Oscar Nominations Ballots due today, Saturday; and note of protest

AMPAS, The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced that the 5,777 voting members of the Academy are to return their completed Oscar nominations ballots to to PricewaterhouseCoopers not later than 5 PM today, Saturday January 23rd. If they are returned by any time after 5 PM today, they will not be counted.

UPDATE: AMPAS did not state if the 5 PM time was eastern or Pacific in the press release; since it's on the West Coast, Pacific time (PST) should be used.

Apparently the presence of this video-blogger will not be counted either. After being invited by AMPAS to submit a press credential application for the Oscar and Oscar-related events, the result was three successive rejection emails without a reason other than "lack of space".

Again, I was invited. I would think AMPAS understood their space needs ahead of time, before invitations to apply for The Academy Awards were sent out. But even more disturbing is that there's not one set of metrics that's used to determine who gets an invite or who gets admitted.

This kind of 1960s gate keeping in the 21st Century is awful. Below is the email letter of protest of their decision that I wrote to Leslie Unger, the Director of Communications at AMPAS:

Hi

With all due respect, I really must protest AMPAS decision not to grant a press credential to me for The Academy Awards and its related Nominations Events and on a wide scale.

First, I was invited to apply by AMPAS last year and because I'm on the AMPAS press list. Second, I met all of the necessary application document criteria as per AMPAS instructions. Third, I have regularly covered the Oscars and film via my blogs and videos and have an online reach that's better than the vast majority of media outlets you have credentialed (including an average of 26,000 video views a day on YouTube alone). Fourth, my overall reach is much greater than it was even when I was granted an Exterior Pass last year as my blog is on Zennie62.com and I own 100 blogs, and blog at SFGate.com and The Examiner and I'm syndicated by Newstex. Fifth, AMPAS has no - zero - set of metrics for evaluating the effectiveness of media that's asked to apply for credentials before an application is submitted.

That's really not the way to set up a system. By contrast, the Democratic National Committee had a clear set of metrics for the 2008 Democratic National Convention: Technorati authority rating, minimum number of blog posts, minimum number years that the blog was in existence.

I knew what the metrics were and determined that I met them, so I applied. The result was that my blog was one of 124 that was credentialed for the DNC in 2008.

Please note the word "number" - that's the expression of a "metric" or a way of measuring.


See:

http://demconvention.wordpress.com/blogger-credentaling-process/

And this is the list of credentialed blogs (mine is at the bottom of the list):

http://bloggers4obama.com/2008/05/30/dallas-south-credentialed-for-2008-democratic-national-convention/

There were thousands of blog that did not make the cut, but they knew the metrics going in. They could have chosen not to apply if they just looked at where their blog was compared to the metrics, but some people did not do that. But they knew and the process itself was easy. And to help those blogs that did not make the cut, The Daily Kos and YouTube created something called "The Big Tent" at the DNC.

That was and has been missing in the Oscar Press Credential process and it's really unbelievable that an organization like AMPAS would have such loose system. Your system must be numerically based so that people like myself know the rules of the game. That's a rule that's as old as discrimination law itself. Otherwise, how does one know if they're not being discriminated against racially or in any other kind of way?

I am not concerned about AMPAS tradition here; the 21st Century, technology, and American History have changed our culture such that it's a meritocracy. "If I achieve X level or number, then I get Y" is the way now and it's at the center of New Media. AMPAS must reflect the expectations of media in the 21st Century.

All of this has been most upsetting to me because it's not right. Moreover, I'm of the opinion now that AMPAS thinks I'm someone without any reach, say, or influence, thus this treatment. I remain a fan of AMPAS and of OSCAR, so it's in that sprit that I embark on my quest for change.

I understand that your office deals with many people who "want in" and claim to be press. But I am on the press list, was invited to apply for credentials, put a lot of people through their paces to meet the application document requirements, waited for the result because I would then get a sponsor for my trip on that basis, and this.

Basically, AMPAS has harmed my ability to achieve my professional objectives; given how this happened I'm deeply saddened and upset with AMPAS. The only way I know how to explain to the World what's happened is by using New Media. It just happens to be a powerful tool. Maybe then AMPAS will understand and at least work to set criteria or for that matter ask me.

That would be a good idea.

Best,

Zennie Abraham

Stay tuned for my video version.

Scott Brown win upsets Hitler; same as Sarah Palin, Megan Fox news

A couple of days ago, Hitler learned that Massachusetts State Senator Scott Brown won, but his reaction was the same as for the news that Alaska Governor Sarah Palin resigned last year. Well, there's one twist: Hitler blames Scott Brown's victory on President Obama. Of course, Hitler gets upset about a lot of things, like Sarah Palin resigning or Megan Fox rejecting him.

At the time of the report on Scott Brown, Hitler was in a meeting explaining he needed 60 votes to pass Health Care Reform.

Then on the news of Scott Brown's win, he gets pissed, saying that Obama was supposed to be a genius, the Republicans were supposed to be finished, "a regional party confined to the South", and he had a Supermajority. "Coakley had a 30-point margin!", Hitler screamed. Hitler became so upset over the news that Scott Brown won, he kicked all of the Blue Dog Democrats out of the room!

"Health Care was supposed to be done by August!", Hitler screamed. "Now it drags on forever, like Stalingrad!" Then later Hitler says he should have "stuck with Hillary."

Now, for those who have been paying attention, Hitler is supposed to be Nevada Senator and Democratic leader Harry Reid, he of the recent "Obama Negroid" controversy.

Here's the video:



And here's Hitler's response to the Sarah Palin news of last year:



And this is Hitler's reaction over the news that Megan Fox dumped him:



It's not over. We'll hear more about Hitler as 2010 drags on (film clip from the 2004 German film Downfall).

Stay tuned.

Oakland Parking Problem causes Don Macleay for Mayor

The Oakland Parking Problem has a number of Oaklanders upset, yet the City of Oakland just doesn't seem to get it. The Oakland Parking Problem has its second political reaction: Green Party Member Don Macleay is running for Mayor. Don Macleay was one of the first to start working on an Oakland Parking Initiative, but like this blogger feels the City of Oakland just doesn't care.

For example, an Oakland Councilmember with an affinity for cocktails yelled in the year of this blogger at a downtown Oakland restaurant recently only because of the mention of the Oakland Parking Initiative and the desire to lower parking rates to more reasonable and affordable levels.

When this was said, the Oakland Councilmember turned and gestured with the cocktail glass with "IF YOU DON'T EXPLAIN WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO CUT, YOU'RE A LIAR!! A LIAR!!! I'LL CALL YOU THAT TO YOUR FACE!!! LIAR!!!

Yes. Yelling really loud in the establishment , and just as it was wrote.  When the concern for Oakland's unemployed and poor was expressed, there was no response from the Oakland Councilmember.  The name is withheld with the hope that the Oakland Councilmember gets the message and stops that kind of behavior in the future.

Oaklanders should be able to talk about policy differences without yelling at each other. But it's really disheartening to see someone that one supported turn around and yell at them for no reason at all, really.

This blogger never attempted to match the Oakland Councilmember's voice level; listening was the objective. The only concern here is that the Oakland Councilmember forgets that she represents the people of Oakland, first, not the maintenance of City of Oakland salary levels in a recession. Don Macleay says he will not be bound by any special interest:



On his website, currently at OaklandGreens.org, Don Macleay writes:

Oakland deserves a Mayor who works for citizens first. I want a city that serves all citizens with compassion, advocacy, and action.

The email from his supporters reveals Don Macleay as a kind of "working class hero":

Working-class, non-politician Don Macleay announced his intention to run for Mayor of Oakland earlier this week, urging Oakland voters to reject entrenched insider politicians and instead vote for a progressive advocate for people and policies that would serve the real majority in Oakland, not special interests.

Calling his campaign “Integrity and Vision for Progressive Change,” Mr. Macleay is a former machinist, current small business owner, father and progressive community and environmental advocate.

Mr. Macleay said he is an “insider” only to grassroots, community-based Oakland, and will put the “people first.” Mr. Macleay’s goal, as he will outline Monday, is to end the systemic
mediocrity that is Oakland's City government.

Don Macleay has what was reported to be a well-attended campaign kickoff of about 50 people, which isn't bad considering that he's as of this writing unknown. That's certainly about to change.

Oakland's Mayor's Race did not have a Green Party Candidate who officially announced his or her candidacy. Now it does. Give the political unrest both nationally and locally, Don Macleay just may find himself with more support for his mayoral run than he dreamed of.

But where Don Macleay could fail in his run is in the New Media area. Right now, when one types "Don for Mayor" they don't get Don Macleay on the first page of the search result, they get Don Perata. As is true for many people over 40, Don Macleay's misunderstanding of the importance of New Media could be his failure.

Few people read newspapers any more and the Oakland Tribune's parent company filed for bankruptcy protection.

Stay tuned.

Artie Lange predicted Conan O'Brien's NBC demise - 11/11/08

Artie Lange, the great sidekick to Howard Stern, predicted Conan O'Brien's NBC demise when he appeared on Late Night with Conan O'Brien on November 11, 2008.

Artie Lange, who recently survived a suicide attempt and will be back on The Howard Stern Show at a date in the future, made a statement that painted a future Conan O'Brien didn't see coming; but is now upon him:



This is probably my eighteenth appearance and I'm very sentimental about this," Lange said. "You're leavin' You're going out to do The Tonight Show." Conan responded with "I'm going out to Los Angeles, yeah," which ignited Lange's response: "It sucks. What am I supposed to do, have witty conversations with Jimmy Fallon? What the hell.."

Conan: "Yeah. He's very funny. You're gonna love him."

Artie Lange: "I love Jimmy; he's not you. You're a writer..I'll just totally throw you under the bus. Good luck man. I don't know. I think it's a bad move."

Conan: "Well. What are you gonna do.?"

Artie Lange: "I would have rooted for that bobblehead (Jay) Leno to stay (on The Tonight Show) and you could have got, what? $40 million? Right? Wasn't that the deal? You would have got $40 million dollars?

Conan: "No, I don't think so."

Artie Lange: "Yeah"

Conan: "$40 million not to work? Sweet. I gotta look into that. Is that a possibility?"

Artie Lange: "I read it in the TV Guide."

Conan: "You read it in the TV Guide!"

Artie Lange: "Cheers to Conan!"

Conan: "Cheers to Conan."

Artie Lange: Cheers to Conan for taking the $40 million and not working."

Conan: "Let's get that deal!"

The deal that Conan O'Brien agreed to will pay him $45 million, $12 million of which will go to his executive producer and his staff as severance. Artie Lange was right: Conan O'Brien's getting $40 million for not working.

Stay tuned.

All White Basketball Team idea upsets Augusta, Georgia

Two days ago a man by the name of Don “Moose” Lewis announced the formation of an "All White Basketball Team" because he didn't like the recent trend of criminal acts on the part of some black NBS Basketball players like Gilbert Arenas, who brandished a gun in the Washington Wizards' locker room and pointed it at a teammate. The antic cost Arenas his NBA job and may land him in jail.

The fact that white NBA referee Tim Donaghy pled guilty to federal felony conspiracy charges seems to have escaped Don “Moose” Lewis, who says he's not racist.

Lewis has it in his mind that he wants to not only exclude black players, but players of color and even the white European basketball players who's ranks have swelled in the NBA. Don “Moose” Lewis wants a "White American Legue" and for reasons not clear to Augusta, Georgia's residents, has it in his mind that Augusta's the perfect place.

WJBF in Georgia conducted a poll on this matter: of 695 respondents, 53 percent said "No" and 47 percent said "yes". Why that close a vote may very well show why Don “Moose” Lewis picked Augusta in the first place: racism - a massive mental illness - still appears to be a big problem, if the comments below the poll are any gauge of what's happening there:

I believe there should be an all white basketball team.. I mean shoot look at the basketball teams that we have now they are either all black or have 1 white person on the team..I’m not racist by any means I just think its time we got some equality in the sport..We have some what of equality in the other sports yes there are more blacks on the team but who gives a crap right theres whites too…so unless you wanna sit there and do 50%white and 50%black on a basketball team let em have it…

The silliness of the whole idea rests in the fact that the reason there are so many good black basketball players is they work at it. A whole subculture that was the result of blacks being discrminated in so many areas of American life gave rise to the Great Black Athlete. For Don Moose Lewis to not understand that would seem to prove Mr. Lewis does not understand the "Hard facts that created America" as President Lincoln said.

A terrible statement on the South.

Stay tuned.

Ayla Brown online hit after Scott Brown says she's "available"

The number two search on Yahoo Buzz at 9:20 PM is for "Ayla Brown" after her father, new Senator-Elect Scott Brown, said that she was available. Now, searches for "Ayla Brown bikini" and "Ayla Brown American Idol" are dominating the Internet.

During his Tuesday night acceptance speech, Senator-Elect Brown said told the country via television his two daughters Arianna Brown and Ayla Brown were "available".

Ayla Brown

Suddenly millions of men (and perhaps some women) were interested in learning all about Ayla Brown, much to the shock of her mother, Gail Huff (who could be heard saying "Oh no" when Brown went on a rant about his daughters.

Ayla Brown is not without some star power. At 17, she was a contestant on American Idol, who auditioned in Boston, and made it to Hollywood, as one of 24 semi-finalists.

Here's the video of Ayla Brown singing "Reflection" by Christina Aguilera in 2006:



American Idol launched her singing career, as Ayla Brown made various singing appearances around Massachusetts, including appearing with The Boston Pops and singing the National Anthem at a Red Sox game.

After American Idol, Ayla Brown continued to pursue her other passion, basketball, and became the highest highest scorer on the Boston College team in the 2006-2007 season.

Ayla Brown the vlogger

Ayla Brown's website is a collection of her social network pages and latest videos on a YouTube channel ran by "Double Deal Records". She made this one to thank her friends and supporters after her father's Massachusetts Senate race win over Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley:



After the party, Ayla told the New York post she was mortified over what her father said, and that she was getting requests to go out for coffee or drinks.

Stay tuned.

Tiger Woods spotted at sex rehab clinic Pine Grove

Tiger Woods was spotted at the sex rehab clinic Pine Grove's "Gentle Path Program" Wednesday. According to the NY Post, Tiger Woods is in Hattiesburg, Miss, at the sex rehab clinic for six weeks, and during what is called "family week" he will reportedly have to undergo seven full weeks of counseling with his wife Elin Nordegren.

In what the NY Post calls "Sexual healing for caged Tiger", the National Inquirer reported that "Disclosure Day" is the time Tiger Woods has to reveal all of this many affairs to his wife. That includes Rachel Uchitel, Jamie Jungers, Mindy Lawton, Cori Rist, and the other seven mistresses Tiger Woods has bedded even since 2001 and before he married Elin.

It's described as kind of a prison, with strict times to rise (5:30 AM) and work therapy hours between 8 AM and 4 PM. The Pine Grove website says:

Pine Grove Behavioral Health and Addiction Services in Hattiesburg, Mississippi is known as one of the nation’s most comprehensive treatment campuses. Since 1984 Pine Grove has offered a continuum of services ranging from outpatient to inpatient and residential treatment for adults, children and adolescents suffering from psychiatric and addictive diseases. Specialized services include the treatment of addictions, eating disorders, and professionals struggling with interpersonal difficulties. The Pine Grove Mission is to be a leader in healing and changing lives by providing the highest quality behavioral health services.

Gentle Path is a part of the Pine Grove program system. It's mistakenly reported as a separate clinic; a visit to the Pine Grove website will show that Gentle Path is a part of an overall program in Hattiesburg, Mississippi facility.

Stay tuned.