Saturday, May 23, 2009
Friday, May 22, 2009
Bad Bugs Bunny
I was very politically incorrect last night as I went to the Loft Cinema here in Tucson to see Bad Bugs Bunny. BBB is a series of Warner Brothers cartoons presented by Dennis Nyback, a film professor at Portland State University. BBB is a collection of censored Warner Brothers cartoons that are too racist, sexist, and violent for today's audiences. It even included a couple of the famous Censored 11.
Just a few thoughts. The opening cartoon was Hare Ribbin' and one of the two I remember seeing as a child. Bugs Bunny torments a dog until the dog is so depressed, Bugs blows him away at the dog's request. It was rereleased with the dog committing suicide (since that is less offensive) which is the version I saw as a kid. Sioux Me is the other one I remember seeing which revolves around the Sioux trying to make it rain.
A couple of prominent WWII cartoons were Tokio Jokio and Bugs Bunny Nips the Nips. Tokio Jokio is a done as a faux newreel showing the Japanese war effots. Bugs Nips the Nips is set on a Pacific Island where Bugs battles the Japenese (and does one of his famous drag scenes as a geisha). Both of these were very intended to dehumanize the Japanese during WWII. After the screening, Nyback said he did a film festival where he showed these and they showed some Japanese anti-American WWII cartoons...I would love to see how we were stereotyped.
He Was her Man was pretty violent toward women (although she turned the tables in the end). Let it Be Me really is kind of hard to see as anyone who is not named Bing Crosby thinking it should be censored, but there was a man named Bing Crosby who got it censored.
Ali Baba Bound is pretty relevant these days as Porky Pig has to defend an outpost from Ali Baba and his Dirty Sleeves, complete the suicide bomber.
The show closed with Tin Pan Ally Cats and Coal Black and the Sebben Dwafs. In Ally Cats, a caricature of Fats Waller has what could be best described as a bad trip. Coal Black is the classic but overly stereotyped take on the famous Disney movie.
Many of these are available on Youtube or other sites...I will let you search for them if you want to see them.
Its amazing to look back at these in a historical context. There are shocking moments but interspersed with truly inspired humor at times.
And this bring me to another point: corporate censorship. Corporations determine so much of what we are allowed to see and the media available to us. The motives are many and varied but in the end, we lose. With the passage of the Copyright Term Extension Act, it will be many years before these go to the public domain and we can freely see them (and I bet the try to extend it again when many of the protected works are about to go public domain).
I have been frustrated trying to get books, music and video that are under copyright but no one publishes. Some of these works may even be what we call orphan copyrights, works that are still under copyright but no one can figure out who controls it.
Yes. corporations control a lot of speech to say the least. We may say we have free speech, but that only does so much good if we only have it in person. The internet has been an equalizer to some extent, but it's not hard to imagine ISPs pulling the accounts of people who take on controversial subjects or phone companies refusing to carry certain messages on their lines (and if you think that will never happen, it has already been tried).
Just a few thoughts. The opening cartoon was Hare Ribbin' and one of the two I remember seeing as a child. Bugs Bunny torments a dog until the dog is so depressed, Bugs blows him away at the dog's request. It was rereleased with the dog committing suicide (since that is less offensive) which is the version I saw as a kid. Sioux Me is the other one I remember seeing which revolves around the Sioux trying to make it rain.
A couple of prominent WWII cartoons were Tokio Jokio and Bugs Bunny Nips the Nips. Tokio Jokio is a done as a faux newreel showing the Japanese war effots. Bugs Nips the Nips is set on a Pacific Island where Bugs battles the Japenese (and does one of his famous drag scenes as a geisha). Both of these were very intended to dehumanize the Japanese during WWII. After the screening, Nyback said he did a film festival where he showed these and they showed some Japanese anti-American WWII cartoons...I would love to see how we were stereotyped.
He Was her Man was pretty violent toward women (although she turned the tables in the end). Let it Be Me really is kind of hard to see as anyone who is not named Bing Crosby thinking it should be censored, but there was a man named Bing Crosby who got it censored.
Ali Baba Bound is pretty relevant these days as Porky Pig has to defend an outpost from Ali Baba and his Dirty Sleeves, complete the suicide bomber.
The show closed with Tin Pan Ally Cats and Coal Black and the Sebben Dwafs. In Ally Cats, a caricature of Fats Waller has what could be best described as a bad trip. Coal Black is the classic but overly stereotyped take on the famous Disney movie.
Many of these are available on Youtube or other sites...I will let you search for them if you want to see them.
Its amazing to look back at these in a historical context. There are shocking moments but interspersed with truly inspired humor at times.
And this bring me to another point: corporate censorship. Corporations determine so much of what we are allowed to see and the media available to us. The motives are many and varied but in the end, we lose. With the passage of the Copyright Term Extension Act, it will be many years before these go to the public domain and we can freely see them (and I bet the try to extend it again when many of the protected works are about to go public domain).
I have been frustrated trying to get books, music and video that are under copyright but no one publishes. Some of these works may even be what we call orphan copyrights, works that are still under copyright but no one can figure out who controls it.
Yes. corporations control a lot of speech to say the least. We may say we have free speech, but that only does so much good if we only have it in person. The internet has been an equalizer to some extent, but it's not hard to imagine ISPs pulling the accounts of people who take on controversial subjects or phone companies refusing to carry certain messages on their lines (and if you think that will never happen, it has already been tried).
Where do you go with real news?
Whistle blower stuff. The Milw Journal/Sentinal? The Racine Post? I'd hate to stick my neck out and rely on a hack newspaper. I'd go with the home crew, but when your local paper is owned by a National conglomerate, is it really the home paper?
I am privy to something that will make blood boil when it becomes public, and I'm wondering which News won't screw the pooch in investigating and reporting. Freedom of Info act will need to be used to get the true dirty laundry.
I am privy to something that will make blood boil when it becomes public, and I'm wondering which News won't screw the pooch in investigating and reporting. Freedom of Info act will need to be used to get the true dirty laundry.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Rock and Roll Revival
Welcome back, everybody! This week, I want to take the time to reflect the music I've listened to over the years. As many of you know, I love classic rock. The funny thing is, I never grew up with it. (My folks listened to country) I learned it all though my friends. Each tune I heard and liked expanded my horizons... I'm always searching for music.
I look back at some of the music that I loved and listened to over the years. Some of it is older than me! By gosh, I was four years old when the Beatles broke up! And I think they are awesome! I've learned that great music is timeless... Now, I get misty eyed when I see my twelve year old son wear his Aerosmith T-shirt with pride. I grin ear to ear when I watch my son jam away to Paint It Black on the guitar. Yep, he knows that stuff. You are never too young or too old to appreciate music.
So, I got an oldie, but a goodie for ya! It's no other, but the King himself! Put yours hand together for Burning Love!
Any reflections?
I look back at some of the music that I loved and listened to over the years. Some of it is older than me! By gosh, I was four years old when the Beatles broke up! And I think they are awesome! I've learned that great music is timeless... Now, I get misty eyed when I see my twelve year old son wear his Aerosmith T-shirt with pride. I grin ear to ear when I watch my son jam away to Paint It Black on the guitar. Yep, he knows that stuff. You are never too young or too old to appreciate music.
So, I got an oldie, but a goodie for ya! It's no other, but the King himself! Put yours hand together for Burning Love!
Any reflections?
"For Ireland's Catholic Schools, a 2,600-Page Catalog of Horrors "
From Time magazine:
"[James] Quinn was one of over 2,000 people to give evidence in a nine-year inquiry into child abuse at educational institutions, orphanages and hospitals run by Roman Catholic religious orders in Ireland from the 1930s to the 1990s. On Wednesday, the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse released its findings. The five-volume, 2,600-page report is a catalog of horrors, describing 'endemic sexual abuse' in boys' institutions and the 'daily terror' of physical abuse experienced by the estimated 30,000 Irish children who were sent to them."
http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1900120,00.html
From the Associated Press:
"But the victims, now mostly in their 50s to 80s, said Wednesday's 2,600-page report, despite its unprecedented scope and detail, did not make public what matters most — the names of their abusers. That's because a religious order at the heart of the abuse charges — the Christian Brothers — successfully sued the investigators to keep the identities of all their abusive members secret."
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hG7UpOwvc_tTJz3KkFUHO9AUBnBAD98AKHD00
I am not trying to raise a ruckus here, and I don't expect anyone to comment, but I will not let this die, either. If you're inclined, check out the above links to read about the absolute torture inflicted daily upon over 30,000 children by the loving religious orders of the Catholic Church. And STILL they refuse to name the monsters.
What would Jesus do?
"[James] Quinn was one of over 2,000 people to give evidence in a nine-year inquiry into child abuse at educational institutions, orphanages and hospitals run by Roman Catholic religious orders in Ireland from the 1930s to the 1990s. On Wednesday, the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse released its findings. The five-volume, 2,600-page report is a catalog of horrors, describing 'endemic sexual abuse' in boys' institutions and the 'daily terror' of physical abuse experienced by the estimated 30,000 Irish children who were sent to them."
http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1900120,00.html
From the Associated Press:
"But the victims, now mostly in their 50s to 80s, said Wednesday's 2,600-page report, despite its unprecedented scope and detail, did not make public what matters most — the names of their abusers. That's because a religious order at the heart of the abuse charges — the Christian Brothers — successfully sued the investigators to keep the identities of all their abusive members secret."
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hG7UpOwvc_tTJz3KkFUHO9AUBnBAD98AKHD00
I am not trying to raise a ruckus here, and I don't expect anyone to comment, but I will not let this die, either. If you're inclined, check out the above links to read about the absolute torture inflicted daily upon over 30,000 children by the loving religious orders of the Catholic Church. And STILL they refuse to name the monsters.
What would Jesus do?
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Are Pringles Potato Chips?
Proctor and Gamble, the maker of Pringles, would argue they are NOT potato chips due to their "unnatural shape" and the fact that they are made from flour they are "are more like a cake or a biscuit'. Oh, and they only contain 42% potato and come in a tube.
A British appeals court didn't buy that and ruled Pringles are indeed potato chips. Why the court ruling? Money, of course. Potato crips (chips to Yanks) are subject to the VAT in Britian but food is not. The tax amounts to about 20 million Pounds per year.
This reminds me of the 1893 U.S Supreme Court ruling Nix vs Hedden that a tomato is a vegetable and not a fruit (ticking off botanists everywhere). The case was over (anyone care to guess?) taxes. Taxes were required to be paid on imported vegetables but not fruit and it too the Supreme Court to sort it all out.
I am thinking of reclassifying my internet access, computer, cable bill and big screen television as "brain food"...after all, we don't pay taxes on food! What other good tax dodging schemes can we come up with?
A British appeals court didn't buy that and ruled Pringles are indeed potato chips. Why the court ruling? Money, of course. Potato crips (chips to Yanks) are subject to the VAT in Britian but food is not. The tax amounts to about 20 million Pounds per year.
This reminds me of the 1893 U.S Supreme Court ruling Nix vs Hedden that a tomato is a vegetable and not a fruit (ticking off botanists everywhere). The case was over (anyone care to guess?) taxes. Taxes were required to be paid on imported vegetables but not fruit and it too the Supreme Court to sort it all out.
I am thinking of reclassifying my internet access, computer, cable bill and big screen television as "brain food"...after all, we don't pay taxes on food! What other good tax dodging schemes can we come up with?
Dear Madame Zoltar
Hello, my delectable dewdrops! How are you? The sun is shining, the birds are twittering, the flowers are blooming, and spring has sprung all around us. What an explosion of sights and sounds! Be sure to check out the seasonal display, happening now in a yard or park near you.Congratulations again to Mr. John Dickert, now officially our new mayor. I am sure that downtown and Racine’s other vested interests will benefit greatly from his tenure. The rest of us, of course, get to share the glorious honor of carrying them on our backs.
I received an email from the pulchritudinous Ms. kk, who writes:
My dearest Madame,
I just read my horoscope... something I rarely do. It mentioned to pay close attention to my dreams tonight. Could you please assist and see to it that the suave and debonair Avenging Angel does not attempt any further nocturnal, lascivious "pas de deux" ce soir? I don't believe my heart can take anymore!
Merci beaucoup,
kk
Oh my, Ms. kk, I do not like to interfere in romantic matters involving our group of Irregulars. If I do, someone dislikes me; and if I don’t, the results are usually the same. Hmmm, I guess that means I lose either way, so what the heck. I will send out a short, telepathic message to Mr. Avenging Angel suggesting that he tone down his dreamy advances, but you have to do your part, too. All that fancy French-talk gets some men’s blood boiling. Perhaps if you spoke more like the rest of us, ya hey der, Mr. AA could better resist your natural charms. On the other hand, Ms. kk, a little stimulation of the heart can be beneficial to your long term health. ;)
And P.S., your horoscope doesn’t mean much unless it’s an official Zoltar® Horoscope, available in fine newspapers and tabloids everywhere.
I really don’t have much more to say today. I thought about commenting on some of the local news stories, but I tire of pointing out the obvious lies that city and county government endlessly spew at us. Add to that the misinformation and skewed coverage of events provided by local media, and you have the bitter stew of fraud, fakery, and falsehoods that is served up to Racinians 365 days a year. Bleckkk! It tastes like the crap that it is. Instead of eating the good old boys’ droppings, I’m going to enjoy the day and pretend that I live in a city that cares about its residents today. If you breathe enough of the fresh air and stare into the bright sun, you can almost forget about the black-hearted bastards selling out Racine’s future for their personal gain.
Have a joyous week, my friends. Soon the oppressive heat of summer will be upon us and the sounds of gunfire will fill the night air, but you can rest assured that the police will be out enforcing our seatbelt laws.
Send your questions and comments to me at: madamezoltar@jtirregulars.com.
Ciao!
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
"BREAKING NEWS:" Journal Times may have been played again
"RACINE — The jail inmate who gave birth in her cell last month may have caused herself to go into premature labor with the intent to file a lawsuit against Racine County, Sheriff Bob Carlson said Tuesday.
"At a 10 a.m. press conference at the Law Enforcement Center, 717 Wisconsin Ave., Carlson released video of inmate Melissa Woten doing handstands in her cell just hours before she gave birth in her cell toilet. He also released statements from other inmates who said Woten had hit herself in the stomach and that she wanted to give birth in the jail, so she could go to the hospital."
http://www.journaltimes.com/articles/2009/05/19/local_news/doc4a12f0449c31f235293371.txt
Looks like the Journal Times' latest cause du jour may turn out like the T.J. Melendez debacle: once again they backed the supposed "victim," when it may very well be that she was the perpetrator. They've given extensive coverage to Ms. Woten and her allegations, including front page coverage of her child's funeral. Most of the online coverage has been closed to comments.
They did this with T.J. Melendez' mother, portraying her as a martyr to ganbanging when in fact she was actively promoting the lifestyle that killed her son. Of course, when I pointed that out on the Journal Times' site, I was banned.
Who are the people at the Journal Times? Do they know anything about street life in Racine, Wisconsin? How is it that the people who are supposed to be reporting the news of our community understand so little about our community?
Today, they once again moderated one of Winger's comments, not because it was profane or a personal attack, but because they disagreed with his opinion:
"Moderator's note: Let us celebrate positive accomplishments, and not make mean-spirited comments about strangers who are bettering themselves."
http://www.journaltimes.com/articles/2009/05/19/local_news/doc4a1219871139b575022105.txt#comment
See, the comment section of the Journal Times is for your opinion, as long as that opinion is the same as the Journal Times' opinion.
At the Journal Times, "all animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others."
Oink-oink, Journal Times, oink-oink.
"At a 10 a.m. press conference at the Law Enforcement Center, 717 Wisconsin Ave., Carlson released video of inmate Melissa Woten doing handstands in her cell just hours before she gave birth in her cell toilet. He also released statements from other inmates who said Woten had hit herself in the stomach and that she wanted to give birth in the jail, so she could go to the hospital."
http://www.journaltimes.com/articles/2009/05/19/local_news/doc4a12f0449c31f235293371.txt
Looks like the Journal Times' latest cause du jour may turn out like the T.J. Melendez debacle: once again they backed the supposed "victim," when it may very well be that she was the perpetrator. They've given extensive coverage to Ms. Woten and her allegations, including front page coverage of her child's funeral. Most of the online coverage has been closed to comments.
They did this with T.J. Melendez' mother, portraying her as a martyr to ganbanging when in fact she was actively promoting the lifestyle that killed her son. Of course, when I pointed that out on the Journal Times' site, I was banned.
Who are the people at the Journal Times? Do they know anything about street life in Racine, Wisconsin? How is it that the people who are supposed to be reporting the news of our community understand so little about our community?
Today, they once again moderated one of Winger's comments, not because it was profane or a personal attack, but because they disagreed with his opinion:
"Moderator's note: Let us celebrate positive accomplishments, and not make mean-spirited comments about strangers who are bettering themselves."
http://www.journaltimes.com/articles/2009/05/19/local_news/doc4a1219871139b575022105.txt#comment
See, the comment section of the Journal Times is for your opinion, as long as that opinion is the same as the Journal Times' opinion.
At the Journal Times, "all animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others."
Oink-oink, Journal Times, oink-oink.
Monday, May 18, 2009
A Pretty Morning for Early Risers
This week we get treated to three nice bright objects gathering in the morning sky. Venus and Mars are joined by the Moon the next few days. No telescope required...just go outside and look east. Venus will be very bright and easy to spot. Fine the Moon and draw a line through Venus. Keep going and Mars will lie (roughly) along that line to the lower left of Venus. Here is a star chart for Wednesday morning (May 20th) generated using Stellarium (click to embiggen).
- Sky Chart for the morning of 5-20-09
The view is looking to the east. Tuesday morning the Moon will be farther away (to the upper right) and Thursday they will be the closest with the Moon just above Mars. Groupings like this really let you see how the Moon moves from day to day (Venus and Mars also move, but significantly slower than the Moon!)
I usually don't get up early enough to see these...especially in the summer (the lack of daylight savings time in Arizona means I have to get up even earlier than most!) but I hope some of you can enjoy it.Reprinted with permission from the Half-Astrophysicist Blog.
Hubble's Big Picture
Just a quick link to the Boston Globe's Big Picture who took on the most recent Hubble servicing mission. Here's a sample.
I just love the Earth in the background on this one.
The were some tense moments, stuck pieces, but in the end it looks like it went well. Although we can't be sure everything is 100% for a few weeks until everything is put through its paces, initial indications are good. All the instruments are communicating and sending back what is expected at this point.
Be sure to check out all the spectacular pictures of this mission.Reprinted with permission from the Half-Astrophysicist Blog.
PearlyDreams Sleep Enhancing Toothpaste
They're serious: http://www.pearlydreams.net/
I wonder how much you have to swallow to put yourself to sleep?
If you eat a whole tube, do you OD?
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Nerdcore
I listen to the radio show To the Best of Our Knowledge. The second hour of the show took a look at nerds. The part that caught my attention was the discussion of nerdcore. Nerdcore is basically hip hop but the lyrical topics are, well,things that nerds talk about.
I have not been up on the music and didn't realize how much of it there is. However, I am a long time fan of MC Hawking and have his CD of rap about astrophysics. MC Frontalot is considreed the godfather of the genre.
Turns out I have a whole new set of music to explore.Reprinted with permission from the Half-Astrophysicist Blog.
OMG........SER and FUNGI......
So sorry we missed your BIRTHDAYS.....................
It's late but HAPPY BIRTHDAY................
2 of the coolest guys I know!
It's late but HAPPY BIRTHDAY................
2 of the coolest guys I know!
"They say it's your birthday, Happy Birthday to Meeeeeeee"
It's the BIG day. I made it to 60. Too bad I feel like 80. LOL. I know some of you folks are coming up on the same milestone, so i'll let you know JUST how bad it REALLY is.
Journal Sentinel Limits Online Access to Some Investigative Stories
Starting today in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, you can read the first of a five part investigative story entitled The Preacher's Mob, but only in the print and e-editions of the newspaper. Free online access to the story will not be allowed until Wednesday.
JSOnline states their case thusly: "EDITORS NOTE: Investigative reporting is the most expensive form of journalism produced by the Journal Sentinel newsroom. Because of the expense and resources it requires, we are giving our print and e-edition subscribers exclusive access to the Preacher's Mob series. We will be doing this on a regular basis with certain enterprise stories and investigations. Online readers will be able to see the full story later this week. For now, all readers can read this summary version below or click on several interactive and multimedia features, including a mini-documentary that contains jailhouse interviews, audio files of secret recordings of Michael Lock by a law enforcement informant, and an interactive map of key dates and places in the world of Michael Lock. With an e-edition subscription, you can read the full series as it unfolds over five days in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel starting May 17. To sign up for an e-edition, click here."
Personally, I think that the Journal Sentinel has done such an outstanding job of investigative reporting (I'm thinking especially of their Watchdog Online stories), that I'm tempted to give them some money anyway. However, this is where the "free" Internet meets up with the costs of paying a staff to produce stories like these. I don't like it. I want to be able to read about the Preacher's Mob now, for free, like I'm used to. But I certainly understand it.
What do you think?
JSOnline states their case thusly: "EDITORS NOTE: Investigative reporting is the most expensive form of journalism produced by the Journal Sentinel newsroom. Because of the expense and resources it requires, we are giving our print and e-edition subscribers exclusive access to the Preacher's Mob series. We will be doing this on a regular basis with certain enterprise stories and investigations. Online readers will be able to see the full story later this week. For now, all readers can read this summary version below or click on several interactive and multimedia features, including a mini-documentary that contains jailhouse interviews, audio files of secret recordings of Michael Lock by a law enforcement informant, and an interactive map of key dates and places in the world of Michael Lock. With an e-edition subscription, you can read the full series as it unfolds over five days in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel starting May 17. To sign up for an e-edition, click here."
Personally, I think that the Journal Sentinel has done such an outstanding job of investigative reporting (I'm thinking especially of their Watchdog Online stories), that I'm tempted to give them some money anyway. However, this is where the "free" Internet meets up with the costs of paying a staff to produce stories like these. I don't like it. I want to be able to read about the Preacher's Mob now, for free, like I'm used to. But I certainly understand it.
What do you think?
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