Ransomed Culture

Jon Stewart Calls Out Olbermann

2010-01-23T09:16:00.001-06:00

Special Comment - Keith Olbermann's Name-Calling

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart

Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c

www.thedailyshow.com

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Health Care Crisis

What Happened to Openness?

2010-01-08T09:36:00.002-06:00

Here are some candid thoughts from CNN's Jack Cafferty on the subject of openness:

I Still Heart Huckabee!

2009-02-16T13:37:00.007-06:00

The Huckster sums up my feelings about

the so-called "Stimulus" with a little

humor here:

He would have been a fun president and

Chuck Norris as Secretary of Defense

would have been beyond awesome.

Congratulations and Appointments and Ballot Measures Oh My

2008-11-07T13:08:00.006-06:00

I have not had much time to blog this week due to work schedule so I won't spend much time on old news. Congratulations to President-Elect Obama, I sincerely hope his brand of change is the change we need. I also hope that those who did not vote for him will treat him with the honor and respect that was not shown President Bush. Here is an article from the Chicago Tribune about Obama's new White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel. These appointments should be looked at very carefully, because they will be very telling of the tone and direction of the Obama will take. Also, here are the results from ballot measures in different states across the country listed by topic:

(Courtesy of CNN.com)

Abortion Limits

Measure

Status

Options

Vote

Vote %

Precincts

California Proposition 4:

Abortion Limits

12:01 a.m. EST, Nov 7 '08

County Results | Map

| Exit Poll

No	5,205,337	52%
Yes	4,795,855	48%

100% of precincts reporting

South Dakota Initiative 11:

Abortion Limits

Updated 1 minute ago

County Results | Map

| Exit Poll

No	206,488	55%
Yes	167,536	45%

100% of precincts reporting

Ban on Gay Marriage

Measure

Status

Options

Vote

Vote %

Precincts

Arizona Proposition 102:

Ban on Gay Marriage

Updated 1 minute ago

County Results | Map

| Exit Poll

Yes	1,077,055	56%
No	834,083	44%

100% of precincts reporting

California Proposition 8:

Ban on Gay Marriage

12:01 a.m. EST, Nov 7 '08

County Results | Map

| Exit Poll

Yes	5,424,916	52%
No	4,932,086	48%

100% of precincts reporting

Florida Amendment 2:

Ban on Gay Marriage

12:17 p.m. EST, Nov 7 '08

County Results | Map

| Exit Poll

Yes	4,755,789	62%
No	2,913,740	38%

100% of precincts reporting

End Affirmative Action

Measure

Status

Options

Vote

Vote %

Precincts

Colorado Amendment 46:

End Affirmative Action

12:23 p.m. EST, Nov 7 '08

County Results | Map

No	1,074,960	51%
Yes	1,043,201	49%

98% of precincts reporting

Nebraska Initiative 424:

End Affirmative Action

11:45 a.m. EST, Nov 7 '08

County Results | Map

Yes	384,844	58%
No	283,458	42%

99% of precincts reporting

Other

Measure

Status

Options

Vote

Vote %

Precincts

Washington Initiative 1000:

Allow Doctor-Assisted Suicide

Updated 1 minute ago

County Results | Map

| Exit Poll

Yes	1,284,842	59%
No	908,719	41%

76% of precincts reporting

Michigan Proposition 1:

Allow Medical Marijuana

6:35 p.m. EST, Nov 5 '08

County Results | Map

Yes	3,005,678	63%
No	1,792,497	37%

100% of precincts reporting

Michigan Proposition 2:

Allow Stem Cell Research

6:35 p.m. EST, Nov 5 '08

County Results | Map

| Exit Poll

Yes	2,520,240	53%
No	2,271,071	47%

100% of precincts reporting

Maryland Question 2:

Allow Video Lottery

11:21 a.m. EST, Nov 7 '08

County Results | Map

| Exit Poll

Yes	1,348,082	59%
No	950,862	41%

100% of precincts reporting

Arkansas Initiative 1:

Ban on Gay Couples Adopting Children

7:17 p.m. EST, Nov 5 '08

County Results | Map

| Exit Poll

Yes	579,695	57%
No	437,720	43%

100% of precincts reporting

Arizona Proposition 202:

Hiring Illegal Immigrants

Updated 1 minute ago

County Results | Map

| Exit Poll

No	1,088,879	59%
Yes	753,544	41%

100% of precincts reporting

Colorado Amendment 48:

Human Life from Moment of Conception

12:23 p.m. EST, Nov 7 '08

County Results | Map

| Exit Poll

No	1,598,069	73%
Yes	584,085	27%

98% of precincts reporting

Massachusetts Question 1:

Repeal State Income Tax

2:03 p.m. EST, Nov 6 '08

Town Results | Map

| Exit Poll

No	2,063,891	70%
Yes	901,802	30%

100% of precincts reporting

Predjucation

2008-11-07T11:45:00.018-06:00

Here is an interesting clip from a Swedish documentary that takes a look into our public school system.

This is why I'm in favor of vouchers and pretty sure my kids are not going to public school. Teachers like this need to find another line of work. My favorite part is when she leans in to that sweet little girl whose father is in the military and tells her "It's a senseless war!", and insinuates that McCain wants her father to be military for another hundred years. Classy. Anyone have any thoughts or stories about education or bad teachers?

Young @ Heart

2008-10-20T20:21:00.005-05:00

As promised in my first post, this blog is not all about politics. I mentioned that I would, from time to time review a film. So, on a lighter note I submit my review of the the documentary Young @Heart. Note: When I review a film on here, most of the time it will be my way suggesting a film that's a little off the beaten path that I think is worth watching.

Young @ Heart is the fascinating look at a New England community chorus as they prepare for an upcoming tour. The kicker is that the median age of the chorus is over 80, and they belt out rock songs from artist such as The Ramones, The Clash, James Brown, David Bowie, Sonic Youth and others. When the members of the chorus are first introduced to these songs many of them are plugging their ears. But, they love to perform them, and the end result is something quite magical. I know, the idea of a geriatric choir singing rock and pop songs just seems silly, but this film is much more than just a gimmick.

From the very entertaining and flirtatious 92 year-old Eileen Hall, to Lenny Fontain, who drives like a teenager that just downed a Rock Star energy drink, you'll be hard pressed not to get attached to these lovable real characters. You haven't lived until you've watched Lenny and his buddy Joe Mitchell discuss which side of a compact disc is the top. The group's 50-something director Bob Climan experiences much frustration and joy throughout the film as teaches the group some difficult new songs and prepares them for a big, sold-out local show.

A few things really stood out to me about this film. The first thing, was the way in which they take these songs and make them their own. When Fred Knittle, who is very overweight and on an oxygen machine, sings COLDPLAY's "Fix You" there is a depth, quality and dare I say believability to it that even Chris Martin has to envy. Second, was just how drawn into their individual stories I was. There are definite ups and downs in their story, and I felt every one of them. Third, was what an inspiration the the elderly folks in this film are. The zestful lives they live in spite of many major medical problems make you want to never complain about your life ever again.

The films director Stephen Walker did a wonderful job of allowing reality to play out on the screen. In fact every laughter and tears moment in this film is created by the genuine lives of the chorus members, not the film maker himself. Young @ Heart shows that good documentaries don't have to be politically driven or manipulated. Rather, they can accurately present the touching stories of real, ordinary people in everyday life. In my opinion, this method rivals and often surpasses any Hollywood creation.

If your not inclined to enjoy a good documentary every now and again, chances are Young @ Heart is not for you. But, if you find old people interesting like me, I guarantee you'll like...nay you'll love this film. It was recently released on DVD, so you should be able to find a copy at your local movie store. If you do watch Young @ Heart or you have already seen it, please let me know what you think.

Young @ Heart is rated PG

As a tribute to my late grandmother and in honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I give it four out of five pink ribbons: -----