Tuesday, February 01, 2011
Barbara Bush Endorses Same Sex Marriage
All the news sources are reporting about Barbara Bush, George W. Bush's daughter, is endorsing same-sex marriage.
ABC News reports that Barbara is joining forces with Laura Bush, former first lady, to express her support for same-sex marriages.
This has become very much publicized seeing as she is the daughter of the President who was strongly against same-sex marriages. It's a bit overrated for people to think that just because she's the daughter of Bush that she needs to share the same political views as him. There are lots of people who don't share the same views as their parents, and just because Bush was a president doesn't make Barbara any different.
Dick Cheney's daughter is a lesbian and she is also an advocate for same sex marriage.
Really, just because someone is friends with or related to another person with differences doesn't make it a big deal.
Google innovates - for Egypt
"Like many people we’ve been glued to the news unfolding in Egypt and thinking of what we could do to help people on the ground. Over the weekend we came up with the idea of a speak-to-tweet service—the ability for anyone to tweet using just a voice connection."The engineers created a service that not only tweets the message using the hashtag #egypt, but allows for dialing in to collect/hear tweets, too, using the same phone number.
This really shines a light on the concept of an "internet kill switch" in the U.S., which Congress is actually considering again. The bill has not been re-introduced, but reportedly it's being "floated" by Maine Senator Susan Collins who was on the right side of efforts to repeal "Don't Ask Don't Tell" and she assures reporters it wouldn't have the same sweeping impact as Mubarak's current information blockade in Egypt. I'm skeptical, Senator, of attempts to control the flow of information.
I applaud Google's rapid response, but what if I wanted more specifics? What if I want to search on a hashtag related to Tahrir Square, for instance, which is trending now on Twitter?
Although you never know what will change if such a bill moves forward, in its current form there's no provision for judicial review if and when the administration shuts down the internet. I'm not worried that Obama would prevent us from learning about Tea-Baggers rallying to whine about taxes, but moving forward it's important that we not create laws that disturb and undermine the balance of power deliberately crafted into our Constitution during this country's formation, (even if judges and courts funded by taxes are arguably a socialist approach to conflict resolution.)
There's a lesson here, about restricting freedom of speech when people want to exercise their right to assemble peaceably, and most of us outside of the U.S. Capitol want to see that freedom restored to 80 million Egyptians and remain protected for 300 millions U.S. citizens as our Constitution mandates.
Thomas Hayes is an entrepreneur, former Democratic Campaign Manager, strategist, journalist, and photographer who contributes regularly to a host of web sites on topics ranging from economics and politics to culture and community. You can follow him as @kabiu on twitter.
At Super Bowl XLV Is Inés Sainz Dating Chad Johnson?
Here's her tweet in Spanish:
Llegando al estadio de los Vaqueros para el media day!! Mi invitado especial es @ochocinco! Va a ser muy divertido y provechoso este dia!
Which roughly translates to: Arriving at the Cowboys stadium for half day! My special guest is @ Ochocinco! It will be very fun and profitable this day!
(Ines uploaded that photo on January 31st, and then released it via her Twitter and Twitpic accounts such that anyone could copy the photo and use it for a blog - like this one! )
Now that's a pair: the sexy and flirtatious Sainz with the extroverted Johnson (no pun intended). Wonder if Terrell Owens is in the mix?
If you recall, it was Sainz who was the focus of an NFL investigation regarding alleged sexual harassment by New York Jets players and coaches. Ines never filed a complaint; an unidentified female NFL reporter did.
Meanwhile, Ines actually picked the Jets to win Super Bowl XLV. Obviously she was wrong, but not by much. Moreover, she brought a Bengals player and not a Jets player to Arlington, Texas.
I wonder what the female reporter who filed the complaint is going to think, now? Personally, you've got to give Ines credit for getting close to her subject!
99er Media Darling Nicole Sandler to Appear on Jobless Talk this Friday
Progressive Talk Show Host of Radio-or-Not Nicole Sandler will Appear on Jobless Talk this Friday, Feb 4th at noon pacific time.
Last Thursday, Paladinette appeared on the Radio-or-not show in a brief interview after her video response to President Obama’s SOTU address surfaced on YouTube. A 99ers Response to the State of the Union Address Offered by Paladinette
See the interview at about 42 min into this video.
Video streaming by Ustream
watch it here; Nicole comes on at 44:42 into the show.
Be sure and bring your questions to Jobless Talk this Friday where Paladinette plans to introduce her toll free caller line!
ConcernedinKY has yet another video masterpiece out on YouTube right now called Yes, Mr. President, we can. A 99ers call to ACTION
AFTER EGYPT segment, please watch, "99'er Message to President Obama" - Please LEAVE YOUR comments under video. Hope to be sent to President Obama -
Please encourage others to post messages for President Obama on this video’s comment stream.
And PLEASE TWEET THESE out daily and often:
@BarackObama Remember your promises of change and hope. Yes the #99ers can. http://bit.ly/h0810F #SOS #yeswecan RT PLZ
@BarackObama Yes we can b4 it'...s too late for more #99ers http://bit.ly/h0810F #SOS #yeswecan RT PLZ
@BarackObama Yes we can. #99ers #SOS RT, Plz. http://bit.ly/h0810F
@BarackObama Yes, Mr. President, we can. A #99ers call to ACTION. http://bit.ly/h0810F #SOS Please RT.
@BarackObama Yes we can, but... http://bit.ly/h0810F #SOS #99ers Please RT.
@WhiteHouse Remember your promises of change and hope. Yes the #99ers can. http://bit.ly/h0810F #SOS #yeswecan RT PLZ
@WhiteHouse @BarackObama Yes we can b4 it's too late for more #99ers http://bit.ly/h0810F #SOS #yeswecan RT PL
@WhiteHouse Yes we can. #99ers #SOS RT, Plz. http://bit.ly/h0810F
@WhiteHouse Yes, Mr. President, we can. A #99ers call to ACTION. http://bit.ly/h0810F #SOS Please RT.
@WhiteHouse Yes we can, but... http://bit.ly/h0810F #SOS #99ers Please RT.
Super Bowl XLV: Jerry Jones' Suite View of The Game
For all of the 95,000 patrons at Super Bowl XLV, the one with the best view will be Dallas Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones. And why not? Jones built the stadium.
Jerry Jones, for all of his moves and love of the spotlight, is to be commended for being an excellent business person and sales person. The epitome of the Texas entrepreneur, Jones successfully raised $1.8 billion, including a $300 million bond from the City of Arlington, Texas, to construct this behemoth.
Cowboys Stadium is so large, the Empire State Building could fit within it, laid from end to end. The Statue of Liberty could stand at the 50-yard line with room to spare.
Jerry Jones worked hard to make this wonder of the World. He deserves his suite seat at the 50 yard line.
I just wonder if he's going to share it with Al Davis of The Oakland Raiders. That's no throw-away comment. At my first Super Bowl in Atlanta in 2000, the pair shared a suite. I know because I, along with my good friend Beth walked into it.
Super Bowl XLV Media Day: Cowboys Stadium Is Ready
Today is Media Day and regardless of what Super Bowl XLV is called, Dallas or Arlington, Cowboys Stadium is ready for it and the game.
Aside from the giant logo, there will be 95,000 seats, making it the second largest Super Bowl with the Rose Bowl at 100,000 hosting the biggest ones. The roof will be closed, making it officially an indoor game.
Approximately, 3,000 credentialed media will come to the stadium for Media Day, and in some cases, they will have a hard time getting there. If they miss the buses, cabs will not be in full supply due to a taxi cab strike timed for Super Bowl Week in Dallas.
Plus, getting to Arlington, a 15 mile cab ride, could cost up to $50; double the standard rate.
Kim Kardashian, Beyonce, Genevieve Morton, and Megan Avalon: Variations Of Sexiest Women
Kim Kardashian, Beyonce, Genevieve Morton and Megan Avalon represent variations of "sexiest women." But what I find a bit troublesome is that people and media stars like former ESPN Personality Dan Patrick, of The Dan Patrick Show (of which I'm a fan), push one kind of beauty: the skinny kind, as represented by Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Models, Genevieve Morton (photo at left) and Brooklyn Decker.
Now, both Genevieve and Brooklyn are very lovely, but today, hotness is in the curves. Like the hips of that excellent business woman Kim Kardashian, who just posed for W Magazine.
Kardashian says that photo shoot, featuring her naked body painted silver up to the neck (at right), is the last nude one she will ever do.
Don't believe it.
Kim's physical combo of curves and just the right amount of muscle (not to mention a booty that just will not quit) is a show-stopper. As long as she can work it for eyeballs and bucks, she's going to show it - nude.
Even if it's years later, Kim's going to want to show everyone that she's still got it at 40. Just wait.
But Kim's excellent proof that curves are in, and that's true for her royal hotness Beyonce. The modern queen of Hip Hop is the dream of every young boy who's aware of sex. As much as Sports Illustrated's Swimsuit Issue flies off the shelves even in an era largely hostile to print magazines, just put Beyonce on the cover and see what happens.
She's not skinny.
Why do some persist in showing a look most often associated with eating disorders? Especially when we have female bodybuilders like my friend Megan Avalon.
Megan (photo at right) calls herself "Barbie With Muscles," and can just as easily grace Sports Illustrated as Genevieve Morton and Brooklyn Decker can.
Plus, she looks like the female bodybuilder she is, and in an attractive way.
Megan makes it OK to be a strong woman. She's not using steroids, has a normal female voice that's great for television, and she stops traffic.
If the Dan Patrick's of the World would stop pushing a classic white male view of beauty where skinny chics are pushed on us, they would help advance society in the direction of appreciating the curvy, strong, confident woman. (Which, I wonder if Dan Patrick fears?)
Plus, if Dan comes around, he can encourage Genevieve Morton and Brooklyn Decker to add some muscle and get arms like Kelly Ripa, Jillian Michaels, and Ms. Avalon. The end result will be to tell young women they don't have to literally starve themselves to death to look great for men.
Achieving that objective would be a major achievement for America.
Monday, January 31, 2011
HTC Thunderbolt 4G Smartphone Features Discussed In Video
It's interesting to read the recent various articles and blog posts on the HTC Thunderbolt's features, because many of them were introduced in my CES 2011 video.
But for some re-introduced news, the much anticipated smartphone is will have a mobile hotspot, simultaneous voice and data transfer, and the rumor is that it will be available for sale at Best Buy on Valentine's Day, February 14th.
But will it out-do the iPhone?
It depends.
If it's released with the mobile hotspot and simultaneous voice and data transfer, it's got a good chance. But some blogs report that it may be released without those features.
Stay tuned.
Person WIth Gun At Oakland Unified School District La Equelita School
We have just been notified of reports of a person with a gun at the Oakland Unified School District facility, La Esquelita School @ 1100 3rd Avenue. The OUSD school facilities have been locked down, and the Laney Childcare Center staff are being informed of appropriate precautions. Please steer away from any area adjacent to lower 10th Street and 5th Avenue. The Peralta Community College District new parking lot at East 8th Street and 5th avenue, (with solar panels, next to baseball field) is being used as a staging area for La Esquelita School families to pick-up their children, while the Oakland Police Department has the matter under control.
More later...
The History Channel Airs Silly Bohemian Grove "Visit" By Brad Meltzer
It reminded me of Vanity Fair's Contributing Editor Alex Shoumatoff's ill-fated attempt to "infiltrate" the Grove in 2008 - he got arrested. I've still got his mug shot here!
The Meltzer / The History Channel TV segment was embarrassingly bad and devoid of any real information about the club, except to repeat old and false statements about rituals and sacrifices that are alleged by both left and right wing extremists like Alex Jones.
Without breaking the gentlemanly code of silence at The Bohemian Club, I have been there, I'm a friend, and I'm obviously black (in case you're keeping score) and I can tell you the club is about friendship, jazz, theater, the arts, poetry and current events.
The only "sacrifices" that go on are the state of one’s liver and wasteline from the drink and food that are copiously consumed. (Seriously. It's one reason I've cut back on drinking!)
I contacted The Club after seeing The History Channel story and asked if they provided any information about the history of the organization, the annual ‘Cremation of Care” ceremony at the Grove, to Brad Meltzer or The History Channel. The Club said they declined to be interviewed on camera, but gave The History Channel a backgrounder that explains the Club, its ceremonies and its history.
It’s too bad The History Channel and Brad Meltzer didn’t read the materials they were given or looked online at The Monte Rio Show, the annual fundraiser the Bohemian Club puts on the Monte Rio community in which The Grove is located.
That website explains the Club’s background. And if The History Channel and its Decoded crew (which decoded nothing) had read that perhaps they would not have been arrested for trespassing at heavily guarded Grove during their filming of the show.
A little research goes a long way.
Where are the jobs, Mr. Boehner?
But what are GOP leaders actually doing?
OK, fair enough, House Speaker John Boehner did take to the airwaves on Sunday, to warn FOX viewers that it, "would be a financial disaster not only for our country, but for the worldwide economy," if the U.S. defaulted on its debt, because, "You can't create jobs if you default on the federal debt." That could happen, according to some estimates, sometime between March and May due to - what? Inaction by Congress. So he's talking to pundits, which isn't exactly doing nothing.
But neither this rhetoric nor talking to pundits is creating one job. Meanwhile, Rick Ungar of Forbes and others argue that the repeal they voted for would actually be a job-killer itself. The ironies seem lost on most who fashion themselves as speaking on behalf of GOP voters.
Here's an excerpt from Ungar's Policy Page at Forbes:
"The primary, most enduring complaint of the opponents of the ACA has been that the law is deathly bad for small business.
Apparently, small businesses, and their employees, do not agree.
The next argument has been that the PPACA is a job killer.
If these small businesses found the new law to be so onerous, why have so many of them voluntarily taken advantage of the benefits provided in the law to give their employees these benefits? They were not mandated to do so. And to the extent that the coming mandate obligations might figure into their thinking, would you not imagine they would wait until 2014 to make a move as the rules do not go into effect until that time?
Of course, there is the nagging banter as to how Obamacare is leading us down the road to socialism.
Let it go, folks."
Rick Ungar,
So the pundits are permitting the politicians - particularly those leading the GOP - to play familiar partisan games, posturing for the cameras while criticizing every nuance of the President's stance and efforts, but what's the impact? Wasted time.
What does the country need? What do we want our elected leaders to actually do? Act responsibly, behave like adults, get to work and fix the problems for Main Street like they did for the fat cats on Wall Street who contribute to their campaign coffers - we need jobs.
There are millions of us, millions of hard-working citizens - and voters - out of work watching jobs move overseas and foreclosures ruin our neighborhoods, yet the politicians prefer to pretend that what matters most are symbolic votes, the profit margins and bonuses on Wall Street, and criticizing without proposing solutions, or even alternative initiatives? What's next, Mr. Boehner, holding your breath until your face turns blue?
It's enough to make a grown man cry.
Thomas Hayes is an entrepreneur, former Democratic Campaign Manager, strategist, journalist, and photographer who contributes regularly to a host of web sites on topics ranging from economics and politics to culture and community. You can follow him as @kabiu on twitter.
SAG Awards 2011: The King's Speech Ready For The Academy Awards
The movie produced by The Weinstein Company already got Outstanding Cast For A Movie at The Screen Actors Guild Awards tonight, and Tom Hooper, it's director, scored Best Director at the Directors Guild Awards Saturday night.
On top of that, Colin Firth got a well-earned Best Actor award, and now is well on his way to an Oscar win for the same category.
The emergence of The King's Speech over the once favored The Social Network is shocking, but when one considers all of the talk of the movie about Facebook being "not the real story," that may have impacted the movie's SAG and Academy Awards fortunes.
Stay tuned.