Wednesday, May 19, 2010

This week in The Tentacle

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Kevin E. Dayhoff

Recent events and a recent article in The New York Times focused my attention once again to the Humane Society of the United States.

A Review – Funny “Planet Claire”

Roy Meachum

There may be a plot to the Maryland Ensemble Theatre’s “Planet Claire.” Because of the laughter, approving applause and whole lot of dancing going on, I never found it.

A Horrible Inner Debate

Tom McLaughlin

The doctor had told us Suriani was with child and we sat there in a state of shock and protested it was impossible. A vasectomy earlier, plus a diagnosis that she could not have children, had all but negated the possibility; but the facts could not be denied. The doctor made an appointment with an ob-gyn for 9 A.M. the next morning to make sure all was well.

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

A Senate Fight: Alex Mooney

Roy Meachum

The lack of activity to unseat state Sen. David Brinkley is encouraging; it is also a tribute to the low key that he brings to the job. Although of different political persuasions, David attracted my admiration long ago.

Political Spin and Quelling Discussion

Farrell Keough

It seems that every time we come into a political season, or when an important piece of legislation is presented, the hue and cry of civil discussion arises. Someone will say exactly what is on their mind and others will chime in that the words used are too harsh. Pollucka!

Monday, May 17, 2010

Campaign Diary – This Balance Thing

Michael Kurtianyk

So right now, as I’m going to fundraisers, meeting with leaders, researching, and the like, I see what people mean when they told me the following: it’s the campaigning that is the most difficult part of the process of becoming county commissioner. They cite the time needed to do everything and the endurance to execute all of the commitments.

Friday, May 14, 2010

Pushkin Acupuncture – Part 2

Roy Meachum

One night, some four weeks back, the English pointer and I adjourned up the stairs and instead of waiting in the middle of the bed; he sprawled on a stuffed quilt given by my second best friend. Knowing the cushioned comfort he napped on in the library, she didn’t want to take a chance of his sleeping on the bedroom floor that is covered with an Oriental rug and pad, and that’s it.

2010 Election Candidates

John W. Ashbury

As a public service TheTentacle.com will publish every Friday the list of candidates who have filed for the various elective offices which will appear on the ballot in the September Primary Election. If errors appear, please notify me at info@thetentacle.com.

“It’s no fun being an Illegal Alien”

Joe Charlebois

The rock band Genesis released a single from their 1983 self-titled album that will not be heard on the radio these days as it is deemed to be too offensive. What is this song that can’t be played on the radio you may ask?

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Energy Requires Safety First

Patricia A. Kelly

Energy: the capacity for vigorous activity, or so says Webster’s Dictionary. There certainly has been a lot expended lately, largely around the recent huge oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

Pushkin Acupuncture – Part 1

Roy Meachum

When the English pointer bounces me out for the daily stroll, I take great pride in how Pushkin handles people and other critters. He has down pat the principle “don’t bother me and I’ll leave you totally alone.”

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

The War Goes On – Part 2

Roy Meachum

In Iraq, the Bush White House was caught between two juggernauts.

Angus Maddison – Predictor of The Past

Kevin E. Dayhoff

Angus Maddison, an eminent scholar in the study of economic history, who once researched, calculated and explained the gross domestic product of various nation-states and regions of the world all the way back to 1 AD, passed away in Paris at the age of 83 years old on April 24.

The Best Laid Plans…

Tom McLaughlin

Kuching, Malaysia – I have never before had to consider abortion in my personal life. I never, ever thought I would have to as I practiced birth control in all my sexual relationships. Even in college.

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

The War Goes On – Part One

Roy Meachum

Readers know that I am not a harsh critic of President Barack Obama, in general. What sticks in my craw – and endangers my fellow Americans – is the senseless, useless and too expensive war in Iraq and Afghanistan he continues to support.

There are labels, and then there are labels

Nick Diaz

One of my history professors at the University of Dayton, back in the late 60’s, repeatedly stated that “race is a pigment of our imagination.”

Monday, May 10, 2010

Up is Down, and Down is Up

Richard B. Weldon Jr.

Musing about traditional party politics is becoming a habit. The tidbits are just too juicy to ignore, especially for the political junkies of the world.

Campaign Diary – Gone Is the Tax Credit

Michael Kurtianyk

The deadline has come and gone. Now what? April 30 was the last day wherein a first-time homebuyer who purchased a home by today would receive a tax credit of $8,000 from the government. By purchase, I mean a valid, legal contract accepted by today, with a settlement date by June 30, 2010.

*****

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

Sending hugs and well wishes to Susan Williamson.

Sending hugs and well wishes to Susan Williamson.

Susan Williamson at Off Track Art on Friday, May 14, 2010. / Kevin Dayhoff

http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/2010/05/sending-hugs-and-well-wishes-to-susan.html

[20100514 SW OTA (1)]

Labels: Art Off Track Art, People Williamson-Susan

Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoff.com/ (http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/) http://www.kevindayhoffart.com/ New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/

*****

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

The Mount Airy Blog: Always a Few “Whining Winners”

Always a Few “Whining Winners”

......To Sour The Thrill of Victory...

http://mountairyblog.blogspot.com/2010/05/always-few-whining-winners.html#comments

I would like to take this opportunity to send a big congratulations out to Mayor-elect Pat Rockinberg as well as David Blais and Scott Strong for winning the two Town Council seats on May 3.

The Mayoral race was very close. With that, I hope Mayor-elect Rockinberg will recognize he does not have a mandate. He must embrace all the voters, including the 47% who voted for Wendi Peters. I know these three men will work diligently along with fellow council members Peter Helt, Dave Pyatt and Wendi Peters to bring back the stability and continuity that's been missing over the past several years.

Read the rest here: http://mountairyblog.blogspot.com/2010/05/always-few-whining-winners.html#comments

http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2010/05/mount-airy-blog-always-few-whining.html

Labels: Blog The Mt Airy Blog, Carroll Co Dist Mt Airy, Journalists Needle Donnamarie Kemple, People Blais David, People Peters-Wendi Mt Airy Council, People Rockinberg Pat, People Strong Scott

*****

Great News - Washington Post News Alert: Rep. Joe Sestak has wins Democratic Senate primary

Sestak defeats Specter in Pa.

Washington Post News Alert: Rep. Joe Sestak has wins Democratic Senate primary
10:14 PM EDT Tuesday, May 18, 2010
--------------------
Rep. Joe Sestak has won the Democratic Senate primary in Pennsylvania, ousting five-term Sen. Arlen Specter, the Associated Press projects. Specter had changed his party affiliation last year from Republican to improve his chances of getting onto the November ballot, and the White House had staunchly backed him in the primary campaign.

For more information, visit washingtonpost.com:
http://link.email.washingtonpost.com/r/E5QODK/48QTQ/32DVDX/5Y1QTN/KUDTC/28/t

http://www.washingtonpost.com/?wpisrc=nl_polalert

Sestak defeats Specter in Pa.

Washington Post: North Korea responsible for the March explosion on a South Korean warship

News Alert: North Korea responsible for the March explosion on a South Korean warship, South Korea says
02:01 PM EDT Tuesday, May 18, 2010
--------------------

South Korea will formally blame North Korea on Thursday for launching a torpedo at one of its warships in March, U.S. and East Asian officials said. An explosion aboard the vessel killed 46 sailors and heightened tensions in one of the world’s most perilous regions.

For more information, visit washingtonpost.com:
http://link.email.washingtonpost.com/r/8VXTM7/UNMGL/BXRWRS/TVICYG/I3X90/ZH/t

*****

Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/ = http://www.kevindayhoff.net/

Daily Grind: Republicans Roll Over?; The L-Word, Guess What Greece Has To Jettison?

May 18^th, 2010

All Original Content Open Source & Copyright Free

Republicans Roll Over?

Corker on Dodd financial takeover bill: "I realize this bill is going to pass."

The L-Word

There are perfectly legitimate policy grounds under which to oppose Elena Kagan for the Supreme Court.

Video: Hilda Solis' Price is Right

Obama Labor appointees get massive pay raises.

IBD Editorials: Guess What Greece Has To Jettison?

Government-run health care must be repealed as a condition for the IMF-EU bailout.

Republicans Roll Over?

By Robert Romano

Rescinding government control of the nation's financial sector — along with repealing ObamaCare and restoring fiscal sanity to the nation's budget — all may have to be put off for some time after elections have taken place. And put onto the American people's "to-do" list in 2011 and beyond. If ever. Why?

Sadly, instead of rolling back another government takeover, this time of the financial system, enough Senate Republicans have apparently rolled over and are letting it through.

Consider Republican Senator Bob Corker's admission that efforts to defeat the Dodd financial takeover bill have apparently always been doomed to failure, as reported by the Washington Post. Although indicating he opposed the legislation, Corker said, "I realize this bill is going to pass." He described the legislation as "an out-of-the-park home run" achievement for the Obama Administration.

That can only mean one thing: that while critical negotiations were taking place, Republicans took the credible threat of a filibuster off the table. Which, in turn, would explain why they have failed to achieve any concessions that might have addressed some of the root, government causes of the financial crisis.

For example, Senator John McCain's amendment to end the ongoing taxpayer bailout of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac could have been dubbed a deal-breaker for the Senate GOP. That without it, there would be a filibuster. So too could have Senator David Vitter's amendment to audit the Federal Reserve. Or demands could have been made that the Department of Housing and Urban Development's "affordable housing goals" imposed on Fannie and Freddie be ended, its loose-lending Community Reinvestment Act regulations be repealed, and the Federal Housing Administration's weakening of down payments on home mortgages eliminated.

None of these very reasonable concessions were achieved. And the only explanation is that all 41 Senate Republicans proved incapable of sticking together to fight for the American people.

Even the concessions that were reportedly achieved were not really. Take the alleged removal of an unlimited bailout fund in the Dodd-Shelby amendment.

Under the Dodd-Shelby amendment, any monies "necessary to initiate and continue operations essential to the implementation of the receivership or any bridge financial company" would be pulled out of an unlimited "orderly liquidation fund" without necessarily being recouped. As Americans for Limited Government (ALG) reported in an updated bill summary on the issue, that's a bailout.

So, despite the political catastrophe of the Troubled Asset Relief Program, and the bailouts of Fannie, Freddie, AIG, GM, and Chrysler all under a Republican administration, the Senate — with the help of a "handful of GOP members" reported by the Post — is now poised to institutionalize that authority for all time.

How could this happen? In part, claims made by the Senate about the Dodd-Shelby "compromise" were not properly vetted, which then provided political cover to moderates looking for a reason to vote for the bill.

According to the preamble of the Dodd-Shelby amendment, it would "end 'too big to fail' [and] protect the American taxpayer by ending bailouts." It does neither. When it passed 93 to 5, even though no language was yet available for public perusal, media outlets across the nation uncritically reported that the Dodd-Shelby amendment eliminated bailouts. Even the National Review reported that the bailout fund was removed — when it was not.

So, why go on pretending that it is?

ALG President Bill Wilson has been a voice in the wilderness on this issue. Last week, speaking of the amended bill, he said, "Nothing has substantively changed. Despite the efforts of Senate Republicans, the orderly liquidation fund still has not been removed. After all the amendments voted on, the government can still seize any institution it wants, and then keep it, reorganize it, or redistribute it without any Congressional approval."

What remains to be seen is if Senate Republicans will do anything about it. Or, if they'll just roll over and pretend that they've solved "too big to fail" and eliminated bailouts. The American people deserve better than this.

Robert Romano is the Senior Editor of ALG News Bureau.

http://blog.getliberty.org/default.asp?Display=2294

The L-Word

ALG Editor's Note: William Warren's award-winning cartoons published at GetLiberty.org are a free service of ALG News Bureau. They may be reused and redistributed free of charge.

http://blog.getliberty.org/default.asp?Display=2293

Video: Hilda Solis' Price is Right

ALG Editor's Note: In the following featured video produced by Americans for Limited Government's Andrius Vaitekunas, Obama Labor appointees get massive pay raises:

http://blog.getliberty.org/default.asp?Display=2292

ALG Editor's Note: As noted in the following featured editorial from Investor's Business Daily, the board brings attention to a little-noticed bailout precondition that Greece had to accept — the repeal of government-run health care:

Guess What Greece Has To Jettison?

Policy Failure: Greece was told that if it wanted a bailout, it needed to consider privatizing its government health care system. So tell us again why the U.S. is following Europe's welfare state model.

The requirement, part of a deal arranged by the IMF, the European Union and the European Central bank, is a tacit admission that national health care programs are unsustainable. Along with transportation and energy, the bailout group, according to the New York Times, wants the Greek government to remove "the state from the marketplace in crucial sectors."

This is not some cranky or politically motivated demand. It is a condition based on the ugly reality of government medicine. The Times reports that economists — not right-wingers opposed to health care who want to blow up Times Square — say liberalizing "the health care industry would help bring down prices in these areas, which are among the highest in Europe."

Of course most of the media have been largely silent about the health care privatization measure for Greece, as it conflicts with their universal, single-payer health care narrative.

The public health system in the Hellenic Republic is operated by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, where centralized decisions and rules are made.

It provides free or low-cost treatment through what is essentially a single-payer system established in 1983 when the Socialist Party was in power. Family members and retirees are also covered. Like the systems in Britain and Canada, it has agonizingly long waiting lists.

It should be no surprise that in Greece, health care spending as a percentage of the economy is relatively steep. According to Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development data, it's higher than that in the Netherlands, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom and Japan. Despite all the spending, Greece could never cover 100% of its citizens, reaching only about 83% for primary care.

Today, the patient most in need of a room in the intensive-care ward is Greece itself — what with government debt nearing 120% of GDP and the deficit at 13% of GDP.

The mere possibility of government spending cuts sent striking workers and public employees into the streets. Groups upset with the budget cuts have protested, rioted, looted and killed.

On May 5, three died in a bank fire fueled by a Molotov cocktail during a riot against the austerity measures that have been intended to save the government from bankruptcy and, as well, secure aid from other nations.

http://blog.getliberty.org/default.asp?Display=2291

*****

Washington Post Political News Alert: Rep. Mark Souder to resign after affair

Washington Post News Alert: Rep. Mark Souder to resign after affair
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
--------------------

Rep. Mark Souder (R-Ind.) has told colleagues he will resign after having an affair, according to GOP officials.

For more information, visit washingtonpost.com:
http://link.email.washingtonpost.com/r/QJTXP3/BANV0/X8MGMZ/NG4L46/YAUNB/LE/t

*****

Maryland GOP is "Tone Deaf": Brian Murphy, candidate for governor says

GUBERNATORIAL RACE IN MARYLAND: IN CONTESTED PRIMARY, ONE CANDIDATE TO RECEIVE FUNDS FROM REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE DESPITE RULES TO CONTRARY

Release: May 18, 2010

Contact: Fran Griffin, 703-862-6741

Gubernatorial Candidate, Brian Murphy, Accuses Maryland GOP of Being Tone Deaf

Republican Party is Missing Golden Opportunity in Maryland

CHEVY CHASE, MD -- Brian Murphy, Republican candidate for Governor of Maryland, today strongly criticized the Maryland Republican leadership for exercising a rare clause to fund Bob Ehrlich's primary candidacy for governor - before Ehrlich has even filed for office. This unusual move may enable Ehrlich to receive upward of $1 million from the Republican National Committee (RNC) to use in his primary bid against entrepreneur Brian Murphy. Ehrlich will face Murphy in the Republican Primary on September 14.

"The national mood is anti-big government, anti-tax and spend, and anti-incumbent. So what does the Maryland GOP do? They back someone who has a record of being pro-big government, pro-taxes and pro-spending," said gubernatorial candidate Brian Murphy. "Are they tone deaf? Do they not sense the mood of the country? If there has ever been a time for a fiscal conservative to win in Maryland, this is it.

"Maryland needs to get its fiscal house in order, and we can't afford to let this opportunity slip away. Voters deserve choices. Isn't that the point of a primary? Ehrlich and I disagree on nearly everything, and all I'm asking for is an open debate on the issues," Murphy said.

"Rule 11," states that in a contested primary neither candidate is to receive funds or an endorsement from the Republican National Committee. However, there is a clause which allows the state party leadership to make an exception by endorsing one candidate thus allowing the RNC to fund that candidate in a primary. A vote to endorse Ehrlich by three Maryland GOP officials has entitled the candidate to RNC funds, according to this exception to the rule.

"This is exactly the type of elitist behavior that is infuriating Americans from both parties. Maryland Republicans should be allowed an honest primary between two very different Republican candidates," Murphy said. "We must unify the party on our core principles and put forth the best candidate to win the governorship. I believe my ideas are the best ideas to take Maryland in a new direction. Is it unreasonable to think the voters, not party leadership, should pick the candidate?

"For the past 8 years, Maryland's budget has been a fraud and a disgrace. Bob Ehrlich broke records when he grew our budget by almost 40%. When O'Malley took over as governor, instead of repealing the spending, he paid for it by passing record tax increases. Now we have record deficits and record unemployment. Voters are tired of these kinds of records. I pledge to move Maryland toward a fiscally-sound economy - one that will attract businesses to the state and grow our economy. We need to get more private sector jobs in Maryland, not an increase in the state coffers."

Brian Murphy is a successful Maryland businessman with a B.A. in Economics from the University of Maryland and an MBA from the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School. He is founder of the Plimhimmon Group, whose first investment, the Smith Island Baking Company, has been featured in The Washington Post, the Wharton Magazine, the Baltimore Sun, and other publications for its principled approach to job creation in Maryland. A Business Week article on the Plimhimmon Group is expected later this week.

The Democratic Party will also have a primary election on September 14, and the winners of the respective parties' elections will square off against each other in the November 2 General Election.

For more information on the Brian Murphy for Governor campaign, see

http://www.brianmurphy2010.com/ To set up a press or media interview, contact Fran Griffin at fran@brianmurphy.com or 703-862-6741.

*****

Monday, May 17, 2010

The stories behind the pictures By Monica Lopossay

Retrieved 20100516 May 16, 2010

http://wbng.org/stories/behindlens.html

Monica Lopossay

Daughter of a truck driver and a mill worker, Monica Lopossay grew up in rural North Carolina. At 16, she raised enough money to buy her first camera by dressing in a 20-pound chicken suit and dancing on the side of a highway. She was the first person in her family to attend college, working her way through as a grill cook, a tutor at a Buddhist temple and a car mechanic. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in international studies and cultural anthropology from Guilford College in Greensboro, N.C., and an associate's degree in photojournalism from Randolph Community College. In her last eight years working for The Baltimore Sun, she covered a wide range of events, including two trips to Iraq and one to

Haiti

. She was honored in 2008 with her third Pulitzer nomination for spot news, as well as awards from the White House News Photographers Association and National Press Photographers Association, Best of Photojournalism. She is currently teaching photojournalism part time at Towson University and also works for ASTT, a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving the needs of refugees who are victims of torture and trauma. Other than seeking full-time employment, she takes care of her two tail-less feral cats, Mokey and Wembley, in Hampden.

She contributed a sampling of stories from thousands of amazing moments in the life of a photographer.

~~~~~~~

I love sharing stories, but I’m not a writer. I usually tell stories with my photographs or orally. Nonetheless, here are a few stories dealing with things that happened behind my camera. It was hard to choose just a few when I can think of thousands of amazing moments I have shared with my Sun family. (Trying to write this has helped me understand the importance of a good word editor.)

I fell out of a Black Hawk helicopter in the middle of a grain field in Iraq. I was trying to get images of our military picking up an Iraqi boy who had been shot by our guys for setting off an Improvised Explosive Device. I was not familiar with flying in an aircraft like this one and was warned immediately to stay in between the painted red cross on the side door when entering and exiting, or else I’d get my head chopped off by the rotor blades. I let that sink in.

Once we had taken off, a different soldier told me I would be jumping out a small side window, one that was clearly outside the painted red cross zone. I thought this guy was messing with me. In my time working with the military, I learned quickly that they like to play practical jokes. One lesson I learned: Never leave your camera lying around a base or you might find a photo of a soldier’s derriere amid your images of war — about which, later on, you can decide not to forewarn your photo editor and watch his face display shock and horror as the image pops up on his computer (priceless).

Once we landed, it wasn’t so much me falling 5 feet out of this window wearing some 35 pounds of gear, or me tripping another couple of times running through this field of grasses so high I could barely see the tops of the medics’ helmets, or praying no sniper bullets were awaiting us — none of that was so bad as me trying pathetically to get myself back IN through that tiny window. The helo took off as part of my ass and leg were still stuck out the window. But I had the photos and I had my head ... kinda.

After a couple weeks in New Orleans covering Hurricane Katrina and living in my rented Pontiac Aztek (literally the biggest joke in the sport utility vehicle world, and it was white), I had not bathed, had no bathroom, and had only eaten Clif Bars (which to this day I cannot go near) and MREs (the military meals ready to eat; the burritos were actually pretty good). Being in N.O. was like living in a post-apocalyptic world. But we are conditioned to keep going — looking for the stories, the people, never stopping. It’s too important to stop, and you love it. As well for fear that you’ll miss something big and your boss will yell at you with such force you’ll get third-degree burns.

Read much more here: http://wbng.org/stories/behindlens.html

*****

Frederick News-Post: 200 line Opposumtown Pike to honor Cpl. Shea

200 line Opposumtown Pike to honor Cpl. Shea
About 200 people lined Opposumtown Pike this morning pay their respects to Marine Cpl. Kurt Shea, 21, as his body returned to Frederick from Dover. more »

*****

Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/ = http://www.kevindayhoff.net/

Europe's Lack Of Discipline by George Will

Europe's Lack Of Discipline by George Will Sunday, May 16, 2010

http://townhall.com/columnists/GeorgeWill/2010/05/16/europes_lack_of_discipline

WASHINGTON -- When Chancellor Angela Merkel decided that Germany would pay part of Greece's bills, voters punished her party in elections in Germany's most populous state, North Rhine-Westphalia. How appropriate.

[...]

Greece represents a perverse aspiration -- a society with (in the words of Wisconsin Republican Rep. Paul Ryan) "more takers than makers," more people taking benefits from government than there are people making goods and services that produce the social surplus that funds government. By socializing the consequences of Greece's misgovernment, Europe has become the world's leading producer of a toxic product -- moral hazard. The dishonesty and indiscipline of a nation with 2.6 percent of the eurozone's economic product have moved nations with the other 97.4 percent -- and the United States and the International Monetary Fund -- to say, essentially: The consequences of such vices cannot be quarantined, so we are all hostages to one another and hence no nation will be allowed to sink beneath the weight of its recklessness.

Read the entire column here: http://townhall.com/columnists/GeorgeWill/2010/05/16/europes_lack_of_discipline

*****

Razor Sharp

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26hW13kqIhU

sliding into the vortex
holding on to core building walls
unstable seeping down through the crevice

i've been here before

creeping down through the crevice
i've seen there before
fragile these teeth are razor sharp
been through been through the vortex
dissolve and disintegrate

icicle the river is deep underneath
is all you see
draws you in from near or far
take me down through the crevice
i'm not here anymore
creeping down through
come in through the crevice
been through walls leaving it all
into been through the vortex
and i'm so insoluble feel unstable
in at the core searching
through for perspective what your looking
for these teeth are razor sharp
these teeth are razor sharp
razor sharp sharp
feel unstable feel unstable razor sharp fragile

*****

Sunday, May 16, 2010

The Blob

The Blob

Steve McQueen’s debut performance in the movies. “The film's tongue-in-cheek theme song, "Beware of the Blob" (recorded by studio group the Five Blobs—actually singer Bernie Nee overdubbing himself), was written by Burt Bacharach and Mack David and was a nationwide hit in the U.S."

Released September 12, 1958 by Paramount Pictures. Written by Irving H. Millgate. Screenplay by Kay Linaker and Theodore Simonson.

Starring Steve McQueen, Aneta Corsaut, Earl Rowe, and Olin Howard.

“Teenager Steve Andrews (Steve McQueen) and his girl Jane Martin (Aneta Corsaut) are out parking and see a falling star. They drive out to try to find where the meteor landed. An old man (Olin Howland) has heard the meteor crash near his house. He finds the meteor and pokes it with a stick. The rock breaks open to reveal small jelly-like blob inside. This blob, a living creature, crawls up the stick and attaches itself to his hand. The man runs hysterically onto the road, where he is seen by Steve, who takes him to see the local doctor, Doctor Hallen.”

19580912 The Blob

*****

"Telling Our Stories" The Days of the Baltimore Sun

http://wbng.org/stories/index.html

In the spring of 2009, The Baltimore Sun laid off about 60 people, including about a third of the newsroom staff.

This Web site records the bittersweet memories of many of those people. Some recall the pain of being fired; others the challenges, joys and spirit of newspaper work.

I particularly appreciated the following vignettes:

Behind the lens
The stories behind the pictures By Monica Lopossay I love sharing stories, but I'm not a writer. I usually tell stories with my photographs or orally. Nonetheless, here are a few stories dealing wit...

'You have a minute?'
'You have a minute?' By Danielle Bradley I never thought that I would be present for my own funeral. But it happened. April 29, 2009, in the middle of The Baltimore Sun newsroom. It was in the air. ...

Lopossay bio
Monica Lopossay Daughter of a truck driver and a mill worker, Monica Lopossay grew up in rural North Carolina. At 16, she raised enough money to buy her first camera by dressing in a 20-pound chicken ...

Behind the lens, page 2
> By Monica Lopossay I love sharing stories, but I'm not a writer. I usually tell stories with my photographs or orally. Nonetheless, here are a few stories dealing with things that happened behind m...

Behind the lens, page 3
> By Monica Lopossay I love sharing stories, but I'm not a writer. I usually tell stories with my photographs or orally. Nonetheless, here are a few stories dealing with things that happened behind m...

Behind the lens, page 4
> By Monica Lopossay I love sharing stories, but I'm not a writer. I usually tell stories with my photographs or orally. Nonetheless, here are a few stories dealing with things that happened behind m...

For other stories click on:

Steve Auerweck

Paul Bendel-Simso

Chiquita Bolden-Heath

Deborah Lakowicz- Dramby

*****

The Blob Theme Song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0m2E6FzVvlE

*****

Maryland License plates from the 1910s

Maryland License plates from the 1910s

http://www.mva.maryland.gov/Images/Centennial/1910s.jpg

http://www.mva.maryland.gov/AboutMVA/Cent_Celebration/trip-down-memory-lane.html

http://www.mva.maryland.gov/AboutMVA/Cent_Celebration/license-plates.html

19100000s MD License plates

*****

Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/ = http://www.kevindayhoff.net/

Most e-mailed NPR stories

May 16, 2010

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Strange News

'Lord Jesus Christ' Run Down In Crosswalk

Christ, 50, of Belchertown, Mass., was struck as he crossed a street Tuesday in Northampton, Mass. Local police say that Lord Jesus Christ is, indeed, the man's legal name.


Education Simple Techniques Can Make You A Great Teacher Conventional wisdom says that good teachers are born, not made. But Doug Lemov spent years observing highly effective teachers, and has developed a set of simple techniques that he says can make anyone a great teacher. His guide is Teach Like A Champion.


	Fine Art The Creative Art Of Coping In Japanese Internment After the Pearl Harbor attack in 1941, the U.S. government relocated 120,000 people of Japanese ancestry from their homes on the West Coast to desolate inland areas of the U.S. The Art of Gaman is a new exhibit that showcases works of art created by internees during this dark chapter of U.S. history.


	Author Interviews 'The Great Oom': Yoga's Wild Ride To Respectability Yoga may be practiced by 15 million Americans today, but author Robert Love says its roots in this country go back 121 years -- to a 13-year-old Iowan whose life-changing moment happened in Lincoln, Neb. He is the subject of Love's new book, The Great Oom: The Improbable Birth of Yoga in America.


Business Tax-Exempt Status Could Hinge On Filing Deadline More than 200,000 small charities and nonprofits could lose their tax-exempt status next week if they don't file a federal tax form by Monday. But many groups could be unaware that they're supposed to file the annual form.


More Most E-mailed Busy Bees Use Flower Petals For Nest Wallpaper Kit Kat Kaleidoscope: Far-Out Flavors From Japan Homeless, But Enjoying Hawaii On $3 A Day

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