A 99ers Year in Review - 2010

A 99ers Year in Review for 2010 is a painful experience for many Jobless Americans. Most Unemployment Exhaustees (whether or not they received the full 99 weeks) are taking stock of 2010. Like most the rest of the world (except America’s Richest citizens), they (99ers) are praying 2011 will bring better times, not just more of the same agony and desperation.

More of the fight for survival, employment and help from Washington DC may well be the 2011 reality just the same. One thing we have as this year begins that we did not have 1 year ago = the attention of some media and politicians to the Fact we Need help now.

I for one applaud the anticipated stance from the Obama Administration, to focus on Jobs. Jobs, Jobs but they should have focused on that 2 years ago instead of a HCR bill that will not fully take effect for another 3 years still. It is Washington DC’s failure to triage and inexcusable indifference toward the large scale suffering within the 99er Nation that has millions on the brink of complete financial collapse NOW - TODAY!

Mr. Obama, it is not that we failed to tell you at every turn how badly we needed your help - as 10 months or more now without UI benefits has many in your voter base bitter, angry, hungry and homeless. You are the man in charge! You were not listening! You have waited far too long and now a great portion of the 99er Nation, even if they had a job offer tomorrow - couldn’t pull together enough money for transportation to and from that job in order to hang on until their first paycheck.

Jobs are what we want, but how are we supposed to hang on and survive until those jobs trickle down to us in the form of reality instead of just more rhetoric?

Had you listened to the 99er Nation, we would not be in the HELL we are in and have been for nearly 1 full year! Had you listened to the cries of you hurting American public, instead of trying to make nice with the GOPigs at every turn, you wouldn’t have suffered such a humiliating Democratic mid-term last year.

Your newly presented (via Gibbs) idea to focus on Jobs for the 99ers comes as much too little, much too late to save those whom you swore before God and Country to protect and serve.

Just incase you missed it, here are just a few of the ways the 99er Nation struggled to get the attention to this Social Holocaust which was necessary to receive the humanitarian aid USA would give to any other country in need (but with lightening speed as you would not ignore a foreign country for nearly a year). Also I have listed only a few of the most egregious indignities suffered by 99ers at the hands of those in Washington whose help we greatly needed.

Early 2010, anticipating the growing need to extend UI benefits, the US House of Representatives introduced H.R.4213 - Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2010, sponsored by Charlie Rangle (D-NY).

On March 10, 2010 this bill passed the House and was submitted to the Senate, wheremany hundreds of bills go to die in recent years. I received a phone call from my sister congratulating me on this huge victory.... until I told her that it was not yet law and when it did become so, it would NOT extend UI benefits - ONLY the dates for the millions of newly unemployed to file.

I became so steamed about this falsehood being represented to the public that I recorded my first video an uploaded it to YouTube, in the hope that I could somehow educate the public as to this horrible and potentially devastating oversight by Congress to leave out the UI exhaustees from this “so Called” UI extension as time was running out for all.
Tier 5 to SURVIVE.mov

Then Congress took a 2 week vacation (the only thing they seemed able to unanimously get passed the entire 111th Congress and Many Many times during last year) for Easter this time - leaving the longest term unemployed - now fully without benefits for the most part - and thus my next video: ODE to WASHINGTON a poignant little Easter break poem (in the style of Twas the Night Before Christmas) meant to slam Congress for their lack of urgency to help the true UI exhaustees - as well as the more recent unemployed Americans.

Then in the usual short-sightedness of Washington, led to yet another bill which put a band-aid on the American 99ers' amputated limb: HR 4851. . [From Forgotten jobless fight to be heard, survive]

On April 15th Mr. Obama signed into law HR 4851 a temporary extension of filing dates for unemployment benefits and related matters. The measure extends jobless aid through June 2. Democrats, anxious about high unemployment in an election year, are working on separate legislation to extend benefits through the end of the year. Obama urged them to do so and said, in a statement: "In these tough economic times, it is more critical than ever to bring relief to Americans who are working every day to find a job, and families that are struggling to make ends meet."

Hmmmm Mr. President. HCR had already passed, so exactly what is your excuse for not following through with tangible results for the Jobless who needed your help the most? Why each and every time did you stop at rhetoric only? I didn’t notice you twisting any arms in Congress to help the 99ers all last year like you did last month to get the Tax Breaks for the wealthiest 3% of Americans...you know the ones who create jobs - OVERSEAS!!!!

This was the first of nearly three hundred 2010 articles and blog post From Paladinette AKA LaDona King which attempted to inform America, rally the troops of 99ers into action and shame Congress for their inaction on behalf of millions of hurting Jobless and their families - within the 99er ranks.

April 2010 was also when I began the first BlogTalkRadio show dedicated exclusively to “the stories of the unemployed, benefit extensions, Washington inaction to help the jobless millions, the out of control US unemployment rate and what Congress is not doing to help us.” Or better known as Jobless Talk.

That same month I surprised my rather "computer illiterate" self by successfully creating a website designed for the purpose of informing the masses, shaming those who would slam the jobless and a platform from which to launch campaigns the Unemployed could participate in to effect CHANGE in Washington. (like the May Day Fax Attack, twitter marches, callin, email etc) Jobless Unite. Almost immediately the Wall Of Shame became legendary - feared by Politicians and even some in the blogosphere. Now there is not enough space on the internet to even list all of those worthy of placement on the Wall of SHAME let alone enough time to update that page

The site had nearly 350K visitors in less than 3 months. My only regret is that NO MATTER WHAT WE DID - and we tried everything we could think of short of taking hostages - NOTHING seemed to get us the Tier 5 so desperately needed by millions. However I do not consider this a failure by any means by the 99er Nation nor do I take it personally. I simply remain committed to the cause and intend to keep on trying/fighting until we succeed!

...But I digress..... Who can forget Pelosi actually Laughing at our efforts to reach out in mass to those in Congress/Media that had the power to leverage the help we needed? Pelosi laughs at 99ers struggling without benefits - unemployed want apology for callous cackle

Our biggest break for the media attention needed to reach MainStream America came via Ed Schultz in May 2010. Throughout the entire rest of last year, (even as the world could do little more than focus on a gaping hole spewing oil into the Golf of Mexico) Ed was the media man leading the charge on behalf of the 99er Nation and has pledged to continue to fight for us now in 2011. Ed Schultz of MSNBC vows to stay on the 99ers' story until help arrives

Who could possibly forget the complete debacle with WNV over being ripped off to the tune of more than $1100.00 for Grone (owner of WNV) to have a trip to DC on the 99ers dime to deliver a petition that fell as flat on Harry Reid as possible. What a waste of time and money.

Also in June (after yet another long vacation in Congress) 5 Senators joined forces to introduce a stand-alone UI Benefits bill S. 3520: Unemployment Insurance Extension Act of 2010. Again the 99ers were excluded. We appealed to our patron saint (or so it appeared) Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) But it was too tough of a fight for the old gal apparently.

The House had their own version of that bill (it might behoove those Congress Critters to just KEEP IT SIMPLE rather than wasting time and effort on multiple bills that go nowhere at all - hint hint) Restoration of Emergency Unemployment Compensation Act HR 5618 which passed July 10, 2010 by a vote of 270 to 153 - nearly 6 weeks after UI benefits had been cut off for the more recently unemployed Americans.

We got letters hand delivered to the President in June and September but for all the good that did we should have written to Santa.

In August we marched on Wall Street , had to defend ourselves against the ignotant rants of Glenn Beck and Rush. We got more empty promises from Stabenow and others to attempt to extort our votes under false pretenses and even more vacation time for Congress. (Q - Do these jerks even know the meaning of a hard day’s work? ANS: Hell NO they don't)

Then came more "dog and pony shows" from the Senate , No Help From NELP or the AFL-CIO. We held Rallies, Pleaded for Sanity/Fear - held an embarrassing Mid-Term election , then more time off for Congress and even more neglect

We were given tips and survival advice from Fox News “99ers - eat your own” .
99ers have tried social media, videos and more videos (there must be more than 300K unemployment related YouTube videos alone) There were National Candlelight Vigils for 99ers ...but wait there’s more: The Obama Bend over & the BIG lie about a 13 month UI extension and America STILL does NOT get it - that extending the dates to file for UI WILL NOT HELP the 99ers - PERIOD!

Next Whoo Hoo somebody in Washington actually has a heart and some "stones" to back that up... The CBC (congressional Black Caucus) stands up to demand 99ers be included in the Tax Breaks for the rich bill, but then they sit down.... Bernie filibusters in vain ,

Gibbs reveals the White House cares nothing for the urgent dire straights 99ers find themselves in.

Obama trades the very survival of the 99er Nation for getting his Tax giveaways done then escapes to Hawaii. While he did so, I took to altering lyrics for a 99ers Santa Baby rendition that had Twitter buzzing and hopefully 99ers smiling at least for a short while. And just when you think there is no time left in the year for yet another humiliation of distain from Washington... then to really rub the salt into the wound - Obama wants to send us a thank you card for being such suckers and scapegoats to boot.... But I passed on that offer - telling him through Joe (Biden not the plumber guy) "Keep your worthless Thank You Card."

I for one am ready to begin the fight anew starting Monday January 3, 2011 with renewed vigor and we have many things going for us already. The 99ers are more visible to the world now. We are no longer Washington's Dirty little secret!

We have CNN and MSNBC getting the truth out there. We found a theme song (every important cause needs a battle cry and that Tier 5 to Survive - though still valid was wearing thin) Bon Jovi's "Work for the Working Man"

We are a force to be reckoned with politically and an Administration embarrassment to be resolved ASAP.

I am ready, willing and able to take this fight up several notches so who is with me?

[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!]

Stanford Cardinal Women's Bastball Snaps UCONN Streak; Here Comes Cal

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!!

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

This Oakland News is too good to be true. According to @Rlarae on Twitter, Berg Injury Lawyers of Alameda, Ca. is picking up your cab ride for New Year's Eve only, and if you are calling within Oakland city limits.

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!

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:

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.

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.

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.....

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.

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!!!!!

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:

@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]

Tucker Carlson On Michael Vick, Chris Brown Twitter Blast Talk Of Town

Tucker Carlson and Chris Brown scored the "Worst Person Awards" today. Tucker Carlson, the Conservative Editor of The Daily Caller and fill in for Fox News Sean Hannity got it for saying Philadelphia Eagles Quarterback Michael Vick should have been executed for his role in a dog fighting business.

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

There's a large list of Academy Awards (or Oscar) "Precursor" award programs that have already passed or have announced their nominations. So many, in fact, that it's easy to go through a week and miss several of them.

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

Tucker Carlson, Conservative Editor of the Daily Caller and fill-in for vacationing Sean Hannity on Fox News  (oh, man) opened up and said that Philadelphia Eagles Quarterback Michael Vick "should have been executed" for his fiscal involvement in the business of dog fighting.

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.