Living For 32: Colin Goddard's Virginia Tech Shooting In Wake Of Gabrielle Giffords

Living For 32, the Oscar-considered documentary of how Colin Goddard has worked as an advocate for gun control in the wake of the Virginia Tech shooting, gains higher attention after Saturday's shooting of 18 people by Jared Lee Loughner, killing six, and critically injuring U.S. Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords.

I interviewed Living For 32 director Kevin Breslin over Skype last month. The result is a 32 minute long, wide ranging talk about the film, Goddard, and life, including the New York snow problem.

Here are the videos below, parts 1, 2, and 3. This is a quick presentation: a more detailed sketch will come soon.

David Shaw Stanford Football's New Head Coach

It's rare that I get a text from my buddy and Stanford Football and Baseball Legend Michael Dotterer, but I got one for the third time in as many weeks.

The first one was regarding the Stanford Orange Bowl game; the second about Jim Harbaugh to the San Francisco 49ers as their head guy, now this one was about Stanford's new head coach, David Shaw. But it had some spice to it.

Press Conference at 1:30pm PST to announce Coach Shaw as our next Head Football coach!!!! Soooo excited!!!!!!!

Those of you reading this who know the former Stanford Fullback, are aware that Dotterer can get excited over a full moon, but in all the years I've known him, this is the first time he's expressed that much joy over a new Stanford coach. But this is for good reason.

David Shaw, the now former Offensive Coordinator for the Stanford Cardinal, is a brilliant coach.

ESPN tried, for some weird reason, to toss water on his selection - and I will state that out of 66 NCAA Division 1 Football Programs, Shaw is just the sixth black head coach - but the truth is that anyone who's followed Stanford Football, and you can't be a Cal fan and not do so to some degree, knows it has been coach Shaw who developed the Stanford passing game.  Plus, Shaw's title has been offensive coordinator for four years.

(Some reporters don't understand the difference between coordinator and coach.  A coach - like offensive line coach - directs what the players do on a person-to-person basis.   The coordinator is the overseer, who puts the players in positions to run the offense.  That's what Shaw did.)

Shaw has been praised in this space at Zennie62.com many times. In Harbaugh's first two years, Shaw was recognized as the Offensive Coordinator, and while the run blocking was different, the passing game was, and has always been, lethal. The only difference between 2007 - 2008 and 2009 to 2010 was the installation of zone blocking by Assistant Head Coach Greg Roman, who joined the staff in 2009.

That's what sprang loose Stanford Running Back Toby Gerhart, now with the NFL's Minnesota Vikings.

It's no trick for form a passing game around such a scheme, and that's what Shaw did. It's also not rocket science to teach zone blocking, and Shaw was able to learn from Roman, who came to Stanford from the Baltimore Ravens. So, yes, it can be said that Shaw's the heart-and-soul of what remains at Stanford after Harbaugh. Will he do well?

Cal aside, and for obvious reasons, if Shaw sets his objective as the National Championship, the answer's yes. Considering where Stanford has been in 2010 (the Orange Bowl and losing just one game), that's the next logical step.

Stay tuned.

Ines Sainz - Jets To Win Super Bowl; Jets Cromartie Calls Brady Asshole

Remember sexy, hot Ines Sainz? The female anchor who was the target of footballs thrown at her by Jets players and coaches? The same one who sparked an NFL investigation of the same New York Jets?

Well, she's picking the Jets to win the Super Bowl.

What's that all about? Well, Ines Sainz didn't complain about the Jets, another female reporter did. So that wasn't "about her;" she liked the Jets.

Meanwhile, Jets Cornerback Antonio Cromartie called Tom Brady an asshole. Why? It seemed a contrived reason from a player who's coach has been getting way too personal with opponents, as I say here:



The Jets winning the Super Bowl?  

Why do I have the feeling that would be the Devil's work?

Obama Tucson Speech: President Barack Obama Is Back

After a brief absence, he's back: President Barack Obama's Tucson Speech signified the President's return to that full-power greatness we'd not seen in a long while.

Obama's return started just before the end of Congress' last term, then in 2011 was growing. But it took the tragedy that was the shooting of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and 18 others to bring it to full strength.

The "it" is Barack Obama's unique ability to tap into the collective conscience of America at the very time it matters most.

Obama did it with the "Race Speech: A More Perfect Union" in 2008, where then-Senator Obama, faced with a racist element in his own campaign that he had to bring under control, talked to America about race from his place as a bi-racial American.

Obama did it again in his first State Of The Union Speech, and yet again, in the first major speech delivered to the Muslim nations by a sitting President of The United States. Faced with overwhelming odds, and more often than not, a spot you couldn't send to the cleaners, President Obama delivered. And in doing so, again and again, reminded us of our own humanity.

When I first heard the Obama Tucson Speech, I'd just walked in and turned on the TV set.  The President was in the middle of his speech, and the crowd at the University of Arizona was just plain into it.  So much so, that I was drawn in, in just seconds.  The American Family was at the TV set, listening to our leader of the free World.

Obama spoke with such coiled emotional power it seemed as if he was trying to avoid crying.  That feeling came through the TV set and into my living room.   If you weren't moved by that speech, you were either not human or jealous that Obama didn't pick you to be in his administration.

I get that feeling from CNN's David Gergen, an advisor to past presidents, including President Clinton, and who more often than not struggles to praise President Obama.  Gergen tried to throw cold water on the impact of Obama's speech, but ended up sounding like someone still smarting from not being in this President's inner circle.

Gergen aside, everyone liberal and conservative and in between praised Obama's speech.  "Obama Tucson Speech" is one of the stop searches on Google.  And as we saw Obama walk with First Lady Michelle Obama to Air Force One, he bounded up the steps to the plane with a new energy and purpose.

He heeled America, and he knew it.

President Obama is back.

Gabrielle Giffords Oakland Candlelight Vigil Draws Rep. Barbara Lee

On the night of the Tucson, Arizona memorial for U.S. Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and the 18 others who were shot and six killed by Jared Lee Loughner, the East Bay Young Democrats organized a well-done candlelight vigil in front of Oakland City Hall.

About 200 people came out by my estimate, and including U.S. Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Oakland Mayor Jean Quan, and Oakland Councilmembers Jane Brunner, and Rebecca Kaplan, and new Oakland councilmember Libby Schaaf.

Congresswoman Lee said she would support New York Congressman Peter King's proposal to ban guns from within 1,000 feet of any congressional event. A no-brainer there. Rep. Lee is against the use of guns, period and see "no reason why" anyone would want to bring one to such an event.

Amen.

It was great to see our Congresswoman at the vigil, but I felt the event should have been more about our support for her as much as for what happened in Arizona.  Regardless of what she says, Congresswoman Lee certainly has to now wonder what this all means for her safety.  Letting her know she's valued and protected should be an objective of her supporters, and that's us.

Mayor Quan Calls For Gun Violence Reduction

Mayor Quan said that she's committed to the reduction of gun use in Oakland, and an increase in police presence. Indeed, she said that there would be a return to "beat cops" in various areas of Oakland.  Mayor Quan noted that violent crime had been at lower levels over the last four years, and hoped the six homicides in the last 11 days were just a blip.

Councilmember Kaplan (At-Large) said we have to work to reduce violence both locally and nationally.  "I want to make clear that 30,000 people a year are victims of gun violence," she said, "We have a lot of work to do to make sure we're not promoting violence."

Councilmember Schaaf (District Four - Montlclair, Oakland Hills), an Alum of Emerge California in 2009, said that Gabrielle Giffords was one of the first legislators to join the Advisory Board of the Arizona chapter of the organization formed to bring more women into elected office, and has always been a strong supporter of it.

A Need To Connect

I think it's via tragedy like this that people need to connect with each other, or just escape the whole deal.  I've wavered between both feelings for this entire week.  For the most part, I've chosen the former.   As to where we go from here, we just have to be nicer to each other.   We also must crack down on hate speech, flaming, and Internet trolling.

Enough is enough.

Some argue for "free speech," but look, that's for a public place; the vast majority of Internet sites are privately owned.   So, "free speech?"  Think again.  We're in a position to curb hate speech, and we must do so before it destroys our society.

(As a note, for those not familiar with such things, the elected officials are presented in order of standard protocol: President, Senator, Congresswoman, State Reps, Mayor, Councilmembers, New Councilmembers.)

Golden Globes 2011: Party At Balboa Theater in San Francisco

The Golden Globes 2011 Weekend is near and San Francisco's Balboa Theater at 3630 Balboa Street (at 37th Avenue) joins the ranks of venues holding major parties up and down the California coast.

Gary Meyer, who runs the Balboa Theater, sent an email which reads:

Join the Golden Globes Party at the Balboa Theatre on Sunday, January 16. Cheer and jeer. Come dressed up or dressed down or as your favorite nominated movie or TV show.


Doors open at 4:45pm and the show starts at 5pm sharp.


The Golden Globes will be projected in High Definition with Dolby Stereo through the Meyer Sound system.


There will be some great prizes and surprises.


All seats only $5.00. Advance tickets available at Brown Paper Tickets
www.brownpapertickets.com/event/146439


Come early or stay late and see BLACK SWAN or THE FIGHTER (separate admission required)

For more information call (415) 221-8184.

Academy News: Oscar Voting Ballots DUE THIS FRIDAY

Just a warning blog post, courtesy of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Ballots sent out to the 5,755 voting members of AMPAS must be returned to PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, January 14.

AMPAS says that ballots received after that deadline will not be counted.

AMPAS is using a preference voting system to count the ballots for the "majority of categories."

Again, that's 5 PM PST, which is 8 PM EST.

Hurry up!

Congresswoman Barbara Lee Joins Candlelight Vigil For Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords

U.S. Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D - 9th District, Oakland) will join others in tonight's candlelight vigil for Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. It will be held tonight, Wednesday, January 12th from 5 PM to 6:30 PM PST at 14th St at Broadway, Frank Ogawa Plaza, Oakland.

99ers Call to Action January 13th 2011 - Target : Rep Sheila Jackson Lee

This is a 99ers call to action for January 13th 2011. The target is Rep Sheila Jackson Lee and the reason is her remarks in the video below, in which she announces her intention to tie help for the 99ers to some appropriations bill that will be debated in March of this year.

HELLO Congresswoman - EXCUSE ME but the 99ers have already been out of benefits since LAST February/March. Exactly how long do you think we can hold on? Please tell the millions of suffering Americans in the 99er Nation WHY their hunger, homelessness and deaths are not as big a priority as those lives tragically taken last weekend in Tucson, AZ! I noticed immediately upon the return of Congress the House is engrossed in resolutions and speeches that do little more than offer you and your colleagues comfort and sound bites for the cable news coverage.

Why not honor your colleague Rep. Gabrielle Giffords by actually doing something that would immediately save American lives? Why doesn’t Congress stop stalling and griping about how the GOP will make it hard to get any help for the 99ers and start doing something NOW instead of the endless excuses, rhetoric and pontification?

We need every member of the 99er Nation (NOT just residents of the 18th district in TX) to contact her offices or her Chief of Staff: Yohannes Psehai in droves!!!!

http://www.jacksonlee.house.gov/Contact/ use the zip code 77002 when emailing her via her website.

Congress Toll Free: (877) 762-8762


Washington Office
2160 Rayburn Building
Washington, DC 20515
(202) 225-3816 Phone
225-3317 Fax

Houston Office
1919 Smith Street
Suite 1180
Houston, TX 77002
(713) 655-0050 Phone
(713) 655-1612 Fax

Heights Office
420 West 19th Street
Houston, TX 77008
(713) 861-4070

Acres Home Office
6719 West Montgomery
Suite 204
Houston, TX 77091
(713) 691-4882

Fifth Ward Office
4300 Lyons Ave.
Houston, TX 77020
(713) 227-7740 Phone
(713) 227-7707 Fax

It is time they stop putting off saving the 99ers and all exhaustees. We count. We Matter! They work for US!!!!!! Let’s go Nation - Tell her staff the 99ers cannot wait until March we need help NOW!!!! Let her know you caught her diatribe on YouTube and it is unacceptable even unrcontionable to wait until March. Call her now, call her often and keep calling, faxing and emailing her until she gets the message.




[The donation button below is for me, Paladinette. If you like what I write please donate so I can keep on fighting for the 99ers! Thank You!]

Blood Libel: Sarah Palin Tops Crosshairs Map By Upsetting Jews

Blood Libel? Former Governor Sarah Palin sticks her foot in her mouth again.

On the heels of accusations that she helped fan the flames of hate against Democrats supporting President Obama's Health Care Initiative - which led to Jared Lee Loughner's shooting of U.S. Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and 14 people, killing six of them - Palin causes a new firestorm by launching a speech which included this statement:



Or, in text:

Within hours of a tragedy unfolding, journalists and pundits should not manufacture a blood libel that serves only to incite the very hatred and violence that they purport to condemn. That is reprehensible.

This is the definition of "blood libel" from Wikipedia:

Blood libel (also blood accusation) refers to a false accusation or claim that religious minorities, in European contexts almost always Jews, murder children to use their blood in certain aspects of their religious rituals and holidays. Historically, these claims have–alongside those of well poisoning and host desecration–been a major theme in European persecution of Jews.

Considering that Palin herself was the focus of much criticism in the wake of her use of crosshairs to mark Tucson, Arizona as a "target" to oppose U.S. Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords support of Health Care Reform, then referring to those same images as "bullseyes," now it looks like Palin's trying to compare herself to persecuted Jews.

Of course, this isn't sitting well with Jews - or anyone else.

Sarah Palin is classic for using terms and symbols without thinking about the consequences - the crosshairs map and blood libel are the latest examples. In her rush to get out a message and try to keep herself relevant on the day of the night of President Obama's trip to Tucson, Palin, perhaps due to an act of God, stuck her foot in her mouth.

The message is for Sarah Palin to just chill on this day when America, the President, elected officials and friends and families of the victims are gathering to mourn.

Sometimes it's better to just lay low for a while.

But where did she get it in her head to use the term?

My guess is Andrew Breitbart, the conservative blowhard, who used the term in this tweet:

And to the gutless GOP establishment who watches in silence the blood libel against @SarahPalinUSA. We will remember. #TeaParty

That too, was ill-advised. But Breitbart has never hinted that he's running for President either.

Stay tuned.

Megyn Kelly, Phil Bronstein, Jared Loughner Is "Political"

I had to stop and read San Francisco Chronicle Editor At Large Phil Bronstein's column on how he says Fox News Megyn Kelly "dismembered" Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik. I came away rather disappointed with his take, but entertained nonetheless. So, since Phil has referred to me as an "insurgent" in the Old Media World, a tag I love, it's time to strap on my helmet and have at it yet again.

First, let's get some things really straight here.

Megyn Kelly represents the ultra conservative Fox News. That means Republican. So here, into that Fox News den comes the Democratic Sheriff Dupnik. Anyone would expect Kelly, who's carrying Fox News boss' Roger Ailes' water, to try and attack Dupnik for telling it like it was: the hard rhetoric from the far right in Tucson - where Dupnik works and the shooting happened so he should know - did create a climate that triggered Jared Loughner's violent actions.

As I say here:



Second, Jared Loughner has all the marks of an anti-government type like Joe Stack. Remember him? I guess memories are short. Stack was the Austin, Texas man who crashed his plane into the IRS Building, and left behind hand-written trail of crazy thoughts against the government.  Big goverment. While Jared doesn't have that "smoking gun" document around (so far as we know), there is a growing picture of the politics of the man, as listed by Wikipedia:

Loughner was a believer of numerous conspiracy theories, and espoused views such as that the United States Government was responsible for the September 11 attacks, a New World Order would bring about a one world currency, there would be a 2012 apocalypse, NASA had faked spaceflights, and the government was using mind control to brainwash people by controlling grammar. He was a member of the online conspiracy theory message board Above Top Secret, though members of the site did not respond warmly to his posts.[15][16][17] Reports appearing after the shooting noted similarities between the statements made by Loughner, concerning grammar and mind control, and the views of conspiracy theorist David Wynn Miller.[18] Miller himself stated “I expect he’s been on my website... He’s just repeating things I’ve had up on my site the past 11 years.”[19][20]

Now that's a picture of Jared Loughner as essentially a libertarian. Add to that the overall climate of a Tucson, Arizona that has a healthy number of conservatives and anti-government types issuing all sorts of protests specifically against Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, and then the fact that Loughner was mentally-ill and you have the perfect brew for the trajedy that ocurred.

All of this has to do with politics. Sorry Phil Bronstein, but if the job of a reporter is to question assumptions, the job of the blogger is to question the reporter's approach. That's what I'm doing.

Why take up the matter of defending Fox News at this time? Why not piece together the information we have and fill in the blanks where necessary with some syllogistic reasoning?

Everyone knows that young voters in the West have been more likely to register as independent because they're new to the political process, so Fox News parroting the idea that Loughner's really independent as if to say he's apolitical, is so silly it's unbelievable.

But here we are.

With Phil defending Fox News.

Or is it really Phil taking up for the hot, smart, leggy blonde TV anchor in Megyn Kelly? Easy it is to be blinded by a curvy body, even if she's the darling of conservative bloggers.

 I'll give Phil a half-pass, but that's it.

Jared Loughner was the extreme product of a Tucson society mostly against President Obama Health Care Initiative, yet stuck with a Democratic fighter for it in Gabrielle Giffords. His mental illness took him to a place we only talked about, with all of the nastiness coming out of the Health Care town hall meetings, but never thought we'd actually see.

Until last Saturday.

The Green Hornet's Director Michel Gondry To Helm Jimmy Kimmel Live

The Green Hornet's Director Michel Gondry has been tapped to helm a special episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live on Thursday, January 13th at 12:05 AM ET / PT on ABC Television.

Gondry, who's film The Green Hornet comes out Friday and I'm really excited to see, won the Academy Award for Best Screenplay for The Eternal Sunshine of The Spotless Mind, which is also directed, in 2005.

Gondry's also one of a few music video directors to make the transition to feature film work.

Gondry joins Quentin Tarantino and J.J. Abrams as part of a select group of directors who have taken the guest-directorial position at Jimmy Kimmel Live!

Kimmel will have Somewhere star Elle Fanning as his guest and to talk about that film which also opens this Friday. Fanning will be joined by a musical performance by The Damned Things to spice up this special episode.