the daily spill

Pete Seeger's Big 90th Birthday Bash at Madison Square Garden!

2009-05-04T22:11:00.000-07:00

New York, New York, May 3rd, 2009

Pete's Big Birthday Bash! Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, May 3rd, 2009

All Aboard the Pete Train.
On an early May evening at Madison Square Garden in the heart of New York City, the people came to celebrate a birthday. And was it ever a party! Pete Seeger turned 90 and close to twenty thousand of his closest friends showed up to pay tribute and sing out loud. Oh yeah, and about 50 performers, including Bruce Springsteen, Dave Matthews, John Mellencamp, Joan Baez, Emmylou Harris, Arlo Guthrie, Kris Kristofferson, Richie Havens, Tom Paxton, Tom Chapin, Bela Fleck, Ani DiFranco, Del McCoury, Roger McGuinn, Steve Earle and a host of others.

There was also a Congressman, an actor or two, a legendary director, and a Grouch. Oscar the Grouch that is, who appeared on stage surrounded by trash bags as he and Tom Chapin sang a rousing version of a song that speaks for itself, “Garbage”, only it was written many years ago, long before the current Green movement. Oscar must have thought he was at a roast when he said, “He's only 90?! I thought he was 100!” Guess Oscar can get away with that. The Congressman was John Hall, also known as the singer from the group ORLEANS. Oh yes, and there was a letter from a certain President Barack Obama, read by the inimitable Norman Lear, wishing Pete a most Happy Birthday.

The evening opened with a documentary excerpt, and lights outlined to look like the Clearwater's sails, followed by Pete playing a Native American flute that rang through the Garden like a whistling wind upon the river. Next was an introduction song by the Native American Indian Culture Alliance, including Bill Miller and David Amram. The stage was set for an incredible night to come, and we didn't have to wait long. John Mellencamp was next, singing “If I Had A Hammer”, and a second original song that he said was inspired by Pete. Imagine that.

When Bruce Springsteen emerged at the end of the second sent and sang “The Ghost of Tom Joad”, he spoke about what it was like to sing with Pete at the Concert for the Inauguration on that bitter cold day in January. On their way there, Pete shared stories of his 90 years, and Bruce said to him, “Pete, you outlasted the bastards, man!”

One of the most inspiring parts of the evening was listening to musician after musician talk about how Pete had influenced them. I felt very close to that emotion. Pete has been a big influence to me as has my mother, who also sang in a folk trio in the 50's in NYC! I recently did a music program sponsored by the Philadelphia Folksong Society in a Philadelphia elementary school, and outlined the program by teaching the children about Pete Seeger. Bruce Springsteen said it best when he spoke of Pete's influence not only in music, but in activism and his outlook on life. “Despite his Grandfatherly demeanor, he (Pete) is a creature of stubborn defiance and nasty optimism.”

Pete has built his life around song, activism, sharing, learning, and teaching. His love of the Hudson River was the other reason for the gathering. The storied Sloop Clearwater is also celebrating a birthday. Launched 40 years ago, she has been sailing up and down her golden river. Built on a wing and a prayer, donations and volunteers, Pete's dream of building a replica of a River Sloop came true. As Arlo so eloquently described, even when scores of naysayers said it couldn't be done, Pete never wavered and for the last 40 years, the Clearwater has sailed the Hudson, educating thousands of children and adults about why it's so important to keep the river clean. The annual Hudson River Revival Festival, fondly referred to also as “Clearwater” is held every June on the banks of the Hudson. Thousands attend to hear more than the great musical line-up. They also come to hear about the river.

Ok, back to the show.
The second half of the concert opened with famed Director Norman Lear reading an excerpt of President Obama's letter to Pete. How would you follow that? With Pete leading the audience in “Amazing Grace”, that's how! He taught the entire audience how to sing harmony by assigning a different note to three giant sections before him in the stadium. then he raised up his arms and everyone hummed a beautiful three part harmony. Just before the start of the song, Pete exclaimed, “There's no such thing as a wrong note as long as you're singin!”.

There were classics galore throughout the night. Roger McGuinn singing the classic and perhaps most main stream Pete song, “Turn Turn Turn”. Joan Baez singing a solo of “Where Have All the Flowers Gone?” John Mellencamp singing “If I Had A Hammer”, and on and on, captivating the crowd and giving a new definition to the term, “you could hear a pin drop”.

Speckled within the songs, actor Tim Robbins told some stories. One was about Pete in the winter of 2003. On a freezing cold January day, in the lead up to the start of the war in Iraq, Pete stood on a corner near his home in Beacon, NY, with a handmade sign that simply said, “Peace”. There were no cameras, there were no reporters. Just Pete. Being Pete. Pete's wife Toshi was also honored in the program, as a segment of a documentary spoke about their amazing relationship, and how Toshi has stood with Pete at every step.

A shout out to the stage crew, sound crew, and whoever was stage managing and ferrying people to and fro. The evening flowed like a river. The night ran unbelievably smoothly, especially for all the parties on stage. There were certainly over 100 at times, with the house band, and the NYC Labor Chorus joining in left and right, and it was seamless. Prior to the show, we were discussing how they would ever be able to get through all those performers without having a 7 or 8 hour concert. Our friend Jimmy nailed it on the head. Performers were grouped together in a myriad of ensembles, and it was an incomparable menu of music in an incredible array of combinations. Imagine. all at one time on stage: Arlo Guthrie, John Hall, Tony Trischka, and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band. Or how about Emmylou Harris, Guy Davis, Billy Bragg, Joan Baez, Toshi Reagon, Bernice Johnson-Reagon, actress Ruby Dee, and Bruce Cockburn, singing “We Shall Overcome”. Indeed.

And of course, there was the encore. The end of the night was like a new beginning. As anyone may have guessed and hoped, every performer, including Springsteen and his wife Patty Scalfia, joined the honoree on stage for the quintessential folk song by Pete's friend, Woody Guthrie, “This Land Is Your Land”. And Pete didn't slow down for a minute as he joyfully corralled the audience in song. This was the finale, and it seemed to end there. As the audience began to pour out, the stage began to fill up again, and the crowds stopped where they stood, eyes and ears focused back to the stage, just in time to hear Pete's grandson Tao lead the way in the first of three encores. He called Pete to the stage, as well as the rest of the family, including Pete's OLDER brother of 95, who remarked, “I'm 95, but Pete's gonna live to be 100!” He proceeded to sing along too. And speaking of singalongs, the evening wasn't complete until we all joined in in an amazing and spontaneous rendition of HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the man of the evening. I can hardly wait for the DVD.

One could only imagine what this night meant to Pete. It would be near to impossible to go into all of the reasons why; perhaps it would take 90 years. Being the true giving soul that he is, it's likely that he was more excited by what the night could DO, for the river, for the songs, for the people of the world, than for his own glory. As the famous Margaret Mead quote reads, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.” Well, when nearly 20,000 people come to celebrate one of those “one people”, it's a true testament to the proof that it is indeed time. As a footnote to that, there is a movement to get Pete nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize. (website below).

There were moments galore at every turn of the evening; too many to mention. But one of the treasures of the night came in the very last seconds of the very last encore. One that I'm sure Pete would look at as a bridge to the future. From the mouths of babes, literally. Ruthy Ungar (daughter of fiddler, Jay Ungar) and her husband Mike Merenda, along with Pete's grandson Tao are longtime members of THE MAMMALS, a great and rockin' band. Ruthy and Mike have a baby named Will, and Ruthy brought the baby out to the stage with her for the last encore. At the end of “Goodnight Irene”, she put Will up to the microphone, and he sang, sang, sang! For Pete's legacy. For Pete's sake, that says it all!

Take some time to learn about Pete and the Clearwater effort to save the river: www.clearwater.org
Nominate Pete for the Nobel Peace Prize: www.nobelprize4pete.org

THE PROGRAM:
Mini-doc about Pete and the Sloop Clearwater

Pete opens show solo playing a Native American flute

Native American Ensemble, including BILL MILLER, and DAVE AMRAM

JOHN MELLENCAMP – “If I Had a Hammer”, “Hey Jesus” (original song inspired by Pete)

Actor TIM ROBBINS & NYC Labor Chorus

ANI DEFRANCO and BRUCE COCKBURN – “Which Side Are You On”, from the 1930's by Florence Reese

TOM MORELLO (RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE), TOM PAXTON, ERIC WEISSBERG,

MICHAEL FRANTI, PATTERSON HOOD – “Dear Mr President”

ABIGAIL WASHBURN, TOSHI REAGON, BERNICE JOHNSON-REAGON, GUY DAVIS, JACOB SILVER, PATTERSON HOOD, ERIC WEISSBERG, NYC LABOR CHORUS - “Oh Freedom”

BILLY BRAGG, DAR WILLIAMS, MIKE MERENDA, RUTHY UNGAR, LENNY PICKETT, MOLLY MASON - “Union Maid”.

PETE, STEVE EARLE, TAJ MAHAL, TOSHI REAGON, WARREN HAYNES, TAO RODGRIGUEZ - “Up and Down the River”.

STEVE EARLE, WARREN HAYNES, GUY DAVIS – Blues (Didn't get the name).

EMMYLOU HARRIS, TEDDY THOMPSON, MCGARRIGLE FAMILY, JAY UNGAR, SPARRO DAY - “The Water is Wide”.

BRUCE COCKBURN, THE MCGARRIGLE FAMILY, INCLUDING RUFUS WAINWRIGHT – (missed the song title)

DOCUMENTARY EXCERPT

BELA FLECK, TONY TRISCHKA – 3 song banjo medley of songs they learned from Pete, followed by a banjo version of Happy Birthday!

TAJ MAHAL, TOM MORELLO - “Big Muddy”.

JOAN BAEZ - “Where Have All the Flowers Gone?”

TIM ROBBINS – Short talk about Pete.

RUBY DEE, accompanied by BELA FLECK – reading the Pete Seeger poem, “The Torn Flag”.

TAO RODRIGUEZ-SEEGER, BEN BRIDWELL, TYLER RAMSEY, PATTERSON HOOD, WARREN HAYNES, PRESERVATION HALL JAZZ BAND - “Bring 'Em Home”.

BRUCE COCKBURN, JOAN BAEZ, EMMYLOU HARRIS, GUY DAVIS, BILLY BRAGG, TOSHI REAGON, ANI DIFRANCO, RUBY DEE, BERNICE JOHNSON REAGON - “We Shall Overcome”, (first set finale).

(Second set):
NORMAN LEAR – Letter from Barack Obama.

PETE, TAO, JACOB SILVER - “Amazing Grace”.

TOM CHAPIN ENSEMBLE, AND OSCAR THE GROUCH - “Garbage”.

KRIS KRISTOFFERSON, ANI DIFRANCO - “There's a Hole in the Bucket”

TOMMY SANDS & HIS IRISH BAND - “Little Boxes”.

TIM ROBBINS, MILES ROBBINS, MCGARRICLE FAMILY, RUFUS WAINWRIGHT, TONY TRISCHKA, JACOB SILVER, CASEY DRIESSE - “Michael, Row the Boat Ashore”.

RICHIE HAVENS - “Freedom/Motherless Child”.

JOAN BAEZ, SCARLETT LEE MOORE, JAY UNGAR & MOLLY MASON, MIKE MERENDA, RUTHY UNGAR, LARRY LONG, JACOB SILVER - “Jacob's Ladder”.

ARLO GUTHRIE, DEL MCCOURY. JOHN HALL, TONY TRISCHKA, PRESERVATION HALL JAZZ BAND - “Oh Mary, Don't You Weep”.

ARLO GUTHRIE, RAMBLIN' JACK ELLIOTT, TAO, MIKE & RUTHY - “Takes a Worried Man to Sing a Worried Song”.

BEN HARPER, ELLEN VERDRIES, SUE CHASE – “Gather 'Round the Stone”.

PEGGY SEEGER – Letter to her brother Pete.

KRIS KRISTOFFERSON, RAMBLIN' JACK ELLIOTT, RICHIE HAVENS, TAJ MAHAL, WARREN HAYNES, KELLER WILLIAMS, TAO, MIKE MERENDA, JACOB SILVER - “Maggie's Farm”.

ROGER MCGUINN, BEN BRIDWELL, TYLER RAMSEY - “Turn, Turn, Turn”.

ARLO, EMMYLOU, TONY TRISCHKA, PRESERVATION HALL JAZZ BAND, TAO, JACOB SILVER - “Victory Song/Precious Friend”.

DAVE MATTHEWS - “Rye Whiskey”.

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN, TOM MORELLO - “The Ghost of Tom Joad”.

EVERYONE! - “This Land is Your Land”

ENCORES - “Well May the World”, “This Little Light-o-Mine”, Goodnight Irene.

PHILLY & SUNDANCE. Sports and film.

2009-01-24T09:52:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I had the opportunity to interview two filmmakers whose films have ties to Philadelphia. The challenge is, I didn't have the chance to see either film. Having said that, it was a pleasure to speak with both directors, and what's life (and writing) without a bit of a challenge.

It all started this way. Last week, the press office here at Sundance offered to look up whether any films had a Pennsylvania connection, as I thought that would be great to write about. We couldn't find anything at the time, but it was still early on in the festival. As the week went on, I found things on my own.

BIG FAN: Robert Siegel, Director & Screenwriter.
Also Screenwriter of THE WRESTLER.

LisaBeth with Robert Siegel.

I stopped into some of the publicists rooms, and when I walked into one and asked if they represented any films with Pennsylvania connections, a journalist from NEW YORK MAGAZINE and the publicist both looked at me quizzically, and without missing a beat and in complete unison said, 'Funny you should ask!". Well, we all decided it was kismet when they told me that they were representing the film BIG FAN, about the ongoing rivalry between Philadelphia Eagles fans and NY Giants fans. Imagine my luck and surprise, and further delight when the filmmaker was there, and with a short wait would be available for an interview. The surprises and delight continued....as I was waiting my turn (after the NY mag journalist), I was reading the press package for the film, and lo and behold, the filmmaker and screenwriter, ROBERT SIEGEL also wrote the screenplay for the acclaimed film, THE WRESTLER. Further, he is originally from Long Island, (this writer's roots), AND to put the icing on the cake, he was also the editor in chief of THE ONION for several years. One of the first things Robert commented on when we sat down and spoke was my various Obama wear.

And onto the film....

Shot on location in various places in and around Philadelphia, Staten Island, and environs, Robert shared some stories about filming. They did some shots of Geno's and Pat's and also some scenes around Passayunk Avenue, but when they were shooting the final scene, they had to go elsewhere. The film climaxes at a South Philly bar, but because of budget, they used a sports bar in Staten Island, and transformed it to look just like a South Philly bar. Robert shared that the bar was covered in NY Giants memorabilia, and that they got quite the stares as they began to cover it with all things Philadelphia Eagles. It all worked out though, and Robert remarked that Philadelphia was really good to them.

With regard to THE WRESTLER, Robert said parts were also shot in Philly, and he was specific to mention the famed New Alhambra arena in South Philly as a Philadelphia icon. He mentioned that he loves Philly, but at the same time, seems to know and understand the unique reputation of the fans that completely immerse themselves in their sport, and has experienced their crazy and wild ways.

I asked Robert about any crazy stories that happened during the filming. He shared this one from a day in Staten Island...

They were using a house that belonged to the grandparents of Nick, the Associate Producer. A lovely elderly Italian couple from Staten Island, Sevario and Maria agreed that they would allow their house to be used for one day. No big surprise that one day wasn't enough, but it was enough for Saverio and Maria. On to plan B, as Robert tried everything to convince them to extend the time. First he tried to bribe them with Grappa, and though they all had a great time drinking together, the answer was still NO. Then Nick called to say they would be going to the track and that they would have a 5 hour window to sneak in. Of course, the door was locked, so plan C involved a friend of Nick's (whose identity shall remain nameless, but let's just say it was a cool nickname). He boosted Robert up to a little window on the second floor, Robert entered, fell about 10 feet, and they were in! They shot the scene, and in true sit-com style, Saverio and Maria got home before the shoot was complete, and it was a comedy act trying to keep them from realizing what was happening!

On a closing note, I asked Robert about the timing of BIG FAN coming out as THE WRESTLER is garnering great acclaim. Not expecting or asking for sympathy, he shared that he had worked on both projects for four or five years, and that he did wish they had been a bit more spread out at this point. It was a very honest statement, but don't worry, Robert Siegel is very humble and appreciative of having not one, but two films out and being seen by fans, both of sport and film.

THRILLER IN MANILLA: John Dower, Director & Screenwriter.

The rivalry between Muhammed Ali and Joe Frazier is well known. They fought three times, with the final confrontation in the Philippines in October, 1975. This director tells the story from Joe Frazier's point of view, and sheds him in the light of an unsung hero.

About 80% of the film was shot in Philadelphia, and when I spoke to John Dower, he was very focused on the fact that the city of Philadelphia tends to celebrate the fictional boxing character of Rocky Balboa rather than the celebrated true life icon of Joe Frasier who is still alive and well.

Listening to the authenticity in John's voice, I feel it is my civic duty to express John's words here in hopes that the people of Philadelphia may be listening and will help to spread the word to celebrate and support Joe as he walks into his later years. Though he's only 65, he has had some health challenges, and is facing the possibility of having to sell his famous gym. This makes the Rocky Statue even more ironic sounding, and makes for a great challenge to boxing fans to save Joe's gym.

The film was shot very much in the North Broad Street area of Philly, and also in several gyms in and around the city. Dower was specific to mention how these gyms have been a safe haven for kids to go and be off the streets, and that they should be supported.

I asked John how Joe Frazier felt about the popularity of Rocky, considering that it was Joe who ran up the steps and was the inspiration for the scene in the slaughterhouse, and so much more. He said that Joe is a big hearted guy, who is kind of a realist.

Interesting factoid....several of the characters in the film still live in North Philly, the most famous being GEORGIE BENTON. An acclaimed boxer in his own right, Georgie is the only surviving member of Frasier's corner guys from the fight in Manilla.

In closing, I asked John about his Sundance experience overall. He said, "If you're a documentary filmmaker, Sundance is a dream come true."

Thankfully there are people like John Dower to tell the stories.

IN THE LOOP of satire.

2009-01-24T09:09:00.000-08:00

The director and some of the cast of IN THE LOOP (sans James Gandolfini)

War & satire. What a combo. In the words of Sundance senior programmer John Nein, "If it weren't so funny, it would be terrifying."

At a time when it seems like we might actually experience some transparency in Washington, along comes the film IN THE LOOP. It's about a farcical lead up to war, and the players that completely mess things up in a modern day screwball comedy. The director, Armando Iannucci, weaves a stellar script with souped up and curse filled improv in this hysterical romp of transcontinental zaniness, internal corruption, and overtly blatant transgressions by senior officials in the US and UK government. Only it's all fictional. To echo that point, the audience doesn't know any details about who the war is between, what it's about, or how it really came to be. On the heels of the Bush administration, the satire seems all too real. Here's hoping that things really will change and that this kind of overt corruption is behind us.

And to add to the satire, the director injected a snarky comment as he was introducing the film. He talked about watching the Chief justice forget the words to the oath of office, and that it caused him to write down the name of his film just in case. During the Q & A, when asked what inspired him, Iannucci responded, "Isn't it obvious? I thought long and hard about the events leading up to Iraq, and decided you can either cry or you can laugh". That's the genesis. He went on to say that they were very clear to be anonymous in the present day, but with the implication that a fabricated war could happen again.

It's nearly impossible to watch this film and not really feel like you're a voyeur into this wacky world of Washington and the UK. With picture perfect recreations of the White House, the State Department, and the UN, the filmmaker also admitted during the intro that he was able to gain access to the State Department by showing his homemade BBC identification card.

There is such an interwoven mountain of content in IN THE LOOP, when the director said that the editing was really when the story was told, it made a lot of sense. Mostly filled with relatively fresh faces (for the US anyway), there is one quite well known face. James Gandolfini plays a General, and in his supporting role, casts a brilliant addition to this already wonderful, albeit thought provoking satirical film.

SUNDANCED!

2009-01-24T08:37:00.000-08:00

THE YES MEN FIX THE WORLD.

2009-01-22T10:34:00.001-08:00

David Courier (Senior programmer), Mike Bonanno, & Andy Bichlbaum

The Yes Men Fix the World? And all this time I thought it was the women.

In this rapidly CHANGING political climate and WEEK of history in the making, a film like THE YES MEN is certainly timely if not amazing in the 'gotcha for the good guys' sense. Fearless filmmakers and popular protagonists Mike Bonanno & Andy Bichlbaum create a brilliant dance of exposing corporate corruption. Giving the old concept of "candid camera" a whole new meaning, Mike and Andy perpetuate elaborate schemes to infiltrate company meetings and live BBC television to conduct their righteous mischief.

Their tactics range from holding companies accountable to creating farcical projects for gullible CEO's. On the 20th anniversary of the Bhopal disaster, they managed to get on the BBC, disguised as a spokesperson for Dow Chemical to announce that Dow was taking full responsibility and would be putting 12 billion dollars toward restitution. As the audience watches the sheer audacity of these two heroic characters, the scene takes the expected turn of, "uh oh, what now". The gradual reality sweeps the screen as the media begins to realize it was all a hoax. So the inevitable question came up during the Q & A....what about the people of Bhopal; weren't they angry and upset when all was said and done? Watching the film will tell all, but suffice it to say, after the initial and grand disappointment, the citizens of Bhopal were grateful to be in the news again after 20 years. And that maybe, just maybe someone would be listening.

I asked Mike and Andy where they watched the inauguration, and it turns out they were out on Main St., and just as mesmerized as the rest of us. I asked what they thought of Obama's speech. Andy said, "He gives us all the courage to fight for things." I concur and hope THE YES MEN continue that fight!

Other cool factoids:

They were able to get clearance for everything in the film including Haliburton!
Over 300 pieces of film were cleared in just a month and a half!
When asked how they acquire credentials, they simply said, "We lie."
Feeling their work was not yet complete, they created a fake (and VERY real looking) New York Times and distributed 100,000 copies all around New York City. Dated July 4th, 2009, the upper left hand box read, "All the news we hope to print, and the lead story reads, "War in Iraq Ends". You shoulda seen the look on people's faces as they took it all in.

SUNDANCE PICTURES, Here, there, & everywhere!

2009-01-22T09:52:00.001-08:00

Lotsa assorted Sundance photos! The cute couple is....Stacie Jones with the filmmaker Craig Brewer (Hustle & flow, Black Snake Moan). The young gentleman is JOHNNY SIMMONS from the film, THE GREATEST, which is getting big buzz around Sundance. Other cast members are Susan Sarandon and Pierce Brosnan.

GOOD MORNING MR. PRESIDENT. ARE YOU READY FOR YOUR CLOSE UP?

2009-01-21T09:25:00.000-08:00

Pix from Inauguration Day at Sundance!
The really really happy gal is Stacie Jones from Toronto at the MOMENT of celebration!!!! Oh yeah, and that's LisaBeth in those glasses.

Good Morning from Sundance on the first full day of the Obama Presidency. I was able to switch my work schedule so I could relish the moment yesterday with all people Sundance. And it didn't disappoint. Tears of joy and hope, American Flags, conversations, smiles, laughter, amazement, and eyes and ears glued to the plasma TV's that the amazing tech crew set up out on Main St.

If you've never been to Park City, Utah, picture New Hope + Manayunk, with a twist of Media. The downtown part of Park City is filled with shops, restaurants, cafe's and all that good stuff of a wonderful small town, plus no shortage of ski and sport boutiques of course. Considered one of the best places to ski, there is even a ski lift ("the city lift") that literally goes directly over the downtown.

Setting the scene: Inauguration morning:
A beautiful and crisp day, people gathered around outside on the lower part of Main Street to share in the glory of the event. There had been word that some of the actors who were at Sundance left to attend the inauguration, and that offered a bit of a buzz of the who's and when's. And speaking of buzz, you could feel it in the air. With portable heaters and hand warmers being distributed, people continued to arrive and there was palpable camaraderie and optimism all around. It was rather surreal to be here at a film festival watching the first African American President being sworn in. It almost felt like a movie, but thankfully it wasn't. It's real. It's here, and the thousand or so people watching the moment together knew it. Hugging friends and strangers was the norm, as was all the talk of what happens next.

It wasn't the mall in DC, but in every way, watching the inauguration at the Sundance Film Festival brought it's own uniqueness. Coupled with the amazing films and documentaries appearing here, we can all know that the arts are alive in telling stories, telling truths, and being a witness to moments past, present, and future.

More later....

Random Sundance pictures!

2009-01-19T16:07:00.000-08:00

Donna and LisaBeth at the Eccles theater, Sundance Film Festival, 2009...

Robert Redford joins the cast (a.k.a., the most high powered ad guys in all the land) of the doc, ART & COPY...

Front of Prospector Theater

SIGHTINGS, ADS, AND PROMS, OH MY!

2009-01-16T19:52:00.001-08:00

Hi from fairly warm Park City!
Wow. Day 3 and it's already an unbelievably time. So far I've seen 5 films, 2 Redford sightings, one Pierce Brosnan and Susuan Sarandon sighting, and lots of assorted filmmakers, producers, writers, editors, actors, publicists, and patrons of course!

When Robert Redford shows up at a screening, it's obviously a happy time for all. There is a standard that seems to be set as well, with the audience for the most part showing respect to the man even as their flashes are going off. Granted, he travels with some security, but it almost seems like the people are tenderly aware of all that Redford has done in the interest of film.

Lots of acronyms are thrown around different parts of Sundance, but the most common one of course is Q & A, the very popular Question and Answer portion of the film. The way films are presented at Sundance is typically with one of the programmers introducing the filmmaker and the film, followed by a Q & A. It's a favorite of audience members, and rarely disappoints.

Sometimes there are interesting and unlikely comparisons of films that come across my path. I'll talk about 2 here that could be parallels to the current times. The first, PROM NIGHT IN MISSISSIPPI, (Paul Saltzman - Director/Screenwriter) is a documentary based on the actor Morgan Freeman's attempt at integrating a high school prom in his home town of Charleston, Mississippi. Morgan proposed this idea to the school two times, with the offer to pay for everything. The first time he was turned down. The second time, his proposal was accepted, and history happened. With candid and diverse input from the kids at the high school, we are brought into the realm of what it is like to attend a school with practices that seem shocking to most people. On the eve of a time that will create history with the swearing in of Barack Obama, one can't help but think that we have come very far, but that there is a long way to go.

The second film, ART & COPY (Doug Pray - Director), brings us into the iconic world of advertising and how it has affected us, from the 60's to the Ipod. Director Doug Pray interviews what could easily be called 'the best of the best' of the advertising world. The names and faces behind 'Just Do It', 'got milk?',' Where's the Beef' and so on share stories and tales of what went into these campaigns. Voyeuristically appealing, the audience is drawn into hearing "the good, the bad, and the ugly" from these men and women of the ad industry. Considering the fact that ad revenue wouldn't be as gigantic as it is without the advent of satellites, the film is intermingled with shots of the technology that gets the job done to launch the big satellites in the sky. Along with that are some of the factoids about the mountainous amount of money spent in this strange and exciting world.

One of the most unique of the personalities represented in the film is the seemingly lovable, yet no holds barred George Lois (see the film or at least Google him to learn why). During the Q & A, an audience member asked, "How do you think the economy will affect the future of the advertising industry?" George Lois didn't miss a beat and said, "Greater creativity is needed. Case closed." He went on to say how creativity can save anything, and that creativity within the Obama administration can save everything. Let's hope so George. George Lois that is.

SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL. Where there are no bad seats.

2009-01-15T14:36:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the first of many bloggings from here at the Sundance Film Festival. This is my 4th year attending this iconic event and the 25th year of the event itself. I work as an Assistant Manager at the Prospector Theater, though my blog will be about my experiences outside that realm. In my spare time, I will be seeing films, seeing friends, and writing!

My special interest this year is the unique juxtaposition of the film festival and the inauguration and Presidency of Barack Obama.

It will certainly be interesting to watch the inauguration with everyone here at Sundance. As CNN says, "We can't all be there in person", but no matter where you ARE, chances are you will always remember where you WERE. I'll be watching it on a big screen outside, with what I imagine will be a huge and diverse crowd of people with huge smiles and faces filled with hope.

Being here at Sundance presents itself as an amazing opportunity to experience this historic moment immersed with filmmakers and patrons from here and around the world. Each filmmaker puts their heart and soul on the screen, with the hope that their work will travel far and wide into the hearts and minds of their audiences. I think that concept epitomizes Barack Obama, and there is a poetic parallel and/or juxtaposition to that notion. We don't always see the results of the impact of our work, but for filmmakers or Presidents, it is those results that can help effect change.

There are no bad seats. We are all witnesses to history. And at this pivotal moment of hope, any seat is a good seat because if you're watching, you're interested. And if you're interested, you're engaged, and if you're engaged, you just might get involved. We'll see how much that impact is felt here at Sundance.

The more we move ahead, the more we move behind

2009-01-10T20:45:00.000-08:00

I wonder if social anthropologists will have a field day in years to come. There's an interesting juxtaposition that I see more and more each day. Speckled by the fact that the most powerful person in America and perhaps the free world is about to be the only person who will be banned from carrying a blackberry, I can't help but think about the irony. If you've been sleeping under a rock, I'm talking about Barack Obama and the fact that he will have to give up his beloved Blackberry when he's inaugurated as President. A potential legal and security nightmare, that's just the way it is.

I've been thinking a lot about this lately, that as we progress as a society in all things possible and technical, we also must jog through the bumps in the road, from techno s.n.a.f.u.s. to big brother.

Example:
We all have cell phones. We can call anyone from anywhere, a beach, a train, a car. Yet, the quality doesn't hold a candle to a good ol' fashioned land line. Hence, progress moves backwards and forwards simultaneously.

Example:
We have more technical capabilities than ever before. We can work from virtually anywhere, and have all the freedom of movement we could ever ask for. Yet, we are closer to big brother than ever before as well. This harsh reality rings true in every aspect of daily life. If you knew how often you were on camera on any given day, your head would probably spin. So again, we move forwards and backwards together. There are very positive aspects to this of course, as in solving crimes, etc., but at the same time, it seems like we're always being watched. George Orwell, are you listening?

Example:
Facebook - Social networking cutting edge innovation. I love Facebook as much as the next participant, but I wonder if people think/realize/know/care that every little thing they write is public and probably and surely owned by Facebook (probably this blog too). I hope that people think before they post, as in someone thinking clearly about whether they really want a tatoo or not. Once it's there, it's there.

SHIFT change

2009-01-03T21:53:00.000-08:00

Some blog daily. Some blog hourly. Some probably blog minutely. Some blog way too much. Some think way too much is not enough. Some don't care one way or another about blogs. Some wonder how they ever survived without their blog. I've written a very occasional blog, just for venting purposes, up till now anyway.

With a brand new and remarkable President Elect about to take office, I think the time for venting may be morphing into the time for action. Caveat: ok, so I'll still vent, but I'm hoping that the global attitude starts to apply the paradigm shift that needs to take place in order to re-group from completely falling off the proverbial cliff of economic instability, incomprehensible wars, and leaders who don't lead. This is truly the time for SHIFT in this world, and I think Obama is just the one to lead us in the right direction. It won't happen overnight, so my wish for his first 100 days and beyond is that people give him a chance....and that people get involved in creating better days ahead.

What is Danger? John McCain needs a refresher course.

2008-10-14T19:33:00.000-07:00

What is danger? Danger is going too far with extremes and lies. Danger is inciting your base into acting like a mob. Danger is abuse of free speech to the point of using it as a weapon. Is this what makes John McCain proud to be a United States Senator? If you're an undecided voter, is this the type of person you want making decisions on your behalf? Think about it people. After all that has happened, would you rather have someone in the White House who creates a climate of mistrust and hate among his constituents, or someone who actually speaks on the issues and the possibility of what can be done in a positive way.

John McCain and Sarah Palin are the dangerous ones. Vote Obama/Biden.

For the good. For the possible. For the country. For the world.

I've Had It! a.k.a. You have GOT to be kidding me with this shit.

2008-09-22T20:28:00.000-07:00

Ok, I'd like to think that I'm somewhat of a reasonable human being. I'd like to think that I'm a citizen who stays informed to some degree (ok, I'm an NPR junkie). I'd like to think I'm a pragmatic and progressive thinker. I'd like to think that there would be no way this administration could be any more corrupt and irresponsible than it already has been. I was wrong.

The bail out bill on the table basically GIVES the right to ONE PERSON, who has NOT been elected by the public to have TOTAL and COMPLETE control, with the FULL BACKING of the EXECUTIVE BRANCH to be in charge of the nearly ONE TRILLION dollars that is about to be fleeced from our pockets. Does anyone else see a problem with this?

Are you with me? If not, wait, there's more. Do you people out there in bloggerland realize that this also means that since there will be a new administration in just over 3 months (Think Obama!!!), that we're basically giving carte blanche to, hmmmm, um, well gee, WE DON'T KNOW! Think about it people. Right now, the carte blanche is going to Henry Paulsen, who most likely won't be kept on the payroll, so to speak.

The other thing that should scare you silly is that this is happening SO fast, that they don't have a PLAN for down the road. SOUND FAMILIAR???? An administration going in no holds barred, under the guise of an emergency, with no plan for later on. Hmmmm.....are you thinking what I'm thinking? Are their memories that freakin' short, about what can happen with that kind of strategy?!!

I do agree that there is an extreme urgency, but if you personally were planning on spending nearly a trillion dollars of your family and friends hard earned money, don't you think you would take just a teeny tiny bit MORE TIME to research and develop the bill!!!???

Ok, I'm almost done. Let me see if I've got this right.
The people bailing out the investment banks include all of those people that have gone into foreclosure, are living paycheck to paycheck, and/or are hard working people barely able to pay their mortgage that shouldn't have been given to them in the first place. The people being bailed out are mostly giant entities that should have known better, are PRIVATE companies, run by people that make a bajillion dollars a year, and have no business being rescued to the tune of a trillion dollars. The employees of said companies have all lost their jobs, and are now in the same trillion dollar boat as the rest of us. How about we take the trillion, pay off all the mortgages (plus buying me a nice little house free and clear, cuz I love earmarks), and we'll be done with the whole thing. People's houses will be paid off, leaving them plenty of money to invest in the market, which will turn this whole thing around. That's it. I'm running for President.

This administration has taken unscrupulous to a whole new level. And it's not the bargain basement.

PINS?!!? Did somebody say PINS!???!!

2008-04-20T08:49:00.000-07:00

ok ok, maybe I'm biased. So they mentioned pins in the big debate between Hillary and Obama. 'Why doesn't he wear a flag pin' to paraphrase. Well, I've been making pins for causes for 20 years, and I can honestly tell you, it does make a difference. The ol' "wearing your heart on your sleeve" (or on your lapel in this case) phrase comes to mind. Wearing a pins with a symbolic reference can be an unspoken representation of how one is feeling, and the message one wants to impart. However, and it's a big however, having said this, it's a ridiculous argument to think, assume, or anything otherwise that someone ISN'T patriotic if they AREN'T wearing a flag pin. I mean, c'mon people. Oh and by the way, I'd be willing to bet that a good number of AMERICAN FLAG pins aren't made in America. Go put that in your pipe and smoke it.

Hey Barack, Hillary, and anyone else in this fair land.....want some pins that will really make a statement!? Visit my website! www.lisabethweber.com where you will find pins for every cause under the sun, and more to come.

Is anyone surprised, part two.

2008-03-10T20:41:00.000-07:00

Y'know, surprised isn't really the word for it. Son of a bitch is more like it when it comes to Elliot Spitzer. I'm not saying that I don't understand the concept of "those in glass houses not throwing stones" but come on Governor/former prosecutor, what in the hell were you thinking?! Oh yeah, I guess another part of your anatomy was doing the thinking for you. What really pisses me off is how this may affect other people in the ripple factor. It can hurt the whole party, and we desperately need our democratic party to be cohesive, strong, and ABOVE WATER. This is not a lot to ask.

Is anyone surprised?

2007-07-02T20:50:00.000-07:00

Ok, so if you've read any of my posts, you may realize that most of my blogs are when I can't take it anymore and just have to VENT. Bush commuted Scooter's sentence today. Most of us expected this would happen but figured it would be when Bush left office. But no. Instead, an explanation was put out trying to claim that it's not the same as a pardon, that Scooter would still be on probation and that that was a serious punishment.

GIVE ME A BREAK.
GIVE JOE WILSON AND VALERIE PLAME A BREAK.
GIVE THE SOLDIERS AND MILITARY FAMILIES A BREAK.
GIVE ALL VICTIMS OF WAR A BREAK.

Can you say salt in the wound????!!!!!
IMPEACH THE KING.

The ongoing ramblings of King George

2007-04-24T19:33:00.000-07:00

Unbelievable. George on Charlie Rose. The rhetoric is so redundant, how does he even believe his own words? He says that the General's say it's NOT a civil war in Iraq. He says "what does it say about us if we put a timetable on the war"? He says, "I will not accept micro-managing General's decisions."And with all due respect to anyone with a legitimate speech challenge, he actually said, and I quote, "GIVE MY CHANCE A PLAN TO WORK". If I thought he was dyslexic, I would have all the empathy in the world. But he's not, he's the (so-called) President and he's supposed to be able to speak well.

Re: sectarian violence...."It's significantly lower than it was a coupla months ago". He DARES say this the day after 9 American soldiers were killed, the most in a single day since the war began.
He's truly delusional.

He's busy defending Alberto Gonzales, "Al did nothing wrong"
Did I mention he's delusional?

He ONCE AGAIN brought up 9/11 in relation to the war in Iraq.

King George. The king of delusions.

Thank God They Weren't Ready To Make Nice

2007-02-11T18:57:00.000-08:00

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE DIXIE CHICKS ON WINNING THE GRAMMY'S!!!

If music has the power, then the Dixie Chicks have the engine.
How DARE could anyone have treated them the way they did "back then". It was more than embarrassing to be part of a nation that could be so narrow-minded. Are our memories that short? Are the lies that the Bush administration spoke so loudly and proudly, enough to make people think twice the next time they decide to vilify people for SPEAKING OUT the way that our Constitution protects? How embarrassing that we have such hypocrisy in a country that's supposed to be the great example of freedom. And don't even get me started on how so many of the people who blacklisted the Dixie Chicks were religious Church going folk. Believe me, I would defend anyone's right to practice religion openly and honestly, but don't pretend to be the truth sayers of all things, when your so-called truths are based on lies. And perhaps, just perhaps, you could be following a leader called Bush, who has less than no concept of how to lead.
http://www.dixiechicks.com/

Clinton campaigns for Patrick Murphy!!

2006-10-13T09:08:00.000-07:00

Y'know, they say a picture speaks a thousand words, so I'll save the other 900-something words and just say it was incredible to be invited to sing at the Clinton rally (October 11, 2006), and GO PATRICK!!!!!!!! www.murphy06.com . Please visit Patrick's website to see how you can HELP HIM WIN THIS CONGRESSIONAL RACE HERE IN BUCKS COUNTY-PA, AND BRING A CHANGE TO WASHINGTON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here's what Bill Clinton said at the rally....
"Start thinking. We've been through 2 elections now where they got us to stop thinking...because we were frightened and insecure. When you are frightened and insecure, that is the most important time to think. When you are in crisis, it is the most important time to think. Tell people to take a deep breath. Be brave. Be big, and put your thinking cap on. Bring Patrick Murphy home to victory."
(photo credits: Lori Barstow, and unknown.)

Election Day Reasonable Doubt: Digital Cameras vs. Danaher

2006-09-30T17:45:00.000-07:00

So I had this idea.....

Since we won't have a paper ballot/receipt on election day, and there is great concern about voter tampering, computer viruses, undercounts, the Danaher voting machines, etc., I've decided that my personal statement will be to bring my digital camera into the voting area and take a picture of the screen with my choices in full view. If the powers that be won't provide proof and verification for me, I'll create my own.

Who's with me?

With apologies to Arlo Guthrie......If one person, just one person does it, they may think he's really sick and they won't let him vote. And if two people, two people do it, in harmony, they may think they work for the government, and they won't let either of them vote. And if three people do it, three, can you imagine, three people walking in, taking a picture of the computer screen with their digital camera, and walking out. They may think it's an organization. And can you, can you imagine fifty people an hour, I said fifty people an hour, walking in, taking a picture of the computer screen with their digital camera, and walking out. And friends, they may thinks it's a movement. And that's what it is, the Bucks County and State of Pennsylvania, United States of America, Anti-Voter Fraud Movement, and all you got to do to join is snap your picture the next time it comes around on the memory card

best of luck to us all.........

LisaBeth

p.s. Don't be a chad. Learn everything you (hope) you need to know about working the new machines at: http://www.buckscounty.org/news/2006/2006-09-29-DemoSites.aspx

If the link doesn't work, go to www.buckscounty.org and look for the info about BUCKS VOTES. There are demonstrations throughout the month at various locations around the county. It's not that the machines are hard to use, but we all know what can happen...........

YOUR HEALTH CARE VS. YOUR POCKETBOOK:

2006-06-27T12:15:00.000-07:00

FULL DISCLOSURE, MEDICAL MANEUVERING, AND CONGRESS, ARE YOU LISTENING?
Why is it that one of the most important aspects of our daily lives is also the ONLY one I can think of that we don't comparison shop for? I'm talking about the ACTUAL costs of medical procedures, tests, hospital charges, and the like. THINK ABOUT IT. We comparison shop for everything from a car to a TV to a bag of groceries, but when it comes to any procedure our doctor prescribes, we don't bat an eye. What do you suppose this does to the cost of health care? You got it. This is a mockery. I was actually told one time by the HEAD OF A DEPARTMENT AT A MAJOR PHILADELPHIA HOSPITAL that I was asking ridiculous questions when inquiring about how much certain procedures would cost that he prescribed, including a catscan. There is a mindset in this country that we don't need to know what everything ACTUALLY costs. People inquire about costs for virtually every other aspect of their outgoing budget, with reasons ranging from simple curiosity, to budget necessity, to wanting to be a smart consumer. SMART CONSUMER. Hmmmm.....seems to me the only area of our lives we cannot freely apply that notion is with health care costs. WHY ISN'T THERE FULL DISCLOSURE?

Call me naive, but to me it seems the writing is on the wall. For years, and thankfully, the majority of this country has had health care coverage through their job. However, WHEN SOMEONE DOESN'T HAVE TO PAY FOR SOMETHING, THERE IS LESS TENDENCY TO ASK HOW MUCH IT COSTS. Think about it. If you never had to pay for a car again, would you bother to find out how much it cost, or worry about paying for it? Not likely. People can be like sheep and simply hand over their insurance card at the medical facility and leave it at that. There is a dark side to that. For years I had crappy insurance with an incredibly high premium, a $1000.00 deductible, and an 80/20 payout after that for the first $5000.00. Do the math, and you'll realize that the translation of that meant I had to pay $2000.00 out of pocket (besides the premiums) before I ever saw a dime. And NO, this was NOT a major medical policy. I'll never forget what it was like time and time again when a receptionist would ask for my health insurance card. Time and time again I would respond with various forms of eye-rolling, responses of saying I have BAD health insurance, and occasionally with palatable envy when another patient would simply hand over their insurance info and walk out the door.

This got me thinking; WHY IS HEALTH CARE THE ONLY THING YOU CAN'T FIND PRICES FOR? Why isn't there a SIMPLE LIST of how much things cost? I don't want to go so far as to say that it's a conspiracy, but my friends, wrap your head around this......If the medical world had to disclose how much procedures cost, don't you think there might be some reduction in those costs?!? I think there is a feeling in this country that if we create competition in health care procedures, it will drive the quality down. I have had this conversation with several people and I'm shocked at this response. There is a culture of fear in this country that if we started comparison shopping for our medical care, that we would be compromising that care. This is bullshit. Do I think Southwest Airlines is not going to work just as hard to keep me safe as another airline that costs 4 times as much for a plane ticket? THINK ABOUT IT PEOPLE.

When do prices come down? When there is competition.
I don't know about you, but if I could know how much a procedure cost at 10 different facilities in my region, I'd be sure to triple check the quality of ANY place I went to, from the least expensive to the most expensive. Sure, you can call each individual facility and attempt to inquire about costs. Good luck. Have you heard about the needle in the haystack? You'd probably need some medical procedures yourself after you were finished trying to get through to the myriad of departments only to have someone tell you you're asking ridiculous questions. CONGRESS, ARE YOU LISTENING???????

HISTORY vs. HIS STORY. a.k.a. Why the hell is Rumsfeld still here??!!!!!

2006-03-24T05:52:00.000-08:00

Ya know, sometimes the best time to blog is when you find yourself listening to NPR and hearing 2 stories, nearly in a row that are so unbelievable in their amazingness, that you simply find yourself laughing-in-disgust rather than the usual reaction of normal disbelief and unabashed outrage.

Story # 1.
MAJOR GENERAL PAUL D. EATON, who trained the Iraqi military from 2003 to 2004, called Rumsfeld INCOMPETENT. He wrote in the New York Times that Rumsfeld should be replaced. "He has shown himself incompetent strategically, operationally and tactically, and is far more than anyone else responsible for what has happened to our important mission in Iraq," said retired Maj. Gen. Paul D. Eaton in an op-ed column. "Mr. Rumsfeld must step down."

Dumbhead Rumsfeld. Claims he has attempted to turn in his resignation to Bush more than once, and that he serves "at the pleasure of the president". Bush responded by saying, "We go to war with the Secretary of Defense we have, not with the one we want." (Ok, I'm kidding about that part.) George, go have a drink, and let somebody else be president.

Story # 2.
Bush is cutting back one initiative in the AMERICORPS program. Which one? The one where people are going to KATRINA affected zones to help rebuild.
REASON? It's too costly.
--------
See? I'll bet you're laughing too. Not because it's what you want to do, but because it's what you have......oh never mind. Perhaps laughing is the only way to stay sane while observing the daily embarrassments of this alleged administration. So, when is the JON STEWART show going to hire me as one of their writers. JON, are you listening?!!

Where's Waldo?

2005-09-02T06:08:00.000-07:00

Gee, I'm so glad george bush cut his 35 day vacation short to hurry back to Washington and do nothing for people dying in the streets, starving in the convention center, and getting shot for offering the food in their store.

There are known to be poisonous snakes in the streets of New Orleans that have spilled over from the lake. I guess one of them got to Washington DC.

Where's Waldo? hell, Where's GEORGE.

Bush is a wonderful president; haven't you heard?

2005-09-01T11:31:00.000-07:00

Well, I guess I was wrong all along; I guess we have the best president ever, who's taking care of everyone, and we're all going to live happily ever after.
NOT.
Even with everything he's done up till now, I can't remember a time that I was as angry about our so called president as RIGHT NOW. He was just on Good Morning America and in response to Diane Sawyers question about receiving aid from other countries, he just said he doesn't expect help from other countries because we didn't ask for it. What a completely insane thing to say!!!!! Not only does it potentially alienate other countries from ever stepping up in the future, but we DO need EVERY BIT OF HELP we can get. What the hell is wrong with him!!!!! And now the BBC has just reported what this idiot has said. UNBELIEVEABLE. If there were EVER a time to reach out.......he is SO POMPOUS and ARROGANT, I can't take it any more!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

He paints a picture of a hurricane aftermath through rose colored glasses, repeating everything we already know, and reciting those words, "HELP IS ON THE WAY" like a robot. The hurricane happened 72 hours ago, and I'd like to know what the people on the rooftops and swimming through dangerous water think about his words. I realize it can take some time for help to arrive but with the resources that Bush keeps saying we have plenty of, why the HELL is it taking days and not hours. If the media can get in with reporters and plenty of helicopters, why can't we get the military in quicker. Hmmmmm, perhaps because we're stretched so thin with so many deployed in Iraq!???

When asked about airdrops to deliver food, he said it's not the most efficient way to deliver food. I'd like to see him not eat for 3 days.

When asked about looting, he said there should be a zero tolerance policy, even for people getting lifesaving supplies. While I agree about zero tolerance for people stealing things like jewelry and tv's, especially when they're taking precious time away from police and rescue personnel, I do feel that there is a big difference between that and people getting food, water, diapers, medicine, etc. They're in a catch-22, while Bush is asking them to use their "civic responsibility" to behave properly. If he was watching the same news I've been, he'd realize this is about as bad as it gets. The mayor of New Orleans announced that he's moving 1500 police officers from search and rescue to going after looters. It makes me sick that people may die who aren't being rescued because someone is stealing a tv downtown. There was just a delivery of essential medical supplies that could not be delivered to a tarmac because there were hundreds of looters waiting with guns. We have sunk into a free for all.

Yet again, he admitted no wrongdoing. He sidestepped EVERY SINGLE QUESTION Sawyers asked by using placating words and actually saying things about all the GOOD work they're doing to keep gas prices down (!!!!!!!) by opening up the strategic oil reserves and suspending some EPA regulations on fuel. Are we so naive to believe that he's helping?!
Is he so psycho that he believes his own words? I'd have some shred of respect for him if he admitted that we DO need help.

Why isn't he calling for a national effort to conserve gas and fuel!!!!! He only just touched on it in response to one of Diane's questions by saying that he hopes people are conserving. Well, if there was any time to use his presidential muscle, he should be calling for everyone to cut back. I guess all of his cronies would lose money in Halliburton etc., if people did that in droves.

He also dodged the question about how we may not have enough National Guard since we're stretched so thin in Iraq. He reiterated that we have to win the war on terror, and that we will win the war on terror and that we have enough resources. He simply (with his simple mind) yet again painted a picture that "we're gonna take care of everything, and we're doing NOTHING wrong."

Where is the help; the people on the Gulf Coast need it NOW.
LisaBeth

www.fundraisingpins.com

Ridiculous Rick

2005-02-04T10:37:00.000-08:00

It is so unbelieveably pathetic that the sickening Senator from my own state of Pennsylvania, Santorum, is spending stupid amounts of time trying to "regulate" language in the media. What the hell is going on in this society? We are sending our soldiers to their most dangerous assignments, yet we have Senators STILL, (and I can't even BELIEVE this) freaking out about Janet Jackson's breast? I mean, who gives a fuck!? Shouldn't he be spending our hard earned tax dollars on more important things like protecting our soldiers, borders, and rights of free speech rather than on his own personal agenda? He was on NPR today babbling about his idiotic "Broadcast Decency Bill" in which fines can be up to THREE MILLION dollars per "offense"! Why is NO ONE asking WHAT HAPPENS WITH THAT MONEY and why he or anyone else has a right to implement fines based on their own narrow minded analysis. I defy anyone to not admit hypocrisy in using "language" in every day life and then complaining about it. They're worried about "the children"? Jesus Christ, any kid over 5 years old has heard any and every word of "slang" ever invented. Get a life people. I have never seen anyone with their head in the sand more than Rick Santorum. We MUST MUST MUST give him his walking papers in the next election.

Social Insecurity

2005-02-03T13:15:00.000-08:00

DID YOU KNOW???

Chew on this......The President and anyone in his tax bracket and above only pay Social Security taxes on a SMALL portion of their income. Do people realize that the law exempts income over $90,000 from Social Security taxes. If that amount was shifted even a little bit, we souldn't even be talking about Social Security.

Ok, here's a good one, from AIR AMERICA yesterday.....(with apologies to Punxatawny Phil),

"Today is Groundhog Day and the State of the Union Address. As Air America Radio pointed out, it is an ironic juxtaposition: one involves a meaningless ritual in which we look to a creature of little intelligence for prognostication and the other involves a groundhog."

The Fate of the Union

2005-02-03T08:21:00.000-08:00

How does he get away with being so cavalier and making everything seem so hunky-dorey? Do you feel hunky-dorey? Yeah, there were no cataclysmic events on election day in Iraq, not unless you count 260 attacks by insurgents. And what of Social Security. Do we really trust that there won't be rampant corruption, not to mention the very real fact that the stock market could tank just before a person of a certain "age" needs their hard earned cash. And that's not even talking about the fact that there isn't this so called crisis that Bush wants us to believe, unless of course he goes forward and spends over 2 TRILLION dollars to launch his evil plan. I think he is hoping that we just follow along like sheep and lemmings, to the Social Security slaughter. He said, "The money is yours and the government can never take it away. YEAH RIGHT! Isn't this the perfect ironic hypocrisy to what he is doing to Social Security?

As for other items he spoke about.....

Eliminating 150 governement programs.....hm, wonder which programs these are.

Getting rid of frivolous asbestos claims.....huh? have i been missing something. I would imagine that if someone was claiming asbestos poisoning, it would be legit.

More affordable health care? I'll believe it when I see it. Especially since one aspect of health care rarely spoken of are the huge numbers of people that are UNDERinsured. It was announced on world news that about 1/2 of the bankruptcies in this country are the result of medical problems. And 3/4 of those people HAD health insurance when they got sick.

Environmentally responsible energy......codeword for drilling in the the Arctic Region no doubt.

The marriage amendment....how dare he put his religious right values on people in this country?

Restraining the spending appetite of the federal government......I think the person getting the most out of this one was the speech writer!

In closing, I'll defer to Nancy Pelosi. She spoke for the democrats after the speech and once again stated quite emphatically how vulnerable we still are after 9/11 when it comes to security at the borders, etc. During his speech, Bush said, "Society is measured by how it treats the weak and vulnerable". I would say this speaks for itself where our so-called president is concerned.

Oh Say Can You Blog

2005-01-31T19:45:00.000-08:00

According to the Associated Press and CNN, many high school students think government censorship of newspapers may not be a bad thing, and flag burning is hardly protected free speech. The first amendment is at serious risk, people. We had best be conscious of what is going on and that it is no small coincidence in a parallel universe to the current employees of the White House. So in honor of today's story, I offer the following take off on a well known song, with apologies to Francis Scott Key. Please visit these websites for more information. www.aclu.org and www.au.org

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Oh say can you blog, by the computer screen light

What so proudly we type all those words of great meaning

Whose broad fonts and bright colors, through the perilous viruses

O'er the comments we wrote were so gallantly streaming

And the bloggers great care, opinions bursting in air

Gave proof through the night FREEDOM OF SPEECH was still there

Oh say does that star studded blogger still write

O'er the land of the free, they'll be blogging tonight.

lyrics, c. 2005, LisaBeth Weber

Experience preferred, but not essential

2005-01-29T22:10:00.000-08:00

Regarding the Iraqi elections......It was announced today that White House officials are vague on what constitutes a successful election. Um, so, they're obviously talking from experience, no doubt.

the INAUGRAVATION.....notes from a reluctant observer

2005-01-28T21:46:00.000-08:00

Before we fly furiously into frozen February, I thought I'd post my excerpts from INAUGRAVATION day. This blog was started as a result of my e-mail rant on that bleak day. I received several e-mails of thanks from people who couldn't bring themselves to watch, and then a friend told me I oughta have a blog to share these thoughts with the ether. So if the ether is listening, here's some tangled thoughts from that dark moment in history......

Oh, and I assure you, my comments are about as fair and balanced as a FOX news show.

OK. Now I really wanna barf.

The pre-inauguration song was the one written by John Ashcroft at the request of Dick Cheney. ug. No wonder it's so hard to have a career as a songwriter. Look at what's getting chosen! Jeez, I woulda given them my song, "Bye Bye Bush" if only they had asked! I guess we should be thankful that Ashcroft didn't sing.

Did you see Scary Spector behind W? we MUST give him his walking papers in '06.

From "W"'s speech........ "......best hope for freedom in our world is the expansion of freedom in all the world" (so I guess this is done by killing 150,000 innocent Iraqi citizens?)

More from the speech.... "Liberty will come to those who love it."

Does that mean those that would love it in the Darfur region (for example) get it automatically? Hey, remember when Ayad Allawi said, "14 out of the 18 provinces in Iraq are perfectly safe. There are no problems." ug.

And was it just me, or was the part of the speech about Sinai, the serpent on the mount, etc. his "inclusive" way of bringing faith into the white house under the auspices of his own personal beliefs. I'd be VERY cautious of this in the next 4 years. watch for subtle (and not so subtle) changes.....and in the same arena, seemed like every time there was a new part to the day, there was a new prayer. Yes, I'm grateful that we live in a country of freedom, but again it rides the fine line between separation of church and state.

And here's what REALLY burns my boat. He creates a war, goes in like a cowboy, ducks from responsibility, builds nothing less than a FORTRESS around Washington DC and then bases his whole inauguration address on FREEDOM while hiding the protesters behind a huge steel fence. THINK ABOUT THAT.

Rick Santorum was just on the 5:00 news defending the costs of the inauguration. saying how it will be broadcast around the world and the important image it would portray about America and what it stands for, "That is an important image and it is worth the price to pay." UNBELIEVABLE. I'd like to make sure the rest of the world knows that half of this country is embarrassed by what went on at the inauguration. Freakin' egomaniac homophobe is already working on his next campaign. Wouldn't it be really great if HE turned out to be GAY!?!

See? I told you it would be as fair and balanced as a FOX news show.

p.s. Next immediate fight MAY be Supreme Court. As a thyroid cancer survivor, I wish Rehnquist all the best for his health, but let's face it...retirement has got to be near.

Department of Homeland Scrutiny

2005-01-27T20:00:00.000-08:00

Well hi there.

Y'know, I don't know if it's the way these stories are reported or the sheer redundancy of overstating the obvious.

Today on the news it was reported that the Department of Homeland Security has declared that "Al Qaeda is fully capable of another full scale attack". Well DUH. And this is news? If the D.O.H.S. (ok, that's funnier than I'd realized till I wrote it out), really didn't believe this up until now, we're in more trouble than I thought. And if anyone thinks that we're safer now because "there haven't been any major attacks since 9/11" then we're living in the biggest naive bubble ever. Oh yeah, I forgot. george bush is keeping us safe.