primaries with slavery (I am not making this up)...
Chait also reminds us that, in a phrase that has become common coin over the past few years, Clinton was for this "disenfranchisement" before she was against it.
What we have here is a case where one candidate (Obama) agreed to the rules and played by them consistently and fairly.
Another (Clinton) agreed to the rules and played by them only and until it became apparent that without those states, the race was over for her.
(Actually, even with them, the race is over for her, still, it's no wonder she wants to count these states, in at least one of which Obama's name wasn't even on the ballot)
I don't know if any Clinton supporters still read this blog. I would understand if they don't. But can anyone answer these questions?
Do we really want another president who thinks the rules don't apply to them, and changes their position with the winds of opportunity?
Do we really want another President with no apparent sense of shame?
Do we really want another President who puts their party into freefall?
Do we really want another President with basement-level ethics?
Isn't there a saying about finding out who a person is when their back is against the wall?
She is proving herself temperamentally unfit for the presidency.
Chait also reminds us that, in a phrase that has become common coin over the past few years, Clinton was for this "disenfranchisement" before she was against it.
What we have here is a case where one candidate (Obama) agreed to the rules and played by them consistently and fairly.
Another (Clinton) agreed to the rules and played by them only and until it became apparent that without those states, the race was over for her.
(Actually, even with them, the race is over for her, still, it's no wonder she wants to count these states, in at least one of which Obama's name wasn't even on the ballot)
Moreover, it's obviously true that Obama not campaigning, organizing, or advertizing in those states hurt him, and helped the more familiar candidate in Clinton.
I don't know if any Clinton supporters still read this blog. I would understand if they don't. But can anyone answer these questions?
Do we really want another president who thinks the rules don't apply to them, and changes their position with the winds of opportunity?
Do we really want another President with no apparent sense of shame?
Do we really want another President who puts their party into freefall?
Do we really want another President with basement-level ethics?
Isn't there a saying about finding out who a person is when their back is against the wall?
The show Weeds has never really given me that much pleasure...
...even back when I had Showtime and could watch it. I'm not saying it's not good, but I tried an episode or two, and found it not my cup of tea. Or perhaps I should say spliff of ganja.
All that said, however, how could I not like this promo picture of Mary-Louise Parker returning to the garden...
I love that girl. She rocks.
Via
All that said, however, how could I not like this promo picture of Mary-Louise Parker returning to the garden...
I love that girl. She rocks.
Via
I believe they call that "enabling."
Via Bloomberg.com Worldwide, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Clinton:
No, she might not still win this. It's mathematically impossible. There's no way.
I've used this line before, but Mrs. Clinton: Look at all the Democrats running from you right now. Do you even know who your friends are anymore? Desperation is not attractive in a candidate (male or female). You're hurting your party, you're hurting your country, you're hurting yourself, you're hurting your sex. Just stop it. Stop it already. You've lost. It's over. Stop embarassing yourself.
``You know she still may win this -- but whatever the outcome, new ground has been broken, and it won't be left broken. It will be built upon.''
No, she might not still win this. It's mathematically impossible. There's no way.
I've used this line before, but Mrs. Clinton: Look at all the Democrats running from you right now. Do you even know who your friends are anymore? Desperation is not attractive in a candidate (male or female). You're hurting your party, you're hurting your country, you're hurting yourself, you're hurting your sex. Just stop it. Stop it already. You've lost. It's over. Stop embarassing yourself.
They'll show us how to break the rules, But never how to make the rules.
This is a great live version of the title track from the album Black Tie White Noise, by inventor of rock 'n' roll David Bowie, a duet with Al B Sure. Both the album and song are critically underrated, IMO. Gorgeous vocals.
Do you have any idea how long some of us have been waiting to see the words "subpoenas" and "Karl Rove" in the same headline?
House subpoenas Karl Rove
Called to testify at inquiry on political meddling at Justice Deptartment
The House Judiciary Committee on Thursday subpoenaed former White House top political adviser Karl Rove to testify about whether the White House improperly meddled with the Justice Department.
Accusations of politics influencing decisions at the department led to last year's resignation of former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Totally Bitchin!
Electronica piece “90%...composed using sounds recorded from the Disney film ‘Alice In Wonderland’.” Visuals from the same source.
Via Cartoon Brew, w/thanks to Corey Klemow.
Via Cartoon Brew, w/thanks to Corey Klemow.
For your consideration...
...two more Amazon reviews of books I've read recently, Free Ride: John McCain and the Media by David Brock & Paul Waldman, and Zigzag: The Incredible Wartime Exploits of Double Agent Eddie Chapman by Nicholas Booth.
To be fair (if only to myself), the second one isn't really a full review--inasmuch as what I post to Amazon is ever a full review, compared to what I've written elsewhere. I just wanted to say something nice about the book, and wrote what you'll see late last night, very fast.
To be fair (if only to myself), the second one isn't really a full review--inasmuch as what I post to Amazon is ever a full review, compared to what I've written elsewhere. I just wanted to say something nice about the book, and wrote what you'll see late last night, very fast.
A cautionary tale
This is three short (about two minutes altogether) sequences from "Arctic Radar," an episode of The West Wing. It follows a "c"-or-"d"-story in which Josh Lyman lays out a line that I think more than one of us part time SF fans tries to walk...
Unfortunately, the picture fades and then sound cuts out before the last lines of of the last sequence, which are:
Unfortunately, the picture fades and then sound cuts out before the last lines of of the last sequence, which are:
JOSH
...you can't bring your hobbies in to work, okay?
JANICE
Got it.
JOSH
Except on Star Trek holidays. [exits]
JANICE
There's no such thing as a Star Trek holiday.
JOSH
Well, work hard around here. We'll make one.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
It's over, Clintons.
Campaigning with his wife in Kentucky, former President Clinton dismissed Obama's inevitable claim on pledged delegates.
"There won't be tonight, unless you decapitate Michigan and Florida, which violates our values and is dumb politics," Bill Clinton said.
Oh, good. A lecture on the violation of values and dumb politics by Bill "Mr. Moral Authority" Clinton.
I really can't believe how sick I am of both of them at this point...
Oh, those randy Australians
This was going to be another post about how I'm afraid Clinton's reached a point where she's not only making a fool of herself, but of millions of women. To illustrate that fear, I was going to refer to the fact that yesterday she actually stooped to citing conservative bad-stepper (and traitor) Karl Rove.
But I got diverted from that. Because as I was searching for an item about it to which to link, I found this headline in the Sydney Morning Herald:
Bush's bosom buddy gives sagging Clinton a lift
But I got diverted from that. Because as I was searching for an item about it to which to link, I found this headline in the Sydney Morning Herald:
Bush's bosom buddy gives sagging Clinton a lift
Oh, Geraldine...
Is this how you really want to be remembered?
The part I found hardest to swallow was when she proposed that Obama's appeal was to "the hip-hop generation." I don't know if that says she's a racist, or just doesn't understand that "generation," but either way it's not a moment I would be proud of.
The part I found hardest to swallow was when she proposed that Obama's appeal was to "the hip-hop generation." I don't know if that says she's a racist, or just doesn't understand that "generation," but either way it's not a moment I would be proud of.
For my generous friends who may be wondering what I'd like for a (late) birthday or (early) Christmas present...
Wonder no more. Sports Night, the show so good it made me love a show (I thought was) about sports, is being re-released on DVD in a 10th Anniversary edition.
To illustrate the point, a quote and a clip:
I missed this show the first time around. Although I had regard for Aaron Sorkin (who created the series and wrote all but a handful of episodes) at the time, it wasn't as high as it would become. Not quite high enough to vault the wall of my sports ignorance.
That changed after West Wing, and I "rediscovered" Sorkin's first series when Comedy Central began running the repeats.
Marking 10 years after Sports Night's initial premiere on network television, the multiple award-winning cast and creative team come together for the first time on DVD when Shout! Factory presents Sports Night: The Complete Series 10th Anniversary Edition DVD box set on September 30, 2008. Offering the first comprehensive Sports Night experience ever, the 8-DVD collector's box set contains all 45 acclaimed episodes, a special 10th Anniversary book, and 2 full discs of exclusive bonus features that reveal the genesis, life and afterlife of the series with all-new interviews, behind-the-scenes featurettes, gag reels, deleted scenes, and commentaries featuring the principal cast and creative team. You don't have to know sports to enjoy Sports Night.
From creator and executive producer Aaron Sorkin, executive produced by Brian Grazer, Ron Howard, Tony Krantz, Thomas Schlamme and Rob Scheidlinger, and produced by Imagine Television in association with Touchstone Television, Sports Night debuted on ABC on September 22, 1998 and received an extraordinary reception from television critics and fans alike. Brimming with wry wit and high-brow humor, Sports Night is not a program about sports. The show provides an all-access pass to the inner workings of a high pressure cable newsroom and sheds lights on those dedicated news anchors and crew who ultimately push personal conflicts aside to bring their audience the best sports program offered on television...sometimes against considerable personal odds.
To illustrate the point, a quote and a clip:
"You need therapy"
"I'm in therapy."
"You need more."
-"Kyle Whitaker's Got Two Sacks," Sports Night.
I missed this show the first time around. Although I had regard for Aaron Sorkin (who created the series and wrote all but a handful of episodes) at the time, it wasn't as high as it would become. Not quite high enough to vault the wall of my sports ignorance.
That changed after West Wing, and I "rediscovered" Sorkin's first series when Comedy Central began running the repeats.
If the Iranians love their children too
The Washington Monthly's Kevin Drum, on deterrence, 2008 style...
I nonetheless continue to be amazed at the rose-colored glasses that so many conservatives use these days when they talk about the old Soviet Union. Back in the day they sure didn't think the Soviets were rational. They didn't think much of MAD either, a term initially invented by conservatives as a term of ridicule. And communism was very much considered an apocalyptic, expansionist ideology that would never rest until the West was buried.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Keep fucking around, Tennessee. See what you get.
U.S. Democratic presidential front-runner Barack Obama says that Republicans should direct their attacks at him and not his wife Michelle.
He was referring to a video posted on YouTube by the Tennessee Republican Party last week that targeted a remark Michelle Obama made in February.
An American family in front of 75,000 people.
Holy Cow.
Y'know, as a rule, I don't like to get into the race thing too much when talking about Obama. I'm not naive enough to think that it isn't a factor, but I also think it's short-sighted, and maybe dangerously so, to overstate its importance in his groundbreaking success.
I believe, if you will forgive me an obvious allusion, this success is at least as much to do with the content of his character as the color of his skin. That said, however...
I have to admit that it gladdens my heart to see a black, American family standing up together before an amazing crowd of their fellow countrymen. The husband and father all but certain to be his party's nominee.
As Craig Ferguson says, it's a great day for America, everybody...
Y'know, as a rule, I don't like to get into the race thing too much when talking about Obama. I'm not naive enough to think that it isn't a factor, but I also think it's short-sighted, and maybe dangerously so, to overstate its importance in his groundbreaking success.
I believe, if you will forgive me an obvious allusion, this success is at least as much to do with the content of his character as the color of his skin. That said, however...
I have to admit that it gladdens my heart to see a black, American family standing up together before an amazing crowd of their fellow countrymen. The husband and father all but certain to be his party's nominee.
As Craig Ferguson says, it's a great day for America, everybody...
For those skeptics among you who may think my gladness of Eva Amurri is solely to do with her size-36 (I'm guessing) tits...
For shame, skeptics. And just to prove my point, here she is, literally covered from head-to-toe...and I'm still just as glad to see her.
And as if that wren't enough, would you get a look at that mouth?
(and hands?)
And as if that wren't enough, would you get a look at that mouth?
(and hands?)
I like to think only this blog would illustrate...
...a link to (and excerpts from) an opinion piece about engagement and negotiations...
...with a Liza Minnelli album cover.
...with a Liza Minnelli album cover.
When [Reagan] and Mikhail Gorbachev signed the Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces Treaty in 1987, which for the first time eliminated an entire class of nuclear weapons, Buckley's National Review dubbed it "suicide." The Conservative Caucus took out a full-page newspaper ad saying "Appeasement is as unwise in 1988 as in 1938." It paired photos of Reagan and Gorbachev with photos of Neville Chamberlain and Hitler.
The Bush administration has been little different, refusing for years to talk to North Korea or Iran about their nuclear programs because it wanted to defeat evil, not talk to it. The result was that Pyongyang tested a nuclear weapon and Iran's uranium program continued unfettered. (By contrast, when the administration negotiated with Libya -- an act that its chief arms controller, John Bolton, had previously derided as, yes, "appeasement" -- it succeeded in eliminating Tripoli's nuclear program.)
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Ladies...
Some notes on dresses and lingerie.
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1. There's got to be more subtle ways to communicate what you'd like in bed.
2. Lingerie that gives us a headache is not sexy.
On the other hand, if the goal is to make us want to see it on the floor even quicker than we usually do...
1. There's got to be more subtle ways to communicate what you'd like in bed.
2. Lingerie that gives us a headache is not sexy.
On the other hand, if the goal is to make us want to see it on the floor even quicker than we usually do...
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