James Caan Refuses to Be the Typical 'Hollywood Liberal'

By Hollie McKay

Published August 11, 2010

| FoxNews.com  http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2010/08/11/james-caan-refuses-typical-hollywood-liberal/

Veteran actor James Caan let people in on a little secret last week. After 46 successful years among Hollywood’s most outspoken liberal stars, he’s speaking up about breaking the mold.

“I'm an ultra conservative,” he said at Moet & Chandon’s 6th Annual Hollyshorts Film Festival Opening Night Celebration in Los Angeles.

“I'm not a G** damn Hollywood liberal, I'm not,” he said, adding he only watches Fox News.

Caan, who was at the event promoting his involvement with the online platform Openfilm.com  http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2010/08/11/james-caan-refuses-typical-hollywood-liberal/

*****

Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/ = http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/ or http://kevindayhoffart.com/ = http://www.kevindayhoff.com/ Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/ or http://www.westgov.net/ = www.kevindayhoff.org Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoff Twitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff Kevin Dayhoff's The New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/ = www.newbedfordherald.net Explore Carroll: www.explorecarroll.com The Tentacle: www.thetentacle.com

20071231 HNN: Charlie Wilson’s War

Charlie Wilson’s War, the Culture of Imperialism and the Distortion of History

12-31-07

I have not seen the movie, “Charlie Wilson’s War,” although it is on my short list of movies of which I speculate may be worth the time – in a year in which most of the Hollywood movies were not worth the time.

I stumbled across this review and piqued my curiosity.

Has anyone seen the movie – and if so, what did you think?

Charlie Wilson’s War, the Culture of Imperialism and the Distortion of History

By Jeremy Kuzmarov, George Mason University’s History News Network

Mr. Kuzmarov is Visiting Assistant Professor of History at Bucknell University. His first book, The Myth of the Addicted Army: Vietnam and the Modern War on Drugs, will be published by the University of Massachusetts Press, Amherst.

In his provocative 1993 book, Culture and Imperialism, Edward W. Said examines how cultural representations in the West have historically helped to stereotype Third World peoples as being passively reliant on foreign aid for their social and political uplift, thus engendering support for imperial interventions ostensibly undertaken for humanitarian purposes. This was true, he argued, even in works critical of Western interventions, like Joseph Conrad’s The Heart of Darkness and Graham Greene’s The Quiet American, where the indigenous characters appear to be either incidental to the story or dependent on Westerners (as is exemplified in the Vietnamese character Phuong who latches onto the “quiet American” Alden Pyle as a means of escaping a life of poverty and prostitution).

Said’s final chapters focus on Hollywood’s promotion of demeaning stereotypes of Arabs as religious fanatics and terrorists and universally oppressive towards women. He highlights, further, how the Vietnamese people in most American films on the war have been deprived of human agency, with the U.S. defeat frequently blamed on ineffectual liberal bureaucrats and incompetent senior officers rather than the strength of Vietnamese nationalism and mobilizing abilities of the revolutionary leadership. Said would likely argue that Charlie Wilson’s War is the latest Hollywood blockbuster to promote underlying cultural stereotypes of Third World peoples and Muslims, while sanitizing the American record and its promotion of imperial violence.

Based loosely on true events, the film focuses on the efforts of a Congressional representative from Texas, Charlie Wilson, to raise funds for mujahadin “freedom fighters” seeking to “liberate” Afghanistan from the Soviets. A playboy renowned for his womanizing and high-lifestyle, Wilson becomes a lonely voice in support of the CIA’s covert war.

[…]

Read the entire essay here: Charlie Wilson’s War

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20071212 This week in The Tentacle

This week in The Tentacle

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

The Writers Strike and Christmas

Kevin E. Dayhoff

For those who are fans of early television, especially old Christmas movies and holiday specials, the strike by The Writers Guild of America, which began November 5, may have a temporary silver lining.

[…]

Meanwhile, for those who are writers comes the ultimate conundrum as posed best by Kim Masters, an entertainment correspondent for National Public Radio: “I don't understand how a WGA writer can turn off the writing part of his brain…”

Tennessee Williams summed it up when he said: “When I stop working the rest of the day is posthumous. I'm only really alive when I'm writing.”

[…]

I mentioned a silver lining. It will be short-lived, but at least for the Christmas season, network TV will fill in programming with the ghosts of Christmas past and show us as many of the old Christmas classics as possible.

And this is a good thing. From Christmas past, there are always re-runs of some of the great movies of the season, such as Frank Capra’s 1946 “It's a Wonderful Life,” with Jimmy Stewart, Donna Reed, and Lionel Barrymore.

Also on my list are: “The Miracle of the Bells,” from 1948, directed by Irving Pichel and starring Fred MacMurray, Alida Valli, Frank Sinatra, and Lee J. Cobb; and “Babes in Toyland,” from 1961, featuring Ray Bolger, Tommy Sands, Annette Funicello, and Tommy Kirk.

But my all-time favorite Christmas movie is the 1954 classic “White Christmas,” directed by Michael Curtiz and starring Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye and Rosemary Clooney.

For the writer and the artist in me, there is no better season for the many animated TV classics from the past. My top five would include “Frosty the Snowman,” from 1969, with the voice of Jimmy Durante; the 1964 classic “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” with Burl Ives; and Boris Karloff as the voice of the Grinch in the 1966 “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.”

My top pick is almost a tie, but “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” from 1965, gets edged out by “Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol,” which first aired on December 18, 1962.

Read the entire column here: The Writers Strike and Christmas

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Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Democrats Divide Again

Roy Meachum

Comedian and cowboy Will Rodgers coined one of my favorite sayings: "I belong to no organized political party: I'm a Democrat."

The Delegation’s Workload – Part 2

Richard B. Weldon Jr.

We’ve already looked at the county commissioners’ bill proposals that the county’s legislative delegation will wrestle with, now we’ll consider the bills that affect the whole state, not just our county. These face a much more difficult, if not impossible, path to passage. We’ll also take a gander at the policy statements of the Board of County Commissioners.

10 Dumb Questions I Get – Part 3

Nick Diaz

Readers may be glad to know that this is the last segment of the series on the 10 dumb questions asked of a motorcyclist; the first six of these questions appeared in the first two parts. Today we’ll round the set with the last four.

---

Monday, December 10, 2007

The Delegation’s Workload – Part 1

Richard B. Weldon Jr.

It hardly seems possible, but we’re less than a month away from the start of the 2008 General Assembly session. Last week, I included a highlight of the Board of County Commissioners legislative package. If you’re anything like the dozens of people who approached me this past week, you’re looking for more information, so here goes.

Jingoist Bells, Jingoist Bells…

Steven R. Berryman

…Jingo all the way. When did patriotism become a negative attribute of Americans, and why isn’t Pat Buchanan running for president in 2008? The advanced press for his new book, Day Of Reckoning, reads more like a campaign platform than it does a plot; his compilation of issues and proposed solutions leaves one feeling a patriotic sense of hope for us all again, so long as his warnings are positively received.

WE GET LETTERS!

WE GET LETTERS!!! A Walkersville resident takes issue with Steve Berryman's treatise on the Supreme Court's decision to hear the matter of the gun ownership law in Washington, DC. CLICK HERE!!! CLICK HERE!

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Friday, December 7, 2007

Old, Destructive Politics

Roy Meachum

Over the past 150 years this nation's two-party system has been an unpleasant reality for politicians. Left to their own devices, they would decapitate and castrate organized opposition of any kind.

Operation Christmas Tree

Kevin E. Dayhoff

How do you ship 5,000 two-foot live Christmas trees to a war zone? Early last Saturday morning over 300 volunteers figured it out as they braved the wind and cold and turned out for “Operation Christmas Tree” at the Carroll County Agriculture Center.

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Thursday, December 6, 2007

Questions and Answers

Chris Cavey

This week a friend referred to me as a glass half-full kind of guy. Jokingly I told him anyone who is an officer of the Maryland Republican Party is required to be an optimist, because if you don’t see a future for our party, you have no reason to be in leadership.

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Wednesday, December 5, 2007

The President and Community Initiatives

Kevin E. Dayhoff

To commemorate World AIDS Day last Friday, President George W. Bush and his wife Laura met with representatives of faith-based groups in a roundtable discussion at Calvary United Methodist Church in Mount Airy.

Just Watching and Waiting

Tom McLaughlin

Things here in Ocean City are quieting down and there is very little traffic along beach highway. The hardware stores are empty compared to a year ago as the vacation housing boom has been reduced to a fizzle.

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Tuesday, December 4, 2007

Partisanship or Prejudice

Roy Meachum

During the years spent hanging around the White House, I found it funny when a friend received a birthday book: "Republicans I Have Known and Loved." Inside were blank pages as might be expected among that Democratic crowd.

Editor's Note:

Farrell Keough

(Editor's Note: Farrell Keough's column, which would normally appear in this space today, is delayed by a fractious nuisance called illness. It will appear later this week.)

Raquel, Where are you?

Norman M. Covert

Nostalgia has a way of striking down the old folks when they least expect it. I saw an interview with Edward Powell, chief executive officer of the United Service Organization (USO), and was taken aback by his excuses why no big-name stars would entertain the troops in Iraq or Afghanistan this Christmas.

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Monday, December 3, 2007

Christmas Cash & A Potpourri

Richard B. Weldon Jr.

Once again, the powers-to-be at Clear Channel Radio’s WFMD held their annual radiothon for Frederick County’s children. Christmas Cash for Kids consumed large chunks of air normally reserved for political, social, and financial chit-chat.

Side-Arms Showdown in DC

Steven R. Berryman

By upholding a lower court ruling, the District of Columbia gun ban could well be overturned with finality by the U.S. Supreme Court next spring. You might ask why this bothers both the NRA and The Brady Campaign.

20071103 Hollywood still out of touch by Michael Medved

Hollywood still out of touch by Michael Medved

A big Hat Tip to Gunpowder Chronicle for calling to our attention “Hollywood Fails to Grasp Reality -- And What America Wants

Saturday, November 03, 2007

Still Out of Touch

Posted by: Michael Medved at 11:19 AM

Message movies condemning America’s war on terror currently fill your neighborhood multiplex, but the theatres playing such films hardly fill with people.

Read the entire post here: “Still Out of Touch.” Mr. Medved gives us a quick review of some of the drivel that is Hollywood these days…

20071020 AP: Bill Maher helps security kick protesters out of live audience

Bill Maher helps security kick protesters out of live audience

October 21, 2007

I guess I’m not a big Bill Maher fan. I read the following article with a particular glee.

I happen to really appreciate debate and dialogue – especially thoughtful disagreement about most any particular issue. However I tired many years ago of the disruptive tactics of folks with the intellect and endeavor of a 2-year-old temper tantrum.

So, I took a special glee to see Mr. Maher get a taste of his own medicine - as I have found his dissent over matters in the last year or so to not be the most thoughtful or enlightening. To the point where he has presented as encouraging outrageous behavior in the pursuit of promoting disagreement.

For the life of me I have no clue as to why so many folks feel the need to be disagreeable in the promotion of their agenda…

It would appear that Mr. Maher got a taste of his own medicine and did not like it.

What goes around comes around…

Bill Maher helps security kick protesters out of live audience

The Associated Press: October 20, 2007

LOS ANGELES - Bill Maher can add "security guard" to his job description alongside comedian and political commentator.

Maher on Friday night helped security remove a rowdy protester from the studio during his weekly HBO show "Real Time with Bill Maher," and it was all captured on live television.

Maher was talking science during one of his weekly panel discussions when a protester in his audience stood up, held up a smuggled-in sign reading "9/11 is a cover up fraud" and shouted comments to the same effect.

The host tried to shout down the audience member, who only became more agitated.

"Do we have some (expletive) security in this building," Maher yelled, "or do I have to come down there and kick his (expletive)?"

Read the entire article – and enjoy: Bill Maher helps security kick protesters out of live audience

20070914 Gentleman Brad

Gentleman Brad

September 14^th, 2007

It is the kind of publicity that all celebrities should want to receive. And well, for that matter, everyone should want this sort of attention.

Gentleman Brad Pitt “delighted the manager of NYC’s Patek Philippe boutique when he purchased a watch, The NY Daily News’ Rush & Molloy reports, but it was more than the purchase that endeared Pitt to the manager. ‘He is the most polite, well-mannered, unpretentious customer, and we have lots of celebrity clients,’ he reportedly said. ‘He is a gentleman, ‘true and true.’ ”

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20070630 Mika Brzezinski of MNSBC is my hero

Mika Brzezinski of MNSBC is my hero

June 30, 2007

Mika Brzezinski of MNSBC rips Paris report

MSNBC news anchor Mika Brzezinkski nearly snapped when she refused to report on Paris Hilton’s release from prison.

When pressed by her producer and co-anchor, she reached for a lighter and tried to set the news copy on fire. When her colleagues prevented her from doing that she tore up the copy and crumbled it and took another portion to the shredder and shredded it.

I found her colleagues ill-mannered and disrespectful…

She is my hero. Perhaps if more news journalists had this sort of integrity the daily drivel of banality that is often passed-off as news would get better…

It was all caught on tape in a must see video:

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20070627 Angelina Jolie Has 'Mighty Heart' Failure

Angelina Jolie Has 'Mighty Heart' Failure

Wednesday, June 27, 2007, By Roger Friedman, Fox News

Mr. Friedman’s June 27^th, 2007 column covers everything from Angelina Jolie | Michael Jackson | Larry King Calls Ringo 'George' | Rosie O'Donnell | to Gordon Brown

But it was the portion of the column, “Angelina Jolie Has 'Mighty Heart' Failure” that caught my eye.

In recent conversations with fellow journalists and other folks who like movies, I found myself in the “club” that understands that the movie tells a profound and compelling story that otherwise many of us would flock to see.

More often than not I can easily allow the value of a piece of art to overcome issues such as politics and personalities.

But whether it speaks well of me or not, I have just not been able to go to this movie because of Angelina Jolie. I simply do not want to support someone who promotes her politics in such a manner that she really annoys me.

I will often make buying decisions based on supporting this or that person in the community for whom I like the value they bring to the community or I like how they support the community.

I bought a Prius 18 months ago because I simply do not like buying gas and having my money go to folks who want to kill me, my fellow countrymen and women and my friends and colleagues serving in Iraq.

Locally, I prefer to patronize restaurants and businesses in Carroll County that are locally owned and give back to the community.

In the case of the recent uber-politicalization of Hollywood, I have found that I just do not want to contribute to Ms. Jolie’s causes and politics. And I will not to her movies… Fortunately some folks in Hollywood understand that – too many others do not…

Anyway, Mr. Friedman writes that apparently there are lots of folks out there who do not want to support Ms. Jolie – and that is a crying shame… But whatever.

Mr. Friedman writes, in part:

Angelina Jolie can't be happy today about the fate of her latest film.

"A Mighty Heart," released last Friday, has turned into a cold fish at the box office. After opening with a less-than-stellar $3.9 million weekend, the Michael Winterbottom film has taken a subsequent nose dive.

On Monday, the film had the biggest drop of any in the top ten, taking in only $398,000. Things improved slightly on Tuesday, with $418,000. (These are rounded off numbers derived from boxofficemojo.com.)

But as far as the future is concerned, for now at least, "A Mighty Heart" is a mighty failure.

This is too bad. The film is very, very good, and the subject matter is important. For filmgoers who complain that there's nothing out there for adults, "A Mighty Heart" should be a must-see experience.

But it's Jolie herself who has turned off audiences. Her publicity blitz as mother of the year from tattooed, blood accessorizing whack job has simply not gone over well. And her anti-press campaign in the week of the film's premiere couldn't have helped. (My emphasis)

One wonders now if Jolie can still convince audiences she's an actress. It's possible her public persona has become so indelible that moviegoers can't accept her as a fictional person other than Lara Croft, tomb raider and cartoon character.

The loss, of course, goes to Mariane Pearl, whose own story and that of her beloved husband Daniel is more important than Angelina Jolie.

[…]

Read the rest here: Angelina Jolie Has 'Mighty Heart' Failure

Click on “Hollywood” for more posts on “Soundtrack”…

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20070627 What is wrong with this picture?

What is wrong with this picture?

June 27^th, 2007

Unbelievable…

Rosie O'Donnell is at the center of a controversy yet again – this time over a photo on her Web site of her 4-year-old daughter Vivi wearing a toy bullet belt.

More

Hat Tip

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20070609 Quote of the day

Quote of the day It’s not news – it’s pathetic

June 9th, 2007

"This fight between the judge and the sheriff is a fight over whose johnson is longer. It's so pathetic."

--Geraldo Rivera on Studio B.

On Thursday Brian Williams carefully avoided the Hilton drama. But on Friday night it was the #2 story on NBC Nightly News.

[…]

Variety quotes an NBC News spokesperson: "We're covering it as the appearance of the LA legal system in turmoil. We're not above the news here."

Paris Isn't Free: "We're Not Above The News"

NY Daily News: "The three cable news networks went wall-to-wall with Paris Hilton's return to the slammer yesterday, in a way rivaled only by the nuttiness surrounding another talentless blond…

More…

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20070516 Bruce Willis to Hollywood – SHUT UP

Bruce Willis to Hollywood – SHUT UP.

May 16^th, 2007

And oh - - While you are on the Flopping Aces” web site to read Robert Farrow’s piece, “... Mutilation and Murder”

– be sure to also read:

Bruce Willis Tells Hollywood To Shut Up

Posted by Curt on May 13, 2007 at 10:38 PM

You gotta love Bruce Willis. He is an awesome actor, and has a good head on his shoulders. Unlike the majority in hollywood:

Amen. Of course, the more they run their mouths – the more movies I can figure out NOT to support because as much as I support their rights to run their mouths – I also reserve the right to not support folks and causes of which I disagree. Their right to free speech does not include a right to have their positions supported – at least by me.

Anyway, this is precious… I knew I liked Bruce Willis… God Bless him… I will go outa my way to support his movies…

And before ya go to the latest Jane Fonda movie – read this:

“19720925 Jane Fonda in North Vietnam transcript.”

http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2003/06/19720925-jane-fonda-in-north-vietnam.html

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20070509 Steakhouse Owner Refuses to Serve OJ Simpson

Steakhouse Owner Refuses to Serve O.J. Simpson

Wednesday, May 09, 2007

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,270879,00.html

LOUISVILLE, Ky. —

The owner of an upscale steakhouse in Louisville said he asked O.J. Simpson to leave his restaurant the night before the Kentucky Derby because he is sickened by the attention Simpson still attracts.

"I didn't want to serve him because of my convictions of what he's done to those families," Jeff Ruby said in a telephone interview Tuesday. "The way he continues to torture the lives of those families ... with his behavior, attitude and conduct."

Simpson, an NFL Hall of Famer and Heisman Trophy winner, was found innocent in 1995 of killing his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and Ron Goldman but was found liable in a civil trial that followed.

[…]

Simpson's attorney, Yale Galanter, said the incident was about race, and he intended to pursue the matter and possibly go after the restaurant's liquor license.

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20070317 Shades of Britney

Shades of Britney

March 17, 2007

I picked up new glasses the other day. I did not choose a Britney Spears eyewear frame. I did not have time to get a tattoo and my head shaved on the way home.

Already go that t-shirt in July 1972 in USMC Reserve boot camp…

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20070128 Hanoi Jane – She’s Baaaack

Hanoi Jane – She’s Baaaack

H/t for vintage picture of Hanoi Jane – Michelle Malkin.

She’s back. Now isn’t this special.

The Gateway Pundit has much of the story. Click here.

And in another story, the Gateway Pundit reports:

HotAir reports tonight that Sparling got spat at during the protest.

You may remember PFC. Joshua Sparling...

Michelle Malkin reported this from FOX and Friends back in December 2005:

Lots of readers watched Fox & Friends this morning and e-mailed about the disgusting greeting card a wounded soldier received while hospitalized at Walter Reed Army Hospital.

The card front, decorated with patriotic and holiday stamps, was deceptively innocuous. But, when you take a look inside it says "P.S. DIE".

According to Kilmeade, who visited Walter Reed on Friday, a US Army soldier named Joshua Sparling received the death wish while recovering from a gunshot wound he received in Ramadi, Iraq. It's the only Christmas card he received.

The Hill reports:

Anti-war protesters spray paint Capitol building

By Jackie Kucinich

Anti-war protesters were allowed to spray paint on part of the west front steps of the United States Capitol building after police were ordered to break their security line by their leadership, two sources told The Hill.

According to the sources, police officers were livid when they were told to fall back by U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) Chief Phillip Morse and Deputy Chief Daniel Nichols. "They were the commanders on the scene," one source said, who requested anonymity. "It was disgusting."

Read the rest here.

For more on Hanoi Jane – click here.

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20070112 Gaggle, Alec Baldwin and Global Warming

Today's Gaggle: January 12, 2007

Posted by Gaggle on January 12, 2007 - 04:48.

I thought it was worth an encore...

http://newsbusters.org/taxonomy/term/257

Click here for instructions on running Gaggle daily on your own site. There's also an archive of previous toons available here.

And for more fun than you can stand, read about "Actor Alec Baldwin -- since he woke up one morning believing that he understood politics and had an opinion that American’s would be interested in hearing -- has said and written a lot of absurd things. His recent rant at HuffnPuff has to rank high on his growing list of most inane. Please take a seat, and secure all fluids. You’ve been warned..."

Read it here.

Hat Tip: Brutally Honest -

Alec Baldwin unhinged

20070108 Happy Birthday Elvis Presley

Happy Birthday Elvis Presley

Today's Highlight in History: On Jan. 8, 1935, rock 'n' roll legend Elvis Presley was born in Tupelo, Miss.

20061118 Cruise and Holmes why should I care

Why should I care that Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes are now married.

November 18th, 2006

According to the Associated Press, Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes are now married.

Just why should I care?

Ho Hum, yawn. Am I the only person who doesn’t give rat’s behind about anything Tom Cruise?

AP says: “BRACCIANO, Italy - Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes exchanged vows Saturday in a lavish, star-studded wedding celebrated in a fairy-tale setting: a glowing 15th-century castle in this medieval lakeside town…”

Although Ben Stein has said it better than me, (see “20050122 Ben Stein's Last Column,”) my feelings remain as I wrote several years ago; “I always felt such Hollywood and sports hero worship sent the wrong message to our children and demonstrated a wrong set of values for our community. My heroes have always been teachers, soldiers, police officers, fire fighters and public servants.” (20011111 On Veterans Day and Heroes)

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20061107 Breaking News

Breaking News

November 7^th, 2006

We interrupt the national mid-term elections for the following breaking news.

Please take a seat as I’m sure you will find the following information shattering. Shattering.

World crises such as Iraq - - or North Korea and Iran going nuclear, will just have to wait.

According to MSNBC Breaking News, family values advocate Britney Spears –Well NOT!

Ah - Ms. Spears has reportedly filed for divorce from Kevin Federline.”

And of course, no pun is intended, but I guess she’s now “on the market.” So appropriate that she’s hanging in the market, since she reinvented the objectification of women.

I’m sure the announcement was put-off until the stock market closed. No word yet as to whether the market will open tomorrow.

And no word from the president as this tragic event unfolds.

Unconfirmed reports are that Howard Dean has blamed the breakup of the marriage on President Bush and the Republicans and that it is intended to discourage voter turn-out. Word is that many Democrats are disconsolate over the news and refused to go to the polls in order to watch Katie Couric for guidance at this difficult time.

Where’s Kofi Annan when we need him? Or maybe Dr. Phil?

Actually, as I sob uncontrollably and my fingers can barely navigate the keyboard, I’m not sure what to think. I’m just trying to do my patriotic duty to call this terrible event to your attention, so that you may be informed.

What’s that? Oh, my radio is now playing somber martial music at the moment. Our great nation has been thrown into a deep depression as it tries to come to grips with this terrible terrible terrible blow to our sense of who we are and what we want to be and what are we going to have for dinner.

That’s it - - comfort food. Let’s see cottage cheese? No – yogurt? I know ice cream. That’s it - - when the going gets tough, the tough reach for ice cream.

I’m sure the announcement was timed so that we may all tune in to Katie Couric so that she may tell us how we really feel - - and to comfort us in our time of grief and need and sorrow.

According to the web site, TMZ… Oh, like I really go there every day. NOT.

“Spears filed legal papers today in Los Angeles Superior Court, citing ‘irreconcilable differences.’”

“Her petition asks for legal and physical custody of their two kids, one-year-old Sean Preston and two-month-old Jayden James. Spears gives the date of separation as yesterday, the same day she showed off her post-pregnancy body during a surprise appearance on ‘Late Show with David Letterman.’”

Oh yeah, like I watch Letterman - - NOT.

Go out now and lower your flags.

Okay – moving on here. I’ll think I’ll go take a nap. Wake me up when this crisis is over or until Katie Couric comes on – so that I may be informed as to how and what to think.

And – who do I sue to get the last 15 minutes of my life back?

Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster Maryland USA. E-mail him at: kdayhoff@carr.org http://www.thetentacle.com/ Westminster Eagle Opinion and Winchester Report http://www.thewestminstereagle.com/ www.kevindayhoff.com has moved to http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/

20061026 ScrappleFace strikes again

ScrappleFace strikes again

October 26^th, 2006

Michael J. Embryo

I’ve been avoiding the Michael J. Fox controversy in regards to yet another Hollywood-type getting involved with politics.

Hollywood limousine liberals getting involved in politics is not one of my favorite things - - see: “20061015 Streisand performed last Friday at Verizon Center in DC” and “20061010 Streisand goes emo at Madison Square Garden concert.” Or see my Tentacle column from October 18th, 2006, “Barbra! Shut Up and Sing.”

For a great commentary for politicians pandering a hope for a cure…; please read: Charles Krauthammer’s column from October 15^th, 2004. It appeared on page A23 of the Washington Post: “An Edwards Outrage.”

I have no interest in criticizing Mr. Fox personally. For that matter, I have no interest in criticizing anyone personally. He has Parkinson’s and to be certain it is a terrible disease – so he certainly has some legitimacy, for me anyway, to speak out on the issues. He remains in my prayers, not only in a hope for a cure, but that he personally is able to lead as productive life as possible with this dreaded disease.

Nevertheless, ScrappleFace has chosen to weigh-in on the issue with a post on YouTube: “Serious parody of Michael J. Fox ad for Democrat Claire McCaskill promoting stem cell research and opposing Sen. Jim Talent. Produced by Scott Ott, editor, ScrappleFace.com.”

It can be found here.

Hat Tip: Michelle Malkin.

Of course, most Hollywood-types are so thin-skinned. They wish to weigh-in on issues and then get all huffy when someone has the audacity to respond.

I guess I choose not to respond as I respect the fact that Mr. Fox has the disease and I reckon, if I, or a loved one, or a close friend had the disease. I certainly hope that they would take every responsible opportunity to lobby for a cure.

READ my Tentacle column from August 31, 2005: “Respect for Conscience.” The column begins with:

“U. S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R., TN) is currently the target of an advertising campaign in Iowa criticizing him for voting his conscience and backing expanded embryonic stem cell research.

If you will recall Senator Frist, took to the Senate floor and delivered a thoughtful statement detailing his support for legislation to remove some of the Bush administration's limitations on embryonic stem cell research.

This angered many social conservatives.

Senator Frist is a heart-lung transplant surgeon who opposes abortion. He has been widely suggested as a presidential candidate in 2008.

A bill to ease stem cell restrictions passed the House of Representatives in May and Senate approval is expected after Labor Day even in the face of President Bush's veto threat.

The president's reaction: "You've got to vote your conscience." Many who desperately want a civil, reasoned and intelligent debate on important issues in our lives have applauded the president's reaction and have respected Senator Frist's differing views.”

Read the rest here.

The challenge with respect to the Maryland ads is that Maryland Lt. Governor Michael Steele’s position has been misrepresented.

No. Can’t be. Say it ain’t so.

Well so.

Read the following press release from the Steele campaign:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 24, 2006

CONTACT: Melissa Sellers, Doug Heye

443-481-0650, 443-603-1288

SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT:

Cardin Voted Against Stem Cell Research for Pure Political Gain

TEMPLE HILLS, MD – Today, Michael Steele released the following statement setting the record straight on stem cell research:

Michael Steele said, “There is only one candidate in this race who voted against stem cell research and it’s Congressman Ben Cardin. Ben Cardin had a chance to support stem cell research that would not destroy human embryos, and he voted against it – not because of his beliefs on the issue, but as a transparent political stunt. Both Senators Barbara Mikulski and Paul Sarbanes voted for this legislation. Ben Cardin wanted to politicize the issue instead of getting something done, so he voted against it. Marylanders deserve better than Congressman Cardin’s continued Washington double-talk, mistruths and sheer political gamesmanship on an issue as important as stem cell research.”

On September 2, 2006, the Frederick News Post reported: “[Cardin] opposes suggestions that stem cell research is acceptable if the embryo isn't destroyed. (Liam Farrell, “Pursuing Change,” Frederick News Post, September 2, 2006)

Michael Steele added, “I am an enthusiastic supporter of cord blood, adult stem cell and embryonic stem cell research that does not destroy the embryo, and I fully support expanding innovations in technology that make it possible to treat and prevent disease without the willful destruction of human embryos.”

Cardin Voted AGAINST Expanded Research On Stem Cells That Do Not Destroy Embryos.

Alternate Stem Cell Research Methods – Passage. “Barton, R-Texas, motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill that would require the National Institutes of Health to conduct and support research on the isolation, derivation and production of pluripotent stem cells that do not destroy human embryos. It would require the Health and Human Services secretary to issue final guidelines for additional stem cell research, with priority for research with the greatest potential to yield benefits in the near future, within 90 days of the bill's enactment.” (S. 2754, CQ Vote #380: Motion rejected. July 18, 2006, Cardin voted Nay)

The Senate Voted Unanimously To Pass the Same Bill that Cardin voted AGAINST. Both Senators Mikulski and Sarbanes Voted In Favor Of The Bill.

Alternate Stem Cell Research Methods – Passage. Passage of the bill that would require the National Institutes of Health to conduct and support research to develop techniques for the isolation, derivation and production of pluripotent stem cells that do not destroy human embryos. It would require the Health and Human Services secretary to issue final guidelines for additional stem cell research, including a prioritization of research with the greatest potential to yield benefits in the near future, within 90 days of the bill's enactment.” (S. 2754, CQ Vote #205: July 18, 2006, Sarbanes voted Yea; Mikulski voted Yea)

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Of course, a little civility would go a long way before we start playing politics with the hope for a cure… q.v.: “Ben Cardin to cure cancer.” For other posts pertaining to the Steele – Cardin campaign, see: “20060701 Spin slander distort and repeat” and “20060915 Democratic National Party reserves $1Million in Steele attack ads."

Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster Maryland USA. E-mail him at: kdayhoff AT carr.org http://www.thetentacle.com/ Westminster Eagle Opinion and Winchester Report http://www.thewestminstereagle.com/ www.kevindayhoff.com has moved to http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/