Friday, June 04, 2010
Oakland City Attorney John Russo on Marijuana, Oscar Grant, World Cup Soccer
On Wednesday, Oakland City Attorney John Russo sat down to talk about the need to legalize marijuana use, the Golden State Warriors, the Oakland A's, and World Cup Soccer. The result is this 14 minute video interview, the latest in a string of nine videos Russo has done with this blogger, and friend.
In this one, John Russo talks about his support for the legalization of recreational marijuana use in California. The vote to cause the legalization of marijuana use is on the November ballot in California. According to a recent poll, 37 percent of potential voters use marijuana.
John Russo is the first elected official to openly support the legalization of marijuana use in California.
Why does Russo support legalization? "Well, Russo said, first, number one I think marijuana prohibition has been a demonstrated failure at this point, no different than alcohol prohibition in the 1920s." Russo says it's also "cooler" for the young to use marijuana and that's it's time for us to get out of "this collective denial" of the situation.
Russo said the only people at parties who don't want to be around people who are using "weed" are elected officials like him, "who see someone in the back using marijuana and make up an excuse to go (leave the party)."
Russo's other "main reason" for legalization is that 60 percent of the revenue gained by drug gangs operating in America and across the boarder is from marijuana. He believes that legalization of the drug will cut off their revenue stream. "I don't understand why we would continue to give large bags of cash to those who would buy sophisticated weapons to use against our law enforcement," Russo said. The Oakland Lawyer believes legalization will lead to a drop in drug-related crimes.
On the FOIA, Oscar Grant, the Warriors, The A's and The World Cup
This blogger filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request with the City of Oakland, and really it was at the behest of John Russo. Not suprisingly, Russo's office and the City of Oakland have been responsive for the most part - I'm still waiting for the Office of Economic Development's latest communication. But the idea really in truth came from John Russo. "We're the office that's supposed to guard transparency for the public, Russo says.
Russo just got a FOIA request from KTVU Channel Two, "extensive. Asking for my personal calendar, ..because it's budget time. That's what the press should do." (Note: His personal "city" calendar, not his actual personal calendar.)
Something else, the press is doing is covering the Oscar Grant trial. I asked Russo for his take on the trial, which is being held in Los Angeles, even though it happened in Oakland.
"Well, the officer who's being accused (Johannes Mehserle) is being defended by some very sophisticated and aggressive defense lawyers. It's Mike Raines, who was the lawyer for Barry Bonds and has been a lawyer for many police officers around the state (of California). Mike's style is to try to politicize every trial. He's very combative, and it will often work with a jury. You throw enough mud around and you can confuse the jury," Russo said.
Such confusion can cause enough doubt to prevent Johannes Mehserle from being convicted of murder in the killing of Oscar Grant. "The (Alameda County) district attorney has charged the officer with murder, Russo said, "and with murder you have to show intent." Russo says he agrees with the DA's decision, but has a tough effort in proving intent to murder. Translation: Johannes Mehserle may not be convicted of murder.
Russo says the possible protests that could happen shows that most of the people out there are concerned about the inappropriate use of police force. But he says there are a lot of "knuckleheads from San Francisco" who came to Oakland to riot last year.
On the Warriors and The Oakland A's
Russo has not been contacted by any of the competing groups interested in buying the Golden State Warriors Basketball Organization. But really it's an Oakland / Alameda County Joint Powers Authority issue. But if the ownership team wants to move the Warriors to San Francisco, they would have to pay off the remaining bonds issued to pay for the new Oracle Arena in 1998.
On the Oakland A's Russo's still looking for the report from the "Blue Ribbon Committee" that Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig formed to evaluate the Oakland Athletics' stadium issue. Russo says "we're still in limbo. Why that is, I do not know." Russo speculated that perhaps the reasons are due to economics, the 49ers stadium issue, and the overall declining popularity of baseball. But whatever the case, MLB has not issued their report.
On World Cup Soccer
Russo's rooting for Italy, even though he knows they will not win. I think it could be England, but that's my head, not my heart. It would be cool to see the USA win.
SF 49ers will remain in Bay Area - Jed York
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| Jed York |
This blogger had the pleasure of meeting Jed York at Former San Francisco City Hall Staffer Hala Hijazi's June Professionals VIP event last night, Thursday, at The San Francisco City Club.
Late for the event, thus missing York's presentation, I made up for it by having an informal conversation with him afterward. It was a great moment, with other event goers who also hailed from York's hometown of Youngstown, Ohio coming up to express their warm wishes. But I had to ask him if he intended to move the San Francisco 49ers to Los Angeles.
"The San Francisco 49ers will remain in the Bay Area," York said. Moreover, York said it directly, clearly, and deliberately. York told me he's open to whatever stadium deal comes up, be it San Francisco, Santa Clara, or the Oakland Coliseum. York said the Raiders are still working on their stadium feasibility study, and he's interested in what that will reveal.
Personally, I like Jed York. In online accounts, York gets a bum-rap, take the comments in this BleacherReport blog post.
The legendary San Francisco Bay Area Columnist Lowell Cohn took to writing a hot column in the San Francisco Sentinel, that includes the term "whiner" in it. To this blogger, York's not at all whining, but perhaps that's because of the way we related to each other.
Because I've seen and been a part of the business side of the NFL, and still maintain a vast set of good relationships around the league, and have an expertise in making simulations of the business of sports organizations, I have a better appreciation for York's point of view. But details aside, York wants the 49ers to remain here.
While York came to Professionals VIP to talk about the Santa Clara Stadium vote on June 8th, the simple fact is he was in San Francisco and in a room full of some of San Francisco's heaviest political hitters; from observation, Jed York has great relationships with all of them.
Does that mean San Francisco still has a chance to salvage the stadium program should the Santa Clara vote go south on York?
Yes.
McDonalds Shrek glass recall: thank Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA)
Movie product tie-ins are common and many new products are aimed at kids. That's why the news of the McDonalds Shrek glass recall is so terrible. But first, thank the Office of Congresswoman Jackie Speier for the discovery of the problem.
According to the San Francisco Chronicle via the Associated Press, there were 12 million McDonalds Shrek glasses on the market: all of them must be recalled after a discovery by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
The glasses are tainted with Cadmium, a carcinogen that can cause "long term adverse health effects." While that's in the recall notice, along with the news that the discovery came from the Office of Congresswoman Jackie Speier from California, that news is buried way down deep in in the Associated Press article.
The article also makes it seem as if the Consumer Product Safety Commission made the discovery. You have to read the entire, long work to see that it was Rep. Jackie Speier's office who made the find base on an anonymous tip. Spier issued this statement:
Here's the text from the recall notice and the link to the web page containing it:
If you want to thank Rep. Jackie Speier's office, visit their website here: http://speier.house.gov/
According to the San Francisco Chronicle via the Associated Press, there were 12 million McDonalds Shrek glasses on the market: all of them must be recalled after a discovery by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
The glasses are tainted with Cadmium, a carcinogen that can cause "long term adverse health effects." While that's in the recall notice, along with the news that the discovery came from the Office of Congresswoman Jackie Speier from California, that news is buried way down deep in in the Associated Press article.
The article also makes it seem as if the Consumer Product Safety Commission made the discovery. You have to read the entire, long work to see that it was Rep. Jackie Speier's office who made the find base on an anonymous tip. Spier issued this statement:
"Our children's health should not depend on the consciences of anonymous sources. Although McDonald's did the right thing by recalling these products, we need stronger testing standards to ensure that all children's products are proven safe before they hit the shelves," said Speier. "Cadmium is a toxic substance that is extremely dangerous to the developmental health of children."
Here's the text from the recall notice and the link to the web page containing it:
McDonald’s Recalls Movie Themed Drinking Glasses Due to Potential Cadmium Risk
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.
Name of Product: “Shrek Forever After 3D” Collectable Drinking Glasses
Units: About 12 million
Manufacturer: ARC International, of Millville, NJ.
Distributor: McDonald’s Corp., Oakbrook, Ill.
Hazard: The designs on the glasses contain cadmium. Long term exposure to cadmium can cause adverse health effects.
Incidents/Injuries: None reported.
Description: The “Shrek Forever After 3D” collectable drinking glass are 16 ounce glasses that came in four designs, Shrek, Fiona, Puss n’ Boots, and Donkey.
Sold exclusively at: McDonald’s restaurants nationwide from May 2010 into June 2010 for about $2.
Manufactured in: United States
Remedy: McDonald’s is asking consumers to immediately stop using the glass out of an abundance of caution. Visit www.mcdonalds.com/glasses for additional instructions on how to obtain a full refund.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact McDonald’s toll-free at (800) 244-6227 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s website at www.mcdonalds.com/glasses
Note: CPSC was made aware of issues with this product through the Office of Congresswoman Jackie Speier from California.
If you want to thank Rep. Jackie Speier's office, visit their website here: http://speier.house.gov/
Juan Gonzalez CityTime Stop the Clock by Suzannah B. Troy
Juan Gonzalez has been at the forefront and mostly a soloist reporting a major scandal "CityTime" sinking tax payer dollars like the Titanic and again today his latest expose is entitled "Time to Stop Clock". I wrote about CityTime, Mike Bloomberg's techno-dream to save the city money by making low tier workers sign in with their hand print costing close to a billion dollars and will easily bust the billion dollar mark very soon with what appears to have one really purpose and that is to make well connected "consultants" lots of money.
The renewal date is coming soon...This September and rather than renew, based on what I have read in both Juan Gonzalez's series of cutting edge investigative reporting and a piece by Ali Winston in City Limits.
I could not find this article on the front page of The New York Daily News website. I read the article in the hard copy which I happily pay full price for at the stands but I couldn't find it on the website.
It is too bad the news did not have this front page and center because Juan Gonzalez's powerful expose on this on going money pit with a shocking number of consultants...actually hundreds of them paid a fortune deserves attention and every tax payer should know about their money filling 200 plus consultants deep pockets and some with "extremelyclose" ties to City Hall....
My comment posted on his powerful piece today in The New York Daily News:
Superb reporting. I am posting on as many blogs as possible. It is amazing that CityTime aka's the Tax Payer's Titanic is not getting more attention in the press. Great work. I have also read SAIC the company over seeing CityTime was embroiled in scandals on a federal level as well as in IRAQ. Did Bloomberg bring in SAIC because he thinks the mayor's office is his stepping stone to the White House? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Tz4eMcP2LU Here is my YouTube and in the text portion is a link to a piece I wrote based on Juan Gonzalez's powerful series on this and Ali Winston's article which exposes major scandals with SAIC. There also seems to be major conflicts of interest. Great work Juan Gonzalez.
Here is my blog posting on CityTime--The mayor's techno dreams are the taxpayers Titanic
Thursday, June 03, 2010
A race issue at a Rockridge, Oakland, CA restaurant
Also: city of oakland, cA, sf bay area race relations, san francisco, california, rockridge and race, black white oakland
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| Rockridge, Oakland, CA |
Normally, a trip to the gym would be the next stop but that's not relaxing, really. Fitness work is just that: another kind of work. The fantasy of having a glass of whiskey at a Rockridge, Oakland, California restaurant next to Rockridge BART - the owners I've known for a long time - seemed like a fun idea. Not meeting anyone; just totally spur of the moment.
So I arrived from Rockridge BART, walked in, and noticed the lower level bar area was totally redesigned. The bar itself was smaller than before and two people took up most of it. The bartender, a nice Latino man I've seen before, invited me to sit at the high table nearby.
I sat down as he brought over a glass of a great whiskey and a glass of water. I drank more of the water than the whiskey at first. Much of my time was spent using (or is it playing around with) Foursquare. The geo-location social network such that one can "check" in at places, but not at this establishment because it wasn't on it.
I asked the person who obviously was the floor waitress about this, saying "excuse me, are you on Foursquare?" She hadn't even heard of it, so I showed her how it works and said I'd tell the person who's the owner about it. Then I returned to surfing. Relaxed? Yes. For a time.
After a while I decided I wouldn't mind having another whiskey and water. Of course, I expected someone to notice my glasses were almost empty, but that didn't happen. Meanwhile, the white brunette floor waitress was literally helping every other person around me, but me.
First, I worked to ignore it, as well as the fact that no one else including the bartender, came over to ask if I wanted anything. There was no reason for that treatment at all.
After 40 or 50 minutes of that, I decided to go straight to the owner, who I know, for help. I calmly and humorously said "Great to see you. Say, you're service is terrible" (and yes, you can say that in a funny way.) Then I told her what happened and she was angry for me.
As soon as she came downstairs in front of me and it was obvious we were talking you could feel the air change. The bartender suddenly jumped up and rushed over from behind the bar to ask "Do you need anything?" I said "It took me getting her before anyone helped me? What am I a sphinx?"
Then my friend the owner introduced me to a Berkeley City Council member who walked in and we all started talking about politics. Then the wait staff realized I was "a somebody." That was awful.
At first, I was just going to forget the whole thing, but after I finished my second glass and left, it hit me that I just felt sad and depressed.
I considered contacting San Francisco Chronicle Food and Wine Editor Michael Bauer about what happened, but then I realized he would not have the same feelings for what I went through. So, I decided I didn't care if I came off as "Black Guy Complaining" because what happened to me occurred because I'm black and male. I don't care what any counter reason offered is -- and that set of responses is predictable -- after a time on this planet you know it when it happens in the Bay Area.
The one problem with the San Francisco Bay Area is that in the context of social interaction, there's a pecking order: a white person seems to expect a black person to talk to them first. And more often than not, black men fall right into this set of expectations by doing just that.
I wondered long ago what would happen if I acted just like the people who seemed to avoid saying anything first, and yes, who were white. What happened was that a lot of conversations I would have just stopped and I learned a lot about those people and Bay Area society. But I also learned who my real friends were.
This problem even extends to black women: they expect the man to talk first. So between both sets of "folks" the black man is left to do a lot of the social heavy lifting. The problem for others is they can wreck a business by bringing that "pecking order" behavior from the street into a restaurant.
That's what happened in Oakland's Rockridge restaurant on Wednesday. If I'd spoken up, I'd have been helped, but I was not supposed to. They were supposed to treat me like all the other white patrons at the place: with the respect of asking me if I wanted something else. Instead none of them made eye contact with me.
Look, I told one waitress about Foursquare, and thought I'd recognized another from somewhere else. So I wasn't being closed. But service and treatment at a place of that stature - or any place - dictate that I should be treated as a valued patron.
It's not the owner's fault. Frankly, and my feelings are still raw, I wish she'd fire the staff and start all over again. That's the only way they'd learn. I know for a fact had I been white and male that would not have happened. Oh, and I was well-dressed, too.
Enough is enough. If you're working for a restaurant, don't bring the pecking order way into it, you're hurt the establishment. That black guy you're ignoring just may be a somebody. But then, we're all somebody. That's what Dr. King was trying to tell America decades ago.
Stay tuned.
Giuseppi Logan WFMU Tompkins News by Suzannah B. Troy
Read the Jazz Review by Tim Madison -- the first person to contact me and explain the significance of the 1st YouTube and Tim urged me to continue filming. I have to thank him because I had endured one of the scariest and most disturbing experiences of my life other than Sept. 11 and did not think I had the energy to do so. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTssjT9rAmQ&feature=related Giuseppi still needs your support.
His youngest son and only son from his 2nd marriage is living on the West Coast and will be back to continue his work on finding his father and that was because of my YouTubes as well as losing his son to a random act of gun violence. Several shots to the back of the head would end Giuseppi Logan's grandson's life and Jaee, named after his Dad was an honor student and a football high school star.
Also please note, for those following my original blog I don't have any information on a homeless woman that has lived most of her adult life -- the last 30 years mostly in and around Tompkins Square Park here in the East Village in New York City. She wrestles with many of the problems that celebrities do as reported on TMZ but she is poverty level and I wish I could protect her from the creeps that would exploit her including a hateful blogger that follows her and has followed me as well without my knowledge, photographed me and plastered our photos -- her topless and she was drunk out of her mind; mine was an anti-semtic gay bashing.
She has serious issues and needs help. When I think of her, I always think of Ozzie Osborune, although she is African American and blind in one eye because drunk she can be as bad as Ozzie and sober as sweet but she has no advocate. She has no public relations person and this sicko stalker trashes her and of course me for defending her and pointing out he doesn't want anyone photographing him with or without his shirt and he has the luxury of a door to close and she has none. That is me understating hateful vile the circumstances.
The NYPD has tried to help her even arranging housing for her and she has refused it. I don't know how you can help someone like her and truly sober she is a good soul. She has told me she knows she needs rehab. If anyone reading this can say a pray for her...she needs them.
Barbara Walters out of hospital + Rest in Peace Rue McClanahan - by Suzannah B. Troy
The indestructible Barbara Walters is out of the hospital after having a faulty heart valve replaced. She is doing quite well and there is video footage of her walking down the street here in New York City looking quite spectacular . It is hard to believe she just endured heart surgery! You can get up to date info on Barbara Walters from The View website.
Rest in peace, Rue McClanahan leaving Betty White as the last living Golden Girl. Betty White is reportedly heart broken over Rue McClanahan's passing. Before there was The Golden Girls there was Maude. I did love Bea Arthur and followed her from Maude to The Golden Girls which was much more light hearted but addressed serious issues as well. I can't express how much I enjoyed these shows and there really is nothing quite like them now on TV.
It has been reported that Rue, the very loved Golden Girl has successfully battled breast cancer but died this morning of a heart attack. She was a prolific actress and she was hoping to return to work and I am sure if she had she would have been treated with the same enthusiasm as Betty White.
Rest in peace, Rue McClanahan leaving Betty White as the last living Golden Girl. Betty White is reportedly heart broken over Rue McClanahan's passing. Before there was The Golden Girls there was Maude. I did love Bea Arthur and followed her from Maude to The Golden Girls which was much more light hearted but addressed serious issues as well. I can't express how much I enjoyed these shows and there really is nothing quite like them now on TV.
It has been reported that Rue, the very loved Golden Girl has successfully battled breast cancer but died this morning of a heart attack. She was a prolific actress and she was hoping to return to work and I am sure if she had she would have been treated with the same enthusiasm as Betty White.
Boston College Venture Competition produces Silicon Valley startups
I learned about BCVC from Sophia Monroe, a volunteer at TechCrunch Disrupt. I ran into three of them multiple times each day and it was during those encounters that I learned about the Boston College Venture Competition.
As it turned out, Sophia Monroe is the Executive Director of BCVC, so I asked for an interview.
Boston College Venture Competition funds startups
The BCVC is a student run business plan competition at Boston College. "Next year, will be our fifth year anniversary," Sophia said, "We have three companies out in Silicon Valley right now. Two of which are funded and the third is looking for funding."
The best known of them is WePay, started by Boston College alumn Bill Clerico and Rich Aberman, who also founded BCVC. WePay allows groups to collect money online and for fundraisers,or events, or something like a bachelor party. Sophia said WePay "just raised $1.65 million from investors including Ron Conway (the founder of SV Angels)."
The second company is Wakemate, which was funded by Y Combinator (as was WePay). Wakemate produces a cell phone accessory that "will analyze your sleep to find the optimal time for you to wake up. You will feel refreshed and energized every time you wake, even from naps!" according to its website. It's developed by "Perfect Third, Inc."
The third one is called PIQC.net and is in search of funding. PIQC is an exciting visually-based student-run search engine that also needs some work. When I typed "zennie abraham" the largest bubble I got was listed as "Victorian Houses." Well, I must have done something wrong, but that aside, the three companies have exciting products and services.
Sophia said BCVC started to fill a void in the Boston College community. As much bad news comes out about our education system as a whole, this is a good news story. Boston College Venture Competition, and other programs like it, give students a chance to realize their dreams of starting a successful tech business.
Yes, one has to be a student at Boston Collage to benefit from BCVC, but if there's not a similar program at your college, contact BCVC for advice and guidance.
For more information visit their website here: BCVC.
Should Bud Selig give Tigers' Armando Galarraga his perfect game?
On early Thursday morning, this space posted a blog about the Tigers' Armando Galarraga being robbed of a perfect game by umpire Jim Joyce, who apologized to him for the bad call. Here's what was written, in brief:
The dominant Internet topic
As of this writing, the Jim Joyce blown call impacting Armando Galarraga' perfect game is the Internet's dominant topic. Detroit fans are upset. Baseball fans want instant replay. But the main question, and the focus of this pole below is "Should MLB Commissioner Bud Selig give Tigers' Armando Galarraga his perfect game?"
I said he should because Jim Joyce admitted the error and that alone is rare, to take a perfect game away on a blown call, then admit it. What do you think? Should MLB Commissioner Bud Selig step in and give Armando Galarraga his perfect game?
Detroit Tigers pitcher Armando Galarraga could just see his chance to join the Oakland Athletics' Dallas Braden and the Philadelphia Phillies' Roy Halladay in the 2010 perfect game club getting closer and closer.
Galarraga was just one out away from the perfect game mark tonight against the Cleveland Indians when the unthinkable happened. Umpire Jim Joyce called what should have been a run-to-tag-the-plate out as an infield hit. Here's the video:
As you can see Armando beat Cleveland's Jason Donald to the bag; Donald was clearly tagged out at base because Armando beat him. What was going through Jim Joyce's head at the time is anyone's guess. That Jones apologized for the bad call only makes the entire episode that much worse but Galarraga took it with class and Jones was "utterly distraught"
The dominant Internet topic
As of this writing, the Jim Joyce blown call impacting Armando Galarraga' perfect game is the Internet's dominant topic. Detroit fans are upset. Baseball fans want instant replay. But the main question, and the focus of this pole below is "Should MLB Commissioner Bud Selig give Tigers' Armando Galarraga his perfect game?"
I said he should because Jim Joyce admitted the error and that alone is rare, to take a perfect game away on a blown call, then admit it. What do you think? Should MLB Commissioner Bud Selig step in and give Armando Galarraga his perfect game?
create a free poll on pollsb.com
Jim Joyce robs Tigers' Armando Galarraga of perfect game
Detroit Tigers pitcher Armando Galarraga could just see his chance to join the Oakland Athletics' Dallas Braden and the Philadelphia Phillies' Roy Halladay in the 2010 perfect game club getting closer and closer.
Galarraga was just one out away from the perfect game mark tonight against the Cleveland Indians when the unthinkable happened. Umpire Jim Joyce called what should have been a run-to-tag-the-plate out as an infield hit. Here's the video:
As you can see Armando beat Cleveland's Jason Donald to the bag; Donald was clearly tagged out at base because Armando beat him. What was going through Jim Joyce's head at the time is anyone's guess. That Jones apologized for the bad call only makes the entire episode that much worse but Galarraga took it with class and Jones was "utterly distraught" according to freelance reporter David Hogg on Twitter.
Hogg also tweeted...
Still, Jim Joyce's sorrow over his error is not enough to quell Detroit Tiger's bloggers. Big Al over at Bless You Boys is just plain seeing red over it:
This will go down as the rarest of events in Major League Baseball history. As rare as a perfect game is, to have it taken away by an ump who admits the error is just un believable.
MLB Commissioner Bud Selig should give Armando Galarraga that perfect game. It's only the right thing to do.
Stay tuned.
Galarraga was just one out away from the perfect game mark tonight against the Cleveland Indians when the unthinkable happened. Umpire Jim Joyce called what should have been a run-to-tag-the-plate out as an infield hit. Here's the video:
As you can see Armando beat Cleveland's Jason Donald to the bag; Donald was clearly tagged out at base because Armando beat him. What was going through Jim Joyce's head at the time is anyone's guess. That Jones apologized for the bad call only makes the entire episode that much worse but Galarraga took it with class and Jones was "utterly distraught" according to freelance reporter David Hogg on Twitter.
Hogg also tweeted...
@amandarykoff That might have been the most gut-wrenching interview I've ever done. The audio doesn't do it justice.
about 2 hours ago via TweetDeck in reply to amandarykoff
Still, Jim Joyce's sorrow over his error is not enough to quell Detroit Tiger's bloggers. Big Al over at Bless You Boys is just plain seeing red over it:
I feel as if something was robbed from me. Something I'll never get back, and never see again in my lifetime. I cannot even fathom how Armando Galarraga and the Tigers must feel.
As I'm still livid, I could care less as to how Joyce feels, apologetic as he has been, despite his being considered one of baseball's better umpires...everywhere but in Detroit...Joyce blew the biggest call of his career, and his legacy will live on in infamy, with the likes of Don Denkinger.
The Tigers can forgive Joyce. Personally, I want my pound of flesh.
This will go down as the rarest of events in Major League Baseball history. As rare as a perfect game is, to have it taken away by an ump who admits the error is just un believable.
MLB Commissioner Bud Selig should give Armando Galarraga that perfect game. It's only the right thing to do.
Stay tuned.
Wednesday, June 02, 2010
Paul McCartney's White House Event by: Nikky Raney
Earlier tonight Sir Paul McCartney, 67, accepted the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song.
The show is to be broadcast as a PBS special July 28 for those of us who were unable to attend the White House event.
Sir Paul was very grateful, "I wouldn't have believed you if you told me as a kid growing up in Liverpool that this would happen. So it's very special for me."
McCartney was happy to receive the prize, but it made him even more happy to receive the prize from President Obama. McCartney stated:
"Even though you have difficult issues (facing you), there are billions of us who are rooting for you."
Obama said of the Beatles, “They helped to lay the soundtrack for an entire generation."
As apart of this tribute Stevie Wonder, The Jonas Brothers, Faith Hill, Jack White, Dave Grohl, Elvis Costello, Corinne Bailey Rae, and other artists performed some of McCartney's best hit songs. Even though The Jonas Brothers are the last people I would ever expect, but at least it wasn't Justin Bieber.
Jerry Seinfeld made an appearance; he expressed his confusion toward McCartney's lyrical choices referring to "She was just 17. You know what I mean."
"I'm not sure I do know what you mean, Sir Paul. I think I know what you mean. And I think there's a law enforcement agency in a couple of states that might want to ask you a few questions."
Sir Paul McCartney ended the night by singing "Hey Jude." The honoree waited until President Obama left the room before saying his final bit:
"After the last eight years, it's great to have a president who knows what a library is."
The Gershwin Prize is a BIG DEAL. This is the highest award given by the American government for pop music. McCartney is the third to receive this award, after Paul Simon and Stevie Wonder.
The award is named after George and Ira Gershwin, brothers who were legendary songwriters in America.
I noticed that no one mentioned anything about Ringo Starr. Hmm, maybe he wasn't invited. I think it's a bit strange that there was no mention of John Lennon (and no mention of George Harrison). I love the Beatles, but I remember there being three other band members other than Paul McCartney... but that's a story for another time. There were over 200 guests including his girlfriend (Nancy Shevell) and his children.
Congratulations to Paul McCartney.
He was apart of one of the greatest bands of all times, and he definitely is deserving of this award.
(photo courtesy of ForgottenJournal)
Blog post written by: Nikky Raney
p.s. make sure to read about the love song McCartney sang to Michelle Obama.
Steven Hill, porn star, killed 1 and stabbed 2 in L.A with sword
Also: Porn Actor Kills, Porn Actor Steven Hill, Porn Star Steven Hill, San Fernando Sword Attack, Stephen Hill, Stephen Hill Porn, Stephen Hill Porn Star, Steven Hill, Steven Hill Porn, Steven Hill Porn Actor, Steven Hill Porn Star, Sword Attack, Van Nuys Sword Attack, Los Angeles News
Van Nuys, CA- Steven Hill is an until now largely unknown 34-year-old porn star who according to ABC 7 News in Los Angeles, killed one person and stabbed two others with a "Samurai-type sword," and is on the loose.
It happened at the Havenhurst Airport Business Park, in Van Nuys, in the offices of a company called Ultima DVD, which is in the video distribution business but "there is filming going on their as well" according to ABC News in LA. Here's the video:
Steven Hill was reportedly about to be fired for "inappropriate conduct" which is saying something considering the line of work he was in. The ABC 7 News' Carlos Granda obtained video from a surveillance camera that showed Hill getting out of a car and carrying what looked like the reported sword.
Steven Hill reportedly lived and worked in the office park, which one witness said she didn't event know was legal to do.
According to The Huffington Post, the incident started at a small "social gathering" late Tuesday at Ultima DVD; Hill had been told to leave the studio by Wednesday.
Los Angeles police Detective Joel Price said Hill just "went off and and stabbed people that probably had absolutely nothing to do with him being let go."
Steven Hill is now the focus of a manhunt around the L.A. Basin area.
Stay tuned.
Van Nuys, CA- Steven Hill is an until now largely unknown 34-year-old porn star who according to ABC 7 News in Los Angeles, killed one person and stabbed two others with a "Samurai-type sword," and is on the loose.
It happened at the Havenhurst Airport Business Park, in Van Nuys, in the offices of a company called Ultima DVD, which is in the video distribution business but "there is filming going on their as well" according to ABC News in LA. Here's the video:
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| A Samurai Sword |
Steven Hill reportedly lived and worked in the office park, which one witness said she didn't event know was legal to do.
According to The Huffington Post, the incident started at a small "social gathering" late Tuesday at Ultima DVD; Hill had been told to leave the studio by Wednesday.
Los Angeles police Detective Joel Price said Hill just "went off and and stabbed people that probably had absolutely nothing to do with him being let go."
Steven Hill is now the focus of a manhunt around the L.A. Basin area.
Stay tuned.
Steve Rattner money manger to Mike Bloomberg to be banned by SEC? by Suzannah B. Troy
The New York Times reports that the SEC is considering banning Steve Rattner, Mike Bloomberg's money manager as well as a huge democratic fund raiser along with his wife.. Remember Rattner stepped down from his job at The White House as Car Czar to supposedly spend more time with his family? I guess he considers Mike Bloomberg family because he has be seen at City Hall. Read on and tune in to my YouTube about this and related issues. Most people tuned in believe Rattner stepped down from his job at the White House because of these pension fund scandals.
If the SEC gets it's way this could hurt Steve Rattner's book deal. Joyce Purnick paints Rattner as golden in her phony bio on Bloomberg and side note does the same with developer Mike "Red Square" Rosen who has brought the Lower East Side the hideous ugly Red Square development with Lenin on the roof top while Rosen lives in the symbol of gentrification which was once a welfare building called the Christa Dora. Is sure helps to have friends at The New York Times when you are trying to sell your book and of course yourself "brand" and saint.
Well, Rattner is going to have a harder time even with friends like Mike Bloomberg, the owner of The New York Times and Joyce Purnick who like Rattner use to work for The New York Times.
Listen to the revealing interview of mine with Michael White on "mayor Bloomberg off-shore mayor" and we talk about Steve Rattner ">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5zmHtdSZNw
Here I interview Clayton Patterson being fined by the City of New York on being fined for graffiti on his door vs. Mike Bloomberg's legalized graffiti on the steps of Grand Central Station. "> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7oQQarpO6U http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbD1HWEV7g4 I would like to paint words on the steps of the public space aka Grand Central which states "Think Bloomberg".
Did you ever start to wonder if guys like Rattner and Bloomberg have gone just a little to far and need some limits?
They are not the most forthcoming and transparent of guys.
Yet Mike pushed CityTime which I renamed the tax payers Titanic.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Tz4eMcP2LU
Here I am protesting Mike Bloomberg's inauguration and I speak up Steve Rattner and the pension fund scandal.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRaUt2T4PN0 http://www.youtube.com/my_playlists?p=7F596B8929F6C3E0 My YouTube playlist of Steve Rattner Mike Bloomberg YouTubes
Lakers v. Celtics: the Celtics talk too much
The Los Angeles Lakers and The Boston Celtics are back to assure great NBA TV ratings and give Boston and LA yet another version of the same reason to hate each other.
In the past, these Lakers Celtics NBA Finals contests have went so far as to divide the country with whites and conservatives cheering for the Celtics because Larry Bird played for them, and blacks and hipsters rooting for the Lakers.
Today, Doc Rivers, who's black, is the coach of the Celtics, and all of their star players are black. The Celtics have the spice and the swagger. The Lakers, by contrast, have the Zen Master that is Phil Jackson coaching them in the NBA Finals for the third straight year, and has reached the NBA Finals remarkable 13 times.
Phil Jackson has learned a thing or three along this remarkable path of success; something the Celtics' Doc Rivers and the Celtics team should learn. When to talk. For the Lakers, Phil Jackson does the talking during The Finals; for the Celtics, it's everyone from Doc Rivers to the water boy. The Celtics talk too much.
Take Ramona Shelburne's ESPN article from LA and Rachel Nichols's TV segment. The Celtics, in responding to Jackson's statement that the Celtics play a smack down game, offered Rivers view, Ray Allen's view, and Kevin Garnett's view.
Then there was the Celtics' Paul Pierce, who offered this blast:
The Boston Celtics have done a lot of talking over the course of this week. What the Celtics need to do is shut up and play basketball.
In the past, these Lakers Celtics NBA Finals contests have went so far as to divide the country with whites and conservatives cheering for the Celtics because Larry Bird played for them, and blacks and hipsters rooting for the Lakers.
Today, Doc Rivers, who's black, is the coach of the Celtics, and all of their star players are black. The Celtics have the spice and the swagger. The Lakers, by contrast, have the Zen Master that is Phil Jackson coaching them in the NBA Finals for the third straight year, and has reached the NBA Finals remarkable 13 times.
Phil Jackson has learned a thing or three along this remarkable path of success; something the Celtics' Doc Rivers and the Celtics team should learn. When to talk. For the Lakers, Phil Jackson does the talking during The Finals; for the Celtics, it's everyone from Doc Rivers to the water boy. The Celtics talk too much.
Take Ramona Shelburne's ESPN article from LA and Rachel Nichols's TV segment. The Celtics, in responding to Jackson's statement that the Celtics play a smack down game, offered Rivers view, Ray Allen's view, and Kevin Garnett's view.
Then there was the Celtics' Paul Pierce, who offered this blast:
I really don't have no friends on the Lakers. I don't know who on this Boston team does. So it's going to be interesting. I'm not going to say it's going to come to blows, but it's definitely going to get fiery and it's going to get real competitive.
The Boston Celtics have done a lot of talking over the course of this week. What the Celtics need to do is shut up and play basketball.
Steve Jobs Apple iPad will not save journalism
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| Charlie Sheen's iPad will have a lot more than Old Media apps |
We have a lot of goals for it, but one of my beliefs very strongly is that any democracy depends on a free, healthy press...I think we need editorial now more than ever," he said. One way to overcome the economic hurdle is for people to pay for content, he added, and the iPad offers a way to have applications rather than just static web pages."
Those statements prove Steve Jobs himself is so in love with his elegant creation the iPad, he thinks it can stop a tidal wave and keep Charlie Sheen out of jail. The comments at the All Things D Conference also prove that Steve Jobs is old. He doesn't really understand how much culture has changed because of the advent of the web, demographic change, and web economics. All of this and Steve himself is still feeding the same monster that's eating the press as this is written.
It's no wonder Apple had this awful iPad video I mentioned before:
All of this was evident to me at the Tech Crunch Disrupt Conference last ween in New York City, as I was talking to a WIRED Magazine representative about their new iPad app. All of the iPads were adjusted such that it looked as if the machine was just for WIRED. It looked like an electronic version of the magazine. But when you pressed the appropriate control, the WIRED content went away and its app was in a sea of other iPad apps on the screen.
All iPad apps face the same life fate: people get excited about them, the app is hot, it builds a following, then its used, and as it is, other apps are created to compete against it, so it eventually becomes used less and less and just one of a sea of apps on the machine.
And Old Media expects to survive in that process? That's silly. Additionally, and to rub salt in the wound this blogger created, appropriate since Steve Jobs quipped that he didn't want to "see us descend into a nation of bloggers," WIRED had not figured out how to price their iPad app to reflect content changes, according to the rep I talked to.
The WIRED iPad app's price does not include update pricing because WIRED had not figured out how to do that as of this writing.
OK. So lets' say they did figure it out. Here's my question: how do you notify the user and get that person to pay again for the WIRED content with the same energy they did so (assuming they do) when the app was first released? Just saying they will is the stuff of fools. The System Dynamics of web and mobile user behavior is they will not.
Why does an iPad media app have to be a paid affair? Why can't a media company make a free app, stuff it with adds by sponsors, and promote the hell out of it? That would harm the "paywall" apps like WIRED's, reducing their potential revenue and causing the app to get lost in that sea of icons I referred to.
Then, what's to stop popular bloggers or any blogger from having their own free iPad app? Nothing. After a time, the same System Dynamics of Internet choice, click demand, and oversupply of choices will conspire to wreck Old Media dreams that the iPad will save it.
And the same bloggers Steve Jobs seems to discount will end up taking over his beloved iPad.
Stay tuned.
Bloomberg's Orwellian Ad Campaign by Suzannah B. Troy
http://mayorbloombergkingofnewyork.blogspot.com/2010/06/bloombergs-legal-graffiti-vs-clayton.htmlWatch my sometimes humorous but very serious two part YouTube series and see how Mike Bloomberg, the little emperor of NYC lives above the laws, changing them, enforcing them on a certain group of New Yorkers with the goal to push them out including ticketing them to death, etc.
I interview Clayton Patterson on being given a $300 ticket for his door that has graffiti on it and he wants the graffiti to stay but we have a nanny mayor and the city demands Clayton paint the door black to remove the graffiti.
It is hard to distinguish from the photo above if this Orwellian Ad campaign on the public steps of Grand Central Station is for Mike's private empire or his public although way the bottom it does say Bloomberg.com it seems very similar to his Orwellian Ad campaign for mayor of New York City where he spent a record amount of money to win or buy the election.
It is hard to distinguish from the photo above if this Orwellian Ad campaign on the public steps of Grand Central Station is for Mike's private empire or his public although way the bottom it does say Bloomberg.com it seems very similar to his Orwellian Ad campaign for mayor of New York City where he spent a record amount of money to win or buy the election.
In my two part interview, Clayton Patterson talks about how the mayor is driving out the people, and how the mayor is part of a movement that wants everything homogenized meaning everything made the same -- like the tv shows...."Housewives", like Starbucks -- could be anywhere -- any city and we talk about how that is how Bloomberg wants women...
Bella Abzug could have been speaking up anywhere and you would have said that outspoken woman with the hat who said "Women belong in the house --- House of Representatives" is from New York. She could have only been from NY but Bloomberg and the movement that "thinks Bloomberg" that shares his ideology and this newest ad campaign instructing us to "Think Bloomberg" is "the Starbucks Nation" where it is "chain foods, chain stores, chains for the indivduals...
This ad campaign is truly Orwellian instructing the view how to think and appears to be just like his mayoral campaign and very difficult to distinguish is this "legalized graffiti"?, work or pleasure, oops, I meant to say is this promoting Bloomberg the mayor or Bloomberg the 2nd income of Mike Bloomberg that brings him billions when the world is mostly have an economic meltdown?
This ad campaign is truly Orwellian instructing the view how to think and appears to be just like his mayoral campaign and very difficult to distinguish is this "legalized graffiti"?, work or pleasure, oops, I meant to say is this promoting Bloomberg the mayor or Bloomberg the 2nd income of Mike Bloomberg that brings him billions when the world is mostly have an economic meltdown?
Watch the YouTubes and stay tuned....
I am waiting for a call back from Bloomberg's public relations person.
I want to know how much the ad campaign on the steps at Grand Central station cost and the procedure to make it happen so I can do a very small one too?
Do you think I can afford to do so?
What did Mike pay the advertising firm to come up with "Think Bloomberg" and is it the same firm that worked on his mayoral campaign.
Are the keeping their muscles warm for a presidential campaign?
Will Clayton Patterson have to fight for the right to have his front door the way he wants his front door to look and not uniformed as demanded by our nanny mayor how has the money and connections to put "Think Bloomberg" anywhere he wants including public spaces in Grand Central Station.
Stay tuned!!!!!
Tuesday, June 01, 2010
Miley Cyrus says Full Circle about Nick Jonas, her ex-boyfriend
Miley says her new song Full Circle is about a Jonas Brother...
"It's about two people. They're always gonna come back together no matter what anyone says, the bad people that try to keep you apart. It's a personal story, surprise, surprise, it's about a Jonas brother," she said, then Miley says, "You didn't hear that."
Here's the video of Miley at the concert, spilling her info:
Nick Jonas, her ex-boyfriend.
No word from Nick Jonas but apparently breaking up from him was so hard she's not over it. According to Justjared, in 2008, Cyrus said
"[Nick and I] became boyfriend and girlfriend the day we met,” he 15-year-old Hannah Montana star shared. “He was on a quest to meet me, and he was like, ‘I think you’re beautiful and I really like you.’ And I was like, 'Oh, my gosh, I like you so much.' Nick and I loved each other. We still do, but we were in love with each other. For two years he was basically my 24 / 7. But it was really hard to keep it from people. We were arguing a lot, and it really wasn’t fun."
Also, Miley and Nick were both two years younger as teens. Now she's 17 and undoubtedly changed a great deal with still a long way to go, but reflecting on what she did and probably thinking about another go at it. She also said the breakup made her go "hardcore" in her look, which may explain the turn toward the sex-based image.
The question is what does her current 22-year-old boyfriend Liam Hemsworth think? My guess is he's already putting her restless feet to sleep.
Charlie Sheen of "Two and A Half Men" off to jail on assault charge
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| Charlie Sheen |
Charlie Sheen was given a choice of straight probation or jail time, but took the later because the probation option was considered "too risky."
With the 30 day sentence, which could be reduced to 17 days for good behavior, there will be no probationary period.
Sheen is to appear in Aspen on Monday of next week to enter a "no contest" plea.
Arrested on Christmas Day
Charlie Sheen was arrested on Christmas morning 2009 in Aspen, Colorado and charged with a class-four felony claim of second-degree assault, a class-five felony charge of menacing and a misdemeanor count of what is called "criminal mischief."
At the time, Sheen and Muller were to get marriage counseling:
Sheen also must complete 36 hours of anger management counseling before Monday and has 10 hours complete as of this writing.
Outside Lands Festival San Francisco schedule released today
"Outside Lands" the popular festival set for San Francisco's Golden Gate Park August 14th and 15th 2010, just released its schedule today.
The 2010 Outside Lands list features former Grateful Dead members Phil Lesh and Bob Weir of Furthur, The Kings of Leon, The Strokes, My Morning Jacket, Phoenix, Social Distortion, Al Green, Gogol Bordello, Nas and Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley, The Levon Helm Band, Cat Power, Empire of The Sun, Wolfmother, Bassnectar, Chromeo, Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros, The Temper Trap, Pretty Lights, Janelle Monae, Amos Lee, The Devil Makes Three, Tokyo Police Club, Beats Antique, Rebith Brass Band, Wild Beasts, and a host of other bands. Here's the presentation video listing them all:
Tickets for this popular festival of music, food, and wine go on sale Wednesday. Visit SFOutsideLands.com for more information.
The 2010 Outside Lands list features former Grateful Dead members Phil Lesh and Bob Weir of Furthur, The Kings of Leon, The Strokes, My Morning Jacket, Phoenix, Social Distortion, Al Green, Gogol Bordello, Nas and Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley, The Levon Helm Band, Cat Power, Empire of The Sun, Wolfmother, Bassnectar, Chromeo, Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros, The Temper Trap, Pretty Lights, Janelle Monae, Amos Lee, The Devil Makes Three, Tokyo Police Club, Beats Antique, Rebith Brass Band, Wild Beasts, and a host of other bands. Here's the presentation video listing them all:
Tickets for this popular festival of music, food, and wine go on sale Wednesday. Visit SFOutsideLands.com for more information.
Hey Michael Bauer, laptops are OK at The Grove in San Francisco!
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| This is The Grove in The Marina in 2007! |
Before weighing in on that, this blogger's compelled to point out that the photo used in his post was taken in 2007 at at The Grove on Chestnut Street and Avila Avenue in San Francisco's Marina District.
The Grove is specifically designed for laptop users. I discovered The Grove for myself in that same year of 2007, while attending a screenwriting class in Fort Mason, nearby. The attraction was that the vast majority of patrons were using their laptops for work.
That habit continues today, even as the Grove's recent remodel makes it less favorable to use as a office away from home. That was an awful move, the design change. There are fewer seats for internet work, and more for just lounging. Or it seems this is the case; more seats for Internet work were needed.
While The Grove's owners took steps to charge for use of the wireless service on a time-basis, what they should have done is tied the volume of wireless use to the price of the food order itself: the more food or drinks orders, the longer the wifi time permitted.
What The Grove's owners miss taking advantage of is the culture of people who's occupations depend on Internet use, yet used The Grove as a way of meeting each other. A conversation with a neighbor could lead to use of a new web service or a business partnership.
One example of this is an encounter I had at Oakland's Gaylord's Cafe, which is heavily populated by laptop workers. It turns out one of the patrons knew fellow YouTube Partner Renetto! Here's the video:
I'm personally not familiar with what Bauer's blogging about because I don't use my laptop in places that aren't designed for wifi access and computer use. Moreover, I don't see a lot of people using laptops and cell phones in restaurants where the atmosphere doesn't invite it.
Finally, I have to add that while the San Francisco Bay Area is known for harboring some of the World's most creative people in the World, the East Coast transplants to the Bay Area come from a region known for its high concentration of neurotic people, according to The Boston Globe.
Check the person who's complaining; it's a good chance they're from back East.
Cybercafes.com for Internet Cafes
If you're trying to find a place to work online away from home, check out Cybercafes.com, and avoid the neurotics!
Andrew Koppel: Ted Koppel's son dies after bar-hopping
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| Andrew D. Koppel with family |
The New York Post reports that Andrew Koppel, 40, of Rockaway Park, Queens, and a lawyer at the New York Housing Authority, passed away from a day-long drinking binge. The question is just how much did Andrew Koppel drink?
Koppel on Facebook NOT Andrew Dorney Koppel
In the original post, this blogger reported that Andrew H. Koppel had passed on. Thanks to a person who actually knew Andrew D. Koppel, the correct information, and what should be noted on the other blogs that used "Andrew H. Koppel" is that the son of Ted Koppel is Andrew D. Koppel and not Andrew H. Koppel. (Note: photo by Photography by Ilona.)
Koppel was found "unconscious and not breathing in a bedroom" at 180th Street at Audubon Avenue. Koppel had been out with Russell Wimberly, a 32-year-old waiter he met at a bar in Hell's Kitchen just 12-hour before. That's when they allegedly went on what would become for Koppel a fatal drinking binge.
Wimberly said they went hopping from bar to bar. He said Koppel didn't eat; just drank straight whiskey and beer. From personal experience, three glasses of whiskey is too much for this blogger, unless over three hours and with a good steak dinner and three glasses of water. Just reading the accounts of this story, Koppel had a lot more drink than that over a smaller period of time, and no steak dinner.
Ted Koppel loses his only son who was also father to a baby girl. Andrew Koppel has an older sister Andrea and a younger sister Tara.
Bloomberg's legal graffiti vs. Clayton Patterson's by Suzannah B. Troy
Clayton Patterson artist, activist and documentarian of the Lower East Side was sent a threatening notice and fine from the City of New YOrk telling him to remove the graffiti on his front door. He is basically being instructed to paint his door a solid color by the City of New York...Mike Bloomberg, the nanny mayor who is pushing fines like hot cakes. Clayton Patterson is refusing to do so...
I warned Clayton that he could get fined, arrested and have a SWAT team of NYPD officers with German Shepherds, helicopters and the mayor could seize his property; seizing property is something that is emblematic of the Bloomberg administration land grabs. I suggested he get a lawyer asap. Perhaps Ron Kuby, Norman Siegel already working on the Columbia University eminent domain abuse case part 2, David Rankin....get a lawyer Clayton!!!!!
I called City Hall to find out how I could do an advertisement like Bloomberg on the steps at Grand Central when you exit the subways and I was interrogated by the man that answered the phone and through his lack of information and his questioning of me -- I decided to call Bloomberg News although the ad campaign I call legalize rich man's graffiti was really blurring the line "Bloomberg" was the ad Bloomberg the mayor or Bloomberg News -- the global media outlet and what was it doing exclusively on a rather large public stair way in Grand Central? I was put through to a woman that handles public relations for Bloomberg News who is out today. I left my name and telephone number. I told her I was contacting all the major newspapers and would cc: her a copy. I asked her to please call me back and give me the price of this ad campaign that really blurs the line between Mike Bloomberg the mayor, and Bloomberg News since it reads "Bloomberg' Symbology" and not "Bloomberg New's Symbology". I told here I would like to place a message under Bloomberg's so how much would that cost because if I use a spray paint I would assume I would get arrested and go to jail as well as be fined. The message I would want to write is "When Mike Bloomberg says "progress" he means get your moving van.
It should say News, Bloomberg News.... at the very bottom and a small font size it says Bloomberg.com and he is blurring the line between his private empire and his public empire. Bloomberg really is taking over this city and here is just another example... Below is an interview with Clayton Patterson on the above issue, eminent domain abuse, the loss of free parking, CityTime, Mike Bloomberg's investments in the Cayman Islands, who is he giving free rides to on his private jet plane...he is not forth coming but he wants to track city workers comings and going, etc. Part 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbD1HWEV7g4 Part 1 link http://www.youtube.com/user/Suzannahartist#p/a/u/1/Y7oQQarpO6U Part 2 link First reported on my blog here.... http://suzannahbtroy.blogspot.com/2010/05/mike-bloombergs-private-empire.html
I warned Clayton that he could get fined, arrested and have a SWAT team of NYPD officers with German Shepherds, helicopters and the mayor could seize his property; seizing property is something that is emblematic of the Bloomberg administration land grabs. I suggested he get a lawyer asap. Perhaps Ron Kuby, Norman Siegel already working on the Columbia University eminent domain abuse case part 2, David Rankin....get a lawyer Clayton!!!!!
I called City Hall to find out how I could do an advertisement like Bloomberg on the steps at Grand Central when you exit the subways and I was interrogated by the man that answered the phone and through his lack of information and his questioning of me -- I decided to call Bloomberg News although the ad campaign I call legalize rich man's graffiti was really blurring the line "Bloomberg" was the ad Bloomberg the mayor or Bloomberg News -- the global media outlet and what was it doing exclusively on a rather large public stair way in Grand Central? I was put through to a woman that handles public relations for Bloomberg News who is out today. I left my name and telephone number. I told her I was contacting all the major newspapers and would cc: her a copy. I asked her to please call me back and give me the price of this ad campaign that really blurs the line between Mike Bloomberg the mayor, and Bloomberg News since it reads "Bloomberg' Symbology" and not "Bloomberg New's Symbology". I told here I would like to place a message under Bloomberg's so how much would that cost because if I use a spray paint I would assume I would get arrested and go to jail as well as be fined. The message I would want to write is "When Mike Bloomberg says "progress" he means get your moving van.
Al Gore and Tipper Gore separation: Gore pickup lines on Twitter
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| Al and Tipper Gore |
But it's Andy Borowitz who gets the award for the funniest take on the news. The humorist launched a hashtag called "#GorePickUpLines or "Gore pickup lines" on Twitter. So far the response has been hilarious! Here's a sample:
ruthbourdain "I won't tap offshore oil, but I will tap that ass." #gorepickuplines
1 minute ago via Twitter for iPhone
roboutik "Do you know how much that dress s contributing to global warming? Cuz you're makin me hot!" #gorepickuplines
3 minutes ago via Twitter for Android
over_rated There is an inconvenient growth in my pants. #gorepickuplines
16 minutes ago via TweetDeck
BorowitzReport "Baby, if you want to see how big my hanging chad is, let's go to my place & do a recount." #GorePickupLines #contrived
about 3 hours ago via Echofon
gauravsabnis Wouldn't you rather be having a drink with the inventor of the internet? #gorepickuplines
colsonwhitehead That's just the tip. Like an iceberg broken off by warming, there's another 90% you haven't seen yet. #gorepickuplines
over_rated Why don't you come up to my room and I'll show you the President? #gorepickuplines
34 minutes ago via web
And here's mine:
zennie62 #gorepickuplines If I can get a hostage out of North Korea I can certainly get a moan out of you.
less than 5 seconds ago via web
Well, it's very sad that Al and Tipper Gore are to separate after 40 years of marriage, but look at it this way, they're not getting a divorce!
Stay tuned.
Tipper Gore and Al Gore separate after 40 years of marriage
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| Al and Tipper Gore's wedding photo |
According to The Associated Press, Tipper Gore and Al Gore said it was "a mutual and mutually supportive decision that we have made together following a process of long and careful consideration."
Fortunately, there was no affair or sex scandal involved; the Gores said they just grew apart after 40 years of being together. They "carved out separate lives" over time.
What's interesting about those statements is that not all parts of the Gores lives have been separate. Aside from their marriage, the Al Gore website has a prominent link to Tipper Gore's photography. Will the link remain after their separation? Was it really necessary to split? And after 40 years together? A romance that goes all the way back to high school.
Over.
Blogger Rod Dreher has a take I kind of agree with. At Belief.net Rod observes that fame caused the split, saying "it seems that the failure of their marriage could be the cost of being a famous public figure. If Al is on the road here, there and everywhere, he's not at home being a husband."
But where I differ is in the observation that Tipper Gore had her own photography business. She too was busy. But where things may have really went South was the fact that Al Gore continued to be famous for being Al Gore, where Tipper may have wanted to carve a path outside of Al's considerable shadow.
It's a pattern I've seen with wives of elected officials who are themselves smart and ambitious. They seem to want a spotlight equal to that of their mates; why that leads to marital discourse is beyond me, but it's certainly a pattern.
It will be interesting to see how Tipper Gore without Al Gore evolves.
Stay tuned.
Louise Bourgeois Dies by Suzannah B. Troy
Louise Bourgeois died Monday at Beth Israel Hospital here in Manhattan at age 98.
Bourgeois like her work has endured. Her sculptures are deeply psychology and clearly conflicted on sexuality, male-female relations, reproduction, issues of safety and spacial relations. I can understand why she made her "spider" sculptures so large to challenge the viewer's space. Stieg Larrson focused in on the abuse and victimization of women his fictionalized best seller "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo".
It seems perhaps somewhere in Bourgeois's psyche the theme is there but she turns it around and through her work finds feminine power using symbology and space to make art audiences think, often by challenging their space, making them move their gaze upward or by moving around her work rather than the traditional approach of gazing at a portrait at eye level. Her work has an intense physicality about it, not dainty as she talks about powerfully charged issues but again that is for the over achieving art audience.
She had just completed her newest work and she is survived by two sons and a grandchild.
The New York Times has a well written piece on her passing by Holland Cotter that is worth reading.
I am very tired so I can't do a series of postings on other people in the news but Ted Koppel's son Andrew died It was a very sad way to die related to going on a bender.
On a happy note, according to The New York Daily News, Celine Dion is pregnant with twins. I love her song, "A New Day has Come" on this very topic, about her having her first son...."I was waiting for so long, for a miracle to come.." Well she has two more miracles on the way.
Bourgeois like her work has endured. Her sculptures are deeply psychology and clearly conflicted on sexuality, male-female relations, reproduction, issues of safety and spacial relations. I can understand why she made her "spider" sculptures so large to challenge the viewer's space. Stieg Larrson focused in on the abuse and victimization of women his fictionalized best seller "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo".
It seems perhaps somewhere in Bourgeois's psyche the theme is there but she turns it around and through her work finds feminine power using symbology and space to make art audiences think, often by challenging their space, making them move their gaze upward or by moving around her work rather than the traditional approach of gazing at a portrait at eye level. Her work has an intense physicality about it, not dainty as she talks about powerfully charged issues but again that is for the over achieving art audience.
She had just completed her newest work and she is survived by two sons and a grandchild.
The New York Times has a well written piece on her passing by Holland Cotter that is worth reading.
I am very tired so I can't do a series of postings on other people in the news but Ted Koppel's son Andrew died It was a very sad way to die related to going on a bender.
On a happy note, according to The New York Daily News, Celine Dion is pregnant with twins. I love her song, "A New Day has Come" on this very topic, about her having her first son...."I was waiting for so long, for a miracle to come.." Well she has two more miracles on the way.
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