Jul 29, 2010
The Brown Other, or Cashing in on Fear and Racial Animus are the Right's Bread & Butter, yes?
AND then there was Tweety last night, showing some real guts, which he sometimes does do, but not nearly often enough.
Watch the video. And take this to the bank: The GOP do not WANT to do anything about real immigration reform. For the GOP it is strictly a political issue, something to enrage their base and drive voters to the polls. For crying out loud, even Chimpy McEffing Flightsuit tried to do something about immigration (and it looked like it might even pass through Congress until Rush got the ditto-heads to swamp DC with phone calls and e-mails.) Tweety, god bless him, exposed that idiot (and the GOP) last night.
Here are some facts: Obama is stepping up enforcement. Crime rates in Arizona have gone down (except in Sheriff Arpaio's jurisdiction.) Obama could build the Great Wall of Xenophobia along the border and it still would not be enough. These Grand Old Party jokers do not support national ID cards, and though they talk tough about cracking down on employers, it is really hot gas. Some tea-bagging, GOP blowhards have seriously advocated adjusting or repealing the 14th amendment. Even Ayn Fucking Rand "My Dad Has Run for President 28 Times" Paul said as much. They are quite content with the system as it is now. They do not want to change a thing, really.
But it will crush the GOP in the end, this racist, cynical, constantly politicking 'tude of the Right & Ultra Right (who seriously seem to be the same these days.)
It is: The Brown Other. It is as simple (& hateful) as that. Those are the blinders this joke of an Opposition Party insist on wearing. These immigrant children of perhaps the first (& def most greatest) Immigrant Nation yet are reduced to blithering, xenophobic court jesters, nay, fools, singing their songs for Lear. And we all know how that turned out; Lear insane on the moors & the Fool nowhere to be found. (That actor had switched roles, you see.)
Cashing in on fear and racial animus are the Right's bread & butter, yes?
I still support a boycott. Just because Judge Bolton rightly decimated this awful AZ bill does not make AZ alright to me, by any means. The same folks who killed Chimpy's bill are the same folks screaming bloody murder about the Clinton appointed (& Kyl approved! He supports the home team, you see) Activist Judges. It is a matter of principle to me.
But the real damage is already being done. The Brown Other, you see, are moving out of the state as fast as they can. Good for them. What is really needed is a massive The Brown Other general strike. I know that this Tulsa born, Italian/Irish/English ancestor would show solidarity.
MAN, I just went off, hunh?
I need to relax.
I wanted to talk about Martin Amis' new fabulous novel, The Pregnant Widow and a host of other things. In fact, when just when is Spitler gonna finish that Beatle Mono Box review?
Not tonight.
Watch the video. And take this to the bank: The GOP do not WANT to do anything about real immigration reform. For the GOP it is strictly a political issue, something to enrage their base and drive voters to the polls. For crying out loud, even Chimpy McEffing Flightsuit tried to do something about immigration (and it looked like it might even pass through Congress until Rush got the ditto-heads to swamp DC with phone calls and e-mails.) Tweety, god bless him, exposed that idiot (and the GOP) last night.
Here are some facts: Obama is stepping up enforcement. Crime rates in Arizona have gone down (except in Sheriff Arpaio's jurisdiction.) Obama could build the Great Wall of Xenophobia along the border and it still would not be enough. These Grand Old Party jokers do not support national ID cards, and though they talk tough about cracking down on employers, it is really hot gas. Some tea-bagging, GOP blowhards have seriously advocated adjusting or repealing the 14th amendment. Even Ayn Fucking Rand "My Dad Has Run for President 28 Times" Paul said as much. They are quite content with the system as it is now. They do not want to change a thing, really.
But it will crush the GOP in the end, this racist, cynical, constantly politicking 'tude of the Right & Ultra Right (who seriously seem to be the same these days.)
It is: The Brown Other. It is as simple (& hateful) as that. Those are the blinders this joke of an Opposition Party insist on wearing. These immigrant children of perhaps the first (& def most greatest) Immigrant Nation yet are reduced to blithering, xenophobic court jesters, nay, fools, singing their songs for Lear. And we all know how that turned out; Lear insane on the moors & the Fool nowhere to be found. (That actor had switched roles, you see.)
Cashing in on fear and racial animus are the Right's bread & butter, yes?
I still support a boycott. Just because Judge Bolton rightly decimated this awful AZ bill does not make AZ alright to me, by any means. The same folks who killed Chimpy's bill are the same folks screaming bloody murder about the Clinton appointed (& Kyl approved! He supports the home team, you see) Activist Judges. It is a matter of principle to me.
But the real damage is already being done. The Brown Other, you see, are moving out of the state as fast as they can. Good for them. What is really needed is a massive The Brown Other general strike. I know that this Tulsa born, Italian/Irish/English ancestor would show solidarity.
MAN, I just went off, hunh?
I need to relax.
I wanted to talk about Martin Amis' new fabulous novel, The Pregnant Widow and a host of other things. In fact, when just when is Spitler gonna finish that Beatle Mono Box review?
Not tonight.
Digby rocks.
Here are the facts re Social Security. Don't believe the crap. Anyone who insists Social Security is broke is someone who wants to abolish Social Security.
Jul 26, 2010
Jul 25, 2010
Jul 24, 2010
Jul 23, 2010
Grain of Salt
Renee took to me to work today and we made a couple of stops, bought some gas, Peet's, and Renee had to go to Wells Fargo. She just used the machine, did not go inside, so I stayed in the car. As I waited, a married couple, looked like they were in their sixties, got out of their large-ish SUV thingy and the man said to his wife, "We should go see Salt today, it got real good reviews."
NOW, I imagine the wife is going to do some negotiating. A nice dinner, a movie she wants to see, etc, ... They've prob been together for 30-40 years, and she knows him inside and oot, I am sure. She knows why he wants to see Salt. (& it ain't b/c it got good reviews.)
My buddy Nick thinks it is cool that a guy that old still gets excited about hot chicks. Renee & I thought it was pretty cool, too.
NOW, I imagine the wife is going to do some negotiating. A nice dinner, a movie she wants to see, etc, ... They've prob been together for 30-40 years, and she knows him inside and oot, I am sure. She knows why he wants to see Salt. (& it ain't b/c it got good reviews.)
My buddy Nick thinks it is cool that a guy that old still gets excited about hot chicks. Renee & I thought it was pretty cool, too.
ZOMG! STONE BREWING
HAS A NEW BEER< CELEBRATING THEIR 14TH BIRTHDAY! IT"S CALLED 14! IT"S A IPA! AN EMPERIAL (GET IT?, HUNH?) !PA! ZOMG! IT"S GOT 235 IBUS! IT"S 9 POINTS ALCOHOL! ZOMG! GET SOME TODAY!
Craft brewers are killing beer in the US. Lager is not a dirty word. Death to Super-Ale!
Craft brewers are killing beer in the US. Lager is not a dirty word. Death to Super-Ale!
Jul 21, 2010
Jul 20, 2010
My buddy
Nick & I (Hi Nick!, he and Renee are the only people who read fauxluxe) were discussing at work just what an amazing song this is, particularly lyrically.
Nick thinks it describes the modern late 20th/early 21st century relationship to a T. I like the sting in the tail, where he turns the tables on her. Who's using who, indeed?
Jul 19, 2010
Jul 18, 2010
Jul 15, 2010
I'm pissed
That guy published his Twitter novel, jeez, how come I din't do that? That's alright, I'm gonna do my Steely Dan novella, & it's gonna be way better than his book.
Many in Rangerland,
The Cliff Lee deal notwithstanding, were seriously freaking out after being swept at home, by the Orioles.
I'm fine. Really.
(I'm scared to check mlb.com. We're in Boston this weekend, ... )
I'm fine. Really.
(I'm scared to check mlb.com. We're in Boston this weekend, ... )
I am a puddle,
Certainly triple digits in the 925 today. You know, there is a tennis court and a basketball court here where Renee and I live (and a number of swimming pools) yet no one was out playing tennis or basketball today. Crickets, or rather, Sinister Heat Hiss.
The walk, the HILL, was daunting, but just at the bottom, at Homestead. It was a breeze. I even smoked a cigarette just for kicks.
I like heat, a lot. I really like hot, too. Humid does not bother me, neither (though humid is mostly a Texas memory- humid does not like the Bay Area, full-stop.)
On the walk home I listened to these guys. It's from a record called Hawaii.
I took out the recycling, trash, opened the place up, turned on one lamp and this computer, I think three fans, sucked doon half an ounce of Pepsi, poured myself a tall glass of iced tea and a short glass of Swanson Merlot (are you beginning to see just how effing tough I am? I drink Napa effing Merlot in triple digit weather! Underwater arc-welders are wimps, man,) and decided to share all of this with all of you!
Gotta go, I need to refill my wine glass.
The walk, the HILL, was daunting, but just at the bottom, at Homestead. It was a breeze. I even smoked a cigarette just for kicks.
I like heat, a lot. I really like hot, too. Humid does not bother me, neither (though humid is mostly a Texas memory- humid does not like the Bay Area, full-stop.)
On the walk home I listened to these guys. It's from a record called Hawaii.
I took out the recycling, trash, opened the place up, turned on one lamp and this computer, I think three fans, sucked doon half an ounce of Pepsi, poured myself a tall glass of iced tea and a short glass of Swanson Merlot (are you beginning to see just how effing tough I am? I drink Napa effing Merlot in triple digit weather! Underwater arc-welders are wimps, man,) and decided to share all of this with all of you!
Gotta go, I need to refill my wine glass.
Jul 14, 2010
I have just started
A fun project, a soundtrack of my life, if you will. I am going thru my entire iTunes file and picking out one song each from all the artists that have changed my life, or have really moved me, man. Certain artists, groups are allowed two tracks. Those artists, groups would be, say, the Mighty 'Lab, Beatles, R.E.M., etc, ...
I'll make a playlist, make a running order, and then make a boxset of cds.
I'll make a playlist, make a running order, and then make a boxset of cds.
Jul 12, 2010
Jul 11, 2010
Jul 8, 2010
Lots to talk aboot
Right now.
Renee & I had a v groovy, laid back 4th. I opened up my prize, the 1998 Le Petit Cheval, which seriously took a long time to come around but was really good eventually. It was a bit more earthy or dusty than I expected but was chock full of blueberries & menthol, totally right bank Bordeaux, which I love.
We were gonna do a Miles from Sideways kind of thing & eat burgers with it but Renee decided to make BBQ chicken instead, with a corn hash kind of thing of corn, natch, red peppers, and shallots. It was all around good.
We watched North by Northwest, I kept up with the Rangers (they lost on the 4th), & Renee fell asleep before the fireworks, which we could barely hear anyhoo.
Did the 3 dvds for 2 at Barnes & Noble yesterday & got some delicious stuff: A Single Man, which I liked even more here at home than I did in the theater. Yeh, it is eye-rollingly ponderous at times, weighty, and there are a lot of bells & whistles but the film really grabs me. When Colin Firth lets loose on "fear" at one of his lectures to a bunch of disinterested students I really got the sense of his gravity of age & maturity and not just his character's maturity but Firth's as well. And I remembered him back in Fever Pitch & Pride and Prejudice and I got the sense that I had grown up with him, yes? Whereupon, all day today I've been thinking about my growing-up and the way age reflects itself on my body, the eyes, my voice, posture, the chest, etc, ...
But it is not just that scene. Firth's performance throughout is exemplary. The scene where he learns about his lover's fatal car accident deserves special mention here, as well. He plays the whole event seated in a chair and in just a few minutes conveys to us the entire history of his relationship with this man, and their dogs, whilst remaining near mute and mostly static. Stunning. (It smells faintly of Method, honestly, which generally I abhor, but, hey, what works, works, right? [Though Firth is English and Limeys are not typically big on Method, preferring a more technical style of acting, one I employed as an actor myself, and one I prefer to see.]) Now, the director, fashion designer, Tom Ford, (his debut, mind you) has already given us glimpses of Firth's lover & the dogs (a rookie mistake to me, though I have not read the novel the film is based on) and it is possible that I'm giving Firth too much credit. Ultimately, having thought about this for a while now, I think Ford did Firth and his audience a disservice. I believe that if folks watched that scene in the chair cold, and divorced from the rest of the film, most would express the same feelings and word-pictures that I have. I could be wrong but it is likely the high point of Colin Firth's film career (I've never seen him on stage.)
Where Ford's bells and whistles do shine is in the bank scene, his use of a changing palette to contrast youth/innocence (the naughty [Lolita?] neighbor girl and her Mom) and age/resigned wisdom (Firth) does work a treat.
The one scene that most certainly worked better in the theater was Firth's scene with the always wonderful, Julianne Moore. It worked better in the theater mainly because I finally heard Booker T & the MGs, in glorious mono, through big-time movie speakers. Those guys in that group knew how to rumble your ass and get you off your seat and dancing.
And, to boot, not only did I get to grow up with Colin Firth, I got to watch Nichlolas Hoult, from About A Boy (a film I like a lot, novel too, Hornby, Fever Pitch, An Education screenplay, etc, ... ) grow up. You know, his North American accent was not bad. (For those who care, here is a little Nic Hoult porn for you.) But, so far, this is how I most like to remember him.
I also bought Junebug. Junebug is the slyest, most perfect little jewel box of a comedy. It is moving, hilarious in parts, honest, and supremely faithful to the communities in which it inhabits (something the Cohen bros. always seem to fuck up, with the exception of Lebowski. Even Fargo, a great film, the Cohen bros. finest, abuses their hosts at the dinner table. They are [v talented, mind you] carpetbaggers of the worst kind. Blood Simple and No Country for Old Men bore and frustrate me to no end, ... ANYHOO, ... ) Amy Adams, sadly, might never be this good again. I hope she will ditch the Leap Year poop and return to her Indie roots or do big-time lavish musicals, but I fear that will not happen.
Speaking of Amy Adams, I finally saw Doubt. This was good but not great. One scene did remind me of World Cup (or the World Series, whatever) in the sense that I was thrilled to be watching three World Class actors (Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Streep, Adams) sharing a scene. Meaty, fun stuff.
I love In Bruges, it is based on a play, but I haven't seen it in ages, so I will re-watch it soon and comment on it then.
It is time for the Rangers, anyhow. I listen to the Ranger radio guys on the computer. Eric Nadel was the color guy for the club way back in the late 70s/early 80s and I remember his article in (sadly) defunct Sport Magazine about how he came up with his home run call (which is, "That ball is HISTORY!" ) Nadel is the main guy now and has been for ages. He is one of the best going and the Rangers are lucky/smart to have him.
A couple of days ago, though, this happened. The guy is fine, a firefighter, and he got to meet Nolan Ryan. I was listening to the game myself when it happened and recoiled when I heard the crowd gasp like they did. I had never heard anything like that, personally, at a sporting event. Spooky.
Good night.
Renee & I had a v groovy, laid back 4th. I opened up my prize, the 1998 Le Petit Cheval, which seriously took a long time to come around but was really good eventually. It was a bit more earthy or dusty than I expected but was chock full of blueberries & menthol, totally right bank Bordeaux, which I love.
We were gonna do a Miles from Sideways kind of thing & eat burgers with it but Renee decided to make BBQ chicken instead, with a corn hash kind of thing of corn, natch, red peppers, and shallots. It was all around good.
We watched North by Northwest, I kept up with the Rangers (they lost on the 4th), & Renee fell asleep before the fireworks, which we could barely hear anyhoo.
Did the 3 dvds for 2 at Barnes & Noble yesterday & got some delicious stuff: A Single Man, which I liked even more here at home than I did in the theater. Yeh, it is eye-rollingly ponderous at times, weighty, and there are a lot of bells & whistles but the film really grabs me. When Colin Firth lets loose on "fear" at one of his lectures to a bunch of disinterested students I really got the sense of his gravity of age & maturity and not just his character's maturity but Firth's as well. And I remembered him back in Fever Pitch & Pride and Prejudice and I got the sense that I had grown up with him, yes? Whereupon, all day today I've been thinking about my growing-up and the way age reflects itself on my body, the eyes, my voice, posture, the chest, etc, ...
But it is not just that scene. Firth's performance throughout is exemplary. The scene where he learns about his lover's fatal car accident deserves special mention here, as well. He plays the whole event seated in a chair and in just a few minutes conveys to us the entire history of his relationship with this man, and their dogs, whilst remaining near mute and mostly static. Stunning. (It smells faintly of Method, honestly, which generally I abhor, but, hey, what works, works, right? [Though Firth is English and Limeys are not typically big on Method, preferring a more technical style of acting, one I employed as an actor myself, and one I prefer to see.]) Now, the director, fashion designer, Tom Ford, (his debut, mind you) has already given us glimpses of Firth's lover & the dogs (a rookie mistake to me, though I have not read the novel the film is based on) and it is possible that I'm giving Firth too much credit. Ultimately, having thought about this for a while now, I think Ford did Firth and his audience a disservice. I believe that if folks watched that scene in the chair cold, and divorced from the rest of the film, most would express the same feelings and word-pictures that I have. I could be wrong but it is likely the high point of Colin Firth's film career (I've never seen him on stage.)
Where Ford's bells and whistles do shine is in the bank scene, his use of a changing palette to contrast youth/innocence (the naughty [Lolita?] neighbor girl and her Mom) and age/resigned wisdom (Firth) does work a treat.
The one scene that most certainly worked better in the theater was Firth's scene with the always wonderful, Julianne Moore. It worked better in the theater mainly because I finally heard Booker T & the MGs, in glorious mono, through big-time movie speakers. Those guys in that group knew how to rumble your ass and get you off your seat and dancing.
And, to boot, not only did I get to grow up with Colin Firth, I got to watch Nichlolas Hoult, from About A Boy (a film I like a lot, novel too, Hornby, Fever Pitch, An Education screenplay, etc, ... ) grow up. You know, his North American accent was not bad. (For those who care, here is a little Nic Hoult porn for you.) But, so far, this is how I most like to remember him.
I also bought Junebug. Junebug is the slyest, most perfect little jewel box of a comedy. It is moving, hilarious in parts, honest, and supremely faithful to the communities in which it inhabits (something the Cohen bros. always seem to fuck up, with the exception of Lebowski. Even Fargo, a great film, the Cohen bros. finest, abuses their hosts at the dinner table. They are [v talented, mind you] carpetbaggers of the worst kind. Blood Simple and No Country for Old Men bore and frustrate me to no end, ... ANYHOO, ... ) Amy Adams, sadly, might never be this good again. I hope she will ditch the Leap Year poop and return to her Indie roots or do big-time lavish musicals, but I fear that will not happen.
Speaking of Amy Adams, I finally saw Doubt. This was good but not great. One scene did remind me of World Cup (or the World Series, whatever) in the sense that I was thrilled to be watching three World Class actors (Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Streep, Adams) sharing a scene. Meaty, fun stuff.
I love In Bruges, it is based on a play, but I haven't seen it in ages, so I will re-watch it soon and comment on it then.
It is time for the Rangers, anyhow. I listen to the Ranger radio guys on the computer. Eric Nadel was the color guy for the club way back in the late 70s/early 80s and I remember his article in (sadly) defunct Sport Magazine about how he came up with his home run call (which is, "That ball is HISTORY!" ) Nadel is the main guy now and has been for ages. He is one of the best going and the Rangers are lucky/smart to have him.
A couple of days ago, though, this happened. The guy is fine, a firefighter, and he got to meet Nolan Ryan. I was listening to the game myself when it happened and recoiled when I heard the crowd gasp like they did. I had never heard anything like that, personally, at a sporting event. Spooky.
Good night.
Jul 7, 2010
Jul 6, 2010
Jul 5, 2010
Jul 4, 2010
Jul 3, 2010
Todd Solondz'
New film looks to be fantastic, sick (as usual), daring, brave, etc, ...
Omar from The Wire is in it. Leaky Vessel from Tristram Shandy, too. & many more of my faves. I am very excited. Here is the trailer.
Omar from The Wire is in it. Leaky Vessel from Tristram Shandy, too. & many more of my faves. I am very excited. Here is the trailer.
DUH!
I just figured this out. Looking For Eric is a version of sorts of Play It Again, Sam. The hero of Play It Again, Sam is obsessed w/ Bogie & Casablanca, yes? Yes. What is one of the most crucial songs in Casablanca, after You Must Remember This, of course? It is Le Marseillaise! Which is the song that the Mancunians sing, adulterated version not withstanding, to celebrate Cantona!
That is one "clever clogs" screenwriter.
That is one "clever clogs" screenwriter.
I closed the dept
Last night for the first time in, I'd say, seven years? Wow. Then I walked home around eleven pm on the very very dark Iron Horse Trail, listening to Never Mind the Bollocks on my iPod. I kept seeing mirages of careening cyclists heading straight towards me. It was very spooky.
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