Quincy Jones
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has announced their 2013 inductees. Heart, the late Albert King, Randy Newman, Public Enemy, Rush and the late Donna Summer will receive performance inductions. Record producer Lou Adler and record producer, conductor and arranger Quincy Jones each will receive the Ahmet Ertegun Award, which is given to non-performers. The ceremony will take place on April 18, 2013 at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles, the first time it’ll be held on the West Coast.
Filed under Art Working
“Who would ever have thought blacks would get out and support the first black president? Who would ever have thought women would shy away from the party of transvaginal probes? Who would ever have thought gays would work against a party that treated them as immoral and subhuman? Who would have ever thought young people would desert a party that ignored science and hectored on social issues? Who would ever have thought Latinos would scorn a party that expected them to finish up their chores and self-deport?”
– Columnist Maureen Dowd, on the declining state of the Republican Party. She coquettishly compares the GOP to the ancient Mayans; noting that the latter civilization self-destructed from internal bickering and a long-term refusal to progress. Then again, at least the Mayans left behind some things of value.
Filed under News
Survivalist Tip: Some people will laugh at this, but you must have a bow and arrow amidst your cache of supplies. Humans have been utilizing bows and arrows for thousands of years – mostly for food, but also for self-defense and to frighten away mooching in-laws. Handling one takes some skill, but you can learn rather quickly. It also literally can be the difference between life and death. A nicely-shot arrow can take out someone trying to steal your food rations or water. But, it also can provide sustenance for you and your family; a large game animal doesn’t stand a chance against a strategically-fired arrow. And, neither will those lousy in-laws! Bows and arrows aren’t just for Cupid anymore.
Filed under Mayan Calendar Countdown
Took me all weekend, too! Merry – hic –fucking Christmas to everyone!
Filed under Curiosities
Today, December 10, is World Human Rights Day. Since the United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on December 10, 1948, this day has been set aside to honor and respect the dignity of all people on Earth. Even though this is just one day, human rights is a year-round, every day affair.
Filed under News
Survivalist Tip: Whether or not you live near a coastline, river, large lake or a sewage plant, you must have some heavy-duty rain wear. You need sturdy attire made of firm yet malleable rubber. Heavy precipitation is expected when the apocalypse hits next week, and since it’s winter in the Northern Hemisphere, that means snow and ice for most of the region. Heavy rain gear includes hip waders, boots, ponchos, jackets and backpacks; all will help to keep out water and snow. There’s no worse feeling than trying to save your kids, pets, or bags of chocolate while soaked to the skin. Believe me – I’ve been there.
Filed under Mayan Calendar Countdown
Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio must have thought he either got ptomaine poisoning and was seeing things, or had ended up at a family reunion. Last Thursday, the 7th, Arpaio – renowned as “America’s Toughest Sheriff” – dined at John’s Grill in San Francisco’s Union Square, where he encountered members of “Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence.” Established in 1979, the SPI gang promotes human rights and community service, while adorned as fallen nuns. It was only by chance Arpaio was at John’s Grill at the same time as the SPI crew. The latter were on their way to the annual “Drag Queens on Ice Show.” I used to be an Arpaio fan, until he started his anti-illegal immigrant tirade by profiling dark-skinned Hispanics in Phoenix. And, I’ve never cared much for drag queens. But, I have to commend SPI for creating that special Maalox moment for Arpaio. From Mexicans to drag queens – some guys just can’t get a break!
Filed under Curiosities
Right-wing blogger Pamela Geller, Executive Director of the American Freedom Defense Initiative, has purchased advertising space in several New York City subway stations to display her anti-Islam message. The graphic ads feature the former New York skyline with World Trade Center Towers I and II ablaze, as they were on September 11, 2001, when terrorists struck. Accompanying the pictures is a quote from the Quran that reads: “Soon shall we cast terror into the hearts of the Unbelievers.”
Geller – whose multiple web sites include “Atlas Shrugs,” Rick Santorum’s substitute for the Catholic Church – has long railed against the Muslim faith; warning about the ongoing “Islamization of America.” Geller worked with New York’s Metro Transit Authority, which manages the subway space, to post the ads. MTA denies any subliminal endorsement. “This is a paid advertisement sponsored by American Freedom Defense Initiative,” an official MTA disclaimer reads. “The display of this advertisement does not imply MTA’s endorsement of any views expressed.”
Geller and AFDI went crazy with anti-Islamic ads last year; the 10th anniversary of the 09/11 attacks. Another round of them this past September prompted an Egyptian-American journalist, Mona Eltahawy, to deface one particular ad, which equated Muslims with savages. It had stated: “In any war between the civilized man and the savage, support the civilized man.” It added, “Support Israel. Defeat Jihad,” in between two Stars of David. Eltahawy, 45, was videotaped spray-painting the advertisement and subsequently arrested. Every other ad in that series also ended up defaced.
The MTA had addressed salacious advertising at its monthly board meeting; trying to amend its guidelines to refuse “demeaning” ads and rules that would prohibit “images or information that demean an individual or group of individuals on account of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, gender, age, disability or sexual orientation.” Their regulations collided with the constitutional protections of free speech; thus, the new disclaimers.
Geller is unrepentant. “I refuse to abridge my free speech so as to appease savages,” she told The New York Observer. “Thousands of anti-Israel ads have run across the city and not one has been defaced. My ads, 10 went up in New York City, and they were destroyed in hours. You don’t agree with me, fine; run an ad. I have no problem with other people’s ideas.”
There you go! That’s the Hanukkah / Christmas spirit!
Chief Writing Wolf 