If anyone has seen the new Coen Borthers film "No Country for Old Men," you know that you will be talking about the film for reasons I perhaps should not go into here, for days on end.
One theory (spoiler alert) mentioned on the Internet is that the psychopathic killer played in chilling detail by Javier Bardem is really the same person as the sheriff played by Tommy Lee Jones.
I think it is safe to say that all of us have a dark side, and who else in American life is better metaphor for the dark side of American life than our very own veep Dick Cheney who was elected* by the people.
(*-We are still wondering what happened in Florida in 2000!)
With this in mind, Mary Ann Akers a political blogger for The Washington Post has revealed that the man Don Imus (a controversial figure himself) called a war criminal is not too popular with those seeking or trying to maintain a seat in Congress.
Akers reports that only two incumbent members of 'The Hill,' Cong. Ralph Hall (R-Tx.) and the vulnerable Cong. Sam Graves (R-Mo.) have solicited his services for political fund-raisers. You might think a few arch-conservatives like Cong. Virgil Goode (R-Va.) would be knocking on his door, but that does not appear to be the case!
And, there is only one challenger, a Republican state senator from Kansas named Nick Jordan, is asking for Cheney to kiss babies as he tries to unseat Cong. Dennis Moore (D-Ks)..........(there is a Republican congressman from Kansas- oh wait, there is a Republican congressman from Utah too!).
These meet and greets are not cheap (as anyone who paid up to $2,000 to meet Rudy G. in Greensboro, NC, can probably attest too- I was not one of those folks!). If you want to have your photo taken with Mr. Grinch, it will cost you $2,300 and if you recognition from Cheney, that will cost you $5,000.
I met the 'real Darth Vader' British actor David Prowse at a comic book show in Charlotte, NC, a few years ago. He wanted $25 for an autographed photo. I had no idea that was such a bargain!
Useful Links:
http://blog.washingtonpost.com/thesleuth
http://www.whitehouse.gov/vicepresident (the official site- not an endorsement)
And, lastly- I am still trying to figure out some tech things with regards to my blog. I really wanted to add this hilarious ad parody with Cheney' image. I think everyone except him will find it amusing:
http://politicalhumor.about.com/library/images/blpic-chenenyshot.html
Friday, December 7, 2007
The Dark Side of Christmas Shopping
Hmmm.....I had decided NEVER to use another poll again, but I thought it would go well with this entry.
As a movie-hip person, it is unusual for me to be informed of a film I don't know about unless it comes from my friends and fellow film connoisseurs Moviezzz, Bilge Ebiri and Joe Scott.
But, my sister Lale Lovell from Colorado sent me a postcard for the new documentary film by Morgan Spurlock (he is producer, not director) entitled "What Would Jesus Buy?"
The film is about the over commercialization of Christmas, and how it can have an adverse effect of folks who need to get out of debt.
The premise of the film is that it follows the Rev. Billy and the Church of Stop Shopping Gospel Choir as they visit places like the Wal-Mart headquarters in Bentonville, Ark.
I checked on the IMDB and the film is showing at a fair number of movie theaters nationally, though mostly in larger markets. I was shocked to see that it is actually showing at a multi-plex in Virginia Beach. But mostly, it is showing in art houses like The Canal Place Cinema in New Orleans and The Magnolia in Dallas.
"WWJB" is also the subject of an article in the current issue of "Filmmaker" magazine.
Spurlock is originally from Beckley, West Virginia, which is relatively close to my hometown of Roanoke, Va. He first gained fame with his documentary "Supper Size Me!"
I still think about that film whenever I eat fast food, which has been more than it should recently due to a very hectic lifestyle. Sadly, there are some towns like South Boston, Va., and Yanceyville, NC, where there are very few choices for eating out. And, conversely, in places like Woodstock, Va., Eden, NC or Spurlock's hometown, there are few places to shop besides Wal-Mart.
Fwd: FW: I love Christmas ME....
From Tilly Gokbudak: I got this is in an email from Debroah Webb of Denton, Tx., who was also the very first person to send me a Christmas card (see earlier entry). Incidentally, I went ahead and got the Yeah Yeah Yeahs cd I had talked about in that entry. I found it at the Plan 9 Music Store in Roanoke, Va., next to The Grandin Theatre. For the record, I have yet to put up any Christmas decorations. As someone who is half-Turkish, half-American, there are some unusual things I do that others are puzzled by- and this certainly occurs around the holidays we asll. I told my friend Nida Campbell that one Christmas, I actually put up Turkish Karagoz and Hacivat shadow puppets that I got in Bursa, Turkey, on my mother's Christmas tree. Someone asked me if they were The Three Wise Men.........?! I hope you enjoy this glass-bottle Christmas tree.
From Debroah Webb (referring to the photo): This is too much work.
The next generation of MSN Hotmail has arrived - Windows Live Hotmail =
From Debroah Webb (referring to the photo): This is too much work.
Attached Message
It took me all weekend, but I finally got my tree up!
The next generation of MSN Hotmail has arrived - Windows Live Hotmail =
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
AU Asks IRS To Investigate Falwell's Liberty University For Endorsement Of Mike Huckabee
From Tilly Gokbudak:I think this press release from Americans United for Separation of Church and State points to an alarming trend of how religion and politics are crisscrossing inappropriate lines with regards to local, state and federal elections. I am not singling out Mike Huckabee or Jerry Falwell Jr.- (though I politically oppose their views) here as this is something that a fair number of Democrats have been guilty of as well.
Subject: AU Press Release :: AU Asks IRS To Investigate Falwell's Liberty University For Endorsement Of Mike Huckabee
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Tuesday, December 4, 2007
I Got My First Christmas Card....(is it that time already?!)
I just got my first Christmas card of the season from my friend Debroah Webb of Denton, Texas. We have been penpal for about eight years now. Both of us have an interest in women's gymnastics- college gymnastics being my primary sports interest.
Deb is a Republican, but she has put up with me even though I told her I was not voting for her state's former governor (that's George W. Bush for those of who blogging in from Erzincan, Turkey), not once but twice. In fact, I actually voted against Bush three times because I crossed party lines to vote for John McCain in a Virginia primary.
But, I expect that this year, the best overall Christmas card I will get this year will come from my friend Tom Angleberger in Christiansburg, Va. Tom's wife CeCe Bell, who I went to elementary school with back in the Gerald Ford administration, happens to a children's book writer and artist. She puts together an awesome sock monkey collection, which includes Christmas cards.
Lastly, I wanted to post an entry about Triad Stage's latest production "Beautiful Star" which is an Appalachian Christmas musical. The theatre is located in downtown Greensboro, and the production has been getting rave reviews, so check it out if you're in the vicinity of Elm Street.
If any of out there are wondering what I want for Christmas, well the answer is---well, anything will do, but I'd love to have a new cd from the punk group The Yeah Yeah Yeahs!
Useful Links:
"It's a Wonderful Life" Classic Film Screening! (At the Carolina Theatre-Greensboro)
Subject: "It's a Wonderful Life" Classic Film Screening!
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Carolina Theatre of Greensboro | 310 South Greene Street | Greensboro | NC | 27401 |
Monday, December 3, 2007
He Better Sing 'Pink Cadillac'
This morning's online edition of "The Roanoke Times" reports that Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band are coming to Dave Matthews' hometown of Charlottesville, Va., to perform at John Paul Jones Arena. on April 30th.
'The Boss' has a new album out, and apparently rock critics are giving it good reviews.
Tickets will cost more than a shopping spree at Target this time of year as they will range from $67-$97 (I love the way us bloggers can put subjective spins on these things- a luxury I never had as a reporter.)
For those of you who have the time, the money and the transportation, tickets go on sale Friday morning at 10 a.m.
In a column about a Van Halen concert in Greensboro in "Yes Weekly!" several weeks ago, Brian Clarey reported that concert-goers came from as far away as St. Louis to come see the band which now has David Lee Roth back as lead singer.
Perhaps, someone will come from Seattle (where Dave Matthews now lives) to see Brrrrrrrrrruuuuuuuce.
John Paul Jones Arena was also the site of a recent concert by The Police.
Alas, big concerts seem to be a thing of the past for my hometown of Roanoke, Va., though they did have a big concert from The David Matthews Band at the late Victory Stadium a few years back. And, I did meet some college students at the Denny's in Salem who came down from Hartford for that show!
The singer Bruce I know, Greensboro folk singer Bruce Piephoff, is performing in Manhattan on New Year's Eve.
And, there is a singer Bruce from Virginia_ Bruce Hornsby (from Williamsburg), but to my knowledge his recent show in Greensboro did not charge $70 for the nose-bleed section. But, of course, fans of Jersey Bruce probably have no such qualms. In fact, they are probably busy buying copies of his new cd at Target.................if they haven't already!
Useful Links:
http://www.johnpauljonesarena.com
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