The UCONN Women's Basketball Team enjoyed an amazing run of 90 straight wins, breaking a record set by UCLA under then-Head Coach John Wooten, and that seemed destined to stand for eternity.
Not any more. The Stanford Cardinal Women's Basketball Team snapped UCONN's streak with a dramatic 71 to 59 win.
While it's a certainty many people used their call phones to make videos and photos, finding candids online is a task. But this gem was on YouTube: a video of the on court post game speech by Stanford Head Coach Tara VanDerveer and her players, amid a euphoric crowd at Maples Pavilion last night.
Stanford can celebrate, and keep cheering its incredible night, because then Cal's hosting the Cardinal Sunday, January 2nd at Haas Pavillion in Berkeley. Game time, 12:20 PST.
GO BEARS!!
Friday, December 31, 2010
Graphic End to 2010 for 99ers - by Bud Meyers
This Graphic End to 2010 for 99ers is brought to you by Bud Meyers of http://acompanyofone.org Bud has been doing graphics for the 99er "CAUSE" for me since last March and it is incredible what this man can do from his little condo in Vegas on what he describes as a dinosaur of an outdated PC.His work is so dead spot on from the point of view many desperate 99ers today. Since joining forces with Bud I have grown to appreciate his dark sense of humor and I have nothing but respect for his great talents in graphics and writing. Bud sends me some crazy, funny items to use and I try to use every one that I can correlate with one of my articles or theme from the various pages on Jobless Unite (my 15 page 99ers website started in April 2010.)
I really LOVED this 99ers Movie poster but was not sure how to incorporate it into an article, so chose instead to showcase it here in my last Zennie62 post 0f 2010.
Bud would hate for me to do this, but when have I ever let that stop me. You see, Bud is one of the hurting 99ers who will be losing the only lifeline remaining to him - his INTERNET access. The cable service (who provides Bud with his TV, phone and internet service) bill is now 3 months over due and if something does not happen fast to save him - the 99er cause will lose a valuable crusader in the fight.
Bud would be the first to tell you he is still one of the luckier 99ers as he still has a roof over his head, for the next month or so anyway. Find out more about Bud, enjoy his great talents as a writer and graphic artist at http://acompanyofone.org
Today Bud sent me the 99ers New Years poster for 99ers below. I personally LOVE the "Mooning of Congress" image. Honestly I could not think of a better way to bid you all a Happy New Year and a prosperous 2011. Enjoy!
[The donation button below is for me, Paladinette. If you like what I write please donate so I can keep on fighting for the 99ers! Thank You!]
Oakland News: Free Cab NYE Rides By Veterans Cab at (800) 281-4488
All you have to do is call Veterans Cab at (800) 281-4488 anytime between 10 PM today and 4 AM (yes, 4 in the morning) New Year's Day and say that "Berg Injury Lawyers" is paying for your cab ride, and that's up to a $35 limit.
Unbelievable, huh? Well, I called Berg Injury Lawyers, and the gentleman who answered my call confirmed that news.
I hope Berg can afford the influx of charges they could get as a result of this blog post. Just 100 calls would be $3,500, but 1,000 calls would be a $35,000 charge to Berg. Yikes!!
Well, maybe there's a tax write off I don't know about.
But I digress.
You know, the Oakland Police should be doing this. Paying for cab rides on New Year's Eve and other selected days, I mean.
At the very least it's a great counterpoint to the DUI stops they're not shy of telling people about from time to time. Moreover, it would give Alameda County Superior Court some advice to fire at DUI suspects in court, saying, "next time, just use the OPD Free Cab Ride Program."
Oh, well. Call em, and HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Thursday, December 30, 2010
99er Millions: Talented, Tenacious - Determined Not be Ignored
The 99er Nation is millions strong and full of talented and tenacious Americans who are determined - not to be ignored by Washington DC or the Media any longer. We have been used as political pawns without the benefit of “special favors” bestowed on other loud and vocal constituencies.
With the raging popularity of social networking and effective use of the internet to get the truth out to the World, the 99er Nation is agog with what 2011 will bring to our fight. YouTube has a prolific 99er presence which is growing each day with videos determined to get the truth out about the lies Washington has been promoting and the truths Main Stream Media has been complicit in keeping from this and other countries around the world.
One new comer who is making quite a splash (not to mention some excellent an professional grade videos for the 99er Nation) goes by the YouTube name ConcernedinKY who has generated several compelling 99er tribute videos on their channel this week alone.
A 99ers Tribute: We the People. (seen below) is described on YouTube as:
A tribute to the 99ers, the millions of Americans that have exhausted all of their unemployment benefits and are unable to find a job in this failing economy. They should be commended for their courage. They face unbelievable heartache and hardship every single day, yet they are still there for one another and, despite it all, they still love their country.
The 99ers are not the problem, they are the solution. They will be the ones that will rebuild this Nation back to greatness through their hard work, their dedication, and their heart, through their soul. They are America and they need a lifeline.
Who will do the right thing? The American thing? Who will work for the working man
We the People also has the most poignant words at the video’s closing moments which read:
It is not the Democratic thing to do.
It is not the Republican thing to do.
It is the American thing to do.
It is the right thing to do.
The 99ers are not the problem.
They are the solution.
Help them to help this Nation
become great again
by providing them
with a lifeline in this time of crisis.
Who is going to work for the
the working man and
Extend UI for all?
Other excellent videos by this YouTube Contributer are: In loving memory... dedicated to Al and Mark and all the other 99ers we have lost and just today a rousing tribute to the American Worker you must see for yourself at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSSCS15DnuI
I was determined to reveal the Great American 99er behind these inspiring videos, so I reached out to ConcernedinKY by email and Facebook, requesting a bio and perhaps an interview so that I can tell their story in the Blogosphere.
The response I received was typical of the big hearted talent which humbly shines throughout their YouTube 99er Tribute videos. This was their reply:
Humble, talented, humanity minded....I’d love to see any of those qualities in Congress but it is not bloody likely to happen in my lifetime. Truth is our country is in the death grip of some of the most greedy, selfish, ignorant, corrupt and unAmerican b@$#ds that ever walked the face of this earth. Enough said except for: May God Help US!
The second video:
Another of the numerous YouTube political reporters out there is lessions4u2learn whose Video UNEMPLOYMENT HO HO HO 13 month UI Extension LIES and the 99ers Big Push for Tier 5 and is done to a Tech-no version of Silent Night, actually has words from a few of my blog posts on the subject! KUDOS and humble thanks for doing your part to expose the truth about the BIG LIE in the “Obama Bend Over.”
[The donation button below is for me, Paladinette. If you like what I write please donate so I can keep on fighting for the 99ers! Thank You!]
Who I am isn't really important, it's the story of how I got where I am that matters.
I was working as a pet groomer in a fairly successful boarding facility in Kentucky when it went belly up. Sixteen people lost their jobs when the business failed and of those sixteen people nine of them have been unable to find jobs. Nine out of sixteen of them are 99ers. Over half of them, over half, have exhausted all of their unemployment benefits. All nine of us worked hard every single day. All nine of us put everything we had into our jobs because all nine of us loved the family pets we worked with. Out of the nine that are still jobless, six of them have been forced to re-home their own beloved animals. Four of them have lost their homes and are currently sleeping in spare bedrooms or on the couches of family or friends. They consider themselves fortunate... Hard working people, the backbone of our Nation, consider themselves fortunate to just have a place inside to sleep during cold winter months. If you are fortunate enough to have job take a good look at over half of your co-workers and then take a good look in the mirror at yourself and remember just one thing: Any one of them could be me, including yourself. If you think it can't happen to you? Well, let me tell you that we all thought that, every last one of us. So, to sum it all up, who I am doesn't matter, what I've become is important. I am an American 99er and I am one of millions. (end of email)
Humble, talented, humanity minded....I’d love to see any of those qualities in Congress but it is not bloody likely to happen in my lifetime. Truth is our country is in the death grip of some of the most greedy, selfish, ignorant, corrupt and unAmerican b@$#ds that ever walked the face of this earth. Enough said except for: May God Help US!
The second video:
Another of the numerous YouTube political reporters out there is lessions4u2learn whose Video UNEMPLOYMENT HO HO HO 13 month UI Extension LIES and the 99ers Big Push for Tier 5 and is done to a Tech-no version of Silent Night, actually has words from a few of my blog posts on the subject! KUDOS and humble thanks for doing your part to expose the truth about the BIG LIE in the “Obama Bend Over.”
[The donation button below is for me, Paladinette. If you like what I write please donate so I can keep on fighting for the 99ers! Thank You!]
Earthquake In Indiana, Crowds At O'Hare Airport, Chicago
As it seems every person's moving through Chicago's O'Hare Airport except this blogger, there are reports of a 3.8 Richter Scale Earthquake in Indiana. Obviously, it wasn't large, because there's almost zero buzz about it here at United Airlines' "C" Concourse, where I'm blogging near Gate C15. Given the proximity to the Hoosier State, you'd think otherwise.
But everyone's too busy trying to get to some place to care and many not to Indiana.
One of them is me.
Back to the Indiana Earthquake.
The quake was said to have struck just at 7:55 AM and 50 miles north of Indianapolis, and three miles below ground. While it lasted "just a few seconds" it was felt in four states: Illinois, Ohio, Kentucky and Wisconsin.
What's weird is there's no reported fault line in the area. Moreover, earthquakes just don't happen there much at all. But a backlogged O'Hare Airport, more specifically the United Airlines terminal on the eve of New Year's Eve, is far more common.
As I write this, I'm waiting for what will be my fourth flight today. Yes, I'm used to waiting and always optimistic, but now it's time to consider an alternative. The good news is many flights are leaving; few cancellations.
Like LA rather than San Francisco.
Hmm.
But everyone's too busy trying to get to some place to care and many not to Indiana.
One of them is me.
Back to the Indiana Earthquake.
The quake was said to have struck just at 7:55 AM and 50 miles north of Indianapolis, and three miles below ground. While it lasted "just a few seconds" it was felt in four states: Illinois, Ohio, Kentucky and Wisconsin.
What's weird is there's no reported fault line in the area. Moreover, earthquakes just don't happen there much at all. But a backlogged O'Hare Airport, more specifically the United Airlines terminal on the eve of New Year's Eve, is far more common.
As I write this, I'm waiting for what will be my fourth flight today. Yes, I'm used to waiting and always optimistic, but now it's time to consider an alternative. The good news is many flights are leaving; few cancellations.
Like LA rather than San Francisco.
Hmm.
99er just says “NO THANKS” to Offer of Obama Thank You Card
Who else but this “yours truly” 99er would say “NO THANKS” to an offer of an Obama Thank You Card. I mean it might have some ebay value at the very least - Right?
The sentiment I believe was sincere when I received the email below from Joe Biden via OFA supporter Mitch Stewart today, but somehow it struck a deep chord of discontent within me toward recent events by My President. I was not feeling too gracious or thankful when I made my reply and tweeted it out (via Twitter Longer) to tons of media and 99ers for all the world to see, either.
Before I go on, I feel the need to say I love President Obama. I really HATE what he recently did with the tax extension and helping everyone in America in some form or another - EXCEPT of course the 99ers who needed help the most.
The sentiment I believe was sincere when I received the email below from Joe Biden via OFA supporter Mitch Stewart today, but somehow it struck a deep chord of discontent within me toward recent events by My President. I was not feeling too gracious or thankful when I made my reply and tweeted it out (via Twitter Longer) to tons of media and 99ers for all the world to see, either.
Before I go on, I feel the need to say I love President Obama. I really HATE what he recently did with the tax extension and helping everyone in America in some form or another - EXCEPT of course the 99ers who needed help the most.
Perhaps I can best explain it by comparing it to the love you have for a dear friend who does something to really hurt you - intentionally or otherwise - it still hurts. You do not stop loving that friend, but you may be very angry with them for a while. Even if that “friend” tells you “I had no choice” it does not help much.
Then again it is possible that I am just furious that the 99ers were “Traded away” like prisoners may with cigarettes or bunk buddies for that matter. I cannot help it if I feel like I was passed to “Large Marge” from “Sweaty Betty” for a pack of Lucky Strikes. (But in this case millions of 99ers were left without means of survival so Millionaires can keep their South Hampton Summer Home servants on staff.) Outrageous. So YES you could say I am very PO’d at Washington DC in it’s collective worthlessness to hurting America....but I still love my President.
With that said, this arrived in my email inbox this morning: My words are bolded below and not part of the original email as received.....
I immediately sent the following reply via return email:
Then again it is possible that I am just furious that the 99ers were “Traded away” like prisoners may with cigarettes or bunk buddies for that matter. I cannot help it if I feel like I was passed to “Large Marge” from “Sweaty Betty” for a pack of Lucky Strikes. (But in this case millions of 99ers were left without means of survival so Millionaires can keep their South Hampton Summer Home servants on staff.) Outrageous. So YES you could say I am very PO’d at Washington DC in it’s collective worthlessness to hurting America....but I still love my President.
With that said, this arrived in my email inbox this morning: My words are bolded below and not part of the original email as received.....
Forwarded FROM: Mitch Stewart info@barackobama.com
Dear Friend --
Every day, I am proud to work with OFA supporters across the country -- which is why I wanted to make sure you saw the Vice President's email below.
President Obama will be sending thank-you notes to supporters, and he'd like to send one to you.
If you haven't already, sign up here to get yours:
http://my.barackobama.com/ThankYouCard
Thanks,
Mitch
-----------------Original Message-----------------
From: Joe Biden
Subject: We want to say thank you, with a note
Friend --
I've been in Washington for almost 40 years. I've seen a lot of Congresses come and go. But I can't remember a group of lawmakers who accomplished more than the folks who just wrapped up their work.
....Bla Bla Bla Bla Bla.......
But do you know why all that happened? Because people like you rolled up your sleeves, dug deep, and decided to make a difference. We had a dedicated group of lawmakers -- no doubt -- but they were supported every step of the way by folks from all across this country who were ready for change. People like you.
I know how much that means to me. And I can't even begin tell you how much it means to the President.
So here's the deal: President Obama wants to send you a note to express how grateful we are for all you did.
Would you like to receive one?
Two years ago, we were staring into an abyss. The financial crisis was the worst this country has faced since the Great Depression.
....Bla Bla Bla Bla Bla.......
Now -- even though we still have a ways to go -- the economy is growing again.
...........Yeah Right now can we hear the one about Cinderella Joe...I just LOVE a good Fairy Tale......
Prior to this Congress, lawmakers had talked about reforming health care for almost a century.
....Bla Bla Bla Bla Bla.......
The President and I take great pride in those achievements. But each one belongs to you. You believed in them, you fought for them, and we're darn grateful.
So let the President send you a note to show our appreciation.
Sign up here:
http://my.barackobama.com/ThankYouCard
Thank you -- for everything,
Joe
I immediately sent the following reply via return email:
Dear Mitch,
Please tell the President to keep his worthless CARD! He SHOULD have helped the 99ers - that would have been worth something to me.Then went out a series of tweets to reporters, politicians and all manner of Media. This is the 1st one that I sent: On Thursday 30th December 2010, @paladinette said:
Thanks,
LaDona
AKA Paladinette (try googling that name sometime - you and Obama might just learn something about how to help millions of hurting Americans OUR PRESIDENT bargained away for Tax cuts for wealthy contributers to campaigns - it makes me SICK)
PS- No more emails PLEASE We are DONE here!!!!!
@joebiden @BarackObama @keitholbermann - Dear Joe - RE: Thank you Card from Obama - Please tell the President 2 keep his worthless CARD! He SHOULD have helped the 99ers - that would have been worth something to me. Thanks, @Paladinette (try googling that name sometime - you and Obama might just learn something about how to help millions of hurting Americans OUR PRESIDENT bargained away for Tax cuts for wealthy contributers to campaigns - it makes me SICK) PS - No more emails PLEASE!!!!! We are done here!I sure hope I do not have the black limousines pulling up at my door for Tweeting my mind......ya think after all the indignities I have suffered as a 99er thus far, I may actually get passed to “Large Marge” from “Sweaty Betty” for a pack of Lucky Strikes too? OMG me and my big Twitter mouth... Hey Zennie I might need some bail money - LOL
[Please use the donation button below to help Paladinette to KEEP FIGHTING for the 99ers! Or maybe to bail her out if the Secret Service pays me a call YIKES]
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Tucker Carlson On Michael Vick, Chris Brown Twitter Blast Talk Of Town
Chris Brown overtook Tucker for his Twitter-based, gay-oriented, homophobic rant where he blasted rapper RazB2K for tweeting this:
razb2k Skype me RazB2K
Im just sittin here Thinking how can niggas like @ebenet & @ChrisBrown disrespect women as Intelligent as @HalleBerry11 @Rihanna
11 hours ago
But rather than ignore the tweet and leave well enough alone, Chris Brown, apparently still with raw nerves about the Rihanna issue, had to chime in with a thug life tweet blast of his own. This one:
@razb2k nigga you want attention! Grow up nigga!!! Dick in da booty ass lil boy
9 hours ago via Twitter for iPhone Favorite Retweet Reply
Then, it was on. But, for some reason, Chris Brown became obsessed with tweeting about RazB2K and gay sex. On and on, tweet after tweet, and really nasty stuff, Brown continued, until Raz tweeted...
razb2k Skype me RazB2K
@chrisbrown u victimize victims, ur a homophobe, ur on the down low & a woman beater. Merry Christmas & thx 4 showin every1 ur true colors
6 hours ago
The exchange was picked up by TMZ.com almost as soon as it happened, leading someone at TMZ to tweet that Brown's anger management training had failed. They were not kidding.
Chris Brown should be ashamed of himself as should Tucker Carlson. In Brown's case, he seems to have being gay or gay sex on his mind. Why? Who knows.
As for Carlson, he's really taking it on the chin around the Internet, and for good reason. What would Tucker say about Oscar Grant? Did Tucker think what happened to him was OK? There's no question but that Tucker's comments had a racial tinge to them.
Oh, and a reminder to some: dog racing isn't cool either. Stop sending emails trying to justify it. Please.
Stay tuned.
Oscar Film Awards Season: The Social Network, Golden Globes, and The Jewish Question
As we approach the end of 2010, a very long year, let's see what's happened to date, and on the way to the announcement of Oscar nominations on January 27th 2011. I could sum it up by just saying bet on The Social Network for Oscar - Best Picture, but that would leave out a lot of news.
Before I continue, a thought on why this is important. In a New Media World, movies are still one of the best reflectors of not just our culture, but our changing values. What we prize, or don't, in film says a lot about who we are, and the human condition.
Movies, like Guess Who's Coming To Dinner and Philadelphia can help to spark awareness, change laws, and spark whole social movements.
Indeed, the Oscar Awards Season itself can be controversial, reflecting race, sex, and intra-ethnic issues, as has been the case with what I call "The Jewish Question."
Annie Awards and Sprit Awards nominations.
The Annie Awards nominations, for 29 categories representing the best in animated film, were announced back in December 1st, and for the award ceremony scheduled for February 5th. The contenders for "Best Animated Feature" are Despicable Me, How to Train Your Dragon, Tangled, The Illusionist, and Toy Story 3. Click here for the rest of the nominations listed at the Annie Awards site.
The Independent Sprit Awards is on February 26th, but it's nominations have been out for a few weeks. In the "Best Feature" category, the ISA's version of the best picture awards, five movies vie for the prize: 127 Hours, Black Swan, Greenberg, The Kids Are All Right, and Winter's Bone. Click here for the full slate of nominations for the ISA's.
The New York-based National Board Of Review's awards announcements were released December 2nd and The Social Network was named "Best Film Of The Year." David Fincher and Jesse Eisenberg took home best director and best actor prizes for The Social Network, the story of the actors behind the creation of Facebook. The National Board Of Review's awards gala is set for January 11th 2010; click here for all of the NBOR awards for 2010.
Washington DC Area Film Awards
The WAFCA Awards winners were announced December 6th, and features another win for The Social Network. It scored best film, best director, and best adapted awards screenplay for it's writer, Aaron Sorkin. Colin Firth landed "Best Actor" for his role in The King's Speech, while The Fighter got the supporting actor awards. For all of the WAFCA awards, click here.
The American Film Institute (AFI)
The AFI awards are split into Movies Of The Year, Television Shows Of The Year, and AFI Special Awards. The movies of the year are Black Swan, The Fighter, Inception, The Kids Are All Right, 127 Hours, The Social Network, The Town, Toy Story 3, True Grit, and Winter's Bone. Visit the AFI site here.
Broadcast Film Critics Association Critics Choice Awards
The Broadcast Film Critics Association Critics Choice Awards are out and for the ceremony set fo January 14th, 2011. The "Best Picture" competition looks like the one we may see for the 83rd Annual Academy Awards: 127 Hours, Black Swan, The Fighter, Inception, The King's Speech, The Social Network, The Town, Toy Story 3, True Grit, and Winter's Bone.
The same is true for Best Actor and Best Actress: Jeff Bridges - True Grit, Robert Duvall - Get Low, Jesse Eisenberg - The Social Network, Colin Firth - The King's Speech, James Franco - 127 Hours, and Ryan Gosling - Blue Valentine. And for the women Annette Bening - The Kids Are All Right, Nicole Kidman - Rabbit Hole, Jennifer Lawrence - Winter's Bone, Natalie Portman - Black Swan, Noomi Rapace - The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo and Michelle Williams - Blue Valentine.
The Broadcast Film Critics Association Critics Choice Awards site is at BFCA.org
The Golden Globe Awards Controversy And The Jewish Question
The Golden Globes, the Hollywood Foreign Press' annual shindig awards event, has Black Swan, The Fighter, Inception, The King's Speech, and The Social Network rounding out its "Best Picture" competitors. The controversy was around what some called the "snub" of The Coen Brothers True Grit from any of the major categories. For some reason, there's a set of blog posts and articles asserting that Jewish film makers do well as The Globes, and that
Here's the full list for The Globes, and pointing to The Social Network, Black Swan, where Natalie Portman is an Israeli netive, as films that "have a chance." Is that a PR stunt to appease fans of The Coen Brothers? I wonder.
It does offer up a question: If the Golden Globes are favorable to Jewish filmmakers, why not include The Coen Brothers and True Grit? A Google search for "Coen brothers jewish" provides a window into criticism of the brothers' take on "The Jewish Condition" and a posible reasons like they "just did't get" Jews, even though the Jewish brothers grew up in a Jewish suburb of St. Louis.
Haaretz's Uzi Silber spared no words in expressing his dislike for A Serious Man, The Coen Brothers take on the collapse of the life of a Jewish science professor, trashing the movie, and them, wildly stating that the pair "just didn't get Jews," and had little time for "them," as if The Coens were alien to the culture.
If Slber's view reflects those of Jews in Hollywood, it certainly colors the 2011 Oscar Awards Season. Yes, we know the Oscars are political, but to the extent of ignoring a great work like True Grit? The answer here is "no," and it seems the issue's confined to The Golden Globes.
The Screen Actors Guild Awards
Jeff Bridges, who terrifically played Rooster Cogburn in True Grit, is one of five actors up for Best Actor for The Screen Actor's Guild Awards to be held Sunday, January 30th. The full list of nominations almost mirrors that of the Broadcast Film Critics Association Critics Choice Awards, with the exception of Ryan Gosling. That's also true for "Best Actress" but Hilary Swank for Conviction replaces Noomi Rapace and Michelle Williams. The SAG site is here: SAGAWARDS.org
The Social Network Is Tops
In closing, The Social Network's taking the Oscar Awards Season by storm. On December 19th, The Satellite Awards named it "Best Drama," and it took home awards for director and screenplay (Fincher and Sorkin again). The one film that may offer a challenge is Black Swan, which swept the noms at the Online Film Critics Society December 27th.
As to "The Jewish Question," stay tuned.
Tucker Carlson: Michael Vick "Should Have Been Executed"
Tucker Carlson disagrees with a call that President Obama made to the owner of the Eagles, in which the President stated that he was glad that the Eagles were giving Michael Vick a second chance. Michael Vick was convicted of running a dog fighting ring and did prison time.
Tucker Carlson made the statement while filling in for the show Hannity on Fox News.
"I'm a Christian, I've made mistakes myself, I believe fervently in second chances, but Michael Vick killed dogs, and he did in a heartless and cruel way," Carlson said. "And I think personally he should have been executed for that. He wasn't."
John Bobst aka The Force of Nature
Check out my blog at www.theforceofnature.net
Tucker Carlson On Michael Vick: Put A Sock In It
On this issue, Tucker Carlson needs to put a sock in it.
Like so many others in what I've come to call The Matrix - that combination of images, ideas, and the at times tireless attempts at maintenance of them, that defines American Society and forms what we call "stereotypes" - Carlson can be counted on to make a stupid statement from time to time.
And Tucker's really a smart guy.
Really.
It's just that Tucker says and does things that...Well, take how he impersonated MSNBC's Keith Olbermann a few months ago, flirting with an identify theft charge in the process.
You see what I mean?
But if Tucker bothered to look at what's driving his need to make that statement - that subconsciously he thinks it's OK to associate executions with an African American man - he would see that wealthy white families like the Rooneys, who own the Pittsburgh Steelers, were involved in dog racing. Dog racing has a near-equal level of abuse to man's best friend, yet PETA and Carlson have ignored this.
Not a statement.
Tucker Carlson would not even think to suggest what my logical conclusion would point to. And that's the problem.
If Michael Vick were a wealthy, white dog racing owner, Carlson would have never suggested he be executed. But because he's a black guy, it's OK.
Welcome to The Matrix.
Vikings vs. Eagles: Mike Vick Victim Of Bad Game Plan
The Vikings vs. Eagles game may have been different if Philadelphia Eagles QB Mike Vick had a better game plan. This video was created to show what the Eagles should have done to place Vick in a position not to be hit as much as he was.
Have him sprint right, but from a formation that puts immediate receiving pressure on the defense. The Eagles left Vick as a sitting duck; he's of average height and defensive linemen were just putting their hands up to block passes. The Eagles offensive coaches failed to get him out of the pocket by design. The result was a lot of hurries, batted passes, and sacks.
But it must be noted that Vikings Head Coach Leslie Frazier came up with a whale of an offensive and defensive game plan. The Vikings under Frazier for a full season will be a force in the NFL.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Jim Toth and Reese Witherspoon: Engaged to be Married
Jim Toth proposed to actress Reese Witherspoon over the holiday weekend. This will be actress Reese Witherspoon's second marriage. Jim Toth, an agent for the Creative Artists, and Reese Witherspoon started dating shortly after the end of her two year relationship to actor Jake Gyllenhaal. The actress is represented by Creative Arts but not by Jim Toth. "They are both extremely happy," said a representative for Reese Witherspoon.
John Bobst aka The Force of Nature
Check out my blog at www.theforceofnature.net
Adam Sandler: Another Death Hoax
Adam Sandler was the victim of a celebrity death hoax. The rumor was reported by the Global Associated News and goes a little something like this. "Sandler lost control of his snowboard and struck a tree at a high rate of speed… Sandler was air lifted by ski patrol teams to a local hospital; however, it is believed that the actor died instantly from the impact of the crash"
This same hoax was spread around about Charlie Sheen a few days ago and Morgan Freeman was also recently the victim of a death rumor.
John Bobst aka The Force of Nature
Check out my blog at www.theforceofnature.net
Tuesday Night Football: Eagles vs Vikings - Mike Vick Hurt By Game Plan
While Webb's cool, calm, clutch performance in his first start made a lot of people say "Tavarez who," (referring to the Vikings other QB Tavarez Jackson) and cemented him as their new signal caller, it was a very bad offensive game plan that prevented Vick and the Eagles from playing up to expectations.
Michael Vick can't win. When his athleticism overcomes a bad game plan, everyone cheers him. When his athleticism can't overcome the bad game plan, everyone boos him. But the bad game plan, and the coaches who created it, goes without criticism.
Against the New York Giants last week, Vick overcame a bad offensive game plan with his legs and timely passing. But the Vikings used the same defensive game plan as that of the Giants, and with Vick not able to muster the same energy as the week before to essentially play out of that awful game plan, the Eagles offense stalled.
"That bad game plan," sets the relatively short Vick up in the pocket as a sitting duck, a focal point for blitzes. And those pass rush calls have come more and more over the last four games. But instead of rolling Vick out to have him throw more often than not, Eagles Head Coach Andy Reid kept Vick in the pocket.
The result: hurries, batted passes, and sacks.
And a shocking Vikings win.
Videos On Videoblogging - Tips, Irina Slutsky, And Gavin Newsom
In this vlogger's ongoing effort to encourage more people to video-blog, here are three videos I've made on the subject.
The first video, or vlog, is the most recent to date, and includes basic tips on videoblogging. The second vlog contains interviews with a number of people, including San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, and asking "What Is New Media To You?
That one was fun and demonstrates how easy it is to use the camcorder to record the views of others and produce a vlog. (But, in the case of Cathy Brooks, I asked her to send a MPEG file of her "in car" vlog.)
Vlog number three explains how I produce a vlog and what equipment I generally use. The fourth vlog is another favorite, and features pioneer vlogger Irina Slutsky and "Television of Tommorrow" producer Tracy Swedlow talking about video-blogging.
How To Vlog:
What Is New Media To You:
How I Make A Vlog:
Irina Stutsky And Tracy Swedlow - Vlogging Pioneers:
But, with all of this, you've got to do it yourself. Get out there and vlog!
The first video, or vlog, is the most recent to date, and includes basic tips on videoblogging. The second vlog contains interviews with a number of people, including San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, and asking "What Is New Media To You?
That one was fun and demonstrates how easy it is to use the camcorder to record the views of others and produce a vlog. (But, in the case of Cathy Brooks, I asked her to send a MPEG file of her "in car" vlog.)
Vlog number three explains how I produce a vlog and what equipment I generally use. The fourth vlog is another favorite, and features pioneer vlogger Irina Slutsky and "Television of Tommorrow" producer Tracy Swedlow talking about video-blogging.
How To Vlog:
What Is New Media To You:
How I Make A Vlog:
Irina Stutsky And Tracy Swedlow - Vlogging Pioneers:
But, with all of this, you've got to do it yourself. Get out there and vlog!
Vanity Fair Magazine Print Edition Is Real Thin (Media News)
Vanity Fair is this blogger's favorite print magazine to buy at San Francisco International Airport when traveling. "VF," for all of it's faults, does a great job of presenting a certain way of the good life. While it could be more diverse in it's presentation of what that means, Vanity Fair is always an enjoyable read. The problem today is it's shrinking. Check out my video:
Yep. Vanity Fair's January 2011 print mag edition is a full 50 percent smaller in thickness than past issues. VF fans are used to seeing a thick, heavy, magazine, as was the case as recently as the December 2010 mag.
The one with Cher on the cover, wearing fishnets.
Or the April 2010 issue where Michael Douglas announced the new Wall Street movie, and the David Letterman sex scandal was detailed in all of its glory.
Those issues, two of countless many VF's I own, are all damn thick, heavy magazines.
Then, there's Johnny Depp, or the VF issue with Depp on the cover. There's only two words for it: shockingly small.
Curious, a little cyber walking revealed that Conde Nast, the company that owns Vanity Fair and other publications, embarked on an initiative to have its properties think in a more "business like" way. After losing $1 billion in ad revenue in 2009, it's no surprise to lean Conde Nast has some problems, but then, as it's CEO Chuck Townsend pointed out, so does its competition.
Its print competition.
Much was made of Chuck Townsend announcing how well Conde Nast was doing compared with Hearst Corporation and TIME media properties, but that's print. Magazine ad revenue as a whole barely recovered from the recession, and newspapers are just plain taking on water. Print's seen better days and before the Internet World.
The question is what's the future for Vanity Fair?
I can't see VF lasting as a monthly. Quarterly, yes. Monthly, no. Moreover, it's future is in television and multimedia. And it's got to up its audience grab from Oscar-related content. Why in heck it doesn't emphasize video and video-blogging is beyond me, but the old heads there better wisen up before it's too late. The VF brand can survive, but it's got to grow out of its print-oriented mentality.
Yep. Vanity Fair's January 2011 print mag edition is a full 50 percent smaller in thickness than past issues. VF fans are used to seeing a thick, heavy, magazine, as was the case as recently as the December 2010 mag.
The one with Cher on the cover, wearing fishnets.
Those issues, two of countless many VF's I own, are all damn thick, heavy magazines.
Then, there's Johnny Depp, or the VF issue with Depp on the cover. There's only two words for it: shockingly small.
Curious, a little cyber walking revealed that Conde Nast, the company that owns Vanity Fair and other publications, embarked on an initiative to have its properties think in a more "business like" way. After losing $1 billion in ad revenue in 2009, it's no surprise to lean Conde Nast has some problems, but then, as it's CEO Chuck Townsend pointed out, so does its competition.
Its print competition.
Much was made of Chuck Townsend announcing how well Conde Nast was doing compared with Hearst Corporation and TIME media properties, but that's print. Magazine ad revenue as a whole barely recovered from the recession, and newspapers are just plain taking on water. Print's seen better days and before the Internet World.
The question is what's the future for Vanity Fair?
I can't see VF lasting as a monthly. Quarterly, yes. Monthly, no. Moreover, it's future is in television and multimedia. And it's got to up its audience grab from Oscar-related content. Why in heck it doesn't emphasize video and video-blogging is beyond me, but the old heads there better wisen up before it's too late. The VF brand can survive, but it's got to grow out of its print-oriented mentality.
Blog Platform Downtime: Blogger Wins Tumblr Loses
Blogger - the favorite of this blogger, even though we also have a Word Press platform, too - had a 100 percent uptime rate. That means Blogger blogs were up and running 24 and 7, or 100 percent of the time during the two month reporting period from October 15th to December 15th.
For Tumblr, something weird happened on December 5th: the largest blog outage known to man in a long time. For 24 hours Tumblr was down from December 5th to December 6th, giving it a 97 percent uptime rating.
Yikes.
Add to that, Tumblr had down times before the giant December outage.
And it just happened to occur just when the watchful eye of Royal Pingdom weighed in.
Nice.
Yeah, Blogger!
Stay tuned. (Here's the full report.)
Monday, December 27, 2010
Matt Ryan, Roddy White and Falcons Forget Short Pass; Drew Brees and Saints Don't
New Orleans Saints Coach Sean Payton showed once again why he's the NFL's best play caller not name Peyton Manning, Andy Reid, or Bill O’Brien of the Patroits. With just over 8 minutes on the clock he and Quarterback Drew Brees directed a 13 play, 90 yard drive that featured six straight passes. The last pass was a touchdown to rookie Tight End Jimmy Graham that Head Coach Mike Smith and the Falcons should have seen coming: the pass to the big tight end lined up all alone over the small cornerback, where the Saints throw a quick look-in pass within five yards of the goal line. Something they did in Super Bowl 44 against the Colts.
All of Brees passes were of the short variety.
By contrast, when the Falcons got the ball with a whopping 3 minutes left, and needing only to get into field goal range, they got greedy. The first play was a broken-field run by Matt Ryan for about 20 yard, then the drive stalled and they went three-and-out, as Ryan tried to throw down field to score, rather than short to work the clock and move the chains.
If that series were replayed and the Falcons Smith said "OK, Zennie. Let's see what you can do," I'd have used Ryan's legs on a planned bootleg to open the series, worked a set of short passes off play action to Falcons Running Back Michael Turner, then called the roll-out pass to the left to Roddy White. Work short. Work the ball.
That's what the Saints did, and in a series so devastatingly perfect, Bill Walsh was smiling down from Heaven.
Saints at Falcons: The Georgia Dome Experience
As you're watching the New Orleans Saints vs. Atlanta Falcons Monday Night Football game at The Georgia Dome, it's a good time to point out one thing: The Georgia Dome's an excellent place to watch a football game.
This blogger's watching the contest in Suburban Atlanta, but elected not to go to the game because of the ice patched streets. But the last Falcons home game, against the Green Bay Packers, I did attend and what an incredible experience. Here's the video:
As the video shows, the seats for my long time friend Keith Johnson and I were excellent and provided a great place to watch the Falcons win 20 to 17. (thanks to his wife for giving Keith his hall pass!) Section 129, row 33, seats 7 and 8. That's the north end zone corner.
What's great about watching football at the Georgia Dome is it's a theater for the game. Everything, from the seats to the structure, to the roof itself, focuses on the field of play. Of the seven Super Bowl's I've attended, the Georgia Dome was the second best stadium host to the game, with the best one being Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas.
A New Falcons Stadium?
Reports have it that Falcons owner Arthur Blank wants a new stadium so the team can move out of the 18-year-old Georgia Dome. The Georgia Dome itself should be that new stadium. It needs wider club level corridors, meeting rooms and second level "terrace club zones" to fill in the vast amounts of empty space between the curtain walls and the stadium seat structure, a large central entrance atrium, more and upgraded luxury boxes, and all-new giant screens.
Blank reportedly wants an outdoor stadium, but given his desire to gain more overall revenue, that's not a good idea. A dome stadium's ability to host more events means more money than a comparable outdoor stadium.
Keep the Georgia Dome. It's a winner. Like the Falcons.
This blogger's watching the contest in Suburban Atlanta, but elected not to go to the game because of the ice patched streets. But the last Falcons home game, against the Green Bay Packers, I did attend and what an incredible experience. Here's the video:
As the video shows, the seats for my long time friend Keith Johnson and I were excellent and provided a great place to watch the Falcons win 20 to 17. (thanks to his wife for giving Keith his hall pass!) Section 129, row 33, seats 7 and 8. That's the north end zone corner.
What's great about watching football at the Georgia Dome is it's a theater for the game. Everything, from the seats to the structure, to the roof itself, focuses on the field of play. Of the seven Super Bowl's I've attended, the Georgia Dome was the second best stadium host to the game, with the best one being Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas.
A New Falcons Stadium?
Reports have it that Falcons owner Arthur Blank wants a new stadium so the team can move out of the 18-year-old Georgia Dome. The Georgia Dome itself should be that new stadium. It needs wider club level corridors, meeting rooms and second level "terrace club zones" to fill in the vast amounts of empty space between the curtain walls and the stadium seat structure, a large central entrance atrium, more and upgraded luxury boxes, and all-new giant screens.
Blank reportedly wants an outdoor stadium, but given his desire to gain more overall revenue, that's not a good idea. A dome stadium's ability to host more events means more money than a comparable outdoor stadium.
Keep the Georgia Dome. It's a winner. Like the Falcons.
San Francisco 49ers Fired Mike Singletary - Advice For Jed York
YouTube, Metacafe, DailyMotion, Blip.tv, StupidVideos and Viddler
When it was announced that the San Francisco 49ers fired Head Coach Mike Singletary, my mother made a quizzical observation: "I wondered about that, because it seems like he's always arguing with somebody." That was telling.
My Mom doesn't know or pretend to know football, but she does know people, and Singletary's explosive exchange with Troy Smith didn't sit well with her. Now, for good measure, she didn't agree with Troy Smith "trying to show him up" as she put it, either.
But Singletary, as the head person, is expected to hold a more dignified position than he presented on the sidelines. "The 49ers need someone like Bill Walsh," she said.
They do.
That's the book on making a winning football franchise. A book written by Coach Walsh, with Brian Billick, who was a Niners assistant under Walsh, then went on to earn a Super Bowl ring as Baltimore Ravens Head Coach, and is now an NFL Network Analyst.
In it, Walsh lays out a blueprint the 49ers once followed, and have gotten away from. Just look at the coaches the Yorks have hired since the end of the Walsh / Eddie Debartolo era and the time when Denise Debartolo York took control in 2000: John York, Ted's father, replaced Steve Mariucci with his first hire, Dennis Erickson in 2002. In 2003, Erickson posted a 7 and 9 record.
Eventually, Erickson gave way to Mike Nolan, who's best year was 7 and 9 in 2006. Nolan stepped down for Singletary mid-year 2008. In total, Erickson, Nolan, and Singletary have a 45 win - 82 loss record, or roughly a 6-win, 10-loss average.
In total, the York's have produced a 6 and 10 organization.
By contrast, Bill Walsh, George Seifert, and Steve Mariucci posted a combined .656 record, and that includes Coach Mariucci's worst years with the Niners: 4 and 12 in 1999, and 6 and 10 in 2000. Then Steve came out of his slump with 12 and 4 and 10 and 6 records.
And in its entirety, the 49ers under Walsh's approach and coaches set lofty standards for sports organizations to follow. What Niners like legendary defensive back Ronnie Lott called "The 49ers Standard."
That's lost on this organization, and solely because it seems the Yorks as a whole are afraid to use the platform Coach Walsh left for them. But it's there. In books and on video tape. It's there.
All Jed York has to do is study it until his eyes drop off. He should do that before he even thinks about hiring a GM.
99ers Find Their Theme Song - Bon Jovi's "Work for the Working Man"
It has been a very tough year for the American long term unemployed, but the 99ers have found their Theme Song - Bon Jovi's "Work for the Working Man" [From the CD The Circle - Released November 10, 2009]
In a powerful and professional manner, YouTube member concernedinKY posted a video today called A tribute to the 99ers: We are not invisible that says it all and gave me the idea that perhaps we 99ers need to contact Bon Jovi and ask that band to be our celebrity spokesmen - even a benefactor - can you say Benefit Concert???
In their own words, concernedinKY describes the video as: "A tribute to the millions of Americans that have exhausted all of their unemployment benefits and have lost everything, some even their lives. They are not invisible. They are your brothers, your sisters, your mothers, your fathers, your grandparents, your cousins, your neighbors. They are your fellow Americans and they are suffering. They want jobs, but until there are jobs they need a lifeline to survive. Support extending UI benefits for all."
See it below for yourselves and be awed! Also PLEASE contact Bon Jovi via his
Foundation Website http://www.jonbonjovisoulfoundation.org/about
Twitter @BonJovi
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/BonJovi?v=wall
Foundation Website http://www.jonbonjovisoulfoundation.org/about
Twitter @BonJovi
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/BonJovi?v=wall
JONBONJOVISOULFOUNDATION:
1635 MARKET STREET, 17TH FLOOR
PHILADELPHIA, PA 19103
1635 MARKET STREET, 17TH FLOOR
PHILADELPHIA, PA 19103
215-636-0420
We need this working man working on our behalf!
"Work for the Working Man" (Full lyrics)
Found at: Bud Meyers Acompanyofone.com
GO VIRAL BABY!!!!!!!
[Please use the donation button below to help Paladinette to KEEP FIGHTING for the 99ers! Thank you.]
On Teena Marie and On Hugh Hefner Marrying Crystal Harris
Teena Marie's passing is shocking, but Hugh Hefner's marrying 24 year old Playboy Playmate and girlfriend Crystal Harris is par for Hef's course. First Teena Marie's passing.
Hats off to CNN's Roland Martin for breaking this story, reporting it via Twitter, and for overcoming claims that it wasn't true and pressing forward. Martin checked his sources and stayed with the news, sad as it is to consume. Teena Marie was well-loved by many who, especially during the racially-divided 70s, wanted to see a white person break into the black music scene and be accepted. Teena Marie, a protege of funkmaster Rick James, did just that.
Lady T was, in her 50s, still performing, and was set to go on more tours when her life was taken by a heart attack, after having suffered a seizure the month before.
Really sad. Folks. Please remember to listen to your body and drink a ton of water. If your body is saying stop, whatever your doing, stop it.
Whatever Hugh Hefner's doing, at 84, he's go no reason to stop doing it. Now, he's marrying his 24-year old girlfriend Crystal Harris (pictured).
Hey, stuff still works, I guess. And by "stuff," I mean MoJo, and whatever else it takes for him.
But I think, and this is my theory, that Hugh's lived so long because he surrounds himself with young college-aged women.
He's still stuck in high dollar frat World, and given the great food, booze, sex, limos, parties, and hot chicks, why not?
Hef's made a business of having fun.
Let's see. Hugh was, what, 54, 64, 74, now 84, but his girlfriends and wives have always been somewhere around 24. It's like the fountain of youth for Hef!
Next, we'll read about 104-year-old Hugh Hefner marrying a 24-year old.
Think about it.
Meanwhile, I'll think about Teena Marie in Heaven.
Hats off to CNN's Roland Martin for breaking this story, reporting it via Twitter, and for overcoming claims that it wasn't true and pressing forward. Martin checked his sources and stayed with the news, sad as it is to consume. Teena Marie was well-loved by many who, especially during the racially-divided 70s, wanted to see a white person break into the black music scene and be accepted. Teena Marie, a protege of funkmaster Rick James, did just that.
Lady T was, in her 50s, still performing, and was set to go on more tours when her life was taken by a heart attack, after having suffered a seizure the month before.
Really sad. Folks. Please remember to listen to your body and drink a ton of water. If your body is saying stop, whatever your doing, stop it.
Hey, stuff still works, I guess. And by "stuff," I mean MoJo, and whatever else it takes for him.
But I think, and this is my theory, that Hugh's lived so long because he surrounds himself with young college-aged women.
He's still stuck in high dollar frat World, and given the great food, booze, sex, limos, parties, and hot chicks, why not?
Hef's made a business of having fun.
Let's see. Hugh was, what, 54, 64, 74, now 84, but his girlfriends and wives have always been somewhere around 24. It's like the fountain of youth for Hef!
Next, we'll read about 104-year-old Hugh Hefner marrying a 24-year old.
Think about it.
Meanwhile, I'll think about Teena Marie in Heaven.
Oakland News: Tiki Tom Davies Still Missing After Restaurant Fire
This Oakland News follow-up to this blogger's post about Tiki Tom's Restaurant and its owner Tom Davies in what turned out to be the last video of the restaurant and the only one with his boat in it: Tom Davies, AKA Tiki Tom, is still missing. Here's the video:
No one has, to this writing, seen Tiki Tom. The restaurant burned down in a fire that caused $750,000 worth of damage. In reading the Yelp reviews, Tiki Tom's reputation was marred by a large party that was describes as "attended by thugs." It seems that party marred Tiki Tom's already spotty rep, and led to the decline in patronage.
But Tom is missing.
This blogger had a great time at Tiki Tom's and is sorry to see the place go. Running a business is hard, especially an eatery, where there are always thousands of critics. But if you do one food dish well, and treat everyone nice, they'll come back. Whatever happened at Tiki Tom's would seem to have been "fixable," but maybe Tom didn't think so.
Something happened. Just what, exactly is best known by Tom himself.
No one has, to this writing, seen Tiki Tom. The restaurant burned down in a fire that caused $750,000 worth of damage. In reading the Yelp reviews, Tiki Tom's reputation was marred by a large party that was describes as "attended by thugs." It seems that party marred Tiki Tom's already spotty rep, and led to the decline in patronage.
But Tom is missing.
This blogger had a great time at Tiki Tom's and is sorry to see the place go. Running a business is hard, especially an eatery, where there are always thousands of critics. But if you do one food dish well, and treat everyone nice, they'll come back. Whatever happened at Tiki Tom's would seem to have been "fixable," but maybe Tom didn't think so.
Something happened. Just what, exactly is best known by Tom himself.
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Trashy Tabloid Analysis: Star Sources
It is very hard to get through a single tabloid from cover to cover due to the amount of analysis that needs to be done. There are many things than can be focused on, but from pages 1-39 (out of the 84 pages) the biggest thing noticed within this specific tabloid (this may be true of the others, but the analysis is going to be of each single tabloid and then at the end there can be comparisons)is that there are no sources to the stories.
The pages that have been analyzed thoroughly and read are pages 1-39, so this analysis is only for Star Magazine December 27, 2010 issue pages 1-39 with a focus on credibility of sources.
The other articles all had quotes from "insiders" or "pals." How about going out and finding someone who will go on record so that the article can be credible. That's not journalism - that's laziness. Why should anyone trust what is being said by someone who won't even reveal the name publicly. For all we know the "inside source" is some random person on the street that the "reporter" found.
All right - his ex-girlfriend from many years ago had been murdered, and he will apparently be making statements in court regarding what he knew about her and the alleged killer. Also, the magazine calls the alleged killer a "cold-blooded serial killer" without ever saying "allegedly" or anything that could save face.
The entire article has not even a single interview with Ashton Kutcher. So, it's an article about Ashton Kutcher "being involved in a murder scandal," but the only interviews are a Detective and a "friend."
At least attempt to get an interview from someone credible and then put "*CREDIBLE PERSON* was unable to be reached for comment" or "*CREDIBLE PERSON* refused to comment." Something that shows that the reporter isn't just a lazy person who sits around listening to gossip and interviewing random people on the street. Seriously, I feel bad that Dennis had to pay money for this publication. I am glad that the analysis will be thorough, but honestly. This isn't journalism.
That is according to "a friend."
Really? Why don't you go ask Ashton himself.
Why doesn't the friend have a name?
This drove me crazy throughout the entire analysis process - which is why I stopped on page 39. I haven't even gotten to the big Tom Cruise - Katie Holmes cover story yet. Fingers are crossed that there is an actual interview done with Tom or Katie and included within the article. Seriously.
If the only "sources" that your publication has are "friends," "pals," "insiders" and "guests" then either your reporters are lazy or no one wants to go on record - if no one wants to go on record and have their name associated with a quote then GO FIND SOMEONE WHO WILL. Go find someone who is willing to have their name printed in the magazine in attribution to the quote. It's understandable to have maybe one anonymous source every so often, but if the ONLY source in your article is an ANONYMOUS source - then you don't have an article. The blogs on the internet have more research and credible sources than that publication which has a paid staff and has a nice readership.
It would be nice to see demographics and statistics of the readership of Star. There is also an article within the first 39 pages regarding one of the stars of MTV's Teen Mom - something to do with her being pregnant again and not knowing who the father is - that didn't have any sources either...
 |
| Nikky Raney reading Star Magazine |
This magazine was the most expensive of the three. This one was $3.99 and the other two were $2.99, but don't worry there's no sales tax in New Hampshire.
Is this publication trying to be a respected news source or is it content with being filled with gossip and unreliable information? It's sad that magazines like Newsweek are faced with tough times in publication - but magazines like Star are selling no problem. There's something wrong with this picture -- and the Future of Journalism needs to fix it.
Originally Posted at The Future of Journalism
Oakland's Tiki Tom's Restaurant - The Last Video - Part One
On October 7th, 2010, Oakland's Tiki Tom's Restaurant burned down in a blaze of fire that rang up an estimated $750,000 worth of building damage. There was, and still as of this writing, no known cause of the fire. According to several sources, the building was chain locked, and while the power had been turned off, PG&E reported it wasn't their doing.
The fire was officially labeled "suspicious."
Everything was burned, including the boat, a Tampa 66 Chris Craft according to Tom Davies AKA "Tiki Tom", docked on the Oakland Estuary, and in back of the eatery.
The restaurant that was located at 329 29th Avenue with the frog on top was at the center of what it's owner, "Tiki Tom" called "The Oakland Riviera" during a video tour.
This blogger was taken there the day before my 48th birthday on August 4th, and by long-time friends Bob and Barbara Schock, who are new Oakland District Four Councilmember Libby Schaaf's parents.
As I taken with the atmostphere, food, and cocktails of the place, I asked for the owner's permission to make a full video of Tiki Tom's, and out came Tiki Tom himself. (Who looks a lot like my long-time friend Lars Frykman, but without the beard.) The result was one of the wackiest tours I've ever taken of anyplace in my life.
The video - the last one of the entire restaurant and perhaps the only one that includes the boat in its interior - reflects that.
On the day we visited, there was almost no one in the place. Save for one guy at the bar and four of what turned out to be Tom's friends near the water-side and rear of the facility, and the wait staff, Tiki Tom's was empty. They were happy to be able to serve us.
But once I turned on the Flip Video Camcorder (one the CNN iReport staff gave me for being an iReport beta contributor in 2007 and that Flip created especially for CNN) man his eyes lit up, and off we went, starting with a talk about the frog on the top of the building. (I didn't say he was going to be on CNN, or anything like that, but hey having that specially-made camcorder works.)
Too funny.
He recommended I order their signature dish, the coconut prawns. I did, and they were excellent, along with the oysters and sanddabs. Then the Tiki Tom tour started.
Tom said that Tiki Tom's has, or now had surfboards dating back as far as 1930 with the youngest one made in 2002, making his place the only West Coast, California, all exclusive surfboard collection, handcrafted and ridden by Tom himself at every beach along the California coast." Tom even shared his scar from being bitten by an "albino alligator."
Then, with belly full of a lot of seafood, and Michael Jackson's Beat It blaring through the place, Tom took me on a quick tour that ended on his boat, the Tampa 66 Chris Craft.
We got on the boat via a ladder that's not directly connected to it, so you really have to watch your step. But once you're on it, it's part time. Or was.
Tom said he had a lot of parties on the boat; I got the impression that if the boat could talk, a best-selling book and movie would result. At the very least.
Richard Branson's Surfboard?
On the way back to the table where I left Bob and Barbara, Tom pointed to a surfboard on the ceiling he said was once owned by Virgin Billionaire Richard Branson. More on that, later.
Tiki Tom, The Oakland Character
Since the fire, Tom Davies has not been officially seen. I don't know what happened to him. But, given all that I've seen and heard, and nothing not online or in this video or blog, I think Tom may have been cash-strapped and figured that burning the place down was the only way to recover some money and help his staff.
Just a guess.
We asked the waitress where everyone was and she said they were a little lean on patrons, or words to that effect. It's no secret the weak economy has been hard on Oakland, as it's near 20 percent unemployment rate has shown. But it's really, really sad that Tom lost his beloved business and boat. It's also sad that Oakland's lost such a wonderful place.
From the video below, it looks like he had a lot of friends and had a lot of fun:
Stay tuned.
Niners Troy Smith Argument With Singletary Burns Up Twitter (Video)
The San Francisco 49ers find themselves in the wild position of being able to clinch the NFC West with a win while the NFC's 10 and 6 Green Bay Packers may miss the playoffs. This weird turn of events has Niners Head Coach Mike Singletary frantic, and pushing his quarterbacks, including the once-favored Troy Smith, who, when pulled, argued with the coach on the sidelines.
Here the video:
The exchange, where it seems Singletary would not back down and had to be "cooled" by Ted Ginn, Jr., burned up Twitter. As of this writing, "Niners" is a top Twitter Trend. Here's some tweets after the missed field goal:
Sunrise206 Lili
1 more quarter to go! Need to finish strong and get this win. This is it! #49ers #NINERS
4 minutes ago
creoledotcom Aisha Lavan
new field goal kicker new coach & new QB !! #niners but i stay a FAN till the END !!
2 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply
Patriarch Patriarch
Niners are breaking down mentally....it doesn't look good.
2 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply
Take a look at the video and share it now, because no telling how long it's going to last on YouTube (it's not my video, by the way).
This is news, so in a perfect World, a DMCA complaint should not be answered by YouTube. The reason is, we as the public should not have news hidden from us in this way. It's not right and YouTuber thebsoreport should issue a challenge if a DMCA complaint is filed.
Please, stop using DMCA's to block the reporting of news.
But I digress.
As of this writing, the Niners are down 14 to 15 as the 3rd Quarter comes to a close.
Stay tuned and check out Kevin Lynch's game updates at SFGate.com.
Here the video:
The exchange, where it seems Singletary would not back down and had to be "cooled" by Ted Ginn, Jr., burned up Twitter. As of this writing, "Niners" is a top Twitter Trend. Here's some tweets after the missed field goal:
Sunrise206 Lili
1 more quarter to go! Need to finish strong and get this win. This is it! #49ers #NINERS
4 minutes ago
creoledotcom Aisha Lavan
new field goal kicker new coach & new QB !! #niners but i stay a FAN till the END !!
2 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply
Patriarch Patriarch
Niners are breaking down mentally....it doesn't look good.
2 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply
Take a look at the video and share it now, because no telling how long it's going to last on YouTube (it's not my video, by the way).
This is news, so in a perfect World, a DMCA complaint should not be answered by YouTube. The reason is, we as the public should not have news hidden from us in this way. It's not right and YouTuber thebsoreport should issue a challenge if a DMCA complaint is filed.
Please, stop using DMCA's to block the reporting of news.
But I digress.
As of this writing, the Niners are down 14 to 15 as the 3rd Quarter comes to a close.
Stay tuned and check out Kevin Lynch's game updates at SFGate.com.
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Merry Christmas 2010: Atlanta (Snow!), San Francisco, and Justin Bieber
Wow. As long as it took Christmas 2010 to get here - 2010 seemed like two years instead of one year, considering all that has happened - it's almost over.
Hard to believe.
Here, in the vlog above, are some of the great times this blogger had with friends and family in Atlanta and in San Francisco.
A lot of food and drink was consumed by all.
And to end the Christmas day, it's started snowing here in Atlanta. It's a rare happening here. So much so that many churches are closed for Sunday. And for churches to close in the South, you know conditions have to be bad.
Temperatures have dropped from 55 degrees on Wednesday to below 20 as this is written: a 35 degree drop in just three days.
It makes me think twice about going to the Saints - Falcons Monday Night Football game at The Georgia Dome. The comfort of the big screen is suddenly more desirable than the dome.
Not that I'm complaining about the snow. What would Christmas be without it?
Well. OK. It would be a Christmas without snow.
Remember to take time to call friends and family this weekend. And remember that Christmas is the day of the birth of Jesus Christ, who eventually died in sacrifice for all of us.
And on that note, here's Justin Bieber wishing you a Merry Christmas:
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