Lena Horne: ageless and seemingly immortal wonder passes

RIP Lena Horne. There are people and then there's Lena Horne. A major part of the Zeitgeist, Lena Horne is an actress that to this blogger seemed ageless and superhuman. A National Treasure.

The Washington Post's Adam Bernstein wrote that Lena Horne was the first black actress studios had to take seriously beyond her race. Well, the reason was simple: Lena Horne was so beautiful anyone who dared exclude her because she was black was considered psychotic. Lena Horne was the gold standard of beauty when I was growing up.

The very idea that Ms. Horne is no longer with us is so shocking I could not blog about it when I saw the news.

To understand why you have to see Lena Horne. This is Lena Horne singing "Stormy Weather":



This is Lena Horne singing "You'd Better Love Me" in 1967:



Lena Horne ushered in the era of what Harold Cruse would derisively call the "Black Bourgeoisie" in the classic The Crisis of The Negro Intellectual, and I point to because I long disliked that Cruse essentially sent a message that blacks should not want to pursue the American Dream.  

That was the 1960s: a time not just of civil rights breakthroughs, but of many questions of what it was to be black.  It formed the idea I have today: that being black is not what others say I should be or should do, but what I say I should be or should do as a person.  You have to deal with me, not the other way around.

Lena Horne's existence was a guide for me.

Lena Horne was the American Dream as reality. A perfect counterpoint to Cruse's claim that it "did nothing for the economic development" of blacks.

Lena Horne opened doors just by being Lena. Lena Horne made it OK for people like me to be who we are today.

Lena Horne appeared on Rosie O'Donnell's show in 1997, and to talk about helping entertainers who were in ill health, the singing legends she knew, and her 80th birthday bash.



God bless Lena Horne.

Elena Kagan: Obama's safe yet daring Supreme Court pick

Elena Kagan 

Near the end of Mother's Day, it was announced that Elena Kagan, currently the Solicitor General of The United States under President Barack Obama, and Professor of Harvard Law School (on leave), and Dean of same is now Obama's pick to be Supreme Couty justice, replacing the retiring Justice John Paul Stevens.

Elena Kagan, who would be the third woman on the Supreme Court of The United States if confirmed, and the fourth in history, is also only the second solicitor general to be named to such post after the legendary Justice Thurgood Marshall. Kagan, is a safe pick and yet daring at the same time because Kagan has no bench experience yet is widely regarded as a brilliant legal mind who has argued cases before the Supreme Court.

Kagan is a choice right for this time in Obama's Presidency: in the middle of a hot mid-term election season made all the hotter by economic, ethnic and racial tensions, Obama could not afford another controversy to deal with. Kagan gives her opponents little to attack that would not make them sound sexist or homophobic in the process. Have doubts, let's look at the attacks that have already been issued as evidence.

Michael Roston at True/Slant points to Kagan's status of not having children as a liability:

Certainly there is no requirement that every Justice sitting on the court be a parent. But on a powerful body full of fathers, is it too much to ask that we have one mother as a member of the Supreme Court?

Roston goes on to charge that Kagan can't really understand a case from a mother's point of view because she's not a mother. But nowhere in his blog post does he mention that it's equally important for a someone to be able to understand the plight of women who for various reasons aren't able to have kids.

While I'm the last person to take away the value of motherhood, the reality is that it's not a viable choice for a growing number of women at certain stages of their lives. But even with that, the status of "single woman, no kids" is looked at as if it were some kind of crime, when it's not.

Any Republican attacking Kagan on that basis would immediately feel the impact of the loss of the "single woman, no kids" vote come November. Especially if that groups was angered enough to come out and vote against the GOP politician foolish enough to attack Kagan and them.

Also, Kagan has no record of opinions, which means there's nothing that can be used against her. That's dramatically different that the situation with Justice Sonya Sotomayor, who's statements in past cases were used to gin up White Male anger during her Senate hearings.

Kagan has no such problem.

There's also a rumor that Kagan may be Lesbian. My goodness, I hope she is. While it should not be an issue, it would give the Supreme Court an appropriate diversity of thought that would carry America well into the 21st Century.

Sandra Bullock: Happy Mother's Day!

A quick "Happy Mother's Day" to the great actress Sandra Bullock, and yes this should have been done before Mother's Day, but there's no time like the present.

Sandra Bullock has been through a lot this 2010 - from the high of an Oscar win for her role in The Blind Side to the low of the very public problems with her marriage - and deserves to enjoy and be feted for her new status of "Mom."

For those of you living under a rock, Sandra Bullock adopted a lovely baby boy Louis Brado Bullock, now three-months-old, and after a process that started four years ago with her husband Jesse James.

Now, Sandra Bullock and Jesse James are no longer a couple, they're divorcing.  Jesse James was exposed as cheating on Bullock with four and perhaps as many as five women.  Both have agreed to dissolve their marriage.

Sandra's announced she's going to raise baby Louis as a single mother in New Orleans, moving out of California.

The best of luck to Sandra and Baby Louis!

Dallas Braden gets 2nd Oakland A's perfect game in 42 years (video)

Dallas Braden 

The Oakland Athletics Dallas Braden became the 14th player in Oakland A's history to throw a no-hitter or a perfect game, and just the second A's player to pitch a perfect game - the other being Catfish Hunter in 1968.

Braden led the A's to a 4-0 win against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in Oakland on Mother's Day.

Now lost in all the celebration is what a "perfect game" in baseball is. It's not a "no-hitter"; it's beyond that. It's a game where no player from the opposing team gains a hit or gets on base in any way, even by a walk or a hit batter.

Nothing.  Nada.  Zip.

Here's the video:



That's what Dallas Braden did today. Braden's the first Oakland A's pitcher to throw a perfect game in 42 years. That's incredible.

Much has been made of Braden's feud with The New York Yankees' Alex Rodriquez, who's behavior has been rather salty since he was dumped by Kate Hudson after she learned A-Rod was allegedly cheating on her.



When the Oakland A's last played the New York Yankees, A-Rod crossed the mound that was manned by Dallas Braden. Braden took offense to the action and said that A-Rod did not understand baseball etiquette and their "would be repercussions" if he did it again, as this video shows:



The Yankees and A's face again July 5th, 6th, and 7th, in Oakland. Oaklander's, let's make those games sellouts!

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell protects NFL Brand - Draftnik

Protecting the Shield ?
By Ralph Garcia-Sr. Writer Southeast Region-Football Reporters Online
It’s 2010 and the new sheriff in town has made it clear that if you embarrass the shield you pay. He showed that if you do wrong, you will pay, even if the laws of the land don’t make you pay. We have seen so many examples like Pacman Jones to Ben Rothlisberger. It is a good thing that the NFL has a man in charge that wants to keep the integrity and respect of the game. The problem is we still don’t understand the lines that can be crossed.

When the Tennessee Titans used the number six pick to take Pacman back then, fans sighed from the point of the pick. Some asked why him instead of another DB. The question of course was his character at the time. Turns out that Tennessee made a bad pick and now Jones is sending text messages to coach Schwartz to let him know he is willing to play in Detroit. No kidding Adam?

The Cincinnati Bengals have been known to take players in question. It has become a feeding ground for writers of all likes that want a story in between stories. Chad Ochocinco has given plenty of food for thought through the years. No matter the story we will cover it so long as it is a story.

We have seen plenty of instances in all sports that have made us wonder what the hell is going on. What will it take before some owner or organization puts integrity for the sport first instead of just money. Now these incidents are happening. No longer, thanks to technology, will you be able to hide what is really happening.

There are two stories that moved me to this article. The first one is the drafting of Myron Rolle by Tennessee. There were the likes of Tony Dungy questioning his commitment to the Tampa Bay Bucs asking him why he abandoned his teammates at Florida State to get a Rhodes scholarship. We speak of commitment to the game and the league, yet we look at out NFL criminals like stars. Forget the fact that you have smoked pot or did a few lines of the other. Let’s not even take into account that you may have beaten your wife or significant other. Hey if you show the NFL that you drink too much they will punish you by letting Peyton Manning call you an idiot kicker.

Rolle was able to finish school early, excel at football and then became a scholar. When he came out of high school he was the number one recruit in the land. Did that not take commitment on his part? He finishes college in less than three years and his commitment is still questioned? Then instead of hanging out at school and playing football he goes to get an honor only a handful of students are afforded. Has the commish come out and thanked this kid for the positive he gives to the SHIELD? Since I cover the Titans I will say clearly that you all must watch this guy. He is more intelligent than those he will be around.
The next story was the one where the Dolphins GM asked Dez Bryant if his mamma was a prostitute. Nice going NFL and its representatives. In a time where the world is trying to promote positive why not take this opportunity given to make a point. The point is the NFL will not only punish those for crossing the SHIELD, they will not acknowledge the good for the SHIELD as needed right now.

Some have argued that the question about his mamma was legit. They say that if you are an organization investing millions in an athlete you have the right to ask that question. WRONG PEOPLE. The NFL draft is about homework and investigating the players you want. You scout the player to see if he fits into your system and the needs of the team. If you need some info outside of football you go to his neighborhood and ask questions. Now if you want to know if a person addicted to crack is a prostitute you went about it the wrong way. It is well known in the streets that if you're a crack head you will give it up to supplement your habit. Prostitution is the form of work where you sell your body for cash. Trust me folks, a crack head is not trying to sell the body. They are selling their souls because they know no better. So why would you ask this kind of question if you knew how to do your homework?

So with all of this information why doesn’t the commish punish Miami for the colossal mistake it made. How can anyone argue that the move was an absolute embarrassment to the integrity of the league? Why is it that we want our players punished but instances like this have yet to be addressed?

Some former players have hinted that it is easier if the league and your team knew that you had no way out after football. This way they won’t question your commitment because you have no avenue after your done. The point was brought up that a player with that kind of intelligence might even threaten how a coach coaches him.

Lastly is the story of Caleb Campbell, the U.S. Army 1st. Lt. who has just completed 2 years of active duty and is now allowed to play football again. He was all ready to play for what turned out to be the 0-16 Lions two years ago. He said on Nashville radio that he still does not understand the rule that kept him from his dream. He will be moved from S to LB and the transition won’t be easy.

Just a few stories that tell and show the good side of the shield. Stories that are not told to the public, that need to be told. Players like these are not as rare as one may think but with no mention of it, they remain hidden in all the other stories. Stories that make us say…this is not my dad’s NFL anymore.

Violence in Youth Sports: A growing trend? - Draftnik

Violence in Youth Sports: A growing trend? A downward spiral, and a young man’s brutalization- an editorial commentary by Dr. Bill Chachkes-Managing Partner/Executive Editor-Football Reporters Online

It is becoming more prevailing in our society, the “win at any cost” mentality. Sure, that’s what competition is based on at any level. As coach Herman Edwards once said “you play to win the game.” But when is that mindset “Overkill?” At the professional level we expect athletes to give 110% all the time because it’s their profession. At the college level we expect the same for a variety of reasons, mostly because most college players desire to play professionally if they can get the chance, and because they should be playing their “hearts” out for the school colors. At the high school level, there is an inordinate amount of pressure to be successful, both for the players and for the coaches and school officials. For players it’s to be accepted, to be a “part” of a winner. For the adults again, it’s a variety of causes that keep them “in the heat of the pursuit.” of athletic immortality, and financial security for their families and their schools’ athletic programs. As a moral society for the most part, we expect athletes to give their best all the time, just as workers are supposed to do their jobs to the best of their ability all the time. We also expect them, their coaches, and the fans to follow the rules at all times, and we decry anyone who does not put their best effort into whatever they are doing.

But what about youth developmental programs, and why does it matter? Every football player gets their start in “Pop Warner” youth style football, much like baseball players get their start in “Little League” play. It’s supposed to be a place where, like school-based programs, learning takes place. Learning about the sport and it’s proper play in a safe environment where basic fundamentals are taught that will, we hope, carry the student athlete through the rest of his/or her life. Integrity, honor, sportsmanship, respect for each other and the rules of the game, and above all, fair play. At least that’s what my contemporaries and I were taught growing up in the 1960’s and 1970’s. So why should it be different now?

Incidents of a violent nature at youth sporting events is not new, but has always been isolated to a few “bad days” here and there. Or is it? Is there a growing trend here, among the communities of our country? Are parents pushing their kids too hard to “win” at any cost? And who should take responsibility and control? We expect ourselves to hold each other to a high standard of behavior, but what about when that standard breaks down? If we are as a people, going to police our own on this, we first have to be aware of the danger signs. When a parent or a coach tells a player to “Get That Kid” at the top of his lungs, is he really saying “cover that kid” or “Stop that kid from beating us at any cost”? Where does the rage come from? Is it simply from being outplayed, or is the desire to please the parental figures in a youth athlete’s life pressure them to “win at any cost,” even if the rules are broken.

An ongoing study project at Rutgers University’s Youth Sports Research Council asserts that while there is still no evidence to support “Sports Rage” as an out of control “epidemic” situation, the instances are happening more often and leading to serious injury among those involved. The research at Rutgers points to two different areas: fan violence at events, and instances on the field of play. On Field instances are broken into three different incident types: athlete on athlete, violence against officials, and other situations such as assaults on coaches by parents and other bystanders. The following is quoted from a finding by the council, led by Professor Gregg Heinzmann, the council’s director, on the topic of parent behavior at youth sporting events (in larger type):

Why Do Parents Misbehave?
To date, many of the explanations given for "why rage occurs" have been too shortsighted to be of any practical value. For example, in response to the important and legitimate question, "why do some parents behave so poorly at their child's sporting event," the often parroted answer has been, "because no one told them they couldn't." Such simplistic analysis fails to provide direction for reforming youth sports, in terms of preventing sports rage, because it doesn't address the underlying reasons for poor parental behavior.

To our credit as a society we have tried to do better in this decade, but it seems we still have a long way to go in some areas of policing our own behavior at youth sports events.
Still, when there is a connection between an overzealous parent shouting at his child or children to “get that kid,” and an incident that leads to serious injury of a youth athlete that was sparked by actions on the part of parents or coaches, we as a society have a moral obligation to prevent it from getting out of hand. Regardless of the fact that laws are in place or not, we should feel a duty to protect our youth and place a binding code of conduct on athletes, coaches, parents and fans of ANY youth sporting event at any level, with serious punishment to those that violate the code of conduct and the law.

There also has to be a concern that behavior of this type if allowed to go unchecked, leads to far worse incidents of violence as the athlete grows up, along with an increase in anti-social, and even possibly sociopathic action on the part of some. While we always commend the athlete for having a “winning” attitude or a great “game” face and playing with emotion, there is a clear line between what is acceptable and what is not on the field of play. While no clear relation exists between a youth athlete who gets into trouble for taking things too far on the field and the excesses of some current professional athletes and their behavior and “Self-Entitled” way of life, it’s not too far off base to surmise that poor sportsmanship and behavior on the part of youth athletes that aren’t “behavior modified” can lead to far worse actions in later life. The police blotters across the country are filled with current and ex-pro athletes running amok and tarnishing their reputations and the great game of football. The only way this can be combated is through early intervention on the part of parents, coaches, and administrators.

Not long ago a parent reached out to me to get my feelings on one such incident that took place last fall in a Denver suburb. My first thought was “these things happen all the time” but once I viewed the video (attached with the families’ permission at the end of this article) you will see that this is not the kind of thing that should be allowed to be explained away as “just football” or “it happens all the time.” I was compelled to get involved because of my background in football, and a moral standard I adhere to.

It’s because of an incident like this, where a young man could have been crippled for life, or worse, died on the field from a broken neck, that assurances must be granted that no incident goes by without an appropriate reaction from a league’s administrators no matter what the level. Youth football is about teaching skills. It’s about learning what a 2-5 sweep is. It’s about how to hold and carry and throw a football. What it is not is your coach or your dad telling you to “Get that Kid” and you punch him 4 times in the head and through his facemask and then grab him by the mask and twist his neck and head like your taking the lid off a jar, then walk away sneakily hoping you don’t get caught when most everyone clearly saw what you did. There is just no just excuse for this on any level. Not “its just football” or “it was in the heat of the game.” In the state where I live, what you are going to see on this video would be classified as a violent felony (assault and battery to be exact), which would and should cause anyone tried as an adult for such crime and convicted be jailed for said crime. Clearly we can’t do that in the case of a 10 or 11 year old child, but steps must be taken to make sure this never happens again, and proper behavior is reinforced at all times on the field of play.

This past week on our radio show we brought this situation to light by having the parents and coaches of the injured player join us for the last two segments of our show, along with their legal counsel, to take questions on air from myself and my team of co-hosts. We can’t believe for the life of us how these parents are in the minority in their feeling that something is wrong with this situation, and that there is the possibility of a “cover up” of some sort going on here, especially when I receive a reply via e-mail by way of a “statement” from the current president of the league where this incident took place the next day.

In this e-mail I was given a detailed account of the league’s sincerity and that “Trust me.
If we have the video, and it shows what it purports to show, swift, direct and appropriate action will be taken by me.” That is all well and good intentioned, and we are glad that it’s possible that common sense could win out here. But it should have been done when the incident took place, not six and a half months later, and only because the mother of the athlete involved came on my show because her and the few parents supporting her could not get any supportive action from the league’s administrator’s at the time of the incident and felt they had no other recourse to get assistance. That being said, I’m happy the current president of this league wants to move forward and get this rectified in a proper manner. In the interest of fairness I have invited him (and the league’s legal counsel if he feels threatened by the truth of this situation) to come on our show as guests two weeks from now, to explain what steps will be taken to make sure this never happens again.

These parents also feel that much as been done to smear them up until now, that they have been painted as “crazy malcontents” bent on destroying the league. I have been personally accused of “ getting involved in something that is none of my business” and “doing this to get the ratings of my show up.” As a matter of fact, while we were conducting the show this past Thursday night I was getting support from a few people in our show’s chat room. At the same time I was being harassed by someone via instant message telling me “what do I care about a few crazy parents for” and “since when does the “New York Based” sports media even care about youth football in Colorado.”

My Answer to these people is plain and simple: Any time anyone tarnishes the great game of football by their actions or lack there of, it’s my business. No matter where it is, New York, Colorado, or anywhere else, and I will stand up for these parents and their children until justice is done. It’s not about my show ratings. I get plenty of good guests, mostly retired NFL players, current college players or coaches, player agents, and fellow football media. I don’t need a story like this to get up my ratings. This story needs to be told and the issues addressed. No one is looking to keep these kids from playing football. That’s the last thing we want. But we want the athlete who was injured to never have to worry about getting hurt like this ever again because an opponent took it a little too far, or because a parent of the opposing player pressured him into beating up an opponent for no reason other then he was frustrated over being outplayed at that moment or because he didn’t like the way he was blocked. Anyone who needs to question that shouldn’t be involved in sports.

Betty White's Muffin a hit Saturday Night Live and Twitter

88-year old actress and comedian Betty White was a hit on Saturday Night Live last night, and while her appearance may have some detractors, the vast majority of people on Twitter loved her performance. 

White's SNL appearance started with a Facebook campaign that gained a half-million supporters.  NBC and SNL paid attention and the result was the special Mother's Day Saturday Night Live show.

Many on Twitter point to a segment on "Betty White's Muffin" as the signature work of her SNL sig. If you haven't seen the full episode, here it is:



EOnline's Jovie Baclayon wrote that Betty White "killed it" and reported that White was in every SNL skit "without missing a beat." Here's Betty White's opening opening monologue where she thanked the Facebook community for making her SNL host gig a reality, but hilariously said Facebook is a "waist of time:"



Betty White's getting a well-deserved weekend fest. Just the thing to top a six-decade career.

Rock the Casbah!

Iron Man 2 review by Suzannah B. Troy

Mickey Rourke wore his soul on his skin in his comeback film "The Wrestler" and he was breath taking in his first few minutes of Iron Man 2 when he actually has dialogue.  Rourke is superb but this was not a script heavy movie and he doesn't get much dialogue or screen time but he is riveting when he does get to speak and I loved the head to toe Russian Mafia tattoos.  If you haven't seen Eastern Promises, a serious film not a cartoon movie, than rent this memorable film about the Russian Mafia in England. Iron Man 2 is fun.  The critics were less than enthusiastic and for good reason but the movie will do really well at the box office.  There is a superb supporting cast including the sexy siren Scarlett Johansson, John Faurvre not sexy but fun,  who also directed the movie and although Samuel Jackson has a very small role he is super!   There are plenty of cameos including Christine Amanpour for global news buffs, internet billionaire Larry Ellison as well as an amazing retro-car with hand painted flames that I would love to go for a ride in!  I was bored to tears in the over the top fight scenes that were techno-extreme fighting meets professional wrestling and maybe it's just me...if I have to see fighting than I would rather see be hunky guys in the flesh not cartoon like machine.  At this point in my life over the top special effects are too much for me and I would have preferred to read a good book during those scenes.  Even the coming attractions were over the top over, stimulating tech heavy, leaving me longing for small films like Crazy Heart.




The movie is fun and will make big bucks at the box office. Also for New York lovers Queens is also a star in Iron Man 2  as well!!!!! I am obsessed with "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo".  There is a tattoo scene in this film that is unforgettable although the film is too violent for me.  I am reading the book and even got the poster in Swedish. For tattoo buffs -- The NYC Tattoo Convention 2010 is this Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  I special shout out to Clayton Patterson who helps put on this convention because he had my art in the window of his Outlaw Art Museum! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQ0uQwNxPNg

Happy Mother's Day to everyone!

Suburban Atlanta, GA - Happy Mother's Day everyone! I can't remember missing celebrating Mother's Day and it was vitally important for me to give my Mom the gift of my help here in Georgia. See, my Mom still insists on working, and I see that as a personal failure on my part because I believe if I made enough money she would not have to work. I give her money each month, as of this writing it helps but not enough to compel her to just stay at home.

Yet as I write this, i'm not sure that would keep her at home cooking and tending garden. While she does do that - tend garden and cook - I really think working around people is Mom's way of staying connected. She's a United Airline retiree but if United called, she'd answer it in a heart beat.

Mom's tried working for me but following Internet trends can be boring if you really like being out and about with folks. Not that I don't, but that's my Mom. It's good therapy for the passing of friends over time.

The one curse of old age is that your friends die. While the logical and uncaring mind would say "just make new ones" it's also a young mind that would form such a thought. Friends are supposed to be and are special people in your life. Friends know you. They're the people who have license to open your door without knocking or tell you what they think because it's for your own good.

Friends are people who borrow money from you and pay you back. They keep your secrets, well, at least the ones that are worth keeping. When you lose friends you lose a part of you. (And while I'm thinking about it, for those who are dating and hear the words "let's be friends", anyone who says "we're friends" and does not meet the criteria above isn't a friend. Don't kid yourself. In my experience, real friends come with benefits. But enough about that for now.)

I think if I were married with kids that would keep Mom at home because kids are the center of her life. It doesn't matter who you are, if you're around my age, your my Mom's kid and she talks to you that way.

I remember a neighbor of mine mistakenly and she will tell you stupidly poured gasoline on the side of the street in full view of my Mom, who was visiting. Well, she got it from my Mom. And while I didn't know her well at the time, and do didn't know what to expect as a reaction, I realized Mom has a way of putting things such that people know she cares and isn't being malicious. She has that way about her.

But fortunately, even though I'm not a father and believe I'd be an incredible one, I'm also not suffering through a divorce or discovering that my wife's cheating on me, either. So, I suppose there's a bright side too.

But I digress. I'm here for my Mom, who I love very much and always will. From the practical perspective, she's my only remaining family and I'm the only child, so I travel here each month to help her. But even if that wasn't the case, I'd be here anyway!

Happy Mother's Day! Give your Mom a kiss if she's near by and a call if she's not - even if you argue with her, at least enjoy that you're able to!

Lawrence Taylor says his golf game is always good

LT. talks about his golf game

This NFL Draft installment (thanks to the Inn at Irving Place, part of the Small Luxury Hotels of The World brand) comes from The NFL Draft Red Carpet - New York Giants and NFL Legend and Dancing with The Stars star Lawrence Taylor was trying to flash by the media at the NFL Red Carpet at the 75th NFL Draft, but this blogger managed to halt his stride with a question about his golf game.

Lawrence Taylor is known for his love of the game, and of late he was playing in pro-ams with celebrities like Donald Trump. L.T., the center of a joke by NFL Hall of Famer Jerry Rice that he'd better leave because "L.T's coming," stopped to directly inform me that his golf game was "always fine."

Little did anyone know that could mean his talent for scoring hole-in-ones didn't apply to just the links, or that Jerry Rice's playful run out of the picture might have a double meaning. Lawrence Taylor was charged with 3rd-degree rape in a bizarre case that Taylor first claimed was set-up and that he never had sex with a 16-year-old runaway girl under the control of a pimp, and is now saying there was "some contact" and he was told she was 19 years old.

If that was the case, and The Huffington Post reports that it is, then from that narrow perspective, Taylor was set up. But only to have sex with someone he thought was of age. Beyond that, the picture looks bad and opens a ton of questions, but the main one is this:

Why was L.T. even of the mind to pay for sex with a young girl considering he's got a wife at home and was dancing with an enormously beautiful woman on Dancing with The Stars?

What kind of mindset does L.T. have? If the teenager was beaten by this Rasheed Davis pimp from The Bronx before she had sex with Taylor, did L.T. even notice that she was hit by someone? Can't he tell a teenager when he sees one? Also, did L.T. just have to have a young girl to be with? Why?  And I'm not buying the sexual addiction excuse.

And the most pressing question is why would Lawrence Taylor place himself in such a low-life position, laying down with people who live a kind of life that keeps them in trouble? Look, if he was going to do that, why not a high-class escort in her 30s? How about a New York Knicks Cheerleader?  Why not an Upper East Side socialite?   How about a Columbia law student?

If he was of a mind to fool around, New York's teaming with lovely, smart, successful women single and married and all well over 21.  But then with a wife as devoted to a man as Taylor's is, publicly stating her support for him, L.T. should have just took his rear-end home.

What the hell's wrong with him?

Stay tuned.

Mr. Hudson and Jay-Z sing Forever Young on SNL (Saturday Night Live)

The last time we heard Hip Hop Super Star Jay-Z singing, or more appropriately enabling a singer of the song "Forever Young" it was Jay-Z with his wife Beyonce at the Coachella Music Festival. It was a moment that was the talk of that event then and is still searched for online today.

Mr. Hudson 

This time Jay-Z's with someone named "Mr. Hudson" who sounded like some guy who just popped onto the stage from the Saturday Night Live audience until his pipes got warm. The performance was a kind of tribute to the suddenly ever-present actress Betty White, who was the host of SNL tonight on Mother's Day eve.

From all accounts, the 88-year old actress was excellent in something that started as a Facebook campaign and evolved from the dream of a few to a reality for Betty White.

And it's really heart-warming to see that through New Media we can make sure people who've been such cultural treasures as Betty White continue to be remembered and not forgotten.

But I digress. Who the hell is Mr. Hudson?

His real name is Benjamin Hudson McIldowie, and he's a British Hip Hop artist signed to Kanye West's G.O.O.D. Music, according to Wikipedia.

But the reason he's not well-known until now is he just hit the scene last year with his first album, Straight No Chaser, which was released on my birthday, August 4th.

It's amazing how fast these artists are introduced today. MGMT just his the scene five years ago. American Idol's popping out stars faster than one can keep up with, and each new one serves to throw a PR blanket over the last ones.

It's almost as if we're saturated with new musical talent. When do we reach the point of over-saturation?

But I digress.

Happy Mother's Day Betty White!

Calling 311 Mike by Suzannah B. Troy artist NYC

I had to call 311 tonight...call it the good citizen thing or what ever. It took a half hour of holding to do what I wanted to do and I can only say this....the people that answer the phone tend to be the nicest people on the planet. Saints...They are so polite and so nice.

It took 20 minutes of holding to speak to the very first extremely kind nice person. She sounded very tired but still very professional and despite her fatigue down right nice....thought to myself she is a good person working hard and it is clearly a busy night. Maybe do to the high winds tonight 311 is extra busy, the high winds have been causing a lot of trouble here in NYC....time to snuggle with loved ones and watch The Wizard of Oz.

The mayor had a good idea, 311 but it doesn't work that well because like everything here in NYC there are not the "dollas" to back up the ideas.

I have to laugh when I think of this funny older white guy with gray hair, a bit nerdy, can't think of his name that shows up to the MTA meetings and always gives Mayor Bloomberg hell. He says to solve the MTA budget crisis all we need to do is hold Bloomberg upside down and shake him. I assume he means like the salt shakers nanny mayor Mike Bloomberg would have us put down even if it takes a gun to our heads except Mike is anti-gun.

Mike 311 is a great idea but it seems like your idea is under staffed and by the nicest of New Yorkers and you can't really make the idea work.

More and more NYC resembles communist Russia with capitialist prices. I first used that term to describe the high price of health insurance here in NYC but now it seems like that is the "state" of NY unless you are a fat cat politico, ruthless in any number of categories etc., just not the category called "the people of New York" aka "the tax payers". At the rate we are going we may be heading towards NYC resembling Greece. Don't worry mayor Mike, I am not talking about grease, greasy food or turning you upside down like a salt shaker to cure our mega-billion dollar deficit. New York City may start resembling Greece more and more and I am not talking about the Parthenon. By the way, did you see The New York Post's coverage of the "protest dog" that shows up for every major riot in Greece?

For non-New Yorkers, our mayor is called the nanny mayor because he wants to make sure we cut down our fat intake, our salt intake, but drinking is okay! That is the one industry he has no qualms with...just look around the streets at night for proof.

If anyone hasn't noticed here in New York, Albany was suppose to balance the budget by April 1. An appropriate day except the tax payers are losing everything dollar and sense except for a sense of humor, perhaps. Maybe instead of a billionaire we should have a comedian for mayor. No forget that. The accidental governor, Dave Patterson always sounded like he was auditioning for Saturday Night Live until he got himself implicated in three scandals, than he lost the bad stand up comedy and he still refuses to step down. Thanks Dave!

By the way getting back to Mike, is there a clause in "New York city gov law" that says if the mayor has a 2nd income and that 2nd income earns over 2 billion dollars that he has to pay a special tax like half of his multi-billion dollar income from his 2nd job...? Didn't think so but I had to ask.

Mike, I want to ask you are we going from a recession to a depression? 

Hello, 311, I want to report a budget catastrophe here in NYC waiting to happen  like an oil spill in the East River...a disaster...help!

Thirty minutes later I hung up but before doing so I told 311 operator, Angel no. 2, the specialist thank you, praised her but told her I don't like our mayor. Thank you and bless you!

Amy Adams, Leap Year and interracial romance

Amy Adams in Leap Year

As I write this blog post, I'm about 40,000 feet up in the air on the way to Atlanta, by way of Chicago. It's something like 1AM PST Saturday morning.

The plane is a United Airlines Boeing 777 bound for O'Hare and I'm in seat 24 B. I've had much better seats and much worse seats. But the worst is the movie I just saw called Leap Year with Amy Adams.

Leap Year is one of those romantic comedies I wouldn't pay to see unless I were dragged to do so or held captive on, well, an airplane. Leap Year is not a bad film. Amy Adams plays her role as a woman caught between what she has and what she needs very well. But the problem for me is that like most films of its type, I'm compelled to like it but feel angry after I see it.

When you watch a film you place yourself in it in some way. You can't help it. You think of yourself as one of the characters. It helps if the person you think of yourself as looks like you. In Leap Year's case, I wanted to put myself in the role of Matthew Goode, who plays the Irish taxi cab driver that develops a connection with Amy Adams' character so much she dumps the white doctor guy she originally wanted to marry.

Take this scene for example...



I enjoyed the film until the annoying realization that no one in the flick was black kept clawing at my sensibilities. But it wasn't that really. I kept trying to think of a film, a mainstream movie, that featured an interracial romance between a black man and a white woman where the focus wasn't on skin color.

There have been a number of films that have been the reverse, a black woman and a white guy, like The Bodyguard, or Star Trek (remember Spock is a white Vulcan; there are black Vulcans). There are also commercials like eHarmony's latest segment, for example. Regardless of the reasons, the message is that its more acceptable in the media and in film for a white guy to be with a black woman than for a black guy to be with a white girl.

But the reality away from media and the movies is more black white pairings have been black male and white female, and while the reverse is catching up, it's not there. And so it's really annoying to see a movie like Leap Year and realize that there's no well-distributed movie that's has a black male, white female relationship as its story and yet is not making a racial statement or a weird film like Obsessed...



Obsessed was a movie about this impossibly hot but really screwed up blonde woman played by Ali Larter who makes her black male boss (Idris Elba) the target of her deadly desire, pissing off the impossibly hot Beyonce and leading to an epic cat fight.

Race had nothing to do with the movie, but why did it have to be about a screwed-up chick? (Not saying that Ali is, just that she played one, OK?)

If you say that's impossible, that such a movie that has a black – white romance automatically makes a racial statement, my retort is that a movie like Leap Year makes one as well: that's it's perfectly normal to have white male and white female relationships. So much so that we have big stars like Amy Adams in them.

All of this has to contribute to the overall frustrations men and women have in the 21st Century when it comes to dating. For me, I tried to sum it all up with someone I was out with for a period. I was trying to explain that for me, class and demographic cultural cues were more important than race. It was the first time I was able to clearly articulate what I'd experienced in my life.

For example, if I say "I've got a George Costanza Wallet" a woman who knows what that means is someone I'm more likely to click with and date than someone who's not. See? That woman can have any race or ethnicity, but there are other things which go with that. Food, music, wine. I think you can see where I'm headed.

Skin color becomes less important.

We're in a society where more and more relationships are interracial and black male, white female relationships are common. But what's holding back the completion of society's progress are films like Leap Year that continue to send a racially-exclusive message. Such films add to the image that women have in their mind about what "the ideal guy" looks like.

And for a lot of women in their late 30s and 40s and 50s who've been raised on the idea that "the ideal guy" should be of the same race or ethnicity as they are, they're consistently disappointed. Black and Latino women complain that black and Latino men don't have jobs and have prison records. White women complain that a white guy might be Gay or bisexual. Asian women complain that Asian men aren't as aggressive as they'd like. And all find that some of "their guys" are married. Yikes.

So, many women decide to open up. By contrast and by experience, younger women have fewer issues with skin color. Maybe that generation will produce the kind of movie I'd like Leap Year to be.

It would be cool to see a film like Leap Year that I could insert myself into without feeling excluded in the process. That's true progress.

(I'd like to create a list of movies that have black and white romances but race has nothing to do with the story, because there must be some out there that were just not seen by a lot of people. If you know of such a movie, send an email to zennie@zennie62.com)

Plaxico Buress cel trouble post by Suzannah B. Troy

Plaxico Buress shot himself in the foot as opposed to his thigh according to The New York Post when he lied to a prison guard misleading the guard to believe he had permission to use his cel phone to call his attorney when in fact he did not!

Buress has 7 months left to serve on his 2 year prison sentence and I am angry because I was one of those people that did not want him to go to jail. I preferred that he be able to stay with his family and do a hard core anti-gun ad campaign and very serious community service but be home to be a parent. I am disappointed to read this news.

The only thing that is confusing about The New York Post article is the date of when this occurred but either way Plaxico Buress got busted and lost his recreational privileges for a month.  No report on whether or not this will impact his release date.

For movie buffs that don't want to leave their home I did a short YouTube movie review of entertaining rentals and one of the most unusual is The Big Fan written and directed by Robert Siegel who wrote the screenplay for The Wrestler.  For football fans or people that like dark off beat films The Big Fan is a must see and possible cult classic.  I also talk about Moon, another possible cult classic directed by Duncan Jones, David Bowie's son and he looks like the wrestler version of his Dad and of course The Hangover!

Columbia University abuse of eminent domain post by Suzannah B. Troy

Folks: I thought the meeting was tonight and I was eager to bring you more YouTubes like the series I will post here but last night and there was a bus ride today with community members I could not make to attend a court date on eminent domain abuse which in my opinion has run rampant here in New York.


Now on to the the abuse of eminent domain which under the mayorship of Mike Bloomberg and his administration has gone wild.  King mayor Mike is the developer's mayor.  To developers there is no abuse of eminent domain but when you watch my YouTube interview with Norman Siegel, famed Civil Rights lawyer on the Columbia University campus on eminent domain, he spells it out clearly and simply and there is no doubt in my mind Columbia University abused eminent domain to simply clear out an entire neighborhood called Manhattanville. Norman Siegel has won the first round against Columbia University representing his client. Here is the report from last night's meeting at St. Mary's which I am sad to say I missed this heavily attended meeting.   I heard  Norman Siegel along with many owners that had their businesses displaced and community members made a powerful case for Columbia University's abuse of power, the displacement of an entire neighborhood abusing eminent domain. I have heard The New York Times building abused eminent domain and it is ironic because small businesses were forced to move and because the paper aka "The Old Grey Lady" was having a problem turning a profit, they became a landlord as well which adds insult to injury.  Everyone has heard about the Ratner development for a sports arena in Brooklyn, future home of the Nets and again eminent domain abuse.  Willets Point in Queens is also a battle of eminent domain that New Yorkers have protested as abuse of eminent domain.   Welcome to Mike Bloomberg's New York!  When Mike Bloomberg says progress it means get your moving van.   Mike Bloomberg and his real estate magnate friends including the owner of "The Old Grey Lady" loves eminent domain....abuse but if someone knocks at your door and tells you, you have to move you most likely will not like it but the one thing these cases all appear to have in common in my opinion they are breaking the law or should I say abusing the laws of the land. Question:  Do you think the fact The New York Times is such a lover of the abuse of eminent domain as in that is how they got their prime real estate for the new building that may in some way impact how the paper reports or does not report all the shady real estate dealings and community crushing development under Mike Bloomberg and socialite mega millionaire City Planner, Amanda the people's Burden? I would have to say yes! Powerful interview with Norman Siegel at Columbia University with Suzannah Troy and the Columbia U. students showed up to protest in support of the community chanting "Not in our name!". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPvIP6N-AP4&feature=related Ramon with his son speaking at protest on Columbia U. campus Floridita (Cuban Soul Food) owner Ramon interviewed by Suzannah on Columbia U. abuse of eminent domain at Floridita Francy Batista in spanish talking on eminent domain and giving mayor Bloomberg hell http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-vGH2ZT9Kg&feature=related Tony Avella speaking up for the community against eminent domain abuse http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2sGibLbAHec&feature=related

Staten Island Ferry Crash injuries post by Suzannah B. Troy

1010 Wins reports there was a Staten Island ferry crash and there were injuries but nothing as horrific as the previous one from seven years ago.  There is one serious injury and two police officers on duty were injured as well as a dozen or so people  but  again I repeat nothing like the last ferry crash which was horrifying.

The Andrew J. Barberi hit the pier at 9:20am this morning and just seemed to be approaching too fast and for some reason they could not slow the ferry down.  It is said the throttle failed.

Same boat, same terminal,  a far more devastating crash  that took the lives of 11 people and severely injured some survivors happened October 15, 2003.  It was like deja vu but not as bad thankfully.

Here is the Wikipedia page for the Staten Island Ferry boat crash that resembled a terror attack and even made people think of Sept. 11.  There were many law suits and pay-outs.  Also deeply heartbreaking and a moving story of the young man that had to have both his legs amputated.   His name is Paul Esposito and he considers every day a blessing.  He settled for $8.9 million dollars.  

Of course as usual I have major praise for our 1st responders rushing to rescue the people on this ferry and prayers and healing wishes to all injured.  It does make me think of the Ferry crash from 2003 where so many people died or were injured and that crash did make me think of Sept. 11.  

Staten Island was NYC's "heart" -- this little Island -- like a powerful heart keeping the downtown area alive and going after the horrific day.  So many rescue workers rushed to the WTC after 9-11 and for those that survived many made the trip to the WTC every day digging in the rubble hoping to find bodies or even a small piece of DNA so Staten Island holds a special place in my heart.

Iron Man 3 could go to consumer: FCC poised to kill movie theaters

Scarlett Johansson in Iron Man

Iron Man 3 could bypass theaters when it's released.

In a shocking report, Deadline.com explains The Federal Trade Commission has been asked to let movie studios completely bypass movie theaters and transmit flicks directly to the consumer. Here's the posting that was on Deadline.com's site last year:

Washington, D.C. - In a filing today with the Federal Communications Commission, the Motion Picture Association of America, Inc. (MPAA) reinforced the benefits of allowing studios the option of sending movies fresh from the box office to tens of millions of American households.

"Many of us love movies, but we just can't make it to the theater as often as we'd like. That is especially true for parents of young children, rural Americans who live far from the multiplex and people with disabilities that keep them close to home," MPAA Chairman and CEO Dan Glickman said. "Having the added option to enjoy movies in a more timely fashion at home would be a liberating new choice."

In its filing, which was in response to letters of opposition filed by the group Public Knowledge, the MPAA said: "grant of the waiver would for the first time allow millions of consumers to view high-value, high-definition theatrical films during an early release window that is not available today. MPAA has explained that release of this high-value content as part of an earlier window, especially with respect to movies released for home viewing close to or even during their initial theatrical run, necessarily requires the highest level of protection possible through use of SOC."

SOC, or selectable output control technology, would allow televisions with digitally secure interfaces to receive first-run, high-definition content from a cable or satellite provider. Using SOC protects content because it essentially disables non-secure, analog outputs to avoid illegal circumvention and distribution of copyrighted material. These outputs would be disabled ONLY with respect to the proposed new content, and this technology would NOT have any impact whatsoever on the ability of existing devices to receive all of the content that they get today. Consumers will continue to have access to everything they have today, including DVDs, Netflix, etc.

The MPAA filing noted: "By Public Knowledge’s odd reckoning, however, no consumer-oriented technological breakthrough ever could be introduced to American homes unless and until every single American home had access to the same opportunity at the same moment in time. That is a recipe for holding every innovation hostage until the last consumer adopts a new technology.

"Under Public Knowledge’s approach, the Commission would have taken decades to permit television stations to broadcast in color, since millions of American homes already had purchased black-and-white sets when color broadcasts were introduced in the 1950s. Indeed, whenever innovative technologies bring consumers new and better opportunities to media content, there is always a lag between when early adopters take advantage of these opportunities and when they become ubiquitous."

Glickman added: "I, like most movie-goers believe the best way to enjoy a movie is to go to the theater with friends and share a communal laugh or adventure together. But I also believe there is ample room for additional choices that satisfy consumer demand to enjoy movies in diverse new ways. If allowed by the FCC, I believe this new choice will be just one of many exciting innovations to come that benefit consumers and sustain the future of this unique creative medium."

The FCC has allowed this now, so forget about many theaters surviving past the first three years of the FCC action. I hope the FCC realizes that just because a technology can be done is no reason to do it. Movies like Iron Man should be seen in the theater with people. But it seems too late now.

Obama to the rescue?

Stay tuned.

Amy Victoria Beck: teacher arrested for sex with teen student

In the "How many times has this happened" department, we have the very, very sad news of Amy Victoria Beck, a teacher who was arrested for having one count of unlawful sex and committing a leud act on a child, with a 14-year old student. The 33-year-old mother of three walked into Burbank, California Police Headquarters and confessed to the affair when started in March 2009 according to The Huffington Post.

Amy Beck has been sentenced to two years in jail and bail was set at $175,000 (she did not post it), but has served six months already because she gave herself up rather than police arresting her. She could get out earlier with good behavior plus the fact that her husband's an LA police officer.

Amy Beck and her husband remain married and he's standing by her.

Frankly, it seems that this does happen a lot. So much so that are websites devoted to coverage of such news like Hott For Teacher and Bad Bad Teacher, which reports another recent sex scandal where 30-year old Jennifer Gardel, a teacher at Las Vegas High School in Las Vegas, allegedly had sex with a 17-year-old student in her home and even in her classroom. She confessed and was in jail as recently as May 5th, but released.

Sexual Misconduct is such a large problem that the website KSL.com claims its the number one reason why teachers are forced to surrender their licenses. The website reports...

Records shows Utah has nearly 20,000 licensed educators. Since 1992, the State Board of Education has suspended or revoked 313 teacher licenses -- 208 of them for sexual misconduct. That number excludes 10 cases still being investigated by the Utah Professional Practices Advisory Commission.

In 2005, The Associated Press conducted a survey that revealed 2,500 sexual incidents in just five years and "across all types of school districts," according to MSNBC.

Contrary to the media's pattern of reporting female teachers, nine of ten cases involve men. And the survey states that the teachers involved generally receive awards for excellence in education and are popular with students.

A copy of the Associated Press report can be downloaded here: AP STUDY.

The study is more report than data-laden case study. Moreover, the missing part is what role the students have in this. All of us remember one particular teacher we thought was "hot" when we were in middle school and high school. Some guys thought it would prove they were a man if they could make a pass at a teacher, but frankly that was very rare as I recall.

But what I remember most is that when I was "little" the teachers were generally much older than the students; in their 40s and 50s. The teachers reported here seems to be younger today, especially the women.

Why it happens? Who really knows. But it seems like one side of the story is being told and not the whole story.

Chevron-Ecuador filmaker of Crude ordered to turn over footage

In yet another court room victory for American Oil Company Chevron, a New York Judge ordered a filmmaker to turn over his footage used in the production of the documentary film Crude: The Real Price of Oil.

As the Smith's would ask What Difference Does it Make? Plenty to Chevron and apparently to the filmmaker Joseph Berlinger and Steve Donziger who filed the lawsuit against Chevron and that Ecuador's a party to. They reportedly fear it will harm their case against Chevron. But how?

They claim the decision will harm "journalist's privilege" and investigative reporting activities. But according to Chevron's Kent Robertson, as told to the Wall Street Journal, a version of Crude that's available via Netflix has evidence of improper involvement by Ecuador operatives.

That version of Crude was systemically removed from view and the DVD version altered to eliminate any scenes that have Ecuador officials in them in such a way that the country is acting as a party to the lawsuit.

I've long said that Ecuador was very much involved in the lawsuit and has stated that they would collect the award monies from a court decision should Chevron lose the case. Indeed, there are clear signs that even Ecuador's President Rafael Correa has been an involved observer in the case.

Stay tuned.

Times Square evacuation again: green cooler found

Just days after New York City's Times Square was evacuated after a car bomb was discovered, Times Square was evacuated again today. A suspicious package was found near 45th Street and Broadway and outside the the Marriott Marquis Hotel.

According to CNN.com, the package turned out to be a cooler, and the whole deal a false alarm. But New Yorkers are clearly on edge after the first Times Square bomb threat and that was a real one.

That bomb was left by Faisal Shahzad, an American citizen who is originally from Pakistan. He's still in custody and said to be cooperating with authorities.

Lawrence Taylor arrested: condom found in hotel room

Lawrence Taylor on "Dancing"

NFL and Dancing WIth The Stars star Lawrence Taylor was arrested Thursday and post $75,000 bail after being accused of assaulting and raping a runaway 16-year-old girl who was forced into prostitution by a Bronx man.

While Taylor says he is innocent and vows to fight the charges vigorously, today's new news doesn't put the image of the NFL's Best Defensive Player Ever in a good light.

A condom was found in the Suburban Ramapo, New York hotel room Taylor was said to have stayed in. According to TMZ.com, the condom along with other physical evidence was removed from the Holiday Inn Hotel Room Taylor was sleeping in when police took him into custody.

The police also assert the girl was "under the control" of a pimp and that she had a "fresh" black eye, but it wasn't clear who attacked her.

The condom alone is a massive problem. Of course it will be analyzed to see if there's a match with Taylor's DNA. If so, he's in big, big trouble.

Meanwhile Rasheed Davis, the Bronx man charged with pimping the girl, was formally charged with child trafficking according to ABC News.

Stay tuned.

Iron Man 2 and Scarlett Johansson were awesome - review

Scarlett Johansson 

Iron Man 2 and Scarlett Johansson were awesome! This blogger has no idea what critics were thinking who elected to pan Iron Man 2, but no where has their been a larger disconnect of thought since Tiger Woods crafted his goody image while simultaneously screwing every cocktail waitress in his orbit.

Iron Man 2 opened at The Grand Lake Theater at midnight, bringing in Friday with a repulsor-ray brightness that rivals today's sun.

What was so great about Iron Man 2 was it gave more form and face to its characters and added new ones but did a better job of forming them for the audience.

I don't know what movie SF Chronicle / Heart Corporation's Amy Biancolli was watching when she wrote...

"Iron Man 2" is a better-than-average follow-up, but Tony doesn't suit up enough. He almost never flies it...

What?

That is just plain massively wrong. Tony Stark (Robert Downey, Jr.) used and flew in his Iron Man suit in the opening scene, in the well-done Monte Carlo battle with Mickey Rourke, in his house battling with Lt. Cmd. James Roady (who used the older Mark II version of the suit, and in the final battle scene sequence. All of those scene sequences had Tony Stark activating the rocket jets in his boots, either for short bursts or long flights.

Her criticism seemed to mirror other critics, and made me wonder if there was some kind of PR-driven "kill effort" underway. How can so many people be so wrong about one movie? How can their evaluation be so out of touch with what people say? Something's wrong here.

But there's nothing wrong with the movie. The audience at The Grand Lake Theater laughed, applauded, and cheered a number of times. In fairness, the crowd was a mix of fanboys (like me), older adults, and a lot of college students taking a break from finals. They hissed Sam Rockwell and swooned over Scarlett Johansson.

(And a special mention for Garry Shandling, who played the combative "Senator Stern" in a role that is more than memorable because he dropped an F-bomb on Tony Stark.)

It's that last demographic group that Iron Man 2 and the entire comic book-to-screen movement have been fueled by. They're the reason for the proliferation of successful super hero video games and for the record-breaking crowds of 39,000 people at 2010 Wonder Con San Francisco, and the total sellout of Comic Con months before its July date in San Diego. To write a review of a movie from anything less than their point of view is to miss what this is all about.

Scarlett Johansson plays "Black Widow" and provides an intoxicating mix of sex and violence. One of the people I interviewed after the movie said she "if you're listening. Scarlett Johansson, my God!"

Scarlett Johansson was the hit of Iron Man 2. That's taking nothing away from Robert Downey, Jr. or Gwyneth Paltrow or Don Cheadle or Mickey Rourke, who were all good and Downey, Jr., who was even better than in the first Iron Man, but Johansson just killed it. Period.

Marvel Entetainment has captured a Zeitgeist created by not just by its iconic characters and their already solid place in our culture, but incredible improvements in movie special effects and the mainstreaming of tech news and geek culture, all aided by the emergence of New Media. Marvel's captures a wave and knows how to ride it, as evidenced by the neat way references to upcoming movies Captain America and Thor are weaved into Iron Man 2.

Stay tuned.  Iron Man 2 was a fun ride.  Look for more from Marvel.