Hello, Horror Lovers. Welcome, fans of Clive Barker.
I've been a fan of Clive Barker since his first Book of Blood came out in 1984. The year I read that book, I wrote to both Stephen King and Clive Barker. Never heard from King. Barker, however, personally answered my letters. I spoke to him on several occasions at book signings at Tower Books in Seattle. We talked at length several times and once I was able to have him shake hands with my son, who was at the time, about 2 and in his stroller.
When I told him in person, that I had written, he rather animatedly said, "And I wrote you back too didn't I?" And I said, "Yes you did and it was appreciated." To which he replied, "See, I try to answer all my mail. But its been getting harder to keep up anymore." And I said, I understood. I still have his response letters. Once he moved to Los Angeles, I'm sad to say, I completely lost track of him; and at which point, he became very famous. I was all too happy that he was getting the acclaim I had long known, that he well deserved. I have all his Books of Blood, and signed by him, as well as some of his other, later books like Weaveworld (one of my favorites), Imagica, etc.
One of them he took his time and drew some art in. I was first in line when he arrived at Tower Books. I had been waiting for a while and there was a long line behind me, of mostly Stephen King fans. I chatted with them before he got there. When he arrived, he was asked, "Would you like some tea or coffee?" To which he replied, "Coffee would be nice." Then he was asked how he would like it and he said, "White." This confused the person pretty badly, but another handler said, "That's OK, I know what he means, I'll get it." What he meant, obviously, was with cream.
Once he sat down he said hi and we talked for like fifteen minutes. I tried to beg off not wanting to be a "star hog" but he said don't worry about it. I explained that he was about to meet a long line of King fans, which he laughed about. He said he was always happy to pick up new readers. I bantered with him about what I thought of King, giving the appropriate respect, but also the honest and accurate opinion, also explaining why I so much more appreciated Clive's prose and stories. I found him to be one of the nicest guys and funny.
Lately, I've been watching some online videos of him and I noticed a few things. Like he had been into working out since I last saw him. And, that his voice was sounding too strained. I just watched my new DVD of Midnight Meat Train, from one of his first short stories in the Books of Blood. The video of him in the extras, again had his voice sounding very strained and it concerned me this time to the point I looked it up on line. Below is what I found.
In listening to the second audio track of the Midnight Meat Train DVD, with Clive and Director, Ryûhei Kitamura ("Sky High" and "Aragami"), his voice sounds very much better. I would like to say, this is one of the best Clive movies ever made. Both he and Kitamura laughed at the movies made from Clive stories and how many of them are horrible and Clive has pretty much had it and fully agrees about that. I could never understand why, such a great horror writer and just writer in general and a great artist, could have such bad movies keep coming out. But he had little to do with most of those.
Clive admits to several things on this DVD. There is a short about his paintings, very worth checking out. How he is, Irish, Italian and Gay. Brooke Shields, did a great job in this film as did, Bradley Cooper and every one really. Vinnie Jones, was excellent, love his many films. Roger Bart of Desperate Housewives fame, was also excellent. Peter Jacobson, from House, M.D., as the cafe cook, was a pleasant surprise, too.
Love that they mention Tom Savini, as well as some of the homage shots from, The Exorcist. Clive also mentions that he loves Andrei Tarkovsky (as do I), the famous Russian (Soviet?) director of such films as 1972s, Solaris (a far better book than anyone has been able to capture on film; do check out other novels also by, Stanislaw Lem, the brilliant Polish Science Fiction and speculative fiction writer). He said some of it was also an homage to David Cronenberg, another favored director of mine since Scanners (1981) Videodrome (1983) and more recently, eXistenZ (1999), A History of Violence (2005) and Eastern Promises (2007).
They said the DVD has much more blood and guts than the MPAA released theatrical version. Some very fresh shots in this movie. Like the eyeball gag, reminds me of a scene in a short story and script of mine, "Sarah", where a pigeon, is the catalyst of the next shot, to dramatic results.
Overall, if you like horror and especially, Clive, check this movie out.
Anyway, in the thought that someone else may too be wondering about Clive's voice, here is a reprint of admittedly old, but happy information. I've been wondering what's up with his voice and I'm happy to hear its been now taken care of.
"Great News About Clive Barker's Voice and Health Condition!"
from by Roger - Thursday, 27 March 2008
From the Fifth Dominion web site.
"For a couple years now many Clive Barker fans have had great concern over Clive's raspy voice and shortness of breath... basically a radical change in voice from what it was previously.
"This was speculated to be everything from too many cigars, a mysterious health problem, and Cenobite attacks. Always worried but hoping for the best the fans can now relax.
"Clive spoke to Revelations on March 26, 2008 and asked them to make this public announcement:
"Over the past couple of years at signings, people have often come up to me saying, 'Your voice doesn't sound too good, are you OK?' So, to all those people who have shown me kindness and concern, I would like to say 'Thank You'. There was an issue - I have had polyps on my throat which has constricted my breathing and affected my voice - and this has just recently been addressed, with great success."
"I am feeling far healthier and more energetic! I may be a little less talkative for a short while, but it's all good news and I want to make a point of thanking all of you who have shown concern - it has been much appreciated..." - Clive Barker"
[Thanks to Doug for bringing this to our attention, Revelations, and especially to Clive for sharing such personal news with his fans.]
http://www.clivebarker.info/newsmarch08.html
Keep on hanging in there Clive....
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Monday, July 26, 2010
Does Varsity Brands Own the NCSF Cheer Association?
Friday, June 18, 2010 I posted a blog, Cheerleaders Rock!
At the end, Tiffani said...
"The National Cheer Safety Foundation is not funded by, nor affiliated with, Varsity Brands Incorporated." - July 8, 2010 11:21 AM
Well, Penn and Teller on their show, Bullshit! disagree. But I wanted to know what was true. I was hard pressed to find out. Next time that episode of Bullshit! comes on, I'll save it, review it, and try to track down what they had to say. Sadly, I cannot find a copy of that episode and had already deleted it from my Tivo. [7/27/2010 - author retraction, the NCSF is not indicated as being funded by Varsity in this episode of Bullsh*t! Thanks to Tiffany for that clarification with offering me a link to that episode. YOU Rock, Tiffany! :) ].
My desire on my blog, is to entertain, inform, spark people's attention, and obviously, drive more readers to my posts. But I have no desire in spreading misinformation. So, as soon as I find out different, once I have hard data, I'll share it here with you.
I would assume, the Penn and Teller researchers on their show found something indicating a link, otherwise they would be getting sued by NCSF and more likely, Varsity Brands Inc. There is a legal standard that if you don't protect your brand, you can lose it; and you have no right to say something about someone, if you can't prove it. Penn and Teller have a slew of Attorneys to keep them from getting sued. So I would initially have to assume they have indeed found a link between these two previously thought to be autonomous entities.
Once I find out they were wrong, you'll know it.
What I was able to track down, was the following:
Jim Lord. Executive Director of AACCA, which is owned by Varsity
Mike Pare (Assistant coach for UCF, owns Spirit Athletics, and a UofK cheer alumni) and Cheer Athletics (which is owned by Varsity)
http://boards.varsity.com/index.php?topic=1115.0
The American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Administrators AACCA is owned by varsity.
Spirit Athletics is owned by Mike Pare.
Cheer Athletics is owned by varsity.
AACCA is also a member of the Organization of Spirit Industry Providers (OSIP), the membership-based organization for educational organizations, suppliers, publications, competition organizers, safety organizations and gym owner groups for the spirit industry.
http://www.aacca.org/content.aspx?item=About/Purpose.xml
At the end, Tiffani said...
"The National Cheer Safety Foundation is not funded by, nor affiliated with, Varsity Brands Incorporated." - July 8, 2010 11:21 AM
Well, Penn and Teller on their show, Bullshit! disagree. But I wanted to know what was true. I was hard pressed to find out. Next time that episode of Bullshit! comes on, I'll save it, review it, and try to track down what they had to say. Sadly, I cannot find a copy of that episode and had already deleted it from my Tivo. [7/27/2010 - author retraction, the NCSF is not indicated as being funded by Varsity in this episode of Bullsh*t! Thanks to Tiffany for that clarification with offering me a link to that episode. YOU Rock, Tiffany! :) ].
My desire on my blog, is to entertain, inform, spark people's attention, and obviously, drive more readers to my posts. But I have no desire in spreading misinformation. So, as soon as I find out different, once I have hard data, I'll share it here with you.
I would assume, the Penn and Teller researchers on their show found something indicating a link, otherwise they would be getting sued by NCSF and more likely, Varsity Brands Inc. There is a legal standard that if you don't protect your brand, you can lose it; and you have no right to say something about someone, if you can't prove it. Penn and Teller have a slew of Attorneys to keep them from getting sued. So I would initially have to assume they have indeed found a link between these two previously thought to be autonomous entities.
Once I find out they were wrong, you'll know it.
What I was able to track down, was the following:
Jim Lord. Executive Director of AACCA, which is owned by Varsity
Mike Pare (Assistant coach for UCF, owns Spirit Athletics, and a UofK cheer alumni) and Cheer Athletics (which is owned by Varsity)
http://boards.varsity.com/index.php?topic=1115.0
The American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Administrators AACCA is owned by varsity.
Spirit Athletics is owned by Mike Pare.
Cheer Athletics is owned by varsity.
AACCA is also a member of the Organization of Spirit Industry Providers (OSIP), the membership-based organization for educational organizations, suppliers, publications, competition organizers, safety organizations and gym owner groups for the spirit industry.
http://www.aacca.org/content.aspx?item=About/Purpose.xml
Rota, Spain - 1959
Have you ever wondered, what therapists are for. Why people seem to think, they need therapy? Why, is there a never ending need for these people?
1959. I was living in Spain. Rota, Spain to be precise. Mere miles from Cadiz, seventy miles from Seville, not quite a hundred miles from Gibraltar.
On the Atlantic coast side.
Rota was a sleepy little village back then, which has now turned into a real town. I've never known what we were doing there. Until writing this article.
My Mother's Father, Frank, had traveled the world extensively for the military, as a civilian diesel engineer. He would go to the middle of literally nowhere, build a building, or take one over, build a diesel injection and cleaning station, by the tools by hand, train the local indigenous men, then move on to another location. I have old 8mm film he took in Vietnam, India, Thailand, back in the 40s and 50s. Pretty cool.
Grandpa got my dad a job there. So he flew out. Later, my mom brought my older sister and I. Problem was, my dad was a construction electrician. Whatever Grandpa got him hired for, my dad wasn't one of those. Grandpa would go get a job, even if he didn't know what it was, but he always came out on top.
One time, the military asked him if he could train some guys for something he was clueless about. He said, sure. So he got the job. He also got some books. He read them the night before, then while he was teaching the students, he was himself, learning all about whatever it was. I think he was some kind of genius. He fixed cars for the Mob, in New York. Worked on some of the first race cars. I have photos. He came to America when he was eight, with his family. A true self made man.
My Grandmother was like that, taught herself to increase her vocabulary by reading the dictionary. Hung out with educated types. Always told me to hang with Doctors, lawyers, educated people. She was good friends with our family Doctor. Maybe Grandpa thought she wasn't too smart and she reacted to that. Because, I think he left her, then he remarried, but she never did. Never told me the story of what happened either.
Anyway, we lived in a villa on the coast of Spain; there was one for us, and one for my Grandfather, up the street. It was just up the street from the beach. At night, Franco's Spain had Le Guardia Civil riding through with long guns. Out after dark on the beach, you got shot. Or so I was told. But my mom told me repeatedly, as she feared I would go out there and get shot. I remember her telling me, yes, they would even shoot a child as young as you.
According to Wikipedia, NAVSTA Rota has been in use since 1953 when Spanish dictator Francisco Franco strengthened relations with the Americans to improve local economies. The installation now covers more than 6,000 acres (24 km squared) on the northern shore of Cadiz, an area recognized for its strategic, maritime importance over the centuries.
Naval Station Rota (NavSta Rota) is a Spanish naval base commanded by a Spanish Vice Admiral. Located in Rota, Spain, NavSta Rota is the largest American military community in Spain now and houses US Navy Sailors, Marines, and their families. There are also small US Army and US Air Force contingents on the base.
Described by the US Navy as the "Gateway to the Mediterranean", Naval Station Rota is home to an airfield and a seaport; the airfield has often caused the base to be misidentified as "Naval Air Station Rota". The base is the headquarters for Commander, U.S. Naval Activities Spain (COMNAVACTSPAIN), as well as a primary gateway for Air Mobility Command flights into Europe.
So, that's what we were doing there. There was a Naval base nearby. I remember seeing strange military like things. We still have old 8mm film showing strange structures in the shallow waters, just off the beaches; strange, giant, white concrete forms that looked like immense jacks 15-20 height, as in "playing jacks".
Apparently, after we arrived in Spain, to join my mom's dad, and my dad, things didn't go so well. And yes, I have pictures. Pictures of the villa. I have videos too, of me, the fam, traveling around, in the car, on the beach, in the cantina, where I was shining shoes for a short time. But the pictures.
Shots of my grandfather's villa, the front low gate, ripped from the concrete fence as my dad went after my mom. Something about killing her. He must have been pissed off about something. Her matador lessons? From a matador who obviously liked her? But no, that was after grandpa expelled him from Spain.
Or, maybe it was my mom's artistic pursuits.
I saw her showing something to my older brother one day, but she closed the door. So when no one was around later, I searched her dresser for the yellow manila sized envelope. I pulled out whatever was that was in it: a black and white photo of a naked woman. It was on a beach, day time, the woman was stretching up and back, arms akimbo and above and behind her head doing something to lots of hair, a guitar placed appropriately upright with the head at the center of her body. Artistically black and white. I remember it because I was going through her dresser, and found it. I thought, with my 6th grade mind, hum-ma hum-ma, this is hot! I stared at it and wondered, "I wonder, who could that be?"
Then, it hit me. The nearly black hair was the right color. The build was about right for mom when she was younger, about the age she would have been when we lived in Spain. You know, its amazing the speed you can replace an item in a flexible envelope when you want to. Its also amazing how hard it is, to wipe a visual from your mind's eye, no matter how hard you try. In fact, the harder you try, the more it becomes emblazoned into your memory.
Its thing like that, that keep Therapists employed.
1959. I was living in Spain. Rota, Spain to be precise. Mere miles from Cadiz, seventy miles from Seville, not quite a hundred miles from Gibraltar.
On the Atlantic coast side.
Rota was a sleepy little village back then, which has now turned into a real town. I've never known what we were doing there. Until writing this article.
My Mother's Father, Frank, had traveled the world extensively for the military, as a civilian diesel engineer. He would go to the middle of literally nowhere, build a building, or take one over, build a diesel injection and cleaning station, by the tools by hand, train the local indigenous men, then move on to another location. I have old 8mm film he took in Vietnam, India, Thailand, back in the 40s and 50s. Pretty cool.
Grandpa got my dad a job there. So he flew out. Later, my mom brought my older sister and I. Problem was, my dad was a construction electrician. Whatever Grandpa got him hired for, my dad wasn't one of those. Grandpa would go get a job, even if he didn't know what it was, but he always came out on top.
One time, the military asked him if he could train some guys for something he was clueless about. He said, sure. So he got the job. He also got some books. He read them the night before, then while he was teaching the students, he was himself, learning all about whatever it was. I think he was some kind of genius. He fixed cars for the Mob, in New York. Worked on some of the first race cars. I have photos. He came to America when he was eight, with his family. A true self made man.
My Grandmother was like that, taught herself to increase her vocabulary by reading the dictionary. Hung out with educated types. Always told me to hang with Doctors, lawyers, educated people. She was good friends with our family Doctor. Maybe Grandpa thought she wasn't too smart and she reacted to that. Because, I think he left her, then he remarried, but she never did. Never told me the story of what happened either.
Anyway, we lived in a villa on the coast of Spain; there was one for us, and one for my Grandfather, up the street. It was just up the street from the beach. At night, Franco's Spain had Le Guardia Civil riding through with long guns. Out after dark on the beach, you got shot. Or so I was told. But my mom told me repeatedly, as she feared I would go out there and get shot. I remember her telling me, yes, they would even shoot a child as young as you.
According to Wikipedia, NAVSTA Rota has been in use since 1953 when Spanish dictator Francisco Franco strengthened relations with the Americans to improve local economies. The installation now covers more than 6,000 acres (24 km squared) on the northern shore of Cadiz, an area recognized for its strategic, maritime importance over the centuries.
Naval Station Rota (NavSta Rota) is a Spanish naval base commanded by a Spanish Vice Admiral. Located in Rota, Spain, NavSta Rota is the largest American military community in Spain now and houses US Navy Sailors, Marines, and their families. There are also small US Army and US Air Force contingents on the base.
Described by the US Navy as the "Gateway to the Mediterranean", Naval Station Rota is home to an airfield and a seaport; the airfield has often caused the base to be misidentified as "Naval Air Station Rota". The base is the headquarters for Commander, U.S. Naval Activities Spain (COMNAVACTSPAIN), as well as a primary gateway for Air Mobility Command flights into Europe.
So, that's what we were doing there. There was a Naval base nearby. I remember seeing strange military like things. We still have old 8mm film showing strange structures in the shallow waters, just off the beaches; strange, giant, white concrete forms that looked like immense jacks 15-20 height, as in "playing jacks".
Apparently, after we arrived in Spain, to join my mom's dad, and my dad, things didn't go so well. And yes, I have pictures. Pictures of the villa. I have videos too, of me, the fam, traveling around, in the car, on the beach, in the cantina, where I was shining shoes for a short time. But the pictures.
Shots of my grandfather's villa, the front low gate, ripped from the concrete fence as my dad went after my mom. Something about killing her. He must have been pissed off about something. Her matador lessons? From a matador who obviously liked her? But no, that was after grandpa expelled him from Spain.
Or, maybe it was my mom's artistic pursuits.
I saw her showing something to my older brother one day, but she closed the door. So when no one was around later, I searched her dresser for the yellow manila sized envelope. I pulled out whatever was that was in it: a black and white photo of a naked woman. It was on a beach, day time, the woman was stretching up and back, arms akimbo and above and behind her head doing something to lots of hair, a guitar placed appropriately upright with the head at the center of her body. Artistically black and white. I remember it because I was going through her dresser, and found it. I thought, with my 6th grade mind, hum-ma hum-ma, this is hot! I stared at it and wondered, "I wonder, who could that be?"
Then, it hit me. The nearly black hair was the right color. The build was about right for mom when she was younger, about the age she would have been when we lived in Spain. You know, its amazing the speed you can replace an item in a flexible envelope when you want to. Its also amazing how hard it is, to wipe a visual from your mind's eye, no matter how hard you try. In fact, the harder you try, the more it becomes emblazoned into your memory.
Its thing like that, that keep Therapists employed.
Friday, July 23, 2010
Gays in Uganda - Gee, thanks American Christians
Unbelievable. You have to wonder, about these Christian "Leaders" who went to Uganda: "What in the hell, was the game plan guys?"
What I'm about to tell you, is difficult to write, harder to read, and for some, infuriating. If you are Christian and agree with what is going on in Uganda, supported by Christian leaders who went there and allowed things to get completely out of control, I have no regrets on bringing this to your attention.
I was watching a Vanguard documentary the other day. It was called the "Missionaries of Hate". It was about some American Christian leaders going to Uganda and preaching their "Word". I really wish some of these people would just stay home.
The history of Missionaries around the world notwithstanding. Not to consider the damage they have done in wiping out entire societies. I've always had respect for the Japanese in telling them in the 16th century to leave so they could get their head on straight again. The Chinese did something similar, but neither was able to permanently remove the issue.
These missionaries, not being sociologists, spread their gospel words. Then they left. What these people were left with, was an abiding passion to never ever put up with homosexuals in their country. They refused to allow an "American export" to send their country to Hell. To contaminate them. Defile their children.
So they worked to pass a law that said homosexuals would be put to death. Yeah this is all after the year 2000, like last year. Like I said, unbelievable.
Right? Well, here it comes.
How did these religious leaders and government officials rile up enough people to pass a law on this? They began to profess to congregations and constituents that homosexual men prepare for sex by first smearing or drinking one another's feces as a preparatory ritual. That they drink this from one another from its location of issue. That they then punish one another by "fisting" their arms up to the elbows in such a painful act that it requires them to take drugs to kill the pain, because they like it so much.
Yes, there are coprophiles (alternative spelling of coprophil; a feces-loving organism). There are all kinds of fetishes in the world. Has nothing to do with America or Western culture or homosexuals. There are also people who partake of "fisting" behavior; but these are both men and women, homo and hetero sexuals.
They brought forth a young woman to profess that she was bribed to become a lesbian, and lived as such for a year or so, who was given an ipod, a laptop, and money, to become lesbian and lead a lesbian lifestyle.
They go on to ask their congregations, "Do you want these homosexuals to eat the poopoo of your children?" These people, truly, are out of control. The trouble is, the general populace believe what they are told by their trusted leaders.
These same leaders go on to shout down Secretary of State Clinton and President Barack Obama because they have stated openly that homosexuals need to be treated like human beings and with rights and dignity. And because of that, America is a corrupt and degenerate society.
This is all so unbelievable, if it weren't so sad and terrifying it would be laughable. But its not funny. Because, people are now fearing for their lives. People are being killed.
So thanks, all you Christian leaders who went to Uganda to save people. Because, I think you've just gotten people killed instead.
Now, with all that said, there is some good news. From the Wikipedia article:
"On 8 January 2010, David Bahati, the bill's sponsor again asserted he would not postpone or shelve the bill, even after Minister of State for Investment Aston Kajara stated the Ugandan government would ask Bahati to withdraw it, and President Museveni asserted he thought it was too harsh.
"Bahati stated, "I will not withdraw it. We have our children in schools to protect against being recruited into (homosexuality). The process of legislating a law to protect our children against homosexuality and defending our family values must go on." The bill is scheduled to be discussed in Uganda's parliament in late February or March 2010.
"On 12 January 2010, President Museveni expressed to the media that there is need to exercise "extreme caution", and his cabinet members will speak to Bahati to reach a compromise to satisfy Bahati's concerns weighed with the calls he is receiving from throughout the world."
If it were not for the International community and organizations, there is no telling where this would have ended up. But perhaps this is showing a kind of progress. If African nations are to stop the intermittent genocide they have continued to experience over the decades (as has Eastern Europe and parts of Asia it should be noted) and go down to simply abusing Human rights issues such as Gay rights, perhaps that is a kind of overall societal progress and soon they too will come to the realization that Human rights are Rights that are for all Humans.
For more on this, see the Wikipedia article and Vanguard.
What I'm about to tell you, is difficult to write, harder to read, and for some, infuriating. If you are Christian and agree with what is going on in Uganda, supported by Christian leaders who went there and allowed things to get completely out of control, I have no regrets on bringing this to your attention.
I was watching a Vanguard documentary the other day. It was called the "Missionaries of Hate". It was about some American Christian leaders going to Uganda and preaching their "Word". I really wish some of these people would just stay home.
The history of Missionaries around the world notwithstanding. Not to consider the damage they have done in wiping out entire societies. I've always had respect for the Japanese in telling them in the 16th century to leave so they could get their head on straight again. The Chinese did something similar, but neither was able to permanently remove the issue.
These missionaries, not being sociologists, spread their gospel words. Then they left. What these people were left with, was an abiding passion to never ever put up with homosexuals in their country. They refused to allow an "American export" to send their country to Hell. To contaminate them. Defile their children.
So they worked to pass a law that said homosexuals would be put to death. Yeah this is all after the year 2000, like last year. Like I said, unbelievable.
Right? Well, here it comes.
How did these religious leaders and government officials rile up enough people to pass a law on this? They began to profess to congregations and constituents that homosexual men prepare for sex by first smearing or drinking one another's feces as a preparatory ritual. That they drink this from one another from its location of issue. That they then punish one another by "fisting" their arms up to the elbows in such a painful act that it requires them to take drugs to kill the pain, because they like it so much.
Yes, there are coprophiles (alternative spelling of coprophil; a feces-loving organism). There are all kinds of fetishes in the world. Has nothing to do with America or Western culture or homosexuals. There are also people who partake of "fisting" behavior; but these are both men and women, homo and hetero sexuals.
They brought forth a young woman to profess that she was bribed to become a lesbian, and lived as such for a year or so, who was given an ipod, a laptop, and money, to become lesbian and lead a lesbian lifestyle.
They go on to ask their congregations, "Do you want these homosexuals to eat the poopoo of your children?" These people, truly, are out of control. The trouble is, the general populace believe what they are told by their trusted leaders.
These same leaders go on to shout down Secretary of State Clinton and President Barack Obama because they have stated openly that homosexuals need to be treated like human beings and with rights and dignity. And because of that, America is a corrupt and degenerate society.
This is all so unbelievable, if it weren't so sad and terrifying it would be laughable. But its not funny. Because, people are now fearing for their lives. People are being killed.
So thanks, all you Christian leaders who went to Uganda to save people. Because, I think you've just gotten people killed instead.
Now, with all that said, there is some good news. From the Wikipedia article:
"On 8 January 2010, David Bahati, the bill's sponsor again asserted he would not postpone or shelve the bill, even after Minister of State for Investment Aston Kajara stated the Ugandan government would ask Bahati to withdraw it, and President Museveni asserted he thought it was too harsh.
"Bahati stated, "I will not withdraw it. We have our children in schools to protect against being recruited into (homosexuality). The process of legislating a law to protect our children against homosexuality and defending our family values must go on." The bill is scheduled to be discussed in Uganda's parliament in late February or March 2010.
"On 12 January 2010, President Museveni expressed to the media that there is need to exercise "extreme caution", and his cabinet members will speak to Bahati to reach a compromise to satisfy Bahati's concerns weighed with the calls he is receiving from throughout the world."
If it were not for the International community and organizations, there is no telling where this would have ended up. But perhaps this is showing a kind of progress. If African nations are to stop the intermittent genocide they have continued to experience over the decades (as has Eastern Europe and parts of Asia it should be noted) and go down to simply abusing Human rights issues such as Gay rights, perhaps that is a kind of overall societal progress and soon they too will come to the realization that Human rights are Rights that are for all Humans.
For more on this, see the Wikipedia article and Vanguard.
Californication with David Duchovny
Californication.
I love that show.
I am but a splinter of David Duchovny's lead character, Hank .
Except for a few minor things.
Like....
Now, I'm not a successful writer (yet) or written a successful and acclaimed literary work (yet), nor had one transliterated and devastated into a major romantic comedic motion picture (yet). Though I do have some interesting screenplays (yeah yeah, who doesn't, right?). My short stories are interesting, anyway. I do have one short story coming out in a multi author anthology August 2010 and I am talking to a publisher about a book of my short stories. And I do have a few unfinished novels I'm still working on....still....
Its doubtful though, that I have balls of the appropriate size or density as does Hank, to be able to say whatever I think to whomever I want to say it to. Under any circumstances. At any location. He says and does many of the things I would love to get away with. But, I'm not Hank, nor Tommy Bolin, or Jim Morrison; all types that people took care of them because they were brilliant and lovable.
My problem is, I do tend to view the consequences. I think therefore, I am NOT. I do try to avoid repercussions that would befall my friends and family.
And my face.
And my teeth.
I also don't own a cool, beat up old Porche.
Nor do I change F*ck-buddies (phuquebuds?) like socks.
Although, the women I've experienced intimately aren't any less attractive than the ones Hank meets, they just don't steal my guitar, or my vinyl, or punch me in the face during sex.
But maybe I'm missing something?
Anyway, my point here is, quite the same as our Beloved World's Nurse, that its too early to be writing this kind of crap.
On the other hand, this show has given me hope. And we all need hope. Especially, writers.
It has inspired me to want to write again. I am after all, writing this.
It has also inspired me in through my Daily Life Rut. My DLR. You know what a DLR is, don't you? I assumed we all had one. They say after all, everyone has their own "cross to bear".
There are ways to change things up, shake things down. I like that image, of me, shaking down that Master of Life, or MR. Life; or is it MR. Death?
I always get them confused.
But, maybe there is hope for me after all? But maybe not.
I also haven't had sex with a minor that looks like a major, such as Hank did. Who was also his ex wife's, fiancee's daughter. No, haven't done that one. Well, not in a while anyway. OK, not in this millennium. But then, I hadn't known that she was a minor. God knows, she looked like a major. Then again, neither had Hank. Know, that is.
I also didn't get my second, amazing novel stolen and published by said minor. The one with the major league body that doesn't look like a minor (remember?).
So maybe we're not so different after all. Hank and I. Still, my life just isn't as f*cked up as his is. Or is it?
I have tried hard to simplify my life, for like, well, for all my life. But it seems those around me, really aren't helping with that simplification all that much. Not by a long shot. But I'll keep pluggin' away at it. And watching Hank.
Just in case he does happen to find that one answer for how to make things better. Or more interesting. But maybe more interesting isn't the answer. After all, his life is WAY too interesting. I think I enjoy watching it from a distance now. Because, my life was way to interesting too. Perhaps not as glamorous as Hanks, though.
"May you live in interesting times" is, after all, a notorious Ancient Chinese Curse.
I love that show.
I am but a splinter of David Duchovny's lead character, Hank .
Except for a few minor things.
Like....
Now, I'm not a successful writer (yet) or written a successful and acclaimed literary work (yet), nor had one transliterated and devastated into a major romantic comedic motion picture (yet). Though I do have some interesting screenplays (yeah yeah, who doesn't, right?). My short stories are interesting, anyway. I do have one short story coming out in a multi author anthology August 2010 and I am talking to a publisher about a book of my short stories. And I do have a few unfinished novels I'm still working on....still....
Its doubtful though, that I have balls of the appropriate size or density as does Hank, to be able to say whatever I think to whomever I want to say it to. Under any circumstances. At any location. He says and does many of the things I would love to get away with. But, I'm not Hank, nor Tommy Bolin, or Jim Morrison; all types that people took care of them because they were brilliant and lovable.
My problem is, I do tend to view the consequences. I think therefore, I am NOT. I do try to avoid repercussions that would befall my friends and family.
And my face.
And my teeth.
I also don't own a cool, beat up old Porche.
Nor do I change F*ck-buddies (phuquebuds?) like socks.
Although, the women I've experienced intimately aren't any less attractive than the ones Hank meets, they just don't steal my guitar, or my vinyl, or punch me in the face during sex.
But maybe I'm missing something?
Anyway, my point here is, quite the same as our Beloved World's Nurse, that its too early to be writing this kind of crap.
On the other hand, this show has given me hope. And we all need hope. Especially, writers.
It has inspired me to want to write again. I am after all, writing this.
It has also inspired me in through my Daily Life Rut. My DLR. You know what a DLR is, don't you? I assumed we all had one. They say after all, everyone has their own "cross to bear".
There are ways to change things up, shake things down. I like that image, of me, shaking down that Master of Life, or MR. Life; or is it MR. Death?
I always get them confused.
But, maybe there is hope for me after all? But maybe not.
I also haven't had sex with a minor that looks like a major, such as Hank did. Who was also his ex wife's, fiancee's daughter. No, haven't done that one. Well, not in a while anyway. OK, not in this millennium. But then, I hadn't known that she was a minor. God knows, she looked like a major. Then again, neither had Hank. Know, that is.
I also didn't get my second, amazing novel stolen and published by said minor. The one with the major league body that doesn't look like a minor (remember?).
So maybe we're not so different after all. Hank and I. Still, my life just isn't as f*cked up as his is. Or is it?
I have tried hard to simplify my life, for like, well, for all my life. But it seems those around me, really aren't helping with that simplification all that much. Not by a long shot. But I'll keep pluggin' away at it. And watching Hank.
Just in case he does happen to find that one answer for how to make things better. Or more interesting. But maybe more interesting isn't the answer. After all, his life is WAY too interesting. I think I enjoy watching it from a distance now. Because, my life was way to interesting too. Perhaps not as glamorous as Hanks, though.
"May you live in interesting times" is, after all, a notorious Ancient Chinese Curse.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Most dangerous place on Earth? Somalia's Al Shabab
Somalia may very well be where the cockroaches that are the Taliban (and Al Qaeda?) will scamper to. What happens when you move something and the cockroaches are exposed? They scurry under something else, temporarily safer. Afghanistan and Iraq and hot spots, so is Somalia the next safe place for them? Remember Somalia? Somalia Pirates? Remember, "Blackhawk Down"?
The popular film, Blackhawk Down, was about Somalia. The film ends with text informing the viewer that: "1000 Somalis died and 19 Americans lost their lives in the conflict (the 19 soldiers and officers who died are then listed by name and rank). Mike Durant was released after 11 days of captivity. On August 2, 1996, warlord Mohamed Farrah Aidid was killed in Mogadishu. General Garrison retired the following day."
Is Somalia's Al Shabab, an Al Qaeda spinoff, to be our next threat and target? Here is a country having so many problems, where these terrorist entities move in to try to take over another State. In a country of more gentle Islamic rule, they now have roving groups of these disaffected individuals and bands, traveling around the flat desert lands of Somalia, cutting of hands of suspected thieves, banning bras (really, banning bras?), banning music, stoning people, killing people for watching soccer games (sounds a little insane doesn't it?). All this in a country that hasn't had this form of harsh Islamic rule before. Why would they embrace this now?
This is not a popular movement. They are widely unpopular, trying to force a harsh form of Islam. What is it about groups like this who want to go around imposing harsher lives than already exist? It says something for the religions that have evolved out of environments such as this.
Some say we should prop up the current government in Somalia. Some say we should find pockets of stability and support them with money and resources. I would agree with that latter form of support. A little can go a long way. Some say as this is a flat desert nation, where the borders with other countries are in dispute, with Ethiopia to the West, with Djibouti to the North, Kenya to the Southwest. So that these Al Shabab's are looking not at a nationalistic effort, but a regional one. And with the outside influences from larger terrorists factions, its a global springboard, which the are always looking at.
What to do about this right now, as far as you are concerned, is not so much about doing, as it is, in being aware, paying attention, and then speaking up at the right time.
The popular film, Blackhawk Down, was about Somalia. The film ends with text informing the viewer that: "1000 Somalis died and 19 Americans lost their lives in the conflict (the 19 soldiers and officers who died are then listed by name and rank). Mike Durant was released after 11 days of captivity. On August 2, 1996, warlord Mohamed Farrah Aidid was killed in Mogadishu. General Garrison retired the following day."
Is Somalia's Al Shabab, an Al Qaeda spinoff, to be our next threat and target? Here is a country having so many problems, where these terrorist entities move in to try to take over another State. In a country of more gentle Islamic rule, they now have roving groups of these disaffected individuals and bands, traveling around the flat desert lands of Somalia, cutting of hands of suspected thieves, banning bras (really, banning bras?), banning music, stoning people, killing people for watching soccer games (sounds a little insane doesn't it?). All this in a country that hasn't had this form of harsh Islamic rule before. Why would they embrace this now?
This is not a popular movement. They are widely unpopular, trying to force a harsh form of Islam. What is it about groups like this who want to go around imposing harsher lives than already exist? It says something for the religions that have evolved out of environments such as this.
Some say we should prop up the current government in Somalia. Some say we should find pockets of stability and support them with money and resources. I would agree with that latter form of support. A little can go a long way. Some say as this is a flat desert nation, where the borders with other countries are in dispute, with Ethiopia to the West, with Djibouti to the North, Kenya to the Southwest. So that these Al Shabab's are looking not at a nationalistic effort, but a regional one. And with the outside influences from larger terrorists factions, its a global springboard, which the are always looking at.
What to do about this right now, as far as you are concerned, is not so much about doing, as it is, in being aware, paying attention, and then speaking up at the right time.
Did Humpty Dumpty Jump?
Last night, I was researching Friedrich Nietzsche. In one of his books, "Thus Spoke Zarathustra", "Umbermensch" was proposed as a goal for Humanity, something to set ourselves up to act for; to strive to be a person "above", someone "beyond", what we are now. Or more generally, whatever Humankind was at one time, it should always try to "rise above" Being. To evolve to a higher form.
Needless to say, some people, after having read this, apparently took the concept too far. During this Philosophical research, I was concurrently and perhaps mistakenly, watching an HBO Ricky Gervais special on Tivo. Ricky is famous for being in, directing and writing, the TV show, The Office; the Original, British TV show. And he was excellent in that role.
As far as the American version (with the hilarious Steve Carell) is concerned, well, as is true with most remakes of overseas shows (especially, Japanese shows in specific particularity); considering how so typically the remakes fail to capture the original flavor and charm of the originating show; well, OK, Steve Carell has done a good job, and actually so has that entire production.
Anyway, Ricky was talking about childrens' fairy tales and at one point, about Humpty Dumpty and how that would actually pan out, were you to bridge the gap from fantasy to Reality (whatever that would be).
For instance, why would you send ALL the King's horses to perform a medical procedure and what a really bad idea that would be. Wouldn't just twelve angry men do just as good of a job? Horses' hooves notwithstanding, what if the French had happened by at that time, to invade England? Another thing, why would anyone name their kid Humpty, when they clearly KNEW their last name is Dumpty, WHEN to start with, and your son is an EGG on top of it all!
So, in considering all this, one would simply have to speculate that Humpty Jr, didn't actually FALL off that wall, a wall that he could not even have climbed up to begin with. But regardless, by time he actually got to the top of the wall, there would really be nothing else that he could do EXCEPT to jump!
And anybody knows that any true "Suicide", really wants to die and really doesn't want any help to survive (and in case you don't know, "Suicides" do actually DO it; those you usually hear about that fail, don't really want to do it and are looking to be "saved". You see the ones that really do want to do it? They do their best to succeed and, well, they usually do.
So, there we have all the King's horses showing up to save HJ which would actually have worked in his favor, considering his apparent state of mind and ignoring
all the King's Men who also showed up and were almost as ignorant at emergency medical procedures and triage, and so they would only have contributed to the general mayhem and melee' format of the event.
And so, my dear medical speculatory travelers, its seems quite obvious to me, with all this overwhelming evidence, that the star of this bizarre childrens' poem that I had learned to love and appreciate as a child and all of my life, for the most part, really was simply put, a suicide!
Truly people, I'm rather flummoxed here at this unforeseen revelation. Maybe I should switch over to the Wizard of Oz, or worse, The Wiz?
It's like the time I was talking to my sister. We must have been in our late 30's and talking about the family dog, from when we were children. I said Mom and Dad had taken him to the "pound" (local Humane Society), but found an old guy with a farm where he could live out his years. You see, it seems "Bruno" had garnered the parents one too many animal control tickets over the years for philandering or whatever they call it for dogs who impregnate bitch after bitch (and some of them show dogs) until they finally couldn't afford it anymore.
My sister looked at me with pity in her face and said: "OH no, you don't still think mom and dad took the dog to a farm, do you?" At which point, I realized that good old mom and dad really had taken him and had him, "put down". He was getting up there in years and people usually want a younger dog.
Yet another childhood fantasy laid to rest.
And now this? HJ committing suicide? Does it never end?
What next? Alice's White Rabbit really was a coke addict? Which truly, would explain why he was so jumpy, paranoid and manic all the time. Not to mention that those shrooms Alice ate probably weren't really magical.
Where will it all end?
Needless to say, some people, after having read this, apparently took the concept too far. During this Philosophical research, I was concurrently and perhaps mistakenly, watching an HBO Ricky Gervais special on Tivo. Ricky is famous for being in, directing and writing, the TV show, The Office; the Original, British TV show. And he was excellent in that role.
As far as the American version (with the hilarious Steve Carell) is concerned, well, as is true with most remakes of overseas shows (especially, Japanese shows in specific particularity); considering how so typically the remakes fail to capture the original flavor and charm of the originating show; well, OK, Steve Carell has done a good job, and actually so has that entire production.
Anyway, Ricky was talking about childrens' fairy tales and at one point, about Humpty Dumpty and how that would actually pan out, were you to bridge the gap from fantasy to Reality (whatever that would be).
For instance, why would you send ALL the King's horses to perform a medical procedure and what a really bad idea that would be. Wouldn't just twelve angry men do just as good of a job? Horses' hooves notwithstanding, what if the French had happened by at that time, to invade England? Another thing, why would anyone name their kid Humpty, when they clearly KNEW their last name is Dumpty, WHEN to start with, and your son is an EGG on top of it all!
So, in considering all this, one would simply have to speculate that Humpty Jr, didn't actually FALL off that wall, a wall that he could not even have climbed up to begin with. But regardless, by time he actually got to the top of the wall, there would really be nothing else that he could do EXCEPT to jump!
And anybody knows that any true "Suicide", really wants to die and really doesn't want any help to survive (and in case you don't know, "Suicides" do actually DO it; those you usually hear about that fail, don't really want to do it and are looking to be "saved". You see the ones that really do want to do it? They do their best to succeed and, well, they usually do.
So, there we have all the King's horses showing up to save HJ which would actually have worked in his favor, considering his apparent state of mind and ignoring
all the King's Men who also showed up and were almost as ignorant at emergency medical procedures and triage, and so they would only have contributed to the general mayhem and melee' format of the event.
And so, my dear medical speculatory travelers, its seems quite obvious to me, with all this overwhelming evidence, that the star of this bizarre childrens' poem that I had learned to love and appreciate as a child and all of my life, for the most part, really was simply put, a suicide!
Truly people, I'm rather flummoxed here at this unforeseen revelation. Maybe I should switch over to the Wizard of Oz, or worse, The Wiz?
It's like the time I was talking to my sister. We must have been in our late 30's and talking about the family dog, from when we were children. I said Mom and Dad had taken him to the "pound" (local Humane Society), but found an old guy with a farm where he could live out his years. You see, it seems "Bruno" had garnered the parents one too many animal control tickets over the years for philandering or whatever they call it for dogs who impregnate bitch after bitch (and some of them show dogs) until they finally couldn't afford it anymore.
My sister looked at me with pity in her face and said: "OH no, you don't still think mom and dad took the dog to a farm, do you?" At which point, I realized that good old mom and dad really had taken him and had him, "put down". He was getting up there in years and people usually want a younger dog.
Yet another childhood fantasy laid to rest.
And now this? HJ committing suicide? Does it never end?
What next? Alice's White Rabbit really was a coke addict? Which truly, would explain why he was so jumpy, paranoid and manic all the time. Not to mention that those shrooms Alice ate probably weren't really magical.
Where will it all end?
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