During the last 3 days I’ve been suffering from a sprain in my shoulder. It’s making my typing difficult to do, especially in the amounts I normally do. Considering how much I’ve written on the Democratic National Convention, I haven’t been able to do much more.
But when I saw this I had to tell you about it. Bloggers beware, the FBI are cracking down.
Now I do respect the laws of the nation, and the FBI. But they have gone way too far. It seems that Kevin Cogill, of Antiquiet, was arrested by the FBI because he put 9 songs from the upcoming Guns ‘N Roses Chinese Democracy album on his site.
The FBI arrived at dawn, reportedly en masse. They arrested Cogill with no lack of impending doom as you might expect. And the reason why is that he released the songs ahead of time, breaking copyright laws. Even though the songs had been removed by the time of arrest.
Since when is that the proper response? Since when does the FBI bother with a copyright issue? Isn’t this normally an issue that lawyers resolve with a stroke of a pen, threatening a lawsuit if the material is not removed (which it was)?
This is overkill, and a problem for bloggers of all sizes. If ABC News, or MTV, the news media, or Sirius Radio played the songs before release (which radio stations have long done) there would never be FBI closing down those companies. The DJ responsible would never be yanked of the air until they can make bail. They would never have to face criminal charges in court.
We bloggers are powerful, there is no question. I reach 119 countries each month on this blog alone. I write for about 40 blogs (when I’m in good health) each month. And I am often controversial and critical in what I write. I’m sure that I piss off various parts of the Government, politicians, entertainers and celebrities, Hollywood, athletes, countries, racists, and a host of others on a regular basis. Does that mean I should fear the police?
My posts have been usurped by other websites that I don’t write to. PrettyShady.com stole my post on Brawlin'at the Belmar - my first BMX Pro-Am dirt jumping tournament, calling me an employee. [They also have false information on their contacts – protecting them from being told to remove information] But I didn’t decide to get the FBI to arrest them for violating my copyrights. [I do not authorize the wholesale copying of my posts or content, though excepts with links and/or full credit are permissible.] But the precedent stated means that I could have done that instead of letting them know to remove the copied material or face a lawsuit.
If the FBI can arrest a blogger for releasing a song early, what is next? Arrests because you used a public photo (with credit to its source) of a politician in a negative post? Possession of a podcast or post on a laptop or cell phone means federal charges for distribution or receiving stolen goods? And how long is it before a blogger just gets arrested because they wrote something someone else did not like.
I think about it now and I suppose that the movie previews that I do might violate a copyright, in that the person that got the video clip may or may not have had permission. Does that mean I should expect the FBI at my corporate office looking to arrest me, SWAT team in tow? Just because I think Oliver Stone is a politically biased loudmouth?
This may not sound serious, but my fellow bloggers it is. Stay aware.
I just hope the bloody Guns ‘N Roses album will be worth even half this trouble. But I doubt it.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Comment about Race in America
The following is a response to my post at Black & White Blog, where I am a contributing author.
Sadie Says:
August 26th, 2008 at 3:16 pm
i dont have much to say on any race issue.. but all the time u hear about a white man callin a black man a nigger then everyone is in an uproar and the white man is seen by most as a rasist asshole but then if a black man calls that white man a honky or a cracker its ok because “we enslaved their people”… hmmm ok no one alive today enslaved “their people” and no im not saying slavery was right.. need to point that out before im called a rasist.. i just think that anytime something happens with more than one race involved it gets turned into a race issue. im tired of hearing it.. i personaly dont call black people niggers but how many black people call white people honkys or crackers? thats all i have to say i just needed to get that out.
Sadie,
Thank you for your comment.
First let me mention that I hate the N-Word. I don’t use it in my speech or in any of my posts – ever. It’s a deplorable word and I dislike its use in any format or for any reason. I do realize that your use of the word was not meant to be disrespectful. I just don’t like that word.
But to your point.
Yes, a White guy saying that to a Black man is a racist commentary. That does not immediately mean the White guy is racists as well, though it does cause reason to wonder.
A curse is used when a person is incapable of using any other term(s) that might convey the thoughts they have. The more limited the vocabulary (and therefore the intelligence) of an individual the more common the use of curses in place of an actual thought. And the purpose of a curse is to inflict rage and anger and hurt, nothing else.
In the American (and English in general to my knowledge) language there is no curse or term more derogatory, insulting, and painful than the N-word. It is defined as “the possibly single worst word in the English language”. There is no comparable or equivalent word for any other group, sex, or race. None.
So when a White uses this term they are not merely cursing the Black person, they are using the most vicious word in the language to inflict the most pain – solely on the basis of their race. Because they have no other word in their vocabulary to either win their discussion, or to express themselves. And that is key.
In the minds of those that use this word is the knowledge that this singular word is violent, degrading and painful to a specific race. That with one word they are insulting a person, their ancestors, their children, the entire race all at once. And there is no comeback, no reply that can top it or equal it.
By comparison a ‘cracker’ was a term created by the North to describe Southerners in a disparaging manner. Since at the time Whites were the only ones considered of worth the meaning only applied to Whites, but it was meant to describe a region. So you have a word created by Whites to describe Whites on a regional basis. Very similar in the manner that ‘yankee’ was used to describe Northerners, and I imagine had the South won the Civil War would hold the same meaning as cracker does today. It’s a word that is specific to a style of life in a region, and therefore has minimal impact today and is not relevant to describe all Whites.
So while your point that you have not enslaved anyone is valid, there is the difference. You may not have acted directly against African Americans, and Native American Indians for that matter, you are the direct beneficiary of those that did. There is no argument that slave labor literally built the foundations of the nation on the backs, bones and blood of millions of Africans. It was the slave labor that funded the growth and wealth of the nation. A line can be drawn from that labor to the wealth and prosperity of the nation today.
And that word relives that pain and inhumanity.
But in America, when a crime has been committed the criminal cannot benefit from that crime. A killer cannot write a book, nor have an insurance policy that pays them because of the crime they committed. And slavery is acknowledged as a vile evil criminal act.
Yet not one American has been asked to return their profits from their crimes. Ever. In fact it was not until this year that any Governmental body ever expressed remorse or an apology for what was done. And when it was done this year it was done by a voice vote, such that not a single name could be recorded either way – and only in the House of Representatives thus preventing it from becoming an official statement of the Government.
So when the N-word is used it is a reflection of an unrepentant nation, which is prosperous because of millions that were enslaved, killed and died without regard for hundreds of years, and are described as being inhuman and without worth. That’s what it means when a White says the N-word (and it only has a slightly less repugnant meaning when said by a Black to a Black).
You may not use this word against a Black person vocally, but you have no problem using the word. Because you do not see or feel the meaning of the word. I do.
And it is because of that sensitivity (or lack thereof) that you do not see why this or that action can be viewed racially (right or wrong). It’s not something that will ever affect a White person in America. It is something that does affect every person of color in America today. And I can prove it.
Pick 5 generic television stations. Watch each station for 1 hour. Mark down every time you see a non-background character that is non-White. Also mark down every White character. This includes commercials.
If you have more than 2 Asians in 5 hours I bet you were watching a kung fu marathon. If you have more than 7 Hispanics you were watching the non-generic Spanish television stations (like Telemundo). If you get more than 15 African Americans you were watching BET. And I guarantee that you will have at least 300 Whites no matter what.
[Based on 4 main characters per 1 hour show, 2 recurring characters or guests, and 3 people per commercial with 10 commercials per ½ hour – which equals 330 people/hour]
If I am right, and I am very sure I’m at least close within a couple of people, then that means that American television reflects a world where .61% of the population is Asian, 2.1% are Hispanic/Latino, and 4.5% are Black. Native Indians or any other group do not exist. [Just for the record, the actual fact is that 1 in 3 people in America are non-White.]
In effect television is saying that America is 7.2% non-White, or essentially that America is an all White nation. It means that any non-White is unimportant and does not need to be shown in any setting – whether based in reality or fantasy. And I’d bet that if you are White and reading this you never noticed or thought about this. But every person of color gets the statement being subtly made to us every hour of every day.
So I am not surprised Sadie, that you are tired about hearing something that you do not directly feel or have affect you daily. But for the rest of us, it’s not the same thing. And the only way to change this is to remind you that your take-it-for-granted view of America is wrong.
So expect that until racism and the use of the N-word ceases to happen or exist you are going to always be tired of hearing about how biased America really is.
Sadie Says:
August 26th, 2008 at 3:16 pm
i dont have much to say on any race issue.. but all the time u hear about a white man callin a black man a nigger then everyone is in an uproar and the white man is seen by most as a rasist asshole but then if a black man calls that white man a honky or a cracker its ok because “we enslaved their people”… hmmm ok no one alive today enslaved “their people” and no im not saying slavery was right.. need to point that out before im called a rasist.. i just think that anytime something happens with more than one race involved it gets turned into a race issue. im tired of hearing it.. i personaly dont call black people niggers but how many black people call white people honkys or crackers? thats all i have to say i just needed to get that out.
Sadie,
Thank you for your comment.
First let me mention that I hate the N-Word. I don’t use it in my speech or in any of my posts – ever. It’s a deplorable word and I dislike its use in any format or for any reason. I do realize that your use of the word was not meant to be disrespectful. I just don’t like that word.
But to your point.
Yes, a White guy saying that to a Black man is a racist commentary. That does not immediately mean the White guy is racists as well, though it does cause reason to wonder.
A curse is used when a person is incapable of using any other term(s) that might convey the thoughts they have. The more limited the vocabulary (and therefore the intelligence) of an individual the more common the use of curses in place of an actual thought. And the purpose of a curse is to inflict rage and anger and hurt, nothing else.
In the American (and English in general to my knowledge) language there is no curse or term more derogatory, insulting, and painful than the N-word. It is defined as “the possibly single worst word in the English language”. There is no comparable or equivalent word for any other group, sex, or race. None.
So when a White uses this term they are not merely cursing the Black person, they are using the most vicious word in the language to inflict the most pain – solely on the basis of their race. Because they have no other word in their vocabulary to either win their discussion, or to express themselves. And that is key.
In the minds of those that use this word is the knowledge that this singular word is violent, degrading and painful to a specific race. That with one word they are insulting a person, their ancestors, their children, the entire race all at once. And there is no comeback, no reply that can top it or equal it.
By comparison a ‘cracker’ was a term created by the North to describe Southerners in a disparaging manner. Since at the time Whites were the only ones considered of worth the meaning only applied to Whites, but it was meant to describe a region. So you have a word created by Whites to describe Whites on a regional basis. Very similar in the manner that ‘yankee’ was used to describe Northerners, and I imagine had the South won the Civil War would hold the same meaning as cracker does today. It’s a word that is specific to a style of life in a region, and therefore has minimal impact today and is not relevant to describe all Whites.
So while your point that you have not enslaved anyone is valid, there is the difference. You may not have acted directly against African Americans, and Native American Indians for that matter, you are the direct beneficiary of those that did. There is no argument that slave labor literally built the foundations of the nation on the backs, bones and blood of millions of Africans. It was the slave labor that funded the growth and wealth of the nation. A line can be drawn from that labor to the wealth and prosperity of the nation today.
And that word relives that pain and inhumanity.
But in America, when a crime has been committed the criminal cannot benefit from that crime. A killer cannot write a book, nor have an insurance policy that pays them because of the crime they committed. And slavery is acknowledged as a vile evil criminal act.
Yet not one American has been asked to return their profits from their crimes. Ever. In fact it was not until this year that any Governmental body ever expressed remorse or an apology for what was done. And when it was done this year it was done by a voice vote, such that not a single name could be recorded either way – and only in the House of Representatives thus preventing it from becoming an official statement of the Government.
So when the N-word is used it is a reflection of an unrepentant nation, which is prosperous because of millions that were enslaved, killed and died without regard for hundreds of years, and are described as being inhuman and without worth. That’s what it means when a White says the N-word (and it only has a slightly less repugnant meaning when said by a Black to a Black).
You may not use this word against a Black person vocally, but you have no problem using the word. Because you do not see or feel the meaning of the word. I do.
And it is because of that sensitivity (or lack thereof) that you do not see why this or that action can be viewed racially (right or wrong). It’s not something that will ever affect a White person in America. It is something that does affect every person of color in America today. And I can prove it.
Pick 5 generic television stations. Watch each station for 1 hour. Mark down every time you see a non-background character that is non-White. Also mark down every White character. This includes commercials.
If you have more than 2 Asians in 5 hours I bet you were watching a kung fu marathon. If you have more than 7 Hispanics you were watching the non-generic Spanish television stations (like Telemundo). If you get more than 15 African Americans you were watching BET. And I guarantee that you will have at least 300 Whites no matter what.
[Based on 4 main characters per 1 hour show, 2 recurring characters or guests, and 3 people per commercial with 10 commercials per ½ hour – which equals 330 people/hour]
If I am right, and I am very sure I’m at least close within a couple of people, then that means that American television reflects a world where .61% of the population is Asian, 2.1% are Hispanic/Latino, and 4.5% are Black. Native Indians or any other group do not exist. [Just for the record, the actual fact is that 1 in 3 people in America are non-White.]
In effect television is saying that America is 7.2% non-White, or essentially that America is an all White nation. It means that any non-White is unimportant and does not need to be shown in any setting – whether based in reality or fantasy. And I’d bet that if you are White and reading this you never noticed or thought about this. But every person of color gets the statement being subtly made to us every hour of every day.
So I am not surprised Sadie, that you are tired about hearing something that you do not directly feel or have affect you daily. But for the rest of us, it’s not the same thing. And the only way to change this is to remind you that your take-it-for-granted view of America is wrong.
So expect that until racism and the use of the N-word ceases to happen or exist you are going to always be tired of hearing about how biased America really is.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Law And Order: Criminal Intent - Season Finale
Did you see the season finale of Law & Order: Criminal Intent last night? I did and I’m glad.
I have to admit that I have not been following the show closely for a couple of seasons. Basically once Vincent D'Onofrio started to take time off and Chris Noth joined the cast. I’m not a fan of Noth.
But when I saw the television ads for this episode I was intrigued. There was the return of Nicole Wallace (Olivia d'Abo) and the murder of those close to Det. Goren. Nicole is a wonderful foil, both in love and hating Goren. Her episodes are among the best in the series.
So I watched the season finale, and was surprised, disappointed and left with big questions.
The surprise was the intricate nature of the crimes. Each murder was part of a larger scheme, turning the entire Major Case squad against itself. Trust was destroyed, and the revelations foreboding. There was honest suspicion that Goren was the true killer. And Goren was glorious in his rage as his private demons were stripped bare.
**Spoiler**
The disappointment was the loss of Nicole as an adversary. She was malicious and deceptive in the best of ways. Her desire to hurt Goren was almost primal. Yet she could not resist him, always returning always creating a need for Goren to chase her.
Far too often serial killers are portrayed as simply sick individuals, which they are but that is too simple a description of the evil they live. Nicole is complex, intelligent, and evasive. She is more accurate a description of the crazed killers out in the real world.
Seperately she is probably the most intelligent woman on television. While the negative is that she is a killer, the positive is that intelligent women exist. She is pretty without having to be gorgeous, strong without having to be manly. She avoids the bitch stereotype so many female characters are relegated to if they have any authority.
**Spoiler end**
The big questions though are perhaps the best part. Goren is traveling a dark path. He has had major losses in little time. He is under huge financial stress. His boss lacks full faith in him. And his partner is no longer his most trusted ally.
Add to that the emergence of a nephew, and the fact of his parental lineage and you have a character that is on the razor’s edge. Goren has too much of a connection to the mindset of killers, too insightful in how to best dispatch those he might find worthy of death.
Goren is in need of a challenge. A grand mental maze to traverse. He needs to unlock and control his environment. Nicole was one outlet for such a need. Declan Gage was another.
**Spoiler**
With Declan now incarcerated, and having murdered Nicole, the truth is that Goren is free as Declan stated. Free of responsibility to family and expectations. Free of the need to keep the structure he has made of his life. Free to release his mind.
If genetics can be an indicator of murder, and if the bonds of family and friends were the boundaries of how Goren expressed himself then he has nothing to stop him now. Given his intelligence, resourcefulness and drive he could easily begin a killing spree that would be unprecedented. And he has the legal wherewithal to know how to get the easy road out with the use of his mother’s mental illness, his fathers actions, and the fall of his mentor to name a few.
**Spoiler end**
CSI has just added Laurence Fishburne, and the issue in his background is similar to Goren. I’m sure the writers were discussing the ideas over breakfast more than once. And while the ability of Fishburne to convey such a character in the character devoid background of CSI is huge, D'Onofrio has a far richer and more involved character to exploit.
In the new 8th season I expect a couple of things. I expect a serial killer to emerge. I expect that the eventual clues will target a police officer. I would guess that the first suspect will of course be Goren, but will shift to the medical examiner who betrayed his trust. Once she is dead the fingers will point to Capt. Ross (Eric Bogosian) who easily distrusts Goren after this season end. Ultimately the question will be is it Det. Alexandra Eames (Kathryn Erbe) or Goren.
My bet is that it will be Eames, under the guidance and direction of Goren. She will fall and Goren will be found to be responsible far too late, distracted by the potential of Goren’s unknown nephew. By the time anyone figures out what is happening, Capt. Ross will be dead, the mediacal examiner will be dead, Eames will be arrested by the new character Jeff Goldblum will introduce, and Goren will be wanted.
Now in the 9th season I expect a better twist. Jeff Goldblum’s character will be framed, and shown to be the real killer. Eames will be released – and possibly killed. And Goren will ultimately be the actual killer, split in personality due to his family history and the freedom granted by his former mentor.
Am I viewing this darkly? Yes. And I’m making a twisted trail that leaves no main character untouched in a story arc that spans 2 seasons. But wouldn’t that be high drama? And don’t you think Goren is capable of it?
I have to admit that I have not been following the show closely for a couple of seasons. Basically once Vincent D'Onofrio started to take time off and Chris Noth joined the cast. I’m not a fan of Noth.
But when I saw the television ads for this episode I was intrigued. There was the return of Nicole Wallace (Olivia d'Abo) and the murder of those close to Det. Goren. Nicole is a wonderful foil, both in love and hating Goren. Her episodes are among the best in the series.
So I watched the season finale, and was surprised, disappointed and left with big questions.
The surprise was the intricate nature of the crimes. Each murder was part of a larger scheme, turning the entire Major Case squad against itself. Trust was destroyed, and the revelations foreboding. There was honest suspicion that Goren was the true killer. And Goren was glorious in his rage as his private demons were stripped bare.
**Spoiler**
The disappointment was the loss of Nicole as an adversary. She was malicious and deceptive in the best of ways. Her desire to hurt Goren was almost primal. Yet she could not resist him, always returning always creating a need for Goren to chase her.
Far too often serial killers are portrayed as simply sick individuals, which they are but that is too simple a description of the evil they live. Nicole is complex, intelligent, and evasive. She is more accurate a description of the crazed killers out in the real world.
Seperately she is probably the most intelligent woman on television. While the negative is that she is a killer, the positive is that intelligent women exist. She is pretty without having to be gorgeous, strong without having to be manly. She avoids the bitch stereotype so many female characters are relegated to if they have any authority.
**Spoiler end**
The big questions though are perhaps the best part. Goren is traveling a dark path. He has had major losses in little time. He is under huge financial stress. His boss lacks full faith in him. And his partner is no longer his most trusted ally.
Add to that the emergence of a nephew, and the fact of his parental lineage and you have a character that is on the razor’s edge. Goren has too much of a connection to the mindset of killers, too insightful in how to best dispatch those he might find worthy of death.
Goren is in need of a challenge. A grand mental maze to traverse. He needs to unlock and control his environment. Nicole was one outlet for such a need. Declan Gage was another.
**Spoiler**
With Declan now incarcerated, and having murdered Nicole, the truth is that Goren is free as Declan stated. Free of responsibility to family and expectations. Free of the need to keep the structure he has made of his life. Free to release his mind.
If genetics can be an indicator of murder, and if the bonds of family and friends were the boundaries of how Goren expressed himself then he has nothing to stop him now. Given his intelligence, resourcefulness and drive he could easily begin a killing spree that would be unprecedented. And he has the legal wherewithal to know how to get the easy road out with the use of his mother’s mental illness, his fathers actions, and the fall of his mentor to name a few.
**Spoiler end**
CSI has just added Laurence Fishburne, and the issue in his background is similar to Goren. I’m sure the writers were discussing the ideas over breakfast more than once. And while the ability of Fishburne to convey such a character in the character devoid background of CSI is huge, D'Onofrio has a far richer and more involved character to exploit.
In the new 8th season I expect a couple of things. I expect a serial killer to emerge. I expect that the eventual clues will target a police officer. I would guess that the first suspect will of course be Goren, but will shift to the medical examiner who betrayed his trust. Once she is dead the fingers will point to Capt. Ross (Eric Bogosian) who easily distrusts Goren after this season end. Ultimately the question will be is it Det. Alexandra Eames (Kathryn Erbe) or Goren.
My bet is that it will be Eames, under the guidance and direction of Goren. She will fall and Goren will be found to be responsible far too late, distracted by the potential of Goren’s unknown nephew. By the time anyone figures out what is happening, Capt. Ross will be dead, the mediacal examiner will be dead, Eames will be arrested by the new character Jeff Goldblum will introduce, and Goren will be wanted.
Now in the 9th season I expect a better twist. Jeff Goldblum’s character will be framed, and shown to be the real killer. Eames will be released – and possibly killed. And Goren will ultimately be the actual killer, split in personality due to his family history and the freedom granted by his former mentor.
Am I viewing this darkly? Yes. And I’m making a twisted trail that leaves no main character untouched in a story arc that spans 2 seasons. But wouldn’t that be high drama? And don’t you think Goren is capable of it?
Movie Review: Death Race
I was able to get out to the theater this weekend and went to see Death Race.
I had previously previewed the film, so I was walking into the film with relatively high hopes. This is not an Oscar worthy film; it’s an action movie and so has to be judged as such.
The film starts off with a bit of homage to Death Race 2000, starring David Carradine. It was driving me nuts throughout the film trying to place the voice, and the end credits were the only way I figured it out. Beyond that, the opening sequence gives you a pretty good idea of what to expect in the film.
That idea is a good one. The film is short on dialogue, easy on plot, and frequent with gunshots and explosions. It’s exactly what an action movie is supposed to be.
Let me stop to discuss the visuals. This is a gritty movie and the scenes match it well. Everything is dirty, and you just get a feeling of frustration and a breaking down of society. Even the daytime sunny scenes are gritty with dirt from the prison, and a body of water that is best described like the Hudson River. On a bad day. It’s a great tone.
The race scenes are filmed well, with an eye out to capture the speed of the race, yet not blurring the details. And when the film slows down to give us a bit of background everything is a bit more shaded and dark. In fact there isn’t a scene in the entire film that is cheerful or bright with the exception of the introduction of the female navigator prisoners. That lasts about 10 seconds. But the ladies do look good.
But there is a bad spot in the film. Just before the big race the camera goes to a steady-cam shot. It is anything but steady. It’s shaky, with bad angles, and distracting. The rest of the film had no scenes like this, or at least that you might notice, so the change is jarring. I imagine that this was a reshoot, separate of the main filming. Thankfully it only lasts about 1 minute.
The sound is good. The roar of the engines doesn’t overpower any of the vocals, but is a powerful background reminder that everything is happening at speed. Explosions are crisp and powerful, the big guns sharp and constant. And the crunch of another driver going down is painful, but not enough to really clue you into the violent deaths that just occurred.
Actually the race looks like it could be an excellent video game (if a designer actually took time to make it right and not just throw out something for a quick buck) which is a bit of a reversal on the theme these days.
The race is simple. One lap around the track to get speed and bump the opponents. On the 2nd lap electronic devices are turned on that activate weapons and defenses on the cars, all a driver needs to do is drive over such a spot before another driver. And there is a 3rd device that activates kill traps. Basically spikes pop up from the ground to impale an unlucky car, and retract with the pieces ensuring a kill. Honestly any person that’s driven a racing game in the past 15 years will understand the concept.
There are 3 laps to a race. 1 race a day for 3 days. Qualifying for the next race is as simple as surviving the race. The winner is the first to cross the finish line in the third race, usually also meaning that you are the only driver left alive.
The rules are only this, win 5 races (the winner of the 3 days) and you get to go free. In 7 years of races no one has won.
**Ok here come the spoilers – you are warned.**
Jensen Ames (Jason Statham) was framed for the murder of his wife, so he could replace a popular driver who wears a mask and is called Frankenstein. Frank as he is called has won 4 races and needs one more to win. Ames (Statham), in the mask, only needs to win once and he can go free – reclaiming his infant son from a court appointed family.
Adding to his motivation is the fact he recognizes the criminal that killed his wife, the white supremacist scum that picks a fight with him when he enters the prison. The aryan uses the false charges of killing a woman to ensure that no other prisoner will help out Ames – with full knowledge that this is a lie.
Of course the warden (Joan Allen), a ball busting woman with an eye to profits, has no intention of letting our man go free. Either he can chose to lose, win and elect to stay for further races, or she will kill him on the track and substitute another racer as Frankenstein in the mask. And she has no problem with the fact she organized the frame that got Statham convicted.
None of the other racers are allowed to know who Frankenstein is, except the pit crew and navigator. Anyone that tells the secret is killed, so there are no loose lips.
As the film progresses, and the number of drivers drops, Ames becomes aware of the plot to kill him. He comes up with a plot to escape based on a weakness in the prison that has been overlooked. To do so he needs the help of the key driver looking to kill him, or actually Frankenstein. Prior to that he does kill the white supremacist purposefully (getting out the car and walking over to the guy to snap his neck as he begs for his life)… and no one missed the character I’m sure.
The escape makes sense, and works – though the timing of a train being in the area, and so close to the prison is a bit silly. And of course at the end our hero gets the girl. He also may have acquired a gay male companion.
Perhaps one of the most interesting things in the film is Tyrese Gibson as Machine Gun Joe. This chatracter is constantly referred to as being gay. He is the only driver with a male navigator (actually several as he keeps killing them if actual racing doesn’t). It’s clear that he is not a nice person, but his actual sexuality – and the crime he was convicted of – are never revealed.
Now I find it interesting because the film goes a long way to convince us that he is someone to cheer. He wants out of the corrupt prison, he’s murderous and volitale. He severely hates Frankenstein, whom he does not know was replaced.
Yet by the end of the film he has not only escaped, he is with Ames and seemingly on friendly terms.
I also think it’s a brave move for Tyrese. His persona in most films and rap back up an image of a tough bad ass. Yet in this film the question of his sexuality is prominent. That would generally be seen as a negative to his career, and a difficult sell to Black women. Actually the thought of gay African Americans is so taboo that I can’t recall any film that touches on the subject besides the Crying Game – though that is a British film and seen differently here. So he gets a mention for the choice of this character, not that his acting is above average.
**End Spoilers**
Overall I love the film. It delivers on what it’s supposed to be. Mayhem and violence. No big statements on society or politics. No attempts at trying to be overly clever or artsy. Just simple get-your-pulse-up crashes, bangs, and booms – with just a dash of a cute girl for spice.
I had previously previewed the film, so I was walking into the film with relatively high hopes. This is not an Oscar worthy film; it’s an action movie and so has to be judged as such.
The film starts off with a bit of homage to Death Race 2000, starring David Carradine. It was driving me nuts throughout the film trying to place the voice, and the end credits were the only way I figured it out. Beyond that, the opening sequence gives you a pretty good idea of what to expect in the film.
That idea is a good one. The film is short on dialogue, easy on plot, and frequent with gunshots and explosions. It’s exactly what an action movie is supposed to be.
Let me stop to discuss the visuals. This is a gritty movie and the scenes match it well. Everything is dirty, and you just get a feeling of frustration and a breaking down of society. Even the daytime sunny scenes are gritty with dirt from the prison, and a body of water that is best described like the Hudson River. On a bad day. It’s a great tone.
The race scenes are filmed well, with an eye out to capture the speed of the race, yet not blurring the details. And when the film slows down to give us a bit of background everything is a bit more shaded and dark. In fact there isn’t a scene in the entire film that is cheerful or bright with the exception of the introduction of the female navigator prisoners. That lasts about 10 seconds. But the ladies do look good.
But there is a bad spot in the film. Just before the big race the camera goes to a steady-cam shot. It is anything but steady. It’s shaky, with bad angles, and distracting. The rest of the film had no scenes like this, or at least that you might notice, so the change is jarring. I imagine that this was a reshoot, separate of the main filming. Thankfully it only lasts about 1 minute.
The sound is good. The roar of the engines doesn’t overpower any of the vocals, but is a powerful background reminder that everything is happening at speed. Explosions are crisp and powerful, the big guns sharp and constant. And the crunch of another driver going down is painful, but not enough to really clue you into the violent deaths that just occurred.
Actually the race looks like it could be an excellent video game (if a designer actually took time to make it right and not just throw out something for a quick buck) which is a bit of a reversal on the theme these days.
The race is simple. One lap around the track to get speed and bump the opponents. On the 2nd lap electronic devices are turned on that activate weapons and defenses on the cars, all a driver needs to do is drive over such a spot before another driver. And there is a 3rd device that activates kill traps. Basically spikes pop up from the ground to impale an unlucky car, and retract with the pieces ensuring a kill. Honestly any person that’s driven a racing game in the past 15 years will understand the concept.
There are 3 laps to a race. 1 race a day for 3 days. Qualifying for the next race is as simple as surviving the race. The winner is the first to cross the finish line in the third race, usually also meaning that you are the only driver left alive.
The rules are only this, win 5 races (the winner of the 3 days) and you get to go free. In 7 years of races no one has won.
**Ok here come the spoilers – you are warned.**
Jensen Ames (Jason Statham) was framed for the murder of his wife, so he could replace a popular driver who wears a mask and is called Frankenstein. Frank as he is called has won 4 races and needs one more to win. Ames (Statham), in the mask, only needs to win once and he can go free – reclaiming his infant son from a court appointed family.
Adding to his motivation is the fact he recognizes the criminal that killed his wife, the white supremacist scum that picks a fight with him when he enters the prison. The aryan uses the false charges of killing a woman to ensure that no other prisoner will help out Ames – with full knowledge that this is a lie.
Of course the warden (Joan Allen), a ball busting woman with an eye to profits, has no intention of letting our man go free. Either he can chose to lose, win and elect to stay for further races, or she will kill him on the track and substitute another racer as Frankenstein in the mask. And she has no problem with the fact she organized the frame that got Statham convicted.
None of the other racers are allowed to know who Frankenstein is, except the pit crew and navigator. Anyone that tells the secret is killed, so there are no loose lips.
As the film progresses, and the number of drivers drops, Ames becomes aware of the plot to kill him. He comes up with a plot to escape based on a weakness in the prison that has been overlooked. To do so he needs the help of the key driver looking to kill him, or actually Frankenstein. Prior to that he does kill the white supremacist purposefully (getting out the car and walking over to the guy to snap his neck as he begs for his life)… and no one missed the character I’m sure.
The escape makes sense, and works – though the timing of a train being in the area, and so close to the prison is a bit silly. And of course at the end our hero gets the girl. He also may have acquired a gay male companion.
Perhaps one of the most interesting things in the film is Tyrese Gibson as Machine Gun Joe. This chatracter is constantly referred to as being gay. He is the only driver with a male navigator (actually several as he keeps killing them if actual racing doesn’t). It’s clear that he is not a nice person, but his actual sexuality – and the crime he was convicted of – are never revealed.
Now I find it interesting because the film goes a long way to convince us that he is someone to cheer. He wants out of the corrupt prison, he’s murderous and volitale. He severely hates Frankenstein, whom he does not know was replaced.
Yet by the end of the film he has not only escaped, he is with Ames and seemingly on friendly terms.
I also think it’s a brave move for Tyrese. His persona in most films and rap back up an image of a tough bad ass. Yet in this film the question of his sexuality is prominent. That would generally be seen as a negative to his career, and a difficult sell to Black women. Actually the thought of gay African Americans is so taboo that I can’t recall any film that touches on the subject besides the Crying Game – though that is a British film and seen differently here. So he gets a mention for the choice of this character, not that his acting is above average.
**End Spoilers**
Overall I love the film. It delivers on what it’s supposed to be. Mayhem and violence. No big statements on society or politics. No attempts at trying to be overly clever or artsy. Just simple get-your-pulse-up crashes, bangs, and booms – with just a dash of a cute girl for spice.
Friday, August 22, 2008
Movie trailers for fall 2008
Ok time for a couple of quick movie previews. The following movies will be coming out later this year, and a couple of them I will preview and/or review later. But this will give you a taste of what is to be expected.
First on the list is Max Payne. This is supposed to be the movie version of a successful video game. Yes, yet another videogame converted to a movie. Now will that mean it will be good? That’s a question as while Mark Wahlberg is in the film (and he does a decent action film – see The Big Hit) they have departed from the games storyline to give it a Constantine style theme. It seems the writers never bothered to play Max Payne, or they thought the gritty New York cop on a vendetta (and more than a few painkillers) was not intriguing enough. As long as it’s better than last years Hitman video game-to-movie flop it will be successful.
Then there is the 3rd remake of the Punisher comic book. Yes another comic book to movie attempt. This one is Punisher: War Zone. Now Marvel has been trying to get this right time and again. The prior 2 tries were so bad that they can’t even be called laughable. This one looks to be a bit grittier and darker, which sounds more like the character in the comics. Will Ray Stevenson be the man to finally bring this to life or will it be another straight to DVD bargain bin write-off for Marvel? The trailer says it will work, the history says failure. More soon.
A film that will be out shortly is Bangkok Dangerous. This is the chance for Nicholas Cage to resurrect himself from the horrible films he had out earlier this year (NEXT and Ghost Rider). It looks like this time he actually did some acting, though the character and action scenes remind me of his role in the film ConAir. A hitman looking to get revenge, and paid, can be a great idea and the setting in Bangkok won’t hurt.
Of course there is one thing that serious movie fans might want to know. This is a remake, an Americanized version of a film from 2000
Moving on to something that should keep us guessing is Eagle Eye. The premise seems fresh, so I have no idea where Hollywood came up with it. Considering the low-brow, unimaginative, boring, illogical nature of most movies these days this is a big surprise. Random people are used to act on behalf of an unknown group for an unknown reason, and the Government has a hard-on to get these average joes fast. (I wonder if the writers from USA Network’s Burn Notice were involved with this?)
Now a probable winner of a film should be the next 007 movie Quantum of Solace. The new blonde and more hands on physical James Bond (Daniel Craig) did a great job in Casino Royale. This next film looks to follow on that story directly. Bond is bitter and twisted in this film, and it’s bollocks for M or anyone else in his way. A more emotional and violent Bond film, this should keep the franchise alive and well.
Well this is a film that will certainly make money. Saw V. There really isn’t much more to say. The only trailer is very unclear, beyond the fact that someone is having a very bad day.
More reviews and trailers coming soon.
First on the list is Max Payne. This is supposed to be the movie version of a successful video game. Yes, yet another videogame converted to a movie. Now will that mean it will be good? That’s a question as while Mark Wahlberg is in the film (and he does a decent action film – see The Big Hit) they have departed from the games storyline to give it a Constantine style theme. It seems the writers never bothered to play Max Payne, or they thought the gritty New York cop on a vendetta (and more than a few painkillers) was not intriguing enough. As long as it’s better than last years Hitman video game-to-movie flop it will be successful.
Then there is the 3rd remake of the Punisher comic book. Yes another comic book to movie attempt. This one is Punisher: War Zone. Now Marvel has been trying to get this right time and again. The prior 2 tries were so bad that they can’t even be called laughable. This one looks to be a bit grittier and darker, which sounds more like the character in the comics. Will Ray Stevenson be the man to finally bring this to life or will it be another straight to DVD bargain bin write-off for Marvel? The trailer says it will work, the history says failure. More soon.
A film that will be out shortly is Bangkok Dangerous. This is the chance for Nicholas Cage to resurrect himself from the horrible films he had out earlier this year (NEXT and Ghost Rider). It looks like this time he actually did some acting, though the character and action scenes remind me of his role in the film ConAir. A hitman looking to get revenge, and paid, can be a great idea and the setting in Bangkok won’t hurt.
Of course there is one thing that serious movie fans might want to know. This is a remake, an Americanized version of a film from 2000
Moving on to something that should keep us guessing is Eagle Eye. The premise seems fresh, so I have no idea where Hollywood came up with it. Considering the low-brow, unimaginative, boring, illogical nature of most movies these days this is a big surprise. Random people are used to act on behalf of an unknown group for an unknown reason, and the Government has a hard-on to get these average joes fast. (I wonder if the writers from USA Network’s Burn Notice were involved with this?)
Now a probable winner of a film should be the next 007 movie Quantum of Solace. The new blonde and more hands on physical James Bond (Daniel Craig) did a great job in Casino Royale. This next film looks to follow on that story directly. Bond is bitter and twisted in this film, and it’s bollocks for M or anyone else in his way. A more emotional and violent Bond film, this should keep the franchise alive and well.
Well this is a film that will certainly make money. Saw V. There really isn’t much more to say. The only trailer is very unclear, beyond the fact that someone is having a very bad day.
More reviews and trailers coming soon.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Pool shots around the world
Well I was looking around as some billiards trick shots and I ran into this French pool video. This is a great trick shot, but I have to wonder how difficult it was to practice and work out the shot.
Not to be out done the Japanese have a bit of pool finesse as well. Here is a video clip of a Japanese television show featuring a guy that really knows how to make a shot. I have to say that I was really impressed with the champagne glass shot and the best to me was the 16 ball trick shot.
Now as I’m going through these international, televised, pool events I continue to think about why the Olympics refuses to add the game to the competitions. It just doesn’t make sense.
I mean look at this next video. The table may not be regulation size, and it may not be in Las Vegas or some other fancy place, but you cannot question that he spent a long time working to be able to do each of these shots.
Yet not to be outdone are Americans.
Now please, someone, explain to me why a game with so much diversity and challenge is not in the Olympics.
Not to be out done the Japanese have a bit of pool finesse as well. Here is a video clip of a Japanese television show featuring a guy that really knows how to make a shot. I have to say that I was really impressed with the champagne glass shot and the best to me was the 16 ball trick shot.
Now as I’m going through these international, televised, pool events I continue to think about why the Olympics refuses to add the game to the competitions. It just doesn’t make sense.
I mean look at this next video. The table may not be regulation size, and it may not be in Las Vegas or some other fancy place, but you cannot question that he spent a long time working to be able to do each of these shots.
Yet not to be outdone are Americans.
Now please, someone, explain to me why a game with so much diversity and challenge is not in the Olympics.
Ronaldinho in 2008
With fall approaching and the start of the 2009 season getting closer by the day I thought it was a good time to take a look at Ronaldinho (Ronaldo de Assis Moreira) in 2008. There is no question that I think he is one of the greatest players, and is at the top of the sport currently. So I present a few video clips of him in action this year.
For those wondering what are his best goals, I also found this video. I like the number 1 kick from 2006. Falling backwards and in! That is talent.
And let us finish with a bit more from 2008
One thing is for sure, Ac Milan and Ronaldinho will make the 2009 season exciting.
For those wondering what are his best goals, I also found this video. I like the number 1 kick from 2006. Falling backwards and in! That is talent.
And let us finish with a bit more from 2008
One thing is for sure, Ac Milan and Ronaldinho will make the 2009 season exciting.
New Olympic sport - Pool
On Monday I was out with a friend after my pool league tournament to get something to eat, and noticed the Olympics on the television. At the time the trampoline competition was on. And it got me wondering. The question was why is pool not part of the Olympic Games?
Now for a bit of disclosure I should mention that I am in 2 pool leagues. I play 8-ball and 9-ball in the APA (American Poolplayers Association) for the Central New York area. I have been playing pool for over 3 decades on and off; and if I must say so myself, I’m quite good. So I have a somewhat biased opinion.
But the question is valid I think. I mean the Olympics have international competitions, as does pool. There are amateur and professional versions of the game. It requires skill, discipline, and the ability to handle pressure. It is a game that millions watch via television and in person. Even better is the fact that the game is incredibly old. While its origin is unknown it is known that it entered America about 1565 via Spain.
Now the Olympics has competitions as fun and interesting as cycling – where competitors race around in a oval, fencing – which just everyone is involved in, Greco wrestling – which outside of high school ahs been completely replaced by the WWE, cross country skiing – which is drama itself to watch, volleyball – which draws viewers for the people in skimpy clothes no doubt and is as widely played as Greco wrestling, and the aforementioned trampoline gymnastics – which virtually anyone can do in their backyard. I won’t even get into synchronized swimming.
The fact is that the Olympics are mostly boring. While a race like event is interesting, most of the other events are boring as hell. Just be thankful that Cricket – a game that can take days to play one match – was discontinued. There are multiple events that people watch just because of the skimpy clothes of the athletes. And there are far more no one watches at all. Then there are the competitions that are based on judges’ opinions, which every Olympics caused cries of bias and cheating.
Pool is very simple to understand. It’s obvious who wins. The rules are simple to understand. And there is no lack of people or countries that play the game. Look in your town or city right now. I virtually guarantee that you are no more than 30 minutes from a pool hall in over 50% of the world. No other Olympic sport can boast such popularity or familiarity by the world populace. A kid in England plays the same game as a kid in Tampa, as in Taiwan, as Minsk. Heck, multiple movies have been made about the sport or involving it, I think the Olympics have 1 maybe 2.
But what are the Olympics thinking of adding instead of pool? Rugby. Now that is popular, in nations that England once ruled, but it has nowhere near the fan-base. And the rules are not known or understood just by watching a game.
How about Squash? I bet if I went down the street in 100 cities around the world I might find 10 random people that either know the rules and/or have watched a game. I doubt that I can find better than 5 people in those same cities combined that have watched the game.
Are they kidding? There over 5 million people that play pool in the Philippines alone. Just this past weekend a friend of mine went to the APA Las Vegas national competition (his team barely succeeded in beating mine for the trip) where the first Japanese APA team was invited to play as well. And from what I was told they were good.
Honestly, I am unaware of a single reason why pool is not an Olympic sport. There is nothing that compares to it in the list of sports being considered currently. It is more popular than ½ the current events. It’s honest. It’s fast. It’s just about the only competition that men and women can compete in together (actually is there an Olympic sport where they compete together?). And it can be played indoors or outside, summer or winter, day or night.
But if it would make a difference, I bet that any pool player in the world would be willing to wear a skimpy skin-tight outfit if it meant that they could win an Olympic gold medal.
Now for a bit of disclosure I should mention that I am in 2 pool leagues. I play 8-ball and 9-ball in the APA (American Poolplayers Association) for the Central New York area. I have been playing pool for over 3 decades on and off; and if I must say so myself, I’m quite good. So I have a somewhat biased opinion.
But the question is valid I think. I mean the Olympics have international competitions, as does pool. There are amateur and professional versions of the game. It requires skill, discipline, and the ability to handle pressure. It is a game that millions watch via television and in person. Even better is the fact that the game is incredibly old. While its origin is unknown it is known that it entered America about 1565 via Spain.
Now the Olympics has competitions as fun and interesting as cycling – where competitors race around in a oval, fencing – which just everyone is involved in, Greco wrestling – which outside of high school ahs been completely replaced by the WWE, cross country skiing – which is drama itself to watch, volleyball – which draws viewers for the people in skimpy clothes no doubt and is as widely played as Greco wrestling, and the aforementioned trampoline gymnastics – which virtually anyone can do in their backyard. I won’t even get into synchronized swimming.
The fact is that the Olympics are mostly boring. While a race like event is interesting, most of the other events are boring as hell. Just be thankful that Cricket – a game that can take days to play one match – was discontinued. There are multiple events that people watch just because of the skimpy clothes of the athletes. And there are far more no one watches at all. Then there are the competitions that are based on judges’ opinions, which every Olympics caused cries of bias and cheating.
Pool is very simple to understand. It’s obvious who wins. The rules are simple to understand. And there is no lack of people or countries that play the game. Look in your town or city right now. I virtually guarantee that you are no more than 30 minutes from a pool hall in over 50% of the world. No other Olympic sport can boast such popularity or familiarity by the world populace. A kid in England plays the same game as a kid in Tampa, as in Taiwan, as Minsk. Heck, multiple movies have been made about the sport or involving it, I think the Olympics have 1 maybe 2.
But what are the Olympics thinking of adding instead of pool? Rugby. Now that is popular, in nations that England once ruled, but it has nowhere near the fan-base. And the rules are not known or understood just by watching a game.
How about Squash? I bet if I went down the street in 100 cities around the world I might find 10 random people that either know the rules and/or have watched a game. I doubt that I can find better than 5 people in those same cities combined that have watched the game.
Are they kidding? There over 5 million people that play pool in the Philippines alone. Just this past weekend a friend of mine went to the APA Las Vegas national competition (his team barely succeeded in beating mine for the trip) where the first Japanese APA team was invited to play as well. And from what I was told they were good.
Honestly, I am unaware of a single reason why pool is not an Olympic sport. There is nothing that compares to it in the list of sports being considered currently. It is more popular than ½ the current events. It’s honest. It’s fast. It’s just about the only competition that men and women can compete in together (actually is there an Olympic sport where they compete together?). And it can be played indoors or outside, summer or winter, day or night.
But if it would make a difference, I bet that any pool player in the world would be willing to wear a skimpy skin-tight outfit if it meant that they could win an Olympic gold medal.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Black Americans - commodity, criminals, or something much more
“Have you lost your mind? I mean, how is it that you can disrespect a man’s ethnicity when you know we've influenced nearly every facet of white America... from our music to our style of dress. Not to mention your basic imitation of our sense of cool; walk, talk, dress, mannerisms. We enrich your very existence, all the while contributing to the gross national product through our achievements in corporate America. It's these conceits that comfort me when I am faced with the ignorant, cowardly, bitter and bigoted, who *have* no talent, no guts. People like you who desecrate things they don't understand when the truth is - you should say thank you, and go on about your way. But apparently you are incapable of doing that!"
Cedric the Entertainer as Sin LaSalle in Be Cool
I just was bored earlier and ran across this scene while flipping channels. And I just had to think about that.
Now the movie Be Cool was bad. No question. But this line is perhaps the best and most important of the whole movie. It’s honest and true. It hits home, and likely was overlooked by the millions that have seen the film since its release. When most watch a comedy, bits of social commentary are obscured or disregarded.
This one quote is so visceral to me. It is such a direct statement and applies to so many things. This could be said to politicians (Democrat and Republican), Hollywood executives, major news media editors, and music industry executives, corporations of all kinds of sizes, and probably Spain and Argentina.
This quote is a statement. Being Black is not a commodity that can be bought, though more than a few retailers are making BILLIONS trying to convince people they can. Respect of our past and present is not a burden for America, and should be embraced in the same manner that I was taught European history. Police need to remember this the next time they get the urge to “get their gun on” because an African American crosses the street.
But I wonder something. I know how people of color might take this statement. Latino/Hispanics can say many of the same things. So can Asians. But how do White Americans look at this? What did this quote make you think?
This isn’t about a right or wrong answer. Obviously a blatant racist comment will be responded to in kind. But any answer made with respect and intelligence is more than welcome. Because I really would like to know if you have ever considered this when you watch the news, see a kid walking down the street, celebrate Columbus Day, or just generally go through your life?
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Eureka! murders main character and love is in the air
Well when Eureka! says they will be removing a main character of the show they really don’t lie.
Long-time readers know that I am a major sci-fi fan. That does not normally translate into any desire to watch the D-grade revisioned 1950’s monster movies (or 1970’s natural disaster, or recent and far infereior remakes of current scifi flop movies) that populate the Sci-Fi channel; when it’s not pushing non-science fiction programs like wrestling or Scare Tactics. My dislike of the channel reached a peak after they abruptly ended the Farscape series, and lied to the public about the whole thing. No I still haven’t forgotten what they did.
But 3 seasons ago I gave the channel a chance with a new show called Eureka! I’ve written a bit about it, and I recommend the show. It’s humorous, not to techy, nor geeky – those those elements play into the program strongly.
Now in the beginning of season 2 they really too fans on a loop. In an almost J.R. Ewing-esque episode we got to see a future Eureka that had life going almost idealicly for most of the main characters. In fact Sheriff Carter and Dr. Blake expecting a child, Henry doing well with his love interest Kim, Zoey graduating valedictorian, Deputy Lupo romantically involved with Matt Frewer’s scientist of nature character (I can’t recall his name), and Dr. Blake’s son cured of his connection with the Entity and his autism.
By the end of that episode all the characters were reverted to a much different world, where almost all of those eventualities were impossible, and only Henry was left with a memory of it. Thus the drama of the 2nd season.
But one major loophole was the fact that the relationship between Dr. Blake and Sherrif Carter was never resolved. Tonight they started that resolution.
**spoilers will result if you read further**
Not only did this episode take care of the impending marriage of Dr. Stark it opened the door for Carter. It introduced another new character to the series, ‘Stretch’ the sister of Carter. And it deepened the mystery of what the new overseer, whatever the her name is (I’ll call her the shark til I remember).
Done in a style reminiscent of Groundhog Day, Carter is reliving the same 10 hours of Dr. Blake and Stark's wedding day. Except he remembers each loop, and as the days advance he is injured by the restart. And he has to go through the anguish of watching Dr. Blake marry Stark several times. Each time the day restarts right after Henry mentions that ‘love is eternal, and if anyone has an objection speak now or forever hold your tongue' while looking over at Carter.
It’s pretty funny watching Carter trying to convince everyone that time is looping, and knowing their reactions before they even speak at points. The best part is when he decides to give Dr. Blake a kiss to see if that would fix things (on the basis of his sister’s suggestion). It didn’t, but it did provide a nice insight to the fact she has been conflicted about the marriage for several episodes and has deep feelings for Carter.
The source of this is a guy in GD running his own experiment with light and time. Again. But in trying to fix the problem takes 2 lives. The time management scientist and Stark.
Stark, convinced in a different loop by Carter singing a memorized scientific theorem, is working on a fix before the next restart as it would result in the death of everyone. At the critical moment, an automatated piece breaks down requiring a person to set of the device to fix the timeline. Sheriff Carter volunteers, but has insufficient knowledge to run the device. Fargo, who had been working with Stark and was the only other person aware of the full ramifications, volunteered. Stark compliments him for his self-less guesture and then takes the critical role.
Just before the device gets triggered he asks Carter, by first name which he has never called him, to take care of Allison (Dr. Blake) for him because she will need it. Obviously he knows that fixed or not he won’t be around to brag, get married, or anything.
And when he does fade away in a mass of photons and gas he has the usual smarmy look on his face that is his penchant.
Carter then proceeds to the wedding grounds (for the 4th or 5th time) and this time the loop has been closed. He walks up to Allison and as she realizes the seriousness of the situation lays down crying, with him beside her.
Most series would only permanently kill off a character if there was some kind of major issue on the set or a pay conflict. Neither were rumored that I am aware of. So this may not be as permanent a death as it seems. Eureka is the home of the most brilliant minds after all, and several people have been brought back from apparent death before.
What might be most interesting is if the relationship between Carter and Dr. Blake grows as it had in the alternate future, and then Stark reappears to drive Carter nuts. That would be just like Stark too.
Overall it was a good, touching and at a couple of points funny episode. The series has matured well, and other than the inclusion of Zane (the new love interest of Deputy Lupo I don’t like) all the characters work well together.
But I wonder what the device is in the field, giving off all the odd radiation, in the shape of an O.G.R.E. (if you are familiar with Steve Jackson Games G.E.V. you will be familiar with that) and was responsible for an explosion like a nuclear bomb? My guess is that it is an O.G.R.E. – mach 1 – and the shark is trying to dig it up to try to use it’s circuitry for a business advantage. To bad it still is functional and has it’s own mind on what it wants to do.
Just my guess.
Long-time readers know that I am a major sci-fi fan. That does not normally translate into any desire to watch the D-grade revisioned 1950’s monster movies (or 1970’s natural disaster, or recent and far infereior remakes of current scifi flop movies) that populate the Sci-Fi channel; when it’s not pushing non-science fiction programs like wrestling or Scare Tactics. My dislike of the channel reached a peak after they abruptly ended the Farscape series, and lied to the public about the whole thing. No I still haven’t forgotten what they did.
But 3 seasons ago I gave the channel a chance with a new show called Eureka! I’ve written a bit about it, and I recommend the show. It’s humorous, not to techy, nor geeky – those those elements play into the program strongly.
Now in the beginning of season 2 they really too fans on a loop. In an almost J.R. Ewing-esque episode we got to see a future Eureka that had life going almost idealicly for most of the main characters. In fact Sheriff Carter and Dr. Blake expecting a child, Henry doing well with his love interest Kim, Zoey graduating valedictorian, Deputy Lupo romantically involved with Matt Frewer’s scientist of nature character (I can’t recall his name), and Dr. Blake’s son cured of his connection with the Entity and his autism.
By the end of that episode all the characters were reverted to a much different world, where almost all of those eventualities were impossible, and only Henry was left with a memory of it. Thus the drama of the 2nd season.
But one major loophole was the fact that the relationship between Dr. Blake and Sherrif Carter was never resolved. Tonight they started that resolution.
**spoilers will result if you read further**
Not only did this episode take care of the impending marriage of Dr. Stark it opened the door for Carter. It introduced another new character to the series, ‘Stretch’ the sister of Carter. And it deepened the mystery of what the new overseer, whatever the her name is (I’ll call her the shark til I remember).
Done in a style reminiscent of Groundhog Day, Carter is reliving the same 10 hours of Dr. Blake and Stark's wedding day. Except he remembers each loop, and as the days advance he is injured by the restart. And he has to go through the anguish of watching Dr. Blake marry Stark several times. Each time the day restarts right after Henry mentions that ‘love is eternal, and if anyone has an objection speak now or forever hold your tongue' while looking over at Carter.
It’s pretty funny watching Carter trying to convince everyone that time is looping, and knowing their reactions before they even speak at points. The best part is when he decides to give Dr. Blake a kiss to see if that would fix things (on the basis of his sister’s suggestion). It didn’t, but it did provide a nice insight to the fact she has been conflicted about the marriage for several episodes and has deep feelings for Carter.
The source of this is a guy in GD running his own experiment with light and time. Again. But in trying to fix the problem takes 2 lives. The time management scientist and Stark.
Stark, convinced in a different loop by Carter singing a memorized scientific theorem, is working on a fix before the next restart as it would result in the death of everyone. At the critical moment, an automatated piece breaks down requiring a person to set of the device to fix the timeline. Sheriff Carter volunteers, but has insufficient knowledge to run the device. Fargo, who had been working with Stark and was the only other person aware of the full ramifications, volunteered. Stark compliments him for his self-less guesture and then takes the critical role.
Just before the device gets triggered he asks Carter, by first name which he has never called him, to take care of Allison (Dr. Blake) for him because she will need it. Obviously he knows that fixed or not he won’t be around to brag, get married, or anything.
And when he does fade away in a mass of photons and gas he has the usual smarmy look on his face that is his penchant.
Carter then proceeds to the wedding grounds (for the 4th or 5th time) and this time the loop has been closed. He walks up to Allison and as she realizes the seriousness of the situation lays down crying, with him beside her.
Most series would only permanently kill off a character if there was some kind of major issue on the set or a pay conflict. Neither were rumored that I am aware of. So this may not be as permanent a death as it seems. Eureka is the home of the most brilliant minds after all, and several people have been brought back from apparent death before.
What might be most interesting is if the relationship between Carter and Dr. Blake grows as it had in the alternate future, and then Stark reappears to drive Carter nuts. That would be just like Stark too.
Overall it was a good, touching and at a couple of points funny episode. The series has matured well, and other than the inclusion of Zane (the new love interest of Deputy Lupo I don’t like) all the characters work well together.
But I wonder what the device is in the field, giving off all the odd radiation, in the shape of an O.G.R.E. (if you are familiar with Steve Jackson Games G.E.V. you will be familiar with that) and was responsible for an explosion like a nuclear bomb? My guess is that it is an O.G.R.E. – mach 1 – and the shark is trying to dig it up to try to use it’s circuitry for a business advantage. To bad it still is functional and has it’s own mind on what it wants to do.
Just my guess.
The new 90210 - is it cancelled yet?
Ok. Please stop. I’m speaking to the CW network.
The CW network is the channel that has brought us such hits as Hidden Palms, Aliens in America, and Online Nation. If you don’t recall those television shows don’t worry, no one else did either – even when they were on the air. This network was the reheated remains of the corpses of the WB and UPN networks (birthplace of Homeboys in Space - thank god they went bankrupt). It’s only successes to date being Smallville, Supernatural, Everybody Hates Chris, and America’s Top Model each from the old networks that went out of business.
So in search of new ideas that might sustain this still miserable network there has been an nearly unending hype about the new 90210. Yes sheer joy will fall from the heavens and ratings records will be set anew when the sequel to the original 1990’s television show hits the airwaves. Or so the CW keeps using all kinds of media to let us know.
Honestly, do they think that the return of Jennie Garth, and Shannen Doherty will cause some kind of uproar? Neither of these women have had a success in years. Unless you count the short stint Doherty had on Charmed (before she reportedly was fired and the series really took off) or her season of work on “Sci-Fi” Channel’s Scare Tactics [which has nothing to do with scifi and does not deserve to be on the channel]. That says nothing of the fact that the fan base left their teens over a decade ago.
But let’s look at what the show has to offer the youth of today.
The most notable change to the show is that suddenly the Beverly Hills area has a touch of color. And I do mean A touch. Tristan Wilds will play the adopted brother of Shenae Grimes – essentially the Brendan and Brenda of the old show.
So the only way that a Black kid can get into Beverly Hills is via an adoption, or so the show seems to present. Because the original certainly had as many Blacks as were to be found on Happy Days, The Brady Bunch, Friends, Seinfeld, and E.R. combined. Oh wait, that’s not true because there was 1 African American on E.R. at it’s start. Well at least the new show follows the far more enlightened and standardized format of 1 Black, 1 Latino, and at least one woman. (Well at least one of the women in the show looks sortof Latino so that counts right? And Asians? They don’t exist in America)
Well it won’t matter. The show has good looking rich people (everyone can relate to that right?), and they have Youtube in the show too (they are just like you, just in a Ferrari - if you are also White). It must be cool. And just for added effect they threw in an alcoholic/addict grandmother (because who doesn't have one). It's just a good wholesome television show, with drugs, and drinking, and sex, and paparazzi, and clothes that cost more than what most parents make in a year.
I think Brian Austin Green, who is among virtually all the old cast that refused to be on this program – except for Tori Spelling who dropped out because she thought she was worth more money like she has an acting career now that nepotism is not an option – stated it best
The odds stack up that it will suck. But in a world engorged with American Idol and ‘reality’ television shows, drivel might just pass for drama and entertainment. Unrealistic views of American population or success, a deep need to exploit real issues, and a drive to suplant style for substance. No wonder why I avoid broadcast television.
The CW network is the channel that has brought us such hits as Hidden Palms, Aliens in America, and Online Nation. If you don’t recall those television shows don’t worry, no one else did either – even when they were on the air. This network was the reheated remains of the corpses of the WB and UPN networks (birthplace of Homeboys in Space - thank god they went bankrupt). It’s only successes to date being Smallville, Supernatural, Everybody Hates Chris, and America’s Top Model each from the old networks that went out of business.
So in search of new ideas that might sustain this still miserable network there has been an nearly unending hype about the new 90210. Yes sheer joy will fall from the heavens and ratings records will be set anew when the sequel to the original 1990’s television show hits the airwaves. Or so the CW keeps using all kinds of media to let us know.
Honestly, do they think that the return of Jennie Garth, and Shannen Doherty will cause some kind of uproar? Neither of these women have had a success in years. Unless you count the short stint Doherty had on Charmed (before she reportedly was fired and the series really took off) or her season of work on “Sci-Fi” Channel’s Scare Tactics [which has nothing to do with scifi and does not deserve to be on the channel]. That says nothing of the fact that the fan base left their teens over a decade ago.
But let’s look at what the show has to offer the youth of today.
The most notable change to the show is that suddenly the Beverly Hills area has a touch of color. And I do mean A touch. Tristan Wilds will play the adopted brother of Shenae Grimes – essentially the Brendan and Brenda of the old show.
So the only way that a Black kid can get into Beverly Hills is via an adoption, or so the show seems to present. Because the original certainly had as many Blacks as were to be found on Happy Days, The Brady Bunch, Friends, Seinfeld, and E.R. combined. Oh wait, that’s not true because there was 1 African American on E.R. at it’s start. Well at least the new show follows the far more enlightened and standardized format of 1 Black, 1 Latino, and at least one woman. (Well at least one of the women in the show looks sortof Latino so that counts right? And Asians? They don’t exist in America)
Well it won’t matter. The show has good looking rich people (everyone can relate to that right?), and they have Youtube in the show too (they are just like you, just in a Ferrari - if you are also White). It must be cool. And just for added effect they threw in an alcoholic/addict grandmother (because who doesn't have one). It's just a good wholesome television show, with drugs, and drinking, and sex, and paparazzi, and clothes that cost more than what most parents make in a year.
I think Brian Austin Green, who is among virtually all the old cast that refused to be on this program – except for Tori Spelling who dropped out because she thought she was worth more money like she has an acting career now that nepotism is not an option – stated it best
“The new ['90210'] could be good. Or it will suck terribly."
The odds stack up that it will suck. But in a world engorged with American Idol and ‘reality’ television shows, drivel might just pass for drama and entertainment. Unrealistic views of American population or success, a deep need to exploit real issues, and a drive to suplant style for substance. No wonder why I avoid broadcast television.
Career choices - play Guitar Hero or be a comatose lemming
In-between the latest bit of ambulance chasing news of Greta Van Sustern (in my opinion), and the various spills of the Olympics I ran across the possibly most idiotic piece of new of the year (to date anyway). What could be worse than Greta reporting endlessly on news events that the majority of people no longer want to hear about, or the endless discussions of which group of Olympic athletes look best? Simply this, a kid quit school to play Guitar Hero.
It can’t be said enough, a 16 year old boy (that I’m willing to bet money is White – just because I cannot imagine a Black mother going along with this kind of idea) gave up on going to school to pursue a dream of playing video games, Guitar Hero in particular, for a living. This is not being a play tester for a gaming company – which is a career – just playing for competition.
The parents of this kid need to be slapped. Then the kid needs to be knocked about a bit, and then the parents again.
Now the fact the kid was an idiot, and could not do well in high school, and was not liked or popular is beside the point. That is not an excuse to just give up. And I realize that the kid is now getting tutored which has improved his learning. This is still not the same as getting a high school education. Part of high school is learning to interact with people, not all of which will like or value this individual or that one. Such is life.
This kid is hoping that Guitar Hero will remain popular, for his lifetime, in order to earn a living. The best in the industry – of which there are few – generally earn $25,000 which isn’t much. And I dare anyone to name a video game that is as popular 10 years after the first version of the game as the first. I’m a gamer and I can only think of one, Resident Evil. And it has its own ups and downs.
The parents of this kid have decided to ruin their child’s chances of earning a living, ever. If the kid was learning to program games, cool. If the kid had a real job as a back up, great. But this loser has 1 thing he can do. Play Guitar Hero. He might as well as commit suicide (I’m not being exactly literal) and save himself the anguish of life as a peon without social skills or marketable job qualifications.
This loser might even capture a few pre-teen girlfriends that he can wine and dine with his winnings of fast food gift certificates. But somehow I doubt that anyone else would be the least bit interested.
What bout of brain dead malfunctioning would allow parents to ok such an act? I have nothing against video games, they are a fun distraction. And I respect those that worked hard to learn the skills to create this impressive graphic computer marvels. But playing a video game is not training for the Olympics, or even viably planning for the future.
What happens when a new harder version of the game comes out? What if the game becomes unpopular? What if the supposed skill he has at this game is non-transferable to any other future game? The kid will be lucky to get a job hauling manure (and I really don’t mean it insult the people who haul manure, they at least do an honest days work unlike this kid). And sadly that means that both the parents and inevitably the Government will have to support this anti-social half-wit. My taxes are worth more.
I really cannot impress upon you my disgust at hearing this news. Yes I am upset that this kid believes his only claim for existence is that he can PLAY a game better than most (not even best). But I am insanely more pissed off that these parents have such little faith in their child’s abilities, and their own obviously detrimental parenting skills, as to destine this child to a life of poverty, ridicule, and about as much intellectual growth as a comatose lemming.
Please, do not do this to your children.
It can’t be said enough, a 16 year old boy (that I’m willing to bet money is White – just because I cannot imagine a Black mother going along with this kind of idea) gave up on going to school to pursue a dream of playing video games, Guitar Hero in particular, for a living. This is not being a play tester for a gaming company – which is a career – just playing for competition.
The parents of this kid need to be slapped. Then the kid needs to be knocked about a bit, and then the parents again.
Now the fact the kid was an idiot, and could not do well in high school, and was not liked or popular is beside the point. That is not an excuse to just give up. And I realize that the kid is now getting tutored which has improved his learning. This is still not the same as getting a high school education. Part of high school is learning to interact with people, not all of which will like or value this individual or that one. Such is life.
This kid is hoping that Guitar Hero will remain popular, for his lifetime, in order to earn a living. The best in the industry – of which there are few – generally earn $25,000 which isn’t much. And I dare anyone to name a video game that is as popular 10 years after the first version of the game as the first. I’m a gamer and I can only think of one, Resident Evil. And it has its own ups and downs.
The parents of this kid have decided to ruin their child’s chances of earning a living, ever. If the kid was learning to program games, cool. If the kid had a real job as a back up, great. But this loser has 1 thing he can do. Play Guitar Hero. He might as well as commit suicide (I’m not being exactly literal) and save himself the anguish of life as a peon without social skills or marketable job qualifications.
This loser might even capture a few pre-teen girlfriends that he can wine and dine with his winnings of fast food gift certificates. But somehow I doubt that anyone else would be the least bit interested.
What bout of brain dead malfunctioning would allow parents to ok such an act? I have nothing against video games, they are a fun distraction. And I respect those that worked hard to learn the skills to create this impressive graphic computer marvels. But playing a video game is not training for the Olympics, or even viably planning for the future.
What happens when a new harder version of the game comes out? What if the game becomes unpopular? What if the supposed skill he has at this game is non-transferable to any other future game? The kid will be lucky to get a job hauling manure (and I really don’t mean it insult the people who haul manure, they at least do an honest days work unlike this kid). And sadly that means that both the parents and inevitably the Government will have to support this anti-social half-wit. My taxes are worth more.
I really cannot impress upon you my disgust at hearing this news. Yes I am upset that this kid believes his only claim for existence is that he can PLAY a game better than most (not even best). But I am insanely more pissed off that these parents have such little faith in their child’s abilities, and their own obviously detrimental parenting skills, as to destine this child to a life of poverty, ridicule, and about as much intellectual growth as a comatose lemming.
Please, do not do this to your children.
Friday, August 15, 2008
Movie preview alert: Bill O'Reilly in An American Carol
Well the ultra-liberal fanatics will surely be up in arms about the latest item to be presented on the O’Reilly Factor last night. It seems that Bill O’Reilly has landed a small roll in an up-coming film. The film is a satirical look at people like Michael Moore, and many of the Hollywood Liberals that are just one step from Hanoi Jane Fonda.
Here is the video of the film
So what do you think of it? I found it to be very funny.
Michael Moore and many of the far-left nuts need a bit of air taken out of their blustering. And I think the concept of using A Christmas Carol as a format is original. Considering one of the writers and director here is the same man, David Zucker, responsible for Airplane, Top Secret, and the Naked Gun series, I expect the jokes to be pretty good.
The cast is filled with notable actors, including Kelsey Grammer, Robert Davi, Jon Voight, James Woods, Leslie Nielsen, Dennis Hopper, Kevin Sorbo, Travis Schuldt, and Trace Adkins.
That’s a lot of talent. I should mention that Kelsey Grammer and Dennis Hopper were previously paired in a movie that just came out – Swing Vote. I already panned the film in my preview of the film. Reviews by Rotten Tomatoes give it a 39% negative approval rating, and most reviews believe its ok to bad and a DVD pick at best. No surprise to me.
But Grammer and Hopper should redeem themselves in this film. Not that the liberals aren’t complaining already
I’m sorry, the self-important and more-righteous-than-thou attitude of Moore needs a pin to pop his balloon. In fact most on the far-left need a hit as well. Not that they haven’t been trying to, unsuccessfully, sell the “horrors” of America in films for the last few years.
I expect this film will be decent, based on the writer and actors involved. And America will likely flock to a film that pokes fun at the groups that are so serious and so sure they know what’s best for everyone. My bet is that the film makes more money than Redacted, Swing Vote, Lions for Lambs, and War Inc. combined. Actually since that isn’t much of a number to beat (Swing Vote is the big winner of the group having made about $13 million, still less than what it cost to make the film) I will say it makes $20 - $25 million it’s first week and nets a total of $40 million at least.
Do you agree?
Here is the video of the film
So what do you think of it? I found it to be very funny.
Michael Moore and many of the far-left nuts need a bit of air taken out of their blustering. And I think the concept of using A Christmas Carol as a format is original. Considering one of the writers and director here is the same man, David Zucker, responsible for Airplane, Top Secret, and the Naked Gun series, I expect the jokes to be pretty good.
The cast is filled with notable actors, including Kelsey Grammer, Robert Davi, Jon Voight, James Woods, Leslie Nielsen, Dennis Hopper, Kevin Sorbo, Travis Schuldt, and Trace Adkins.
That’s a lot of talent. I should mention that Kelsey Grammer and Dennis Hopper were previously paired in a movie that just came out – Swing Vote. I already panned the film in my preview of the film. Reviews by Rotten Tomatoes give it a 39% negative approval rating, and most reviews believe its ok to bad and a DVD pick at best. No surprise to me.
But Grammer and Hopper should redeem themselves in this film. Not that the liberals aren’t complaining already
“This is just more of the right wing believing their own BS to make themselves feel better. They know their time is almost up. A great deal of effort is put forth daily to keep morale up (see talk radio, right wing blogs/forums, Fox News) among the true believers. This film is another example…
Come October, the film may do well, if a campaign like the one for "Passion of the Christ", along with a "let's stick it to the liberals" message is ginned up via the usual outlets.
So go and have fun liberal-haters, laugh all the way into the political graveyard, you are proud to be part of an ugly history which will not be judged mercifully.”
I’m sorry, the self-important and more-righteous-than-thou attitude of Moore needs a pin to pop his balloon. In fact most on the far-left need a hit as well. Not that they haven’t been trying to, unsuccessfully, sell the “horrors” of America in films for the last few years.
I expect this film will be decent, based on the writer and actors involved. And America will likely flock to a film that pokes fun at the groups that are so serious and so sure they know what’s best for everyone. My bet is that the film makes more money than Redacted, Swing Vote, Lions for Lambs, and War Inc. combined. Actually since that isn’t much of a number to beat (Swing Vote is the big winner of the group having made about $13 million, still less than what it cost to make the film) I will say it makes $20 - $25 million it’s first week and nets a total of $40 million at least.
Do you agree?
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Texas police runover suspect
So did you see the news earlier today? Down in Houston, Texas there was a car chase, which lasted some 45 minutes. Local police and county officers were all involved in the chase – which at times was well over the speed limit when on the interstate, and almost obeying the law in community areas. But in the end the driver hit a car and jumped out to run away.
It was at that moment on live television that the man was hit by a county police car. Let me correct that, he was run over. The man flipped over, his head smashing into the windsheild and a shoe flying some 30 feet into the air from the impact.
The police then swarmed on top of the criminal. The man was then stood up and walked away – obviously dazed at the least. No ambulance was called, nor any first aid done.
When I described this to a friend of mine at 6pm, The conversation went like this:
Now all levity aside, one thing seems obvious to me. The man, who was Black, was visible to me watching the television that had the feed from a helicopter above and partially obscurred by overhanging trees. The county police officer that ran the guy down at around 30 miles per hour had a full unobstructed view. He hit the guy on purpose.
I may not be familiar with police procedures in Houston, but I imagine that running over suspects is not in the manual. I also doubt that failing to provide medical aide for someone they have run over is also outside the books.
Is this going to be a lawsuit? Oh yeah. This guy will gop to jail, he is a criminal after all, but he’s going to get paid for his time. And deservedly so. There were about a half dozen or more officers a couple of seconds behind this guy, with a police helicopter among others above him. He wasn’t going anywhere. And a 1 ½ ton vehicle at 30 miles an hour is excessive in virtually any circumstance.
But the question I want to pose to you is this. When you were reading this post, at what point were you sure the man was Black – before I mentioned it. Was it because of the crime, or the punishment?
If it was the crime, why did you assume he had to be Black? And if it was the punishment why would such excessive force make you sure? Doesn’t that mean that the police are racially biased, and therefore the legal system in America is screwed up? And if that is true as well, why aren’t we fixing it?
It was at that moment on live television that the man was hit by a county police car. Let me correct that, he was run over. The man flipped over, his head smashing into the windsheild and a shoe flying some 30 feet into the air from the impact.
The police then swarmed on top of the criminal. The man was then stood up and walked away – obviously dazed at the least. No ambulance was called, nor any first aid done.
When I described this to a friend of mine at 6pm, The conversation went like this:
“Was the guy Black or White? Why did they move him?”
I responded with “What do yuou think. And they had to move him, there were cameras all over the place. They just ran him over and had to show that he was ok. You know one of them had to know that there were news cameras above them.”
And my friend then went on to say
“Well you know that the on-board camera won’t be working. They’ll come up with a piece of paper that says the think was broken a week ago. ‘Why does it look like a billyclub smashed it?’ Dunno but the CD player doesn’t work either’”
“Yeah, and the dog pissed on the camera. Yeah that’s the ticket.”
“No it was the fuse that burned out. The officer was trying to put out the flames from the fuses with his foot, which is why he ran the guy over.”
Now all levity aside, one thing seems obvious to me. The man, who was Black, was visible to me watching the television that had the feed from a helicopter above and partially obscurred by overhanging trees. The county police officer that ran the guy down at around 30 miles per hour had a full unobstructed view. He hit the guy on purpose.
I may not be familiar with police procedures in Houston, but I imagine that running over suspects is not in the manual. I also doubt that failing to provide medical aide for someone they have run over is also outside the books.
Is this going to be a lawsuit? Oh yeah. This guy will gop to jail, he is a criminal after all, but he’s going to get paid for his time. And deservedly so. There were about a half dozen or more officers a couple of seconds behind this guy, with a police helicopter among others above him. He wasn’t going anywhere. And a 1 ½ ton vehicle at 30 miles an hour is excessive in virtually any circumstance.
But the question I want to pose to you is this. When you were reading this post, at what point were you sure the man was Black – before I mentioned it. Was it because of the crime, or the punishment?
If it was the crime, why did you assume he had to be Black? And if it was the punishment why would such excessive force make you sure? Doesn’t that mean that the police are racially biased, and therefore the legal system in America is screwed up? And if that is true as well, why aren’t we fixing it?
UFC fighters make money, but not as much as you might think
I was reading some news of late about upcoming UFC matches when I ran across something that I thought was interesting. How much do the UFC fighters actually make in each bout?
Now it’s not as much as you might imagine. Though the UFC is 10 years old now, it only recently started to get television deals. With the surge in popularity has come increased revenues, but also an increase in fees.
Notably there is the split with the pay-per-view carriers, and/or broadcaster. That takes a hefty clip out right there. And there is now news that the states where the programs orignate from are looking to take a cut too.
10% off the top and possibly as much as 50% to pay-per-view really cuts out the profits. I don’t even think boxing has such extreme cuts.
But the remaining amounts get a bit better. The final cut that is awarded to the fighters depends on if they win or lose, and if they have structured their contracts to be weighted more on their ability to win. So the final numbers work out to about 29% up to 50% of the net goes to the fighters. That is all the fighters as a group. Which is a very good payout and greater than any comparable sport.
Now the individual fighter may not make all that much. Like any other sport, especially the WWE, the more popular the fighter the bigger the payday. On the lowest rung fighters tend to make about $2,000. At the top the winning fighter can make as much as $175,000 a match.
Now that isn’t prize fights in boxing, nor even the base salary for a lineman in NFL football. Then again that is per match, and far more than working as a fast food cashier. But if the sport gains more attention as it seems to be doing then we can expect to see a lot of loyalty from the fighters and more than just a few hoping to join their ranks.
So if you were wondering how much they make and if it matches their fame, now you know.
Now it’s not as much as you might imagine. Though the UFC is 10 years old now, it only recently started to get television deals. With the surge in popularity has come increased revenues, but also an increase in fees.
Notably there is the split with the pay-per-view carriers, and/or broadcaster. That takes a hefty clip out right there. And there is now news that the states where the programs orignate from are looking to take a cut too.
“A little birdie says Ultimate Fighting Championship officials weren't pleased about the 10 percent tax on their show that drew 15,082 to Target Center on Saturday”
10% off the top and possibly as much as 50% to pay-per-view really cuts out the profits. I don’t even think boxing has such extreme cuts.
But the remaining amounts get a bit better. The final cut that is awarded to the fighters depends on if they win or lose, and if they have structured their contracts to be weighted more on their ability to win. So the final numbers work out to about 29% up to 50% of the net goes to the fighters. That is all the fighters as a group. Which is a very good payout and greater than any comparable sport.
Now the individual fighter may not make all that much. Like any other sport, especially the WWE, the more popular the fighter the bigger the payday. On the lowest rung fighters tend to make about $2,000. At the top the winning fighter can make as much as $175,000 a match.
Now that isn’t prize fights in boxing, nor even the base salary for a lineman in NFL football. Then again that is per match, and far more than working as a fast food cashier. But if the sport gains more attention as it seems to be doing then we can expect to see a lot of loyalty from the fighters and more than just a few hoping to join their ranks.
So if you were wondering how much they make and if it matches their fame, now you know.
The best fertility option
Interesting news for those couples looking to add to their families but having difficulty. While medical technology has advanced significantly in the past 2 decades, and news of families using various methods to become pregnant has become headlines and television shows there is evidence that anything beyond natural sex is a waste of time, money and effort.
A recent study, published in the British Journal of Medicine, looked at 580 women that were having infertility issues. The women were split into 3 roughly even groups and watched over 6 months.
One group of women were told to use the fertility drug clomifene (also known as Clomid or Clomifert). The drug is a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) and had the known side effects of hot flashes, abdominal discomfort, visual blurring, and/or reversible ovarian enlargement and cyst formation. Extreme cases are known to have abnormal uterine bleeding, nausea, and/or vomiting, reversible alopecia, and/or ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. Of this group 26 or 14% were able to become pregnant.
Another group of women were told to use artificial insemination where sperm is placed into the reproductive tract of a female. This concept was first developed for the dairy cattle industry. Costs range from $500 and up for each attempt at insemination, which can be very costly over repeated attempts. Of this group 43 women or 23% became pregant over the 6 month period.
The last group of women were advized to increase their sexual activity with their partner. That group had success rates of 32 women or 17% of the 193 in the group.
It was found that while the numbers for artificial insemination were higher, they did not reach a difference that was significant enough to be considered.
So what can we take from this? Perhaps one thing.
A nice dinner costs about $150 for 2, satin sheets another $70. Flower about $50. a nice music CD $20. Total cost is $290 and a great atmosphere. That’s a savings of $210 (or more since the CD and sheets don’t need to be repurchased and the meal can be just as good and cost a little less).
The result of this relaxed night are equal to artificial insemination, according to the study and I have to imagine far more pleasant. There are no negative side effects like the drug, and there are definite health benefits – it’s a cardio workout that burns tons of calories.
So just have a nice night, and stop stressing. You won’t be any worse off than any other method.
A recent study, published in the British Journal of Medicine, looked at 580 women that were having infertility issues. The women were split into 3 roughly even groups and watched over 6 months.
One group of women were told to use the fertility drug clomifene (also known as Clomid or Clomifert). The drug is a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) and had the known side effects of hot flashes, abdominal discomfort, visual blurring, and/or reversible ovarian enlargement and cyst formation. Extreme cases are known to have abnormal uterine bleeding, nausea, and/or vomiting, reversible alopecia, and/or ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. Of this group 26 or 14% were able to become pregnant.
Another group of women were told to use artificial insemination where sperm is placed into the reproductive tract of a female. This concept was first developed for the dairy cattle industry. Costs range from $500 and up for each attempt at insemination, which can be very costly over repeated attempts. Of this group 43 women or 23% became pregant over the 6 month period.
The last group of women were advized to increase their sexual activity with their partner. That group had success rates of 32 women or 17% of the 193 in the group.
It was found that while the numbers for artificial insemination were higher, they did not reach a difference that was significant enough to be considered.
So what can we take from this? Perhaps one thing.
A nice dinner costs about $150 for 2, satin sheets another $70. Flower about $50. a nice music CD $20. Total cost is $290 and a great atmosphere. That’s a savings of $210 (or more since the CD and sheets don’t need to be repurchased and the meal can be just as good and cost a little less).
The result of this relaxed night are equal to artificial insemination, according to the study and I have to imagine far more pleasant. There are no negative side effects like the drug, and there are definite health benefits – it’s a cardio workout that burns tons of calories.
So just have a nice night, and stop stressing. You won’t be any worse off than any other method.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Spain's Olympic basketball team - Racism in your face
It really just floors me. At a time when the world is looking at China, as they hold the Olympics, and seeing the mixing of every culture on the planet we still get to learn about how insensitive humanity can be.
Racism, and insults based solely in race, is neither an American invention nor one of the modern industrial era. But in the 21st Century we all would like to think that it might end soon, that we all would have learned enough about each other to know better. But we don’t. And it shows even as the world tries to unite for a ‘friendly’ athletic competition.
Many in the U.S. might not be familiar with the specific case I am speaking of. It deals with the Spanish basketball team and a photo they took before they start of the Olympics.
The insult is obvious. The intention, as stated by the team, was to have a light-hearted bit of fun. It didn’t happen.
Seriously, I too cannot understand how no one found this to be insulting. But before I wanted to write on this ad, sponsored and organized by Seur - though Li-Ning Footwear (Li-Ning being the former Olympian that lit the Olympic flame) is also a sponsor of the team - I wanted to give Spain’s basketball team a chance to simply apologize.
Instead comments like this on from Jose Calderon were made
No problem? Too much of a big deal? Calderon plays for the Toronto Raptors, so imagine if the Raptors took a picture like this one, all in black face. Or doused in water exposing their backs to the camera. Or dressed with green and spilling beer. Or holding plates of spaghetti. In Spain there may not be a care about insulting 1/3 of the world, or any race and ethnicity, but the rest of the world clearly does not share those same feelings – at least most of the time.
Pau Gasol, who plays for the L.A. Lakers, offered a slightly more remorseful comment
It’s not much of an apology. I mean if he felt that bad about the photo, why be in it? Why not say something? Why not make a comment before or when the photo was published in La Marca?
Gasol said nothing, until the image hit the internet, and the backlash struck the team. That’s not caring about being offensive or racist, that’s covering your ass.
But before you start taking the side of Gasol keep in mind the last part of what he has to say about this
Wrong context? Wrong people? The photo mocks anyone of Asian descent anywhere in the world. What context beyond that is there?
How many times have I heard the words, “I’m not a racist but…” or “I can’t be racist because I know a black person…” or “We’re not racists because we like this entertainer (or athlete)…”
Spain is known for its racist attitude, especially in sports. There are numerous comments that have been made by those in soccer (futbol), auto racing, and other sports. This is a low for that country, among a host of lows presented to the worlds on a regular basis.
Racist acts are not solely an American issue, but that does not make it a good thing nor acceptable. If Spain, and/or the Spanish basketball team, is embarrassed they should be. The world is in the 21st Century, and actions like this have no place in it.
Racism, and insults based solely in race, is neither an American invention nor one of the modern industrial era. But in the 21st Century we all would like to think that it might end soon, that we all would have learned enough about each other to know better. But we don’t. And it shows even as the world tries to unite for a ‘friendly’ athletic competition.
Many in the U.S. might not be familiar with the specific case I am speaking of. It deals with the Spanish basketball team and a photo they took before they start of the Olympics.
The insult is obvious. The intention, as stated by the team, was to have a light-hearted bit of fun. It didn’t happen.
“It's baffling that nobody involved in the picture -- from the photographers to the players -- even seemed to consider that this ad would be looked at negatively. Did it not occur to somebody that it might not be a good idea to mock an entire continent before the world's largest athletic competition that, by the way, happens to take place on that continent. Were they not aware of an invention called "the Internet" that allows pictures taken in Spain to be transmitted all over the world for the eyes of everyone?”
Seriously, I too cannot understand how no one found this to be insulting. But before I wanted to write on this ad, sponsored and organized by Seur - though Li-Ning Footwear (Li-Ning being the former Olympian that lit the Olympic flame) is also a sponsor of the team - I wanted to give Spain’s basketball team a chance to simply apologize.
Instead comments like this on from Jose Calderon were made
“We did it because we thought it was going to be something nice, something with no problem,” Calderon told Yahoo! Sports. “But somebody wants to talk about it. It is too much of a big deal with you guys (the media) and everybody talking about that.”
No problem? Too much of a big deal? Calderon plays for the Toronto Raptors, so imagine if the Raptors took a picture like this one, all in black face. Or doused in water exposing their backs to the camera. Or dressed with green and spilling beer. Or holding plates of spaghetti. In Spain there may not be a care about insulting 1/3 of the world, or any race and ethnicity, but the rest of the world clearly does not share those same feelings – at least most of the time.
Pau Gasol, who plays for the L.A. Lakers, offered a slightly more remorseful comment
“Some of us didn’t feel comfortable doing it just because to me it was a little clownish for our part to be doing that,” Gasol said. “But the sponsors insisted and insisted. I think it is just a bad idea I guess to do that, but it was never intended to be offensive or racist against anybody...
If anybody feels offended by it we totally apologize for it. We never meant anything offensive by it.”
It’s not much of an apology. I mean if he felt that bad about the photo, why be in it? Why not say something? Why not make a comment before or when the photo was published in La Marca?
Gasol said nothing, until the image hit the internet, and the backlash struck the team. That’s not caring about being offensive or racist, that’s covering your ass.
But before you start taking the side of Gasol keep in mind the last part of what he has to say about this
“If you put it in the wrong context and put it with the wrong people or a different kind of people, you could take it that way,” he said. “But not with our group and not with our people. I would find that a wrong read.”
Wrong context? Wrong people? The photo mocks anyone of Asian descent anywhere in the world. What context beyond that is there?
How many times have I heard the words, “I’m not a racist but…” or “I can’t be racist because I know a black person…” or “We’re not racists because we like this entertainer (or athlete)…”
Spain is known for its racist attitude, especially in sports. There are numerous comments that have been made by those in soccer (futbol), auto racing, and other sports. This is a low for that country, among a host of lows presented to the worlds on a regular basis.
Racist acts are not solely an American issue, but that does not make it a good thing nor acceptable. If Spain, and/or the Spanish basketball team, is embarrassed they should be. The world is in the 21st Century, and actions like this have no place in it.
Movie Preview: The Day The Earth Stood Still
Expect to hear a bunch of hype in the near future because Keanu Reeves is about to have another film come out. Much like the Matrix series, this film will also be a sci-fi film. But this time the film will be far less difficult for some to follow. That’s because Keanu Reeves has jumped onto the ‘revisioned’ bandwagon.
As I’ve said in the past, I have no love for revisioned movies or television shows. They are virtually all inevitably horrendous films, and most flop as badly as their warped re-telling of the stories are far from the mark. Unless you were a fan of Dukes of Hazzard, Starsky & Hutch, the first Hulk movie, or any number of other complete foul-ups. Of course Hollywood seems not to care because they keep rolling out these screwed up remakes, en masse. I suppose the money brought in by these abysmal Cliffnotes version of good ideas is enough to cover the cost of making the movies – obviously they are saving tons of cash on writers.
In this case the remake is of the classic film The Day The Earth Stood Still. A great film from 1951. Black & White, low end special effects (especially by today’s standards), but well acted and a better than average storyline.
The new film will likely lose all the nuance, and subtle political message of the original film. In fact I expect the film will make a political point like using a sledgehammer to open a sunflower seed.
What I can say is that they stole the image of the black globe of death from AKIRA. And I note that they are going for the PC-friendly idea in the son being of (presumably) mixed race. And there is the benefit of appealing to women with the hint of the line
Such a hokey line and idea never was in the first film, but I’m sure it will garner positive reviews from women’s groups because she is so important to the world.
Of course between now and December 12th further movie video clips will be released, and it’s possible that the connecting parts of the film will justify the line, and might even make it worthwhile. But from this video trailer I have to say that I’m not excited by Keanu’s Agent Smith-like acting or the apparent storyline. But we will see.
As I’ve said in the past, I have no love for revisioned movies or television shows. They are virtually all inevitably horrendous films, and most flop as badly as their warped re-telling of the stories are far from the mark. Unless you were a fan of Dukes of Hazzard, Starsky & Hutch, the first Hulk movie, or any number of other complete foul-ups. Of course Hollywood seems not to care because they keep rolling out these screwed up remakes, en masse. I suppose the money brought in by these abysmal Cliffnotes version of good ideas is enough to cover the cost of making the movies – obviously they are saving tons of cash on writers.
In this case the remake is of the classic film The Day The Earth Stood Still. A great film from 1951. Black & White, low end special effects (especially by today’s standards), but well acted and a better than average storyline.
The new film will likely lose all the nuance, and subtle political message of the original film. In fact I expect the film will make a political point like using a sledgehammer to open a sunflower seed.
What I can say is that they stole the image of the black globe of death from AKIRA. And I note that they are going for the PC-friendly idea in the son being of (presumably) mixed race. And there is the benefit of appealing to women with the hint of the line
“If the Earth dies, you die. If you die, the Earth survives.”
Such a hokey line and idea never was in the first film, but I’m sure it will garner positive reviews from women’s groups because she is so important to the world.
Of course between now and December 12th further movie video clips will be released, and it’s possible that the connecting parts of the film will justify the line, and might even make it worthwhile. But from this video trailer I have to say that I’m not excited by Keanu’s Agent Smith-like acting or the apparent storyline. But we will see.
An Olympic challenge in Hong Kong
2008 is the year of the greatest athletes on four legs ever to be gathered in China at one time. That was no typo, I said 4 legs. Well to be more accurate some are on 2, but they have wings.
No I’m not talking about the Beijing Olympics, but the Hong Kong Olympets that are underway as we speak.
The Olympets was inspired by petshop manager Howard Cheung. It seems that Hong Kong, though overcrowded and short on space, is filled with pet lovers. And Cheung knows that pets need exercise as much as their owners. So the combination seems like an excellent fit.
Some 400 pets are involved in these first ever games. As can be seen in the video dogs appear to be the most common participant, though mice and parrots are not excluded.
The secret to getting the pets to be properly motivated?
And if you were wondering, yes the winners will get their own version of the gold medals. My money is on the Dachshund, he is fast.
No I’m not talking about the Beijing Olympics, but the Hong Kong Olympets that are underway as we speak.
The Olympets was inspired by petshop manager Howard Cheung. It seems that Hong Kong, though overcrowded and short on space, is filled with pet lovers. And Cheung knows that pets need exercise as much as their owners. So the combination seems like an excellent fit.
Some 400 pets are involved in these first ever games. As can be seen in the video dogs appear to be the most common participant, though mice and parrots are not excluded.
The secret to getting the pets to be properly motivated?
"Of course for some of the events you have to use treats so they will try harder," he [Cheung] said. "The parrots do have a tendency to climb up the rope anyway, but a treat at the top helps."
And if you were wondering, yes the winners will get their own version of the gold medals. My money is on the Dachshund, he is fast.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Roy Snell - email scam or nut?
Ok, I have to address this because I hope to prevent a repeat of this event. Please, please do not contact me if you want to leave America. If you don’t like this nation go somewhere else and do not send me a random email asking for money or my help.
Case in point, I received an email from a Roy Snell of Rochester today. His email is a rambling mess of accusations and woe all inflicted because he is Black and he was a whistleblower – or so he claimed. The email starts as follows:
Now normally I drop junk email like this in my trash and continue on my way. But this caught me. I decided to check it out just in case it was a real email. And for my good intentions I received a waste of time.
While there may or may not be racism in Rochester this guy, Roy Snell, does not seem to be a victim of it. From what I could gather from all his rambling is that he is an ex-convict, a blue-collar worker, has a massive ego, may be paranoid and broke.
Now I have many friends that I’ve known since childhood that are ex-cons. They are great people, minus the fact that they had broken the law. I don’t hold that against them. I have worked blue-collar jobs for a good part of my early life. I have a trade and have no problem sweeping floors if it will provide me a living. I’ve done it before and would do it again if I had the need. And I’ve been homeless, so I know how it is to be broke. So those things are not in themselves a bad thing. But his ego and paranoia are.
That all said, Roy Snell is his own worst enemy – or so his writing implies. His myspace page has a litany of supposed charges that he feels were committed against him. Virtually every single one of them are neither actual points of law or stem directly from a massively overdeveloped sense of self. In reading through his rant I see virtually nothing that is a directed attack on him, and the minor points that could be seem to imply his own causation for the action he describes.
Roy Snell wants to leave America, and I say go. If he is so sure that the Government, institutions and individuals are so determined to hold him down he should leave. Good luck in finding a better nation.
I hate when anyone decides to blame poor decisions and a lack of intelligence on the Government, racism or society. There are real issues out there that I try to discuss. There are real problems that need to be resolved in America. People wasting time and seeking money for their personal issues weaken these arguments and belittle the efforts against those real issues.
It’s not a Government conspiracy or breach of contract when you fail to do well in community college. College is not an obligation, and it requires your own self-discipline to learn the material presented to you. If you don’t put in the work you can only blame yourself for the grades you receive. That is not racism.
A good character is not defined by being a good tipper at a bar. Once you are an ex-convict its part of your public records and employers will know that without anyone, even a college, mentioning it. This public information does not violate your constitutional rights. Excessive force cannot be almost done. And it refers to being restrained, detained, or arrested. Almost being shot, by unknown individuals, that you are unaware of is not excessive force. And on and on.
And all of this for the purpose of asking strangers, in this case me, for money and help. I initially thought this was a scam, and I continue to hope it is. Otherwise Roy Snell has serious problems.
I am not stupid, my company is not an open bank account for every nut with a gripe. I am a Black Puerto Rican, but that does not mean I see racism in every corner or agree with every claim of racism made to cover the self-inflicted woes of some people of color. I do not tolerate internet scams of any size or type.
Roy Snell seems to be trying to prey on the public with tales of racism and woe that are imaginary and false. Beware individuals like this. Do not give money to people like this. Most importantly do not believe the flim-flam of people like this.
Case in point, I received an email from a Roy Snell of Rochester today. His email is a rambling mess of accusations and woe all inflicted because he is Black and he was a whistleblower – or so he claimed. The email starts as follows:
9-1-1, Crimes have been committed…..I need help!!! I don't know where to turn!!
The city of Rochester hate my guts and I have been retaliated for it because racism is very hard to prove...and I have proven it. I have been in my apartment for over 2 years not knowing what to do. This city has committed at least 37 crimes against me that has almost got me shot, ran over and retaliated against like no tomorrow. I just want off american soil for good without violence. You can read my Blogs on Myspace under Roy Snell, Rochester N.Y. or look for diddy. I am also selling the american flag, my Degree and tons of pictures of NYC before 9-1-1- and after 9-1-1 on Ebay. I don't know where to turn...can you please please help me, because I haven’t received a pay check in over 6 month, I only have a little food left, I can’t pay next month rent, ALL my job references are wiped completely out, and these people bite!!! I want off american soil for good!!!!
Now normally I drop junk email like this in my trash and continue on my way. But this caught me. I decided to check it out just in case it was a real email. And for my good intentions I received a waste of time.
While there may or may not be racism in Rochester this guy, Roy Snell, does not seem to be a victim of it. From what I could gather from all his rambling is that he is an ex-convict, a blue-collar worker, has a massive ego, may be paranoid and broke.
Now I have many friends that I’ve known since childhood that are ex-cons. They are great people, minus the fact that they had broken the law. I don’t hold that against them. I have worked blue-collar jobs for a good part of my early life. I have a trade and have no problem sweeping floors if it will provide me a living. I’ve done it before and would do it again if I had the need. And I’ve been homeless, so I know how it is to be broke. So those things are not in themselves a bad thing. But his ego and paranoia are.
That all said, Roy Snell is his own worst enemy – or so his writing implies. His myspace page has a litany of supposed charges that he feels were committed against him. Virtually every single one of them are neither actual points of law or stem directly from a massively overdeveloped sense of self. In reading through his rant I see virtually nothing that is a directed attack on him, and the minor points that could be seem to imply his own causation for the action he describes.
Roy Snell wants to leave America, and I say go. If he is so sure that the Government, institutions and individuals are so determined to hold him down he should leave. Good luck in finding a better nation.
I hate when anyone decides to blame poor decisions and a lack of intelligence on the Government, racism or society. There are real issues out there that I try to discuss. There are real problems that need to be resolved in America. People wasting time and seeking money for their personal issues weaken these arguments and belittle the efforts against those real issues.
It’s not a Government conspiracy or breach of contract when you fail to do well in community college. College is not an obligation, and it requires your own self-discipline to learn the material presented to you. If you don’t put in the work you can only blame yourself for the grades you receive. That is not racism.
A good character is not defined by being a good tipper at a bar. Once you are an ex-convict its part of your public records and employers will know that without anyone, even a college, mentioning it. This public information does not violate your constitutional rights. Excessive force cannot be almost done. And it refers to being restrained, detained, or arrested. Almost being shot, by unknown individuals, that you are unaware of is not excessive force. And on and on.
And all of this for the purpose of asking strangers, in this case me, for money and help. I initially thought this was a scam, and I continue to hope it is. Otherwise Roy Snell has serious problems.
I am not stupid, my company is not an open bank account for every nut with a gripe. I am a Black Puerto Rican, but that does not mean I see racism in every corner or agree with every claim of racism made to cover the self-inflicted woes of some people of color. I do not tolerate internet scams of any size or type.
Roy Snell seems to be trying to prey on the public with tales of racism and woe that are imaginary and false. Beware individuals like this. Do not give money to people like this. Most importantly do not believe the flim-flam of people like this.
Brawlin'at the Belmar - my first BMX Pro-Am dirt jumping tournament
Over the weekend I had the chance to watch America rise to the challenge. I wasn’t watching the Olympics, or the news on Iraq and/or Afghanistan. I wasn’t at a movie. I was watching a BMX competition – Brawlin’ at the Belmar.
I’ll say it again, I was watching teens and young men on bicycles competing on a short dirt track. In fact it wasn’t a track but a jump, landing hill, and turnaround wall specially built behind the Belmar here in Binghamton just for this event. To be more accurate it was a dirt ramp setup by Dave King – a master ramp builder in the sport - specifically for a Pro-Am dirt jumping tournament. And it was a great experience.
Now it’s taking me a bit of time to get the video of the event done, my editing skill are not the greatest and I have 200 video clips to work through, but I will have one soon. Even so the event was a wonderful display of America just enjoying itself.
The event was sponsored by Red Bull, FBM Bikes, and the Belmar Bar. This was not the first year this event has been held here, but it was the first time I went to it. And there were roughly 200 plus people there at any moment from 12pm until night fell some 9 hours later. That was just the crowd on Saturday, with part of the event being held previously Friday.
Now I should mention that I am not a fan of BMX (never seen it before). I also knew nothing about the sport beyond the thought that it was something that kids did before some Monster Truck event. Such are the thoughts of a 40 yr old from the Bronx. I was wrong on multiple counts.
The competition involved both amateurs and professionals with a total of some 30 riders or more in all.
There were riders there from as far as Chicago and Long Island that I am aware of. There was even one rider that had been at the X-games this year. And the age ranges were from one young Black kid (Boogie was his nickname if I recall correctly) of 10 to a 32 year old.
Now I would be remiss if I did not mention that I was amazed by some of the jumps and tricks that were being done. I am quite sure that I’d have killed myself if I tried to do any of it. Yet all the riders were out giving their all for the crowd. There were riders jumping up some 20+ feet into the air, and others getting almost as much height while doing flips or 180 and 360 degree turns.
Now I had to ask a couple of the riders about this sport.
One rider I spoke to was Dan Psimer from Cleveland, Ohio.
He’s 25 years old and first started riding bikes in competition in the NBL. The NBL is the National Bike League as I learned. Dan was 13 then, and he never looked back. His mother supported him in his endeavors and now he is a professional with big plans. I can’t discuss some of his plans for the future, but I can say that his love of the sport has gotten him to look to the entrepreneurial aspects as well as competition.
As someone who never had seen this type of event I have to say it was unique and fun. And the crowd was filled with spectators of all ages. A large amount of the crowd were very familiar with the professionals, and local amateurs as well.
Once I have my video, or videos, done I will go into more detail on the event. But I will say this, given the opportunity of watching another event like this or watching Olympic bicycling, or the Tour De France, I would gladly go all American and watch the BMX competition.
I’ll say it again, I was watching teens and young men on bicycles competing on a short dirt track. In fact it wasn’t a track but a jump, landing hill, and turnaround wall specially built behind the Belmar here in Binghamton just for this event. To be more accurate it was a dirt ramp setup by Dave King – a master ramp builder in the sport - specifically for a Pro-Am dirt jumping tournament. And it was a great experience.
Now it’s taking me a bit of time to get the video of the event done, my editing skill are not the greatest and I have 200 video clips to work through, but I will have one soon. Even so the event was a wonderful display of America just enjoying itself.
The event was sponsored by Red Bull, FBM Bikes, and the Belmar Bar. This was not the first year this event has been held here, but it was the first time I went to it. And there were roughly 200 plus people there at any moment from 12pm until night fell some 9 hours later. That was just the crowd on Saturday, with part of the event being held previously Friday.
Now I should mention that I am not a fan of BMX (never seen it before). I also knew nothing about the sport beyond the thought that it was something that kids did before some Monster Truck event. Such are the thoughts of a 40 yr old from the Bronx. I was wrong on multiple counts.
The competition involved both amateurs and professionals with a total of some 30 riders or more in all.
There were riders there from as far as Chicago and Long Island that I am aware of. There was even one rider that had been at the X-games this year. And the age ranges were from one young Black kid (Boogie was his nickname if I recall correctly) of 10 to a 32 year old.Now I would be remiss if I did not mention that I was amazed by some of the jumps and tricks that were being done. I am quite sure that I’d have killed myself if I tried to do any of it. Yet all the riders were out giving their all for the crowd. There were riders jumping up some 20+ feet into the air, and others getting almost as much height while doing flips or 180 and 360 degree turns.
Now I had to ask a couple of the riders about this sport.
One rider I spoke to was Dan Psimer from Cleveland, Ohio.
He’s 25 years old and first started riding bikes in competition in the NBL. The NBL is the National Bike League as I learned. Dan was 13 then, and he never looked back. His mother supported him in his endeavors and now he is a professional with big plans. I can’t discuss some of his plans for the future, but I can say that his love of the sport has gotten him to look to the entrepreneurial aspects as well as competition.As someone who never had seen this type of event I have to say it was unique and fun. And the crowd was filled with spectators of all ages. A large amount of the crowd were very familiar with the professionals, and local amateurs as well.
Once I have my video, or videos, done I will go into more detail on the event. But I will say this, given the opportunity of watching another event like this or watching Olympic bicycling, or the Tour De France, I would gladly go all American and watch the BMX competition.
Monday, August 11, 2008
In the sky, It’s a bird. It’s a UFO. No it’s a candle.
Candles are wonderful items. They provide light in the dark, are decorations in homes, and integral to the connection some have with God in their religion. Candles have been around in one form or another since at least the Egyptians if not older. Everyone has at least one in their home right now.
And candles may just be the invention of Aliens.
Now I may be wrong but I’m pretty sure that while the history of candles may be lost to the depths of the past, I doubt that mystery is on par with the Pyramids. It’s highly doubtful that alien visitors left them for man to build technology upon. Of course I could be wrong.
It seems that this was what quite a few people in Grangemouth, Stirlingshire seemed to believe recently. Well almost. What happened was far more terrestrial.
It seems that there was a party and some of the party-goers decided to release some balloons. The balloons were attached to candles that were lit. The purpose of this is to grant the person a wish, making their dreams come to life. But of course this was not the dreams of over a dozen people looking into the night sky.
The police were called with citizenry in a panic that alien UFO’s were converging in preparation for an invasion, or at least observing the Earth.
So the net time you are in Scotland, enjoying a party with friends, you might want to call the police before trying to make your dreams come true.
And candles may just be the invention of Aliens.
Now I may be wrong but I’m pretty sure that while the history of candles may be lost to the depths of the past, I doubt that mystery is on par with the Pyramids. It’s highly doubtful that alien visitors left them for man to build technology upon. Of course I could be wrong.
It seems that this was what quite a few people in Grangemouth, Stirlingshire seemed to believe recently. Well almost. What happened was far more terrestrial.
It seems that there was a party and some of the party-goers decided to release some balloons. The balloons were attached to candles that were lit. The purpose of this is to grant the person a wish, making their dreams come to life. But of course this was not the dreams of over a dozen people looking into the night sky.
The police were called with citizenry in a panic that alien UFO’s were converging in preparation for an invasion, or at least observing the Earth.
So the net time you are in Scotland, enjoying a party with friends, you might want to call the police before trying to make your dreams come true.
Padraig Harrington sets records at PGA Championship
So what happens when the best golfer in the world isn’t playing in the majors? When that golfer is Tiger Woods the rest of the player get a second wind and amazing things happen. That may be the only answer as to why Padraig Harrington not only won the British Open, but now has also won the PGA Championship.
This is a huge accomplishment of Harrington as this makes him only the 4th player to accomplish a win at both majors in the same year. Of course Tiger Woods has done it twice. Still it’s a record that is impressive for any golfer. Add to that the fact that he is the first European player to win the PGA Championship in 78 years and the first to win back to back majors and it just makes the win that much sweeter.
But I wonder would this have happened if Tiger was around? Probably not.
That is not to say that Harrington is anything less than a great golfer. That’s obvious by his win. But when Tiger is on the course you have to notice how every player is completely different. They play with more pressure and virtually always fold when it comes to Sunday.
Given the pace of wins that Tiger has made in the past, and the sudden rush to victory for Padraig Harrington, the big question is what happens when the best player in the world gets healthy and pissed off that his thunder is being taken by someone else?
I’m looking forward to the next Masters. A showdown between these 2 men. A real challenge of wills and the imposing presence of Tiger. If Harrington can keep his composure, and fend off the rest of the world’s golfers as he has, that’s the Sunday we will see. And that will be a match for the record books I bet.
This is a huge accomplishment of Harrington as this makes him only the 4th player to accomplish a win at both majors in the same year. Of course Tiger Woods has done it twice. Still it’s a record that is impressive for any golfer. Add to that the fact that he is the first European player to win the PGA Championship in 78 years and the first to win back to back majors and it just makes the win that much sweeter.
But I wonder would this have happened if Tiger was around? Probably not.
That is not to say that Harrington is anything less than a great golfer. That’s obvious by his win. But when Tiger is on the course you have to notice how every player is completely different. They play with more pressure and virtually always fold when it comes to Sunday.
Given the pace of wins that Tiger has made in the past, and the sudden rush to victory for Padraig Harrington, the big question is what happens when the best player in the world gets healthy and pissed off that his thunder is being taken by someone else?
I’m looking forward to the next Masters. A showdown between these 2 men. A real challenge of wills and the imposing presence of Tiger. If Harrington can keep his composure, and fend off the rest of the world’s golfers as he has, that’s the Sunday we will see. And that will be a match for the record books I bet.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Isaac Hayes, Bernie Mac - gone too soon
The past few days have been very sad on so many fronts. There was the surprising car accident that put Morgan Freeman into the hospital with a broken arm and shoulder. Then the Olympics were marred with the murder of an American father-in-law of the Men’s Volleyball Team coach. And now there is the back to back news of the sudden deaths of Bernie Mac and Isaac Hayes.
This is a difficult week for many, and I offer my condolences to the families of all that are suffering.
Bernie Mac was just a few months short of being 51. Born in the South side of Chicago, he raised himself up from early childhood tragedies of losing his mother and the absence of his father. Though he started his comedy career in his teens, it was not until he was 32 that his career flourished. The perseverance that allowed him to follow his dream took him through a difficult road – at one time leading him to work for UPS and as a furniture mover. Yet it was this aspect of everyday struggles that helped to shape his comedy and give him an appeal that was as wide as the nation.
While I may not been the greatest fan of Bernard Jeffrey McCullough (his given name) in his stand-up comedy, I was among the millions that enjoyed his acting in movies as diverse as Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood, Get on the Bus, Life, Ocean's Eleven (and it’s2 sequels), What's the Worst That Could Happen?. Even more people were able to learn of his ability in his television show, The Bernie Mac Show, in which he received 2 Emmy nominations, 2 Golden Globe nominations, and 7 NAACP Image Award nominations (of which he won 4) all for best comedic actor.
This says nothing of the fact that Bernie Mac was a father. While his fame came towards the end of his life, he raised a daughter with his wife that graduated from college with a Master's degree in Mental Health Counseling. That daugheter is married and made Bernie Mac a grandfather.
He was too young to leave us all.
Isaac Hayes was also a young robust 65. He first came to national attention in the 1960’s and has never been far from the ears of the nation, even if many had no idea it was him. He was a writer, singer, musician, composer and producer of multiple albums, leaving an indelible mark in music that still is reflected to this day. He received the first Academy Award received by an African-American in a non-acting category for his soundtrack to the film SHAFT as well as 3 Grammy Awards. But that was not the only source of his fame.
From the 1970’s on Isaac Hayes could be seen on television and in movies. Some of his most notable mvoie characters included is possibly most famous – the Duke of New York from Escape From New York. But he was as comfortable in a comedy (I’m Gonna Get You Sucka) as in sci-fi (Johnny Mnemonic).
Of course his television roles were equally as diverse. He appeared on The Rockford Files, The A-Team and Miami Vice before he captured a role on one of the most popular television programs for the modern generation of kids South Park – where he voiced Chef.
But all of these accomplishments should be no surprise as Isaac Hayes was a man of diverse abilities. Like Bernie Mac, he lived through the death of his parents and being raised by his grandparents. He was poor in his youth, and picked cotton for a time. Yet he sang for his church since he was 5, and taught himself how to play 4 instruments - piano, electronic organ, flute and saxophone.
Isaac Hayes was also like Bernie Mac in that he too was a family man. Hayes had 12 children, and had 14 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Considering all of his accomplishments Hayes still found time for humanitarian work. He was involved with Youth for Human Rights International and One Campaign among others. In fact he was made an honorary king of Ghana's Ada district in 1992 for his humanitarianism.
All of this and the fact that Hayes had suffered from a stroke earlier in his life.
He too has gone from us too soone.
But I want to emphasize something about these public men, something that I am sure can be said of Todd Bachmann as well. They all gave of themselves and helped to improve the world we all live in. Their struggles and accomplishments are testament to the things we all can achieve in our lives.
From being poor, to losses in youth, to struggles in work we each can rise up and become the dreams we have, and help others to live out their dreams – or just live better lives.
I am sad today because of their losses, but I am also happy knowing that these men gave us all something that has enrichened our lives. Again I give my condolences to their families and friends.
This is a difficult week for many, and I offer my condolences to the families of all that are suffering.
Bernie Mac was just a few months short of being 51. Born in the South side of Chicago, he raised himself up from early childhood tragedies of losing his mother and the absence of his father. Though he started his comedy career in his teens, it was not until he was 32 that his career flourished. The perseverance that allowed him to follow his dream took him through a difficult road – at one time leading him to work for UPS and as a furniture mover. Yet it was this aspect of everyday struggles that helped to shape his comedy and give him an appeal that was as wide as the nation.
While I may not been the greatest fan of Bernard Jeffrey McCullough (his given name) in his stand-up comedy, I was among the millions that enjoyed his acting in movies as diverse as Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood, Get on the Bus, Life, Ocean's Eleven (and it’s2 sequels), What's the Worst That Could Happen?. Even more people were able to learn of his ability in his television show, The Bernie Mac Show, in which he received 2 Emmy nominations, 2 Golden Globe nominations, and 7 NAACP Image Award nominations (of which he won 4) all for best comedic actor.
This says nothing of the fact that Bernie Mac was a father. While his fame came towards the end of his life, he raised a daughter with his wife that graduated from college with a Master's degree in Mental Health Counseling. That daugheter is married and made Bernie Mac a grandfather.
He was too young to leave us all.
Isaac Hayes was also a young robust 65. He first came to national attention in the 1960’s and has never been far from the ears of the nation, even if many had no idea it was him. He was a writer, singer, musician, composer and producer of multiple albums, leaving an indelible mark in music that still is reflected to this day. He received the first Academy Award received by an African-American in a non-acting category for his soundtrack to the film SHAFT as well as 3 Grammy Awards. But that was not the only source of his fame.
From the 1970’s on Isaac Hayes could be seen on television and in movies. Some of his most notable mvoie characters included is possibly most famous – the Duke of New York from Escape From New York. But he was as comfortable in a comedy (I’m Gonna Get You Sucka) as in sci-fi (Johnny Mnemonic).
Of course his television roles were equally as diverse. He appeared on The Rockford Files, The A-Team and Miami Vice before he captured a role on one of the most popular television programs for the modern generation of kids South Park – where he voiced Chef.
But all of these accomplishments should be no surprise as Isaac Hayes was a man of diverse abilities. Like Bernie Mac, he lived through the death of his parents and being raised by his grandparents. He was poor in his youth, and picked cotton for a time. Yet he sang for his church since he was 5, and taught himself how to play 4 instruments - piano, electronic organ, flute and saxophone.
Isaac Hayes was also like Bernie Mac in that he too was a family man. Hayes had 12 children, and had 14 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Considering all of his accomplishments Hayes still found time for humanitarian work. He was involved with Youth for Human Rights International and One Campaign among others. In fact he was made an honorary king of Ghana's Ada district in 1992 for his humanitarianism.
All of this and the fact that Hayes had suffered from a stroke earlier in his life.
He too has gone from us too soone.
But I want to emphasize something about these public men, something that I am sure can be said of Todd Bachmann as well. They all gave of themselves and helped to improve the world we all live in. Their struggles and accomplishments are testament to the things we all can achieve in our lives.
From being poor, to losses in youth, to struggles in work we each can rise up and become the dreams we have, and help others to live out their dreams – or just live better lives.
I am sad today because of their losses, but I am also happy knowing that these men gave us all something that has enrichened our lives. Again I give my condolences to their families and friends.
Friday, August 08, 2008
Halo on a rainy Friday
It’s a rainy Friday for me and I needed something to pick up my spirits. So I decided to go back to Youtube to see if there might be something that would do the job. I think the following did it.
AMERICAN BLACK FILM FESTIVAL
Over the last decade or so film festivals of all sizes have become quite popular. Cannes has long been the Super Bowl event for film festivals that the general public can name, though Edinburgh International Film Festival is the longest running continuous festival. But others like the Sundance, Tribeca, and Raindance Film Festival are far more recent and followed by the media. Still there is a film festival that goes unmentioned even though 70% of its films go on to receive theatrical or DVD distribution, which I doubt most other festivals can boast.
AMERICAN BLACK FILM FESTIVAL (ABFF) has been around for 12 years, and the major news media seems incapable, or unwilling, to acknowledge it. This years festival will open Aug. 7th with a special screening of the Harry Belafonte / Dorothy Dandridge movie Carmen Jones introduced by the first Black actress to win the Academy Award for Best Actress – Halle Berry.
Ms. Berry is hardly the only notable and talented actress or actor to be at the festival. Other entertainers present at the festival will include:
Evan Ross, Lauren London, Tatiana Ali, Columbus Short, Anthony Mackie, Holly Robinson Peete , Nate Parker, Angela Bassett, Lela Rochon and Loretta Devine. Mos Def, Rockmond Dunbar, Idris Elba, Michael Ealy, John Singleton and Sanaa Lathan. Malik Yoba, Tina Andrews and Salli Richardson. Richard T. Jones, Paula Patton, Niecy Nash, and Dennis Haysbert.
That is quite the list of accomplish celebrities, each deserving of recognition and with fan bases that can fill any sized theater if not small and/or large cities.
But the purpose of the ABFF is not to go star gazing, nor to seek out the next up and coming stars. Its mission is
And there are more than just a few corporations that recognize the importance and need for Black films. The companies that support the ABFF include:
Obviously founder and CEO of Film Life, Inc. Jeff Friday has made an impression and is helping to promote the fact that quality filmmaking is something that African Americans can do as well as anyone. The fact that ABFF has been able to connect filmmakers and distribution channels at such high rates further shows that the market for quality Black films has hardly been scratched.
ABFF may not be as old as Sundance, nor have an international movie star as its creator like Tribeca, but that has not lessened its importance or the drive of those involved.
If you are in the L.A. area I suggest taking some time this weekend to learn about the quality Black films that are out there and the directors and actors that have made them. The major news media may believe that the world has the diversity of the sitcom Friends, but the reality as presented by the AMERICAN BLACK FILM FESTIVAL is proof that not only is America more diverse but that such diversity provides a richness that transcends color.
For tickets to ABFF or for more information go to www.abff.com or www.ticketweb.com
AMERICAN BLACK FILM FESTIVAL (ABFF) has been around for 12 years, and the major news media seems incapable, or unwilling, to acknowledge it. This years festival will open Aug. 7th with a special screening of the Harry Belafonte / Dorothy Dandridge movie Carmen Jones introduced by the first Black actress to win the Academy Award for Best Actress – Halle Berry.
Ms. Berry is hardly the only notable and talented actress or actor to be at the festival. Other entertainers present at the festival will include:
Evan Ross, Lauren London, Tatiana Ali, Columbus Short, Anthony Mackie, Holly Robinson Peete , Nate Parker, Angela Bassett, Lela Rochon and Loretta Devine. Mos Def, Rockmond Dunbar, Idris Elba, Michael Ealy, John Singleton and Sanaa Lathan. Malik Yoba, Tina Andrews and Salli Richardson. Richard T. Jones, Paula Patton, Niecy Nash, and Dennis Haysbert.
That is quite the list of accomplish celebrities, each deserving of recognition and with fan bases that can fill any sized theater if not small and/or large cities.
But the purpose of the ABFF is not to go star gazing, nor to seek out the next up and coming stars. Its mission is
“To strengthen the Black filmmaking community through resource sharing, education, artistic collaboration and career development.”
And there are more than just a few corporations that recognize the importance and need for Black films. The companies that support the ABFF include:
Allstate, HBO, Lincoln, Target, Blockbuster, Heineken, Nielsen Media Research, One Village Entertainment, Fox Searchlight Pictures, Codeblack Entertainment, Nickelodeon, Fox Entertainment Group, Grey Goose® Vodka, SAG Indie, Writers Guild of America West, Greater Philadelphia Film Office, Illinois Film Office, FoxxKing Entertainment, Black Enterprise, Uptown, Upscale, Black Noir, Heart&Soul, Precious Times, Automotive Rhythms, Toy Box, Monarch, Hope Today Magazine, NV, Save the Date, KJLH-FM and EUR Web.
Obviously founder and CEO of Film Life, Inc. Jeff Friday has made an impression and is helping to promote the fact that quality filmmaking is something that African Americans can do as well as anyone. The fact that ABFF has been able to connect filmmakers and distribution channels at such high rates further shows that the market for quality Black films has hardly been scratched.
ABFF may not be as old as Sundance, nor have an international movie star as its creator like Tribeca, but that has not lessened its importance or the drive of those involved.
“We have worked very hard to appeal to a cross section of film aficionados and make our festival accessible to everyone. We are looking forward to members of the greater Los Angeles community coming out and experiencing the best new work by and about people of African descent,” said Melanie Sharee, ABFF Director.
If you are in the L.A. area I suggest taking some time this weekend to learn about the quality Black films that are out there and the directors and actors that have made them. The major news media may believe that the world has the diversity of the sitcom Friends, but the reality as presented by the AMERICAN BLACK FILM FESTIVAL is proof that not only is America more diverse but that such diversity provides a richness that transcends color.
For tickets to ABFF or for more information go to www.abff.com or www.ticketweb.com
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