A Shout Out to Governor Cuomo June 26, 2011
Posted by judylobo in Photography, Politics.5 comments
The anual Gay Pride Parade goes directly past Casa Lobo. It is always very loud and festive but this year – even more so. I cheered rather loudly myself when Governor Cuomo passed by. A HUGE shout out to him for promises kept.
Weiner Walks and I’m Pissed June 16, 2011
Posted by judylobo in Politics.3 comments
I know I have been uncharacteristically silent of late but now I am pissed.
What the heck is going on? Anthony Weiner was the only Democrat with enough moxie, chutzpah and smarts to take on the Repugnants and call them out as they should be on issue after issue. So what do the waffling, ball-less Dreadfulcrats do?
They throw their loyal pit bull under the bus. They call for his resignation and send him off into the sunset alone without so much as ‘thanks for all you have done.’ I am pissed. Weiner said what I thought – he said it over and over again. Who is going to do that now? I do not see anyone in the House who will come to the podium and say what needs to be said.
Sad – pathetic and very disappointing. I will miss him.
Keith and Kovacs April 13, 2011
Posted by judylobo in art, Links, Politics, Videos.1 comment so far
Boy, do I miss Keith Olbermann. Last night, thanks to my sister Terry, we went to the Paley Center (the Museum of Television and Radio) to enjoy 90 minutes of ‘The Life and Legacy of Ernie Kovacs’, moderated by Keith Olbermann.
‘Cerebral and surreal, Ernie Kovacs was one of television’s most daring and subversive originals. From 1950 until his untimely death in 1962, the outrageous comedian used the small screen as his personal comic canvas, challenging the medium’s conventions and assumptions. Moderator Keith Olbermann, himself a master of pop culture references, will lead a discussion about Kovacs’s offbeat sensibility and how it paved the way for future experimentation by Monty Python, David Letterman, and MTV. George Schlatter and his wife Jolene Brand will put their friend’s life in perspective, while two of the most innovative creators of contemporary television, Robert Smigeland Joel Hodgson, will examine why Kovacs remains relevant today. Historian Ben Model will reveal how he curated the definitive box set of Kovacs’s work, which will be released by Shout! Factory on April 19. The evening also will feature exemplary highlights of Ernie’s art, testifying to his personal motto, “Nothing in Moderation’
The evening was funny and entertaining but what I enjoyed most of all was seeing Keith again. I have missed his Countdown more than I realized. Yes, I have been distracted these past few months about politics, the world and the demolition of our system of government as we know it, but last night I was energized again.
Contractually, Olbermann is not allowed to speak about his separation with MSNBC so there were vague and subtle references all evening about his estrangement with the network that the crowd enjoyed. Keith will be back on the air on Current TV sometime soon. I for one, will tune in.
If you are not familiar with the work of Ernie Kovacs there is a treasure trove of snippets on youtube and the new boxed DVD set is now available. He was a genius who tragically died in a car accident at the age of 42. Below are just two of my favorites.
Grandma and the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Tragedy March 26, 2011
Posted by judylobo in Jewish Stuff, Photography, Politics, Religion.10 comments
Much has been written about the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory tragedy that happened 100 years ago this week. 146 lives were lost. It was the beginning of a strong labor movement in NYC and many laws were changed to protect workers.
My grandmother, Anna Osipow Goldberg worked at that factory. She did not go to work the day of the fire. Why, you may ask? I never got a straight answer to that question. By the time I was old enough to understand the consequences of that tragic day, my grandma was consumed by what we called in those days, ‘senility.’ It was probably Alzheimer’s Disease, but that word was not in the lexicon in way back then. My grandma was a tough, stern, unsmiling, woman. She did not want to talk about her childhood in Czarist Russia, she did not want to talk about the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory – in fact – she did not want to talk of much at all. Whenever she wanted to speak, it seemed to me as a child, that she spoke in Yiddish. I think I assumed she did not want us ‘kids’ to know what she was speaking about.
All these years later – I wish I had asked the right questions. I sure would like to know why she never smiled. Maybe she was thinking about all of those lives lost – I do not know.
If you don’t stand for something – you’ll fall for anything February 26, 2011
Posted by judylobo in Photography, Politics.1 comment so far
Along with thousands of others we went down to Foley Square this afternoon in support of Planned Parenthood, the pro-choice health provider. The House of Representatives voted last week to cut federal funding for Planned Parenthood. It was a good, loud NY crowd. It felt encouraging to see so many young women out there fighting the good fight that I and so many others fought for so many years ago.
Mike Pence, the obnoxious pro-life Indiana Congressman is proud to have his name on this bill. The congressman said he wants to stop taxpayers’ money from funding abortions. Attendees at the rally said that Planned Parenthood, which is the largest sexual and reproductive health care provider in the country, offers many other necessary services for women. They said if the bill passes, millions of people in the United States, including 800,000 New Yorkers, would lose basic health care and education services.
The Pence amendment faces an uphill battle, as there is a Democratic majority in the Senate and the president has threatened to veto the measure if it is approved. Below are some photos from the day. Keep the faith.
Rally Ho! February 25, 2011
Posted by judylobo in Links, Politics, Supreme Court.1 comment so far
Get those placards out of mothballs. Join me and the throngs down at Foley Square this Saturday from 1 to 3. You know where Foley Square is right? It is where you always see the team from Law & Order descend those grand court house steps. In the next week, Congress will hold the fate of Planned Parenthood and family planning in their hands. We must let them know that New Yorkers will not stand for this current assault on women’s access to health care. Join Elected Officials: Senator Charles Schumer, Congressmembers Yvette Clark, Carolyn Maloney, Jerry Nadler, Anthony Weiner, NYC Council Speaker Christine Quinn! Celebrities and Musical Guests: Kathleen Turner, Gloria Steinem, Kathleen Hanna, the Mountain Goats, Nellie McKay, Toshi Reagon, Maddy Wyatt, oh yes, and me and my gang. Come one – everyone else across this great country of ours is holding a placard for something – how about you?
Something to jump for… February 17, 2011
Posted by judylobo in Links, Photography, Politics, Videos, wildlife, Zoos.1 comment so far
Finally, something to jump and shout about. One of my favorite former Senators, Russ Feingold, has started a movement. I signed up and made a contribution – how about you? Let us not just watch the rest of the world in revolution mode – let us join the excitement. Progressives United is founded by Former Senator Russ Feingold. Progressives United will lead the movement to curtail corporate influence on politics, and we will never compromise on our integrity in the allies we work with, the candidates we support, or the donations we accept.