Movie Review: Man on Wire July 31, 2008
Posted by judylobo in Movie Reviews, Movie Trailer, Photography.Tags: Movie Review: Man on Wire
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Movie Review: Man on Wire
Alternate Title: Magnificent Obsession
Story: Performance artist or con artist? Those old enough to remember the more innocent days of August, 1974 can recall the French high wire artist, Philippe Petit who made headlines around the world with his daring high wire crossing across the top of the two towers of the World Trade Center.
Director James Marsh’s fascinating documentary is engaging, entertaining, thought provoking and often pretty funny. I only recoiled for a few moments when I saw the first file footage of the Trade Center. Director Marsh cleverly does not concentrate on the terrorist activities of 1993 or 2001. Those images are in the viewer’s head and are quickly erased. His focus is on Petit, his 10 year obsession with the Towers, his training, his planning and his oddball gang of willing assistants who allowed him to make history.
Thanks to Petit’s own archival footage we can also see his daring crossing of the towers of Notre Dame Cathedral in 1971 and his Sydney Harbour Bridge crossing in 1973. One can only imagine where he would end up today if these feats were attempted in this era of paranoia.
The title Man on Wire comes from the arresting officer’s paperwork as he describes the reason for the arrest. Give yourself a summer treat and watch this impish, puck like man of the 70’s strut his stuff.
Watch the trailer.
Acting: Not applicable in a documentary. But Philippe Petit is always on stage, I think. Jean-Francois Heckel, Jean-Louis Blondeau, Annie Allix, David Foreman
Trivia: Director James Marsh seems to have a thing going for Elvis. He directed a 2005 film called The King and also made The Burger & the King: The Life and Cuisine of Elvis Presley.
Predilection: I like documentary films.
Sex Spectrum: There is a goofy recreation of Petit’s sexcapade with one of the admiring groupies that he discovers shortly after the daring feat.
Blatant Product Placement: None
Soundtrack: Funny
Visual Art: Terrific aerial photography.
Theater Audience: A handful of admirers.
Quirky Meter: 2 – The three New Yorkers who aided Petit in his quest were the quirkiest of the bunch.
Squirm Scale: Some of the still photography is a but squirmy if you have a fear of heights.
Drift Factor: I paid attention throughout.
Oscar Worthy: no
Big Screen or Rental: Either would do.
Length: 100 minutes
LOBO HOWLS: 7
Vengeance and Justice will be mine? July 29, 2008
Posted by judylobo in Links, Movie Trailer, Photography, Politics, Videos.Tags: Jonathan Turley, Keith Olbermann, Monica Goodling, Mukasey, Oliver Stone, Ted Stevens, Tubes, Vengeance
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Why am I so enraged by the deeds of the Bush administration – beyond the obvious reasons? Why does it bother me so much that no one gets punished for their misdeeds, lies and abuses of power? I am not ashamed to say I want vengeance.
I happened across a great article in today’s NYTimes by Patricia Cohen – called, Calculating the Economics of an Eye for an Eye “Vengeance: it is as old as humanity, as natural as blinking. It has been examined and pondered by anthropologists, psychologists, sociologists, philosophers, legal scholars, poets, playwrights and even primatologists, who have recently found that chimpanzees will punish thieves by overturning their food tables so they cannot enjoy the fruits of their crime.” Economnists have recently tried to measure vengeance in real world terms. It turns out that personal attributes — age, income, gender — as well as the characteristics of one’s culture and country contribute to a person’s desire for revenge, Mr. Mocan said. “A feeling such as vengeance,” he said, “which can be considered primal, is nonetheless influenced by the economic and social circumstances of the person and the country he or she lives in.”
- Okay – so will vengeance be mine in the not so shocking discovery yesterday that the (In)Justice Department under former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales routinely violated federal hiring laws by using politics, sexual preference and other illegal criteria to replace qualifications? The report found that qualified candidates for jobs were rejected because a spouse was involved in Democratic politics or because either the candidate or a candidate’s wife was believed to be a lesbian. The report is a damning indictment of a Justice Department destroyed internally by political motives with no regard to laws. So will anyone go down for this? Not if AG Mukasey has anything to say about it (and he does). Chances are not good. Keith talks to Jonathan Turley about this development.
- Ted Stevens, the powerful Alaskan Senator, who believes the Internet(s) is a series of tubes has been indicted on seven counts of falsely reporting hundreds of thousands of dollars in services he received from a company that helped renovate his home.
And for laughs because goodness knows we need them -
Here is something to make your head explode. Oliver Stone’s work in progress has a trailer. Does anyone know the address of the World Court in the Hague? AURGH!
Movie Review: The X-Files: I Want to Believe July 29, 2008
Posted by judylobo in Movie Reviews, Movie Trailer, Videos.Tags: Movie Review: The X-Files: I Want to Believe
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Movie Review: The X-Files: I Want to Believe
Alternate Title: The Truth is Still Out There
Story: Has it really been six years since the fun paranormal phenomenon and Government conspiracy days of TV’s The X-Files? Ah, I remember them well. Perhaps real life mistrust of Government has taken its place. Anyhow, if you are a fan (and I am) you will definitely like this second X-Files film. Director Chris Carter is back along with his writing pal, Frank Spotnitz to reintroduce us to Dana Scully and Fox Mulder.
Scully is now a full time medical doctor and Mulder, who was dumped by the FBI, seems to spend most of his time clipping newspaper articles about weird stuff and shooting those pencils up into the ceiling, just like the old days. Just when they thought they were out of it – the FBI pulls them back after a female agent goes missing and an ex-Priest has visions of where she might be located. I am not going to plot spoil for you but I will reveal there is no ET type alien in the movie, but there is plenty of mystery (all earthbound) and some really bad people. There are also those FBI agents who maintain their nay saying attitude at all costs.
Do you need to be a long time fan to appreciate the film? Not at all. The writers eke out old story lines so you are in the loop quickly. There are some old jokes that resurface and the fan based theater crowd all appreciated those oldies, like me.
I look forward to another in the X-Files series whenever this crowd feels like putting one together for us diehard fans.
Watch the trailer:
For those loyal fans you will enjoy this love song dedicated to Scully and Mulder:
Acting: David Duchovny is, of course, Mulder and does not skip a beat. Gillian Anderson, as Scully, seems even more serious now that she wears a stethoscope full time. Amanda Peet as an FBI agent has too wide eyed an expression for me to believe her in the role. Billy Connolly as the former Priest was the best one in the cast and Rapper Alvin “Xzibit” Joiner as the FBI agent tagged as the non-believer and the one who is always wrong is fine.
Trivia: David Duchovny earned an undergraduate degree from Princeton and a graduate degree in English Literature at Yale.
Predilection: I am an X-Files fan and believe the truth is still out there.
Critters: Many scary, attack dogs. There are also photo images of experiments that have been done on dogs that will not be easy for some to view. There is also a scene where an attack dog gets hurt.
Food: I do not recall anyone eating anything.
Sex Spectrum: Scully and Mulder spoon.
Soundtrack: Loud and scary.
Opening Titles: The titles are superimposed over a winter landscape where tons of FBI agents are covering a lake looking for a body.
Visual Art: The winter landscape is supposed to be West Virginia, but it was filmed in Vancouver.
Theater Audience: About 50 believers. I was the only one to stay through the credits and I am glad I did because I received a very large smile for my extra time.
Weather: Very cold and snowy.
Sappy Factor: 0
Quirky Meter: 0
Squirm Scale: 3
Drift Factor: I paid attention throughout.
Predictability Level: Moderate
Tissue Usage: 0
Oscar Worthy: No
Nit Picking: Long time X-Files fans are used to seeing the location and time of a scene in the lower left hand corner of the screen. I assume this is too advance the story line. However, there is nowhere on the East or West coast that the sun rises at 5:02 in the morning in the dead of winter.
Big Screen or Rental: If you are a fan – you have to go BIG.
Length: 100 minutes.
LOBO HOWLS: 7.5
Movie Review: Transsiberian July 28, 2008
Posted by judylobo in Movie Reviews, Videos.Tags: Movie Review: Transsiberian
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Movie Review: Transsiberian
Alternate Title: Don’t Talk to Strangers
Story: How stupid are some American tourists? This film depicts the ultimate in your worst imagined traveler’s nightmare. Director and writer Brad Anderson has taken the familiar trapped on a train genre and sadly, jumped the rails along the way.
A do-gooder American couple, decide to take the long way home after their Church’s trip to China on the Trans-siberian train from Beijing to Moscow. Sounds simple and romantic but as quickly as they board this mystery train nothing goes according to plan. They find that they have to share a cabin with another young couple who ooze with suspicion. When our do-gooder train enthusiast gets separated from the group things go from creepy to scary quickly. Enter a frightening narcotics Russian detective, local Gulag ex-residents, heroin, angry drug dealers, secrets and lies. This was certainly not on their itinerary.
Having an American Express card on this trip would not have helped this stupid couple. After awhile, when they did such brazenly idiotic things, I gave up caring about them and started to believe they deserved the mess they were getting into. I would not say this movie was a train wreck because I did like the scenery and some of the plot twists, but I cannot yell ‘all aboard’ either.
Check out the trailer below.
Acting: Woody Harrelson as the do-gooder Church guy was not as convincing as he should have been. Emily Mortimer is fine actor but her role was uneven and weak in spots. I did not buy her as the reformed bad girl. Kate Mara was interesting, but did not have much of a part. Eduardo Noriega was reminiscent of a much younger Benicio Del Toro and was fine to watch. Ben Kingsley was terrific as the Russian detective, as always he is.
Trivia: Kate Mara is the great-granddaughter of the founder of the New York Giants, Timothy Mara and Art Rooney, founder of the Pittsburgh Steelers. She sings the national anthem at some Giants home games.
Predilection: None
Blatant Product Placement: Canon Eos Rebel has a HUGE part in the movie.
Critters: Drug sniffing dogs, a wolf and a hawk.
Food: Lots of drinking, soup, potatoes and train fare.
Sex Spectrum: Glimpses of sex in a moving train car.
Soundtrack: Tense
Opening Titles: Titles superimposed over our first meeting with the Church group before the couple goes separately to the train.
Visual Art: Pretty country.
Theater Audience: About 12 other train enthusiast
Weather: Cold, cold and colder in Siberia.
Sappy Factor: 0
Quirky Meter: 0
Squirm Scale: There are some very squirmy torture scenes.
Drift Factor: I drifted a bit in the middle.
Predictability Level: After awhile, I simply did not care.
Tissue Usage: 0
Oscar Worthy: No
Big Screen or Rental: If you like train films, it might make a rental list for you.
Length: 100 minutes
LOBO HOWLS: 6
Money Talks and Penguins Walk July 27, 2008
Posted by judylobo in Animal Videos, Photo Archives, Photography, Politics, Videos, Zoos.Tags: Central Park Zoo, Mick Jagger, obama, Penguins, Scott McClellan, Snow monkeys, T. Boone Pickens, Vincent Bugliosi
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- So just who the heck is T. Boone Pickens? If you have not seen his $58 million dollar campaign promoting wind power versus our reliance on oil, then you must have been on a really restful unplugged vacation. Pickens is a billionaire oilman, a Texan, a Republican (you might recall his leadership in the ’swift boating’ of John Kerry four years ago) and now we are to make the mental switch that this guy is an environmentalist. Why don’t I feel all earthy and crunchy over this make-over? He is now a hedge fund manager promoting wind power. Will he prosper from this born again move? Duh! Of course he will. He will receive massive subsidies and of course make even more money if clean energy is the way our bull headed society opts to go. Does it matter that we do not trust this guy? The better side of me says we have no choice. The cynical ranting side of me says be careful what you wish for. Stay tuned.
- Mick Jagger is 65 – gather ye rose buds…..
- For those that shut out the news from Friday afternoon to Monday morning you might have missed this (not surprising) jaw dropper out of Scott McClellan’s mouth on Friday night’s Hardball, with the very annoying Chris Matthews. Scott McClellan exposed Fox News as a propaganda tool for the White House. So what, you say? Watch the whole six minutes on Keith Olbermann’s show and hear why this is not only frustratingly horrible but it is also illegal.
- Most of the US press corp are on their way home today after Obama’s world wind tour. The ‘getting to know you’ tour either worked or did not work, depending on which newspaper you read. Frank Rich chimes on with his words of wisdom today and Bob Herbert writes about that other guy, who is on a full season pass from the press.
- The show trial in the House last week on Bush’s non-impeachment trial was insulting, frustrating and borderline insane. Watch Vincent Bugliosi as he tells the House Judiciary Committee the there is “more than enough evidence” to convict Bush administration officials for murder.
- The Central Park Zoo has three new penguin chicks. Our air conditioned penguin house is more crowded than ever as people ogle the new chicks. It is photographic challenge to shoot through the exhibit glass as the condensation, fingerprints and splashes build throughout the day. But I persevere. Enjoy the chick and some of the other fabulous faces at the Central Park Zoo.
- In the always leave ‘em smiling wrap up – watch 14 month old baby snow monkey Zeppy playing at the Central Park Zoo.
Hit and Run July 24, 2008
Posted by judylobo in Animal Videos, Jewish Stuff, Photography, Politics, Religion, Videos.Tags: baby monkey, Bob Novak, Leiberman, Lewis Black, obama
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- Bob Novak’s famous hits. As you all know, Novak’s most famous hit was on Valerie Plame as he ‘outed’ her as a CIA agent. Why is this man allowed out on this streets? Now it appears, he hit a pedestrian in a crosswalk and fled the scene. A lawyer, on a bicycle, caught up to him and turned him in. Check out the video of him receiving a citation.
- Speaking of people who need to be cited – Joe Leiberman is a menace. I am sure the good people of Connecticut are shaking their collective heads and wringing their hands over what they have wrought. The good news is that in a recent poll by the Pro-Israel Group JStreet, these are the findings: “Only 37 percent of Jews view the Connecticut Independent in a favorable light compared to 48 percent who have a negative perception. As for Obama, 60 percent of Jews view him favorably while 34 percent view him unfavorably.” It looks like another one of McCain’s helpers might be actually hurting him.
- Catch this hysterical Lewis Black feature on Jon Stewart:
- On Friday, June 18th, at a fund raiser for candidate Pete Olson, Bush, shared his assessment of the economy after asking that cameras be turned off. Is there a politician out there who does not realize that EVERYTHING is being taped and on youtube before they are finished speaking? Watch the thug-in chief as he ‘charms’ his Texas audience. There are 179 days left in this disgrace of an administration.
In the always leave ‘em smiling mode:
Movie Review: Encounters at the End of the World July 23, 2008
Posted by judylobo in Animal Stories, Animal Videos, Movie Reviews, Movie Trailer, Photography.Tags: Movie Review: Encounters at the End of the World
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Movie Review: Encounters at the End of the World
Alternate Title: Veni, Vidi, Vanish
Story: Writer, director and narratorWerner Herzog is a unique film maker. His vision tends towards obscure individuals, quirky lifestyles and impossible dreamers. What’s not to like? He has received deserved awards and at 65 years of age seems unstoppable.
His latest venture finds him at the end of the world (that is both a literal and figurative title). He is invited by the Discovery Channel and National Science Foundation to research material for a film at McMurdo Research Station. Herzog vows not to make another film about ‘fluffy penguins’ and I guarantee you that this film is as far from Happy Feet as you can get.
The underwater and cave scenes filmed by director of photography, Peter Zeitlinger, are breathtaking. The accompanying music set the perfect stage for an otherworldly cinematic experience.
Through Herzog, we meet a collection of fascinating people who have decided to do their research at the most formidable place in the world. Some are philosophical, some melancholy and some simply downright odd. We encounter geologists, volcanologists, divers, cooks, drivers, biologists and my favorite was the linguist was proclaims that yes, it is odd for a linguist to be living in a place in the world, where there are no languages. The common thread throughout all of the interviews is, everyone, without preaching, proclaims that the ‘end of the world’ is a sure thing due to climate change. Yet, it is not a depressing film. Really – I swear.
I was fortunate to travel to Antarctica in 2005. It was the trip of a lifetime. For some of my photos from that trip, check out Antarctica one and Antarctica two.
Acting: There is no acting in a documentary.
Predilection: I like Herzog’s film and like to see films about Antarctica
Critters: Jellyfish, clams, creepy crawly unidentifiable bottom dwellers, Weddell seals, Adelie Penguins (the most heartbreaking of scenes) and a frozen sturgeon. There is also some file footage of Shackleton’s dogs.
Food: An ice creamy product from a machine called Frosty Boy and uneaten popcorn.
Sex Spectrum: It is to cold for sex in Antarctica.
Blatant Product Placement: Not applicable in a documentary.
Soundtrack: The music by Henry Kaiser and David Lindley was perfect.
Opening Titles: I cannot remember any titles at the beginning but I was touched by the fact that the film was dedicated to Roger Ebert (whose long run on TV was ended by Disney yesterday).Visual Art: Astonishing imagery.
Theater Audience: Two young men and us. My friend wanted to know if I could guess when the world might end because there were things she needed to do first and wanted to spend all of her money.
Weather: Baby it’s cold outside.
Sappy Factor: 0
Quirky Meter: 3
Squirm Scale: I get claustrophobic and the diving scenes were squirmy for me.
Drift Factor: I did not drift at all.
Tissue Usage: 0
Oscar Worthy: I doubt it.
Big Screen or Rental: If you can find this on a big screen it would be the way to go.
Length: 100 minutes
LOBO HOWLS: 7.5
Movie Review: Mamma Mia! July 22, 2008
Posted by judylobo in Movie Reviews, Movie Trailer.Tags: Movie Review: Mamma Mia!
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Movie Review: Mamma Mia!
Alternate Title: Oy Vey!
Story: The only good thing about sitting through a terrible movie is that I then go home and write the review. It is payback time. Let’s face it – writing a scathing review is oodles more fun than writing a mediocre review.
This movie stunk. There were no redeeming qualities to the film. No wait — if you can possibly sit through the whole film and are simply too numb to get up, when it is finally over, you will gasp aloud, as I did, while watching the credits. The costumes and performances during the credit role were hilarious.
The story is about 20 year old Sophie, who lives on a Greek island with her single mother, Donna. Sophie is about to get married and the only thing missing in her life is knowing who is her father. While reading her mother’s old diary she discovers that three men were intimate with her mother that summer 20 years ago. So what does Sophie do? She secretly invites them all to her wedding. Let the miscues, miscommunication, moronic behavior ensue.
How can a film shot on a Greek Island not be pretty? How can a stellar, three dimensional cast be so one dimensionally awful? Why did any of these actors agree to this fiasco? We will never know the answers to these mind boggling questions and I am still scratching my head at how very bad this movie turned out.
Yes, I saw the play a long time ago and didn’t get the enthusiasm of the crowd at that time either. You could say I am not a big Abba fan – but I am a big movie fan and I know a good movie when I see one and this piece ‘o crap was not a good movie. It was an empty calorie experience.
It was directed (and I use the term very loosely) by Phyllida Lloyd (who also directed the hugely popular stage show) and written by Catherine Johnson, who was responsible for the original musical book on stage. It was originally conceived by Judy Craymer based on the songs of Abba.
Watch the trailer and see all you need to see in under three minutes.
Acting: Meryl Streep as Donna has never looked more uncomfortable. I was embarrassed for her. Pierce Brosnan should never, ever be allowed to sing again. Colin Firth should not include this on his growing resume. Stellan Skarsgard looked totally confused throughout and seemed as if he were in pain. Julie Walters as one of Donna’s old friends could not have looked more uncomfortable. Dominic Cooper, who was terrific in The History Boys will survive this debacle as will the young and lovely, Amanda Seyfried (Big Love). Finally, Christine Baranski definitely looked drunk (and I do not blame her) the entire film.
Predilection: None
Critters: It was lucky there were no critters. They would have been stomped upon with all of the dancing, rolling around on the ground and kicking throughout the film.
Food: Lots of food being prepared for the big wedding, including fish and wedding cake but nothing was eaten.
Sex Spectrum: The implication of sexual activity was rampant but no sex on screen.
Blatant Product Placement: Sephora
Soundtrack: Ever heard Abba?
Opening Titles: The glitzy title of Mamma Mia! but all credits were at the gasping end of the movie.
Visual Art: The production values were so dismal even the Greek Islands looked depleted of color and warmth.
Theater Audience: A few other dazed and confused people.
Weather: Lovely
Sappy Factor: 3
Quirky Meter: 0
Squirm Scale: I squirmed for all of the actors who had to do what they did.
Drift Factor: I looked at my watch for the first time after only 12 minutes. I then planned the rest of my life. Oy!
Predictability Level: High
Tissue Usage: 0
Oscar Worthy: A resounding NO
Big Screen or Rental: Neither
Length: Too long at any length.
LOBO HOWLS: 2
Movie Review: The Dark Knight July 21, 2008
Posted by judylobo in Movie Reviews, Movie Trailer.Tags: Movie Review: The Dark Knight
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Movie Review: The Dark Knight
Alternate Title: The Chaos Theory
Story: The Batman is back and this time out we have a story about our superhero that is strictly for grown-ups. Despite its PG rating, I strongly advise against taking the kiddies. It is dark, grisly, filled with sadistic scenes and has much to say about the human condition (and those are the good parts). The film is directed again by Christopher Nolan and written by his brother, Jonathan and Christopher Nolan. It is based on a story by Christopher Nolan and David S. Goyer and the Batman character created by Bob Kane (DC Comics).
I have been partial to the Batman character because of his imperfections. Yes, he plays by the rules, but is known to cross them occasionally for the greater good. Gotham has become one scary place, with corruption on high and the mob is ubiquitous. The new DA, Harvey Dent, seems to be the man of the hour. His goal is to unshackle Gotham from the clutches of evil. Will his goal allow the Batman to retire? Will it finally allow him to get out of that rubber suit and into his Armani full time? Guess what? It is not to be. The Joker brings a plague of chaos to Gotham.
The Joker is a viscous, perverse, sadistic, frightening monster. He is that bogeyman you have nightmares about. Every time he was on screen I got nervous. Remember Javier Bardem’s portrayal of Anton Chigurh from No Country for Old Men? This dude was even scarier.
If you like your superhero dark and your story line darker, this summer blockbuster is for you. I thought it was fine, though nerve wracking entertainment. It is overly long and uneven – but it is summer and I went along for the dark ride.
Acting: Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne/Batman is mighty fine, although this terrific actor does not have much to ‘act’ about. Michael Caine as loyal manservant Alfred, is, well, Michael Caine. Heath Ledger as the Joker, gave one hell of a performance in his last role. Gary Oldman seemed to be tranquilized as Commissioner Gordon. Aaron Eckhart as DA Harvey Dent did an outstanding job and Maggie Gyllenhaal, who replaced Katie Holmes was fine, indeed as Rachel Dawes. Morgan Freeman as Lucius Fox, was Morgan Freeman.
Predilection: I like the Batman
Critters: Some very viscous Rottweilers.
Food: No time to eat when Gotham is going down the tubes.
Sex Spectrum: No time for sex either.
Blatant Product Placement: The lovely City of Chicago.
Soundtrack: The music by Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard was over the top.
Opening Titles: All titles at the end.
Visual Art: The DC Comic came to life beautifully in this dark, dark tale.
Theater Audience: Fairly crowded for a 10 AM Sunday morning showing. Other than a few chuckles, when appropriate, there was not a peep out of this mostly male, adult crowd.
Weather: The weather was fine in Gotham.
Sappy Factor: 0
Quirky Meter: 0
Squirm Scale: The scenes with the Joker were very squirmy on different levels.
Drift Factor: I looked at my watch often after the first hour. It needed editing badly.
Predictability Level: High
Tissue Usage: 0
Oscar Worthy: I did not think Heath Ledger would get an Oscar nod, but after seeing his performance I have changed my mind.
Big Screen or Rental: Big screen for sure. Other Christopher Nolan films you can rent include: The Prestige, Batman Begins Insomnia and the terrific Memento
Length: Overly long at two and a half hours.
Lobo Howls: 7.5
It’s All in Your Head July 20, 2008
Posted by judylobo in Animal Stories, Animal Videos, Photo Archives, Photography, Politics, Videos, Zoos.Tags: Free Kibble, Gray Wolf, Green-wood Cemetery, Jon Stewart, Maddow, McCain, Monk Parrots, Nancy Pelosi, Olbermann, Phil Gramm, Walrus. Bronx Zoo
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Feeling blue? Feeling broke? Feeling homeless? Feeling unappreciated? Feeling that your car might as well be a sculpture in the driveway since you can’t afford gas anymore? Feeling that your civil rights are being taken away? Feeling that you are being watched probed and prodded? Hogwash say the Repugnants! It’s all in your head. Both John McCain and George Bush have been speaking the same Party line. Which means they are speaking the same bullshit. If we would simply look at the glass as half full things would get better, they say. Or if Bush had a magic wand – he would wave all of our problems away. Gasp! As you all know by now, McCain’s campaign co-chair Phil Gramm had to step down because of the controversy over his comment that we were in the middle of a “mental recession.” True to form the Repugnants dumped this piece of news on us late Friday thinking not much attention would be paid to this shift in leadership. Guess what? I noticed. MoveOn.org created a fine video on the subject that does not get McSame off the hook.
Here’s Keith Olbermann on Phil Gramm’s dumping:
- Frank Rich also chimes in on McCain’s fiscal ineptitude and the Bloomberg connection.
- What the F**K? Bush now agrees to a timetable for withdrawal from Iraq? Huh?
- Some good news for a change for the gray wolf. Gray wolves in the greater Yellowstone area of the northern Rocky Mountains, were again put under the protections of the Endangered Species Act by a judge in Montana on Friday. The judge, Donald W. Molloy of Federal District Court, took the form of a preliminary injunction and could be reversed. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing stories. The hunters out there will just have to go kill something else for a bit.
- Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, called George Bush a ‘total failure’. While I surely have no difficulty agreeing with Speaker Pelosi on her very deep observation, I do have many bones to pick with her regarding her leadership. The Dreadfulcrats now control the House and the senate and have for the past two years. So why can’t we get much done, eh, Nancy? Nancy?
- Rachel Maddow needs more than her own TV show – she should have her own cable station. Watch her take on conservative Noah Oppenheim as she speaks for Barack Obama.
- What a joke that John McCain appeared at the recent NAACP convention. Here is a man who fought long and hard against honoring Martin Luther King Jr and in 1983 voted against making the day a National Holiday. Here is his record on the subject and on the Confederate flag.
- Check out Jon Stewart and the Dobbs -O-Meter
- You may have seen the little girl on National TV who started raising funds to buy kibble for dogs who have become homeless because of foreclosures. Just click on the link and answer a question. Whether you are right or wrong by clicking on the link you are helping out.
- A return visit to the Bronx Zoo with some very young friends, was a special treat this week. Visiting the Madagascar just one month later found the animals acclimating wonderfully to their new home. I even got to see the two beautiful mongoose and at the Congo exhibit I finally saw the illusive mandrill. Sensational. Check out the photo montage here.
- Last Saturday we went to Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn for an amazing tour with the best tour guide in NYC, Justin Ferate. The beautiful cemetery was founded in 1838. It was granted National Historic Landmark status in 2006. There are many notables buried in the Cemetery including, Leonard Bernstein, Peter Cooper, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Charles Ebbets, Elias Howe, John LaFarge, Samuel FB Morse, Boss Tweed, and Louis Comfort Tiffany. The place is rich in history and is a great place to visit and wander through. The monk parrots that now live at Green-wood Cemetery are not only tolerated, but appreciated by the management. Check out this website to see some more up-close photos of these terrific and very vocal birds. Check out my photo montage here.
- In the always leave ‘em smiling mode – here’s my video of one of the charismatic walrus’ who lives at Sea World San Diego.
