Bender applauds Al Gore's Video!

Bender applauds Al Gore's Video!
Originally uploaded by recyclingfan.

You have to watch the clip, Futurama advertises Al Gore's video, Bender and Al gore side by side. Great trailer for the video: "An Inconvenient Truth."

Locash Cowboys

locash cowboys
Originally uploaded by recyclingfan.

I finally found the locash cowboys web site. I sat next to BJ the lead guitarist on a plane ride from denver to chicago. more about them here.

Geoff's air conditioner

Geoff's air conditioner
Originally uploaded by recyclingfan.

this guy is a genius! Here is how to design your own air conditioner for less than $20.

who killed the electric car?

funeral
Originally uploaded by recyclingfan.

here is a trailer for the movie Who Killed the Electric Car? sounds like a good film. For more infor on the electric car, go here. and here is the trailer link.

fluorescent chain cat shark

fluorescent chain cat shark
Originally uploaded by recyclingfan.

there is no such thing as a jaguar shark, like the one in The Life Aquatic. However, here is a deep sea shark that glows, its very short, only a meter long. researchers were looking for giant squid deep in the ocean, and they photographed this shark - surprise!

awesome paint job

awesome paint job
Originally uploaded by recyclingfan.

here's a gunman posing in front of his commander's car in Somalia. But look at the paint job!!! Awesome! with the crescent! And that one star blue flag on the drivers door! Can't you just see getting a late model jeep and painting it like that! The guns are too scary though....

last picture show

last picture show
Originally uploaded by recyclingfan.

Absolutely incredible film. Shown at Regent Square Theater in pittsburgh, Sunday night only. From 1971 - timeless classic. Timothy Bottoms was great, Cloris Leachman was great - the entire cast was great. the Director Peter Bogdonovich was incredible - 31 yrs old - made a perfect movie. I dont think he can ever make a movie this good again, not that he isnt good now, but this movie was so perfect, the script, the actors, the black and white film, the landscape, the music. Absolutley perfect. here are the actors. and some dialogue follows.

Timothy Bottoms
Jeff Bridges
Cybill Shepherd
Ben Johnson
Cloris Leachman
Ellen Burstyn
Eileen Brennan
Clu Gulager
Sam Bottoms
Sharon Taggart
Randy Quaid



Now you boys can get on outta here. I don't wanna have no more to do with ya. Scarin' an unfortunate creature like Billy, just so's you could have a few laughs. I've been around that trashy behavior all my life. I'm gettin' tired of puttin' up with it. And you can stay outta this poolhall, outta my cafe and my picture show too. I don't want no more of your business.

Sonny: Nothin's really been right since Sam the Lion died.
Lois: No, no it hasn't. (Her eyes well up with tears) Oh God, I get sad if I think of Sam for long. Did you know he had beautiful hands?
Sonny: I guess you liked him, didn't you? Aw, I guess everybody did.
Lois: Well, I tell you, it was different with me, Sonny. I loved him. He loved me, too.
Sonny: Are you - are you the one he used to take swimmin'? Out at the tank?
Lois: (She smiles and then muses) He told you about that, huh? Yeah, I was the one. I guess if it wasn't for Sam, I'd just about have missed it, whatever it is. I'd have been one of them Amity types that thinks that playin' bridge is about the best thing that life has to offer. Old Sam the Lion. (After holding back tears, she's crying visibly) Sam the Lion - you know, nobody knows where he got that name. I gave it to him. One night, well, it just came to me. He was so pleased. I was 22 years old then. Can you imagine? I'll tell you, Sonny, it's terrible to only meet one man in your whole life who knows what you're worth. Just terrible. I've looked, too. You wouldn't believe how I've looked.

George Harrison tribute

George Harrison tribute
Originally uploaded by recyclingfan.

This is the most beautiful George Harrison tribute video on the web. He meditated sometimes 4 hrs a day, read the Gnostic gospels too. I think Hinduism and gnosticism led him to find the answer to the human dilemma: love. It's that simple after all....

Bob Hoover - world's greatest pilot

hoover
Originally uploaded by recyclingfan.

I have seen this guy at air shows - amazing. He was test pilot in WWII, shot down over europe spent time in POW camp. His air shows are incredible. This video shows his famous power off loop, barrel roll and landing - unbelievable - and he also shows how he can do a barrel roll and pour a glass of iced tea at the same time!!!

Buddhist temple 360 degrees panorama

buddhist chanting
Originally uploaded by recyclingfan.

Here is a link to a very cool page, providing 360 degree panoramas of locations around the world, everything from london, to a hill in scotland, to a Buddhist sunset chanting ceremony performed by nuns. You have to be amazed at what you can find on the internet that makes the world become so small....

New glasses - pierced nose

glasses
Originally uploaded by recyclingfan.

these minimalist glasses require you to have the bridge of your nose pierced, then you attach your glasses. I am speechless....

Tom Waits: American buddha

Tom Waits: American buddha
Originally uploaded by recyclingfan.

Tom Waits is an amazing song writer. His performances are no less fantastic. Here is waits from the Letterman show. He even does a soft shoe dance!

Pres Al Gore Won't leave West Wing set!

Pres Al Gore
Originally uploaded by recyclingfan.

Here is the video of Al Gore on SNN, pretending to have been President for the last 6 years. funny!

10 commandments parody

10 commandments
Originally uploaded by recyclingfan.

They remade the 10 Commandments movie into a teen flick! Yes, the new kid moses arrives at high school, and takes on the establishment. Funny part of trailer is Sam Jackson as the flaming bush - very funny.

"We don't need no stinking badges!"

badges
Originally uploaded by recyclingfan.

Pres. Bush has proposed that National Guard troops will serve two-week stints guarding our southern border before rotating out of the assignment, so keeping the force level at 6,000 over the course of a year could require up to 156,000 troops. Is this completely nuts? What will a national guard soldier do for 2 weeks patroling the border? Drive around in a humvee? Where will they live, in tents? Its the f**cking desert! How many will be support troops, how many will actually patrol? Remember how the national guard "guarded" our airports after 911? They stood around with unloaded weapons. The guard should not be used for border patrol, they won't be patroling anything anyway - its all a show. Its racism: the republicans pander to the right wingers in california and arizona and texas, and they dont want the USA to become Mexicanized (remember when Bush said he spoke Mexican?) That part of the US was part of Mexico. Look at the picture - its a picture of the actor from Treasure of Sierra Madre, when humphrey bogart asked him, "if you are the federales, then show us your badges..." Its a racist argument - its not about jobs, its about "mexicans" expanding as a % of our population. We have always been racist about immigration - our laws restricted immigrants from asia until recently, and favored european immigrants, esp those from "iron curtain" nations. Actually, bush is trying to do the right thing, find a way of legalizing immigration, but for the wrong reasons - mexican immigrants are important members of the work force for low paying, non union jobs. oh, the humanity....

Libya

libya
Originally uploaded by recyclingfan.

The term "real politik" applies to a foreign policy based on self interest, not on human rights, "freedom," or any consistently applied principle. Look at our relations with Cuba - communist state, we must isolate it. Iran - socialist islamist state, we must isolate. Iraq - socialist, dictatorship with crazy person (Saddam) as ruler. But Libya???? Within the past 20 years, it has been a terrorist state, a dictatorship, a radical islamic fundamentalist state, and now we are restoring relations with Libya. Why? Oil. Kadaffi (one of the principle rulers) wants to sell oil to international companies connected to US, for money, what else? Its about trade: we pay top dollar for Libya's money, they get all sanctions dropped. Were they responsible for the Locherbie 747 bombing? Perhaps their agents were connected, but it was a hit called for by Iran - the Libyans were easier to prosecute. (read this editorial written by the parent of one of the young women killed on that plane.) What is the difference between Libya and Saddam's Iraq? Saddam hated US, didnt care about sanctions, was convinced he could use Iraq oil to leverage an alliance with germany, france, to have sanctions released by UN, to isolate the US from the second largest supply of oil in the world. The UN drops sanctions against Iraq, Iraq says "f**ck you america we sell our oil to the European Union," and Iraq wins. But, we invaded. the lesson? Sell us your oil or we will find a way of wrecking your economy, or of invading your country. No sense of morality whatsoever.

The Dick

The Dick
Originally uploaded by recyclingfan.

Vice President Dick Cheney went pheasant shooting in Pennsylvania in December 2003, but unlike most of his fellow hunters across America, he didn't have to spend hours or even days tramping the fields and hedgerows in hopes of bagging a brace of birds for the dinner table.

Upon his arrival at the exclusive Rolling Rock Club in Ligonier Township, gamekeepers released 500 pen-raised pheasants from nets for the benefit of him and his party. In a blaze of gunfire, the group—which included legendary Dallas Cowboys quarterback Roger Staubach and U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX), along with major fundraisers for Republican candidates—killed at least 417 of the birds. According to one gamekeeper who spoke to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Cheney was credited with shooting more than 70 of the pen-reared fowl. I love it! a bunch of old, fat men, eat barbecue and drink beer, then they stand in one place while handlers release and chase birds in front of them so they can shoot - domestic rraised birds - without even having to walk. hell, why not release the birds by the tables where the barbecue and beer are at, that way cheney doesnt even have to walk to shoot. Is this hunting? What did they hunt? They stood in one place and shot domestic raised birds. This is not what "men" do, its what eunuchs do.

After lunch, the group shot flocks of mallard ducks, also reared in pens and shot like so many live skeet. There's been no report on the number of mallards the hunting party killed, but it's likely that hundreds fell.

Rolling Rock is an exclusive private club for the wealthy with a world-class golf course and a closed membership list. It is also a "canned hunting" operation—a place where fee-paying hunters blast away at released animals, whether birds or mammals, who often have no reasonable chance to escape. Most are "no kill, no pay" operations where patrons only shells out funds for the animals they kill.

Bird-shooting operations offer pheasants, quail, partridges, and mallard ducks, often dizzying the birds and planting them in front of hunters or tossing them from towers toward waiting shotguns. There are, perhaps, more than 3,000 such operations in the United States, according to outdoor writer Ted Williams.

For canned hunts involving mammals, hunters can shoot animals native to given continents—everything from Addax to Zebra—within the confines of a fenced area, assuring the animals have no opportunity to escape. Time magazine estimates that 2,000 facilities offer native or exotic mammals for shooting within fenced enclosures.

The HSUS worked hard to expose Cheney's shooting spree, and we were fortunate in persuading The New York Times, The Washington Post, the Dallas Morning News, and other media outlets to cover the events of that day and our subsequent criticism.

Our criticism is simple to understand: Farm-raised pheasants are about as wary as urban pigeons and shooting them is nothing more than live target practice, especially when they are released from a hill in front of 10 gunners hidden below in blinds—as Cheney and his party were. Such hunting makes a mockery of basic principles of fair play and humane treatment, and the vice president should not associate himself with such conduct.

The private excesses of Cheney are bad enough, and worthy of The HSUS's rebuke. But it's the public policy excesses that are of even greater concern to me. Cheney's hunting trip strikes me as emblematic of the Bush Administration's callousness towards the earth's animals.

The administration's most outrageous proposal is its plan to allow trophy hunters to shoot endangered species in other countries and import the trophies and hides into the United States. The administration first floated the proposal a few months ago, with formal proposals subsequently published in the Federal Register, and President Bush is expected to make a final decision soon on the plan, which originated with his U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

For 30 years, the Endangered Species Act has provided critical protections for species near extinction in the United States. The act also protects species in foreign nations, by barring pet traders, circuses, trophy hunters, and others from importing live or dead endangered species. While we can't prevent the shooting or capture of endangered species overseas, we can prevent imports—thus eliminating the incentive for American hunters and others to shoot or trap the animals in the first place.

But with this plan the administration is seeking to punch gaping holes in the prohibitions, under the assumption that generating revenue through the sale of hunting licenses will aid on-the-ground conservation in foreign lands.

The plan is transparent on its face. It's not aimed to help species, but to aid special interests who want to profit from the exploitation of wildlife. No group is more centrally involved in this miserable plan than Safari Club International, the world's leading trophy hunting organization and an entity with close ties to the Bush Administration.

The 40,000 member organization of rich trophy collectors has doled out close to $600,000 in campaign contributions among GOP candidates in the past six years. President Bush appointed a former top lobbyist of the Safari Club to be the deputy director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service—again, the very agency promoting the plan to allow the selling off of endangered species to private interests.

The HSUS is not a pro-hunting organization. That said, we view certain types of hunting as worse than others. It crosses any reasonable line to support the shooting of some of the rarest and most endangered animals in the world. And it is beyond the pale to advocate for or participate in the shooting of animals in canned hunts—for birds or mammals.

President Bush met with leaders of 19 hunting organizations on December 12. While we expect him to endorse certain forms of hunting, he should in no way countenance the shooting of endangered species or the hunting of captive or pen-reared animals. If that's where these hunting groups want to lead him, he needs to resist their entreaties. He needs to stand up to these special interest groups and draw a bright line between certain types of hunting conduct.

Americans don't support this nonsense, and the president shouldn't either.

Deerhunter on the big screen

deer
Originally uploaded by recyclingfan.

I just saw Deer Hunter on the big screen, at regent sq theater in pittsburgh. Amazing. I could see the whole scene as the director wanted - huge screen. Regent sq is an old theater, with the big screen, not the small screens those muliplex theaters have. The colors were so vibrant. And I could hear the dialogue better than ever. For a film criticized so much (poor editing, poor dialogue etc) it was nominated for many award, won 5 academy awards, Michael Cimino won every director's award there was that year. Oddly enough, this is only one of two Cimino films that were ever considered good and it still has its critics. The wedding party scene was great on the wide screen. I finally connected the choir at church wedding with the choir singing when Michael goes deer hunting the first time. In church, he mocks stan when stan makes the sign of the cross. Then when they are hunting the first time, the choir starts to sing as Michael stalks the deer: the woods are Michael's church! He worships the deer, the hunt, the "one shot" code. The second time he hunts, he purposely misses the deer, and yells, "OKAYYYY?!" up in the air, as if speaking to heaven - does he now believe in God? Meryl Streep was soooo beautiful - her hair is so many shades of blonde. the scene where she sleeps next to michael in her towel...no dialogue, none needed. And when michael waits for her outside the Eagle market, she gets in car, says, "Did you even think our lives would turn out like this?" Michael of course is silent (De Niro didnt have many long lines in the movie). Finally figured out what the viet cong guy is yelling during the russian roulette scenes: "Di di Mau! Mau!" It means hurry up in Vietnamese. The GI's in nam started using it as a phrase, as in, "Lieutenant, it looks like an entire NVA battalion is about to over whelm us, I suggest we Di Di Mau!!!" like lets get the hell out of here quick. Its an expression vietnam vets would recognize. The movie was perfect, although they cut the sound off too soon for the speaker after the film - that song is so beautiful at the end, you have to let it play out. The funeral at the end, in that run down cemetary next to the church where stevie and angela were married, the sound of a train and factory in background, these are not affluent people, this is not a rich mans cemetary, and then the breakfast scene afterward, Linda fumbling with the silver war, no one really functioning, speaking, and then finally the song God Bless America - absolutley heart breaking...I mean you know these people and actually care about them. I have seen this film about 30 times, I still cried all the way through it, starting at the wedding party, going right through to the end.
ihave some Vietnam links elsewhere on the blog here and here. Christopher Walken for President!

british helo downed

british helo downed
Originally uploaded by recyclingfan.

No a good sign. The british occupy southern iraq, around Basra, where there has been less opposition to the invasion. The reason for this, is that Shia militia effectively control the area - the british are tolerated because the militia is really in control. The police are controlled by the militia. In other words, the central gov isnt in control of this part of Iraq, the british troops arent "enforcing" anything. The Shia are alligned with Iran, and Iran has poored arms into southern iraq to support the shia militia. But Tony Blair didnt do well in the the british elections, and it was in large part due to his support of the iraq war. I think the militia in basra figured out that Blair is weakened, and maybe now is the time to put the hammer on the british troops, who really arent in control of anything to begin with. The press doesnt report this - no real analysis behind the news. So what happens if the british leave? Nothing, other than the militia will continue to be in control, and the central government will not have legitimacy in southern Iraq. There is only the illusion of "Iraqi Government" legitimacy now in southern iraq. There is a de facto division of Iraq, with Kurds controlling the north, shia militia controlling the south, and the US army/marines trying to shore up the central gov by battling the sunni insurgents.

nagasaki

nagasaki
Originally uploaded by recyclingfan.

there is a book entitled "When Presidents lie: a history of deception and its consequences" by eric alterman. Not a bad book, doesnt really go into the great lies of presidents. Like when Harry Truman explained that he had no remorse about dropping the bomb on japan, that it saved American lives. Truth is, Japan was trying to surrender, an invasion wasnt necessary. US wanted unconditional surrender, refused any negotiations. Meanwhile, continued to drop indendiary bombs on a nation that couldnt defend itself. Here are some eyewitness accounts of the day the bomb was dropped. You know you dont have to be a historian to study presidential deception: we have it today with Bush and his handlers. The entire iraq invasion was a giant deception. I cant get over the hubris involved in the US invading iraq over the "threat" of weapons of mass destruction, or the fear of a nuclear Iran, when the US has the record for using weapons of mass destruction. The only time nuclear weapons have been used is by the US, against Japan which was at the time a defenseless nation. And who gave the chemical and biological weapons to Iraq? the US of course.

abbey road

abbey road
Originally uploaded by recyclingfan.

The Beatles last album recorded. Remember the cover? Now you can watch abbey road on the live web cam.

Three Seasons

02m
Originally uploaded by recyclingfan.

Absolutely beautiful movie, never released in US, obtained dvd from internet purchase. Vietnamese film, featuring Harvey Keitel. Its almost like a Vietnamese "Crash," although I dont want to turn anyone off because of that comparison. A movie full of love and squalor. And redemption. Beautifully filmed, great acting, the sets were incredible (location sets in Ho Chi Minh city - Saigon). Very low moving film but worth the patience. Unforgetable scenes - the ending is a like a beautiful dream. Here are the words to the folk song in the movie:

Can anyone on Earth ever know
how many stalks are in a rice field?
How many bends are in a river?
How many layers are in a cloud?

Can anyone sweep leaves of a forest?
Tell wind to shake trees no more?
How many leaves must a silk worm eat
to weave a dress of colors from our past?

How much rain must fall from clouds
before ocean overflows with tears?
How many years must silver moon
age before it grows older than time?

In middle of a still quiet night
moon appears and waits nearby.
He who can steal my heart for him
I will forever sing joyful songs.


What is the cyclo guy doing to her back?

...the prostitute is cured of a fever with a folk medicine practice in which the skin is scraped with the dull edge of a spoon, a traditional healing technique called 'cau dong,' which supposedly draws out toxins."

Why is it called three seasons? During the boy's scenes, it is ALWAYS raining. And during the scenes with the cyclo driver, the topic is sometimes about the unbearable heat. The prostitute is always cool. The lotus flower blooms during spring? just guessing. Or, young begger boy, mature characters (cyclo driver, prostitute, vietnam vet), and older dying of leprosy?

Is Bush a facist?

images
Originally uploaded by recyclingfan.

We already know Dick F***ing Cheney is, but what about Bush? Here is a video that tests the null hypothesis, "There is no difference between G. W. Bush's administration and a fascist administration.

Saddam our ally, our CIA agent

handshake300
Originally uploaded by recyclingfan.

Here is a video that suggests Saddam was a CIA agent, that his rise to power was supported by US, his invasion of Iran supported by US and so forth. It bends the truth, but makes an important point: Iraq had our support in the past, we supplied them with WMD, and intelligence. We travel with a rough crowd. "Real Politik" henry kissinger called it, foreign policy based on self interest and not morality.

drunk drivers

drunk drivers
Originally uploaded by recyclingfan.

Here is a story on our Vice President, who drinks and drives and "hunts." He was arrested twice for drunk driving. I just heard Jerry Falwell on TV: "I'd rather go hunting with dick cheney than go driving with ted kennedy." Me? I'd rather avoid drunks, esp driving or hunting.


Secret Service agents say Cheney was drunk when he shot lawyer

By DOUG THOMPSON

Feb 22, 2006, 07:35

Secret Service agents guarding Vice President Dick Cheney when he shot Texas lawyer Harry Whittington on a hunting outing two weeks ago say Cheney was "clearly inebriated" at the time of the shooting.

Agents observed several members of the hunting party, including the Vice President, consuming alcohol before and during the hunting expedition, the report notes, and Cheney exhibited "visible signs" of impairment, including slurred speech and erratic actions.

According to those who have talked with the agents and others present at the outing, Cheney was drunk when he gunned down his friend and the day-and-a-half delay in allowing Texas law enforcement officials on the ranch where the shooting occurred gave all members of the hunting party time to sober up.

We talked with a number of administration officials who are privy to inside information on the Vice President's shooting "accident" and all admit Secret Service agents and others say they saw Cheney consume far more than the "one beer' he claimed he drank at lunch earlier that day.

"This was a South Texas hunt," says one White House aide. "Of course there was drinking. There's always drinking. Lots of it."

One agent at the scene has been placed on administrative leave and another requested reassignment this week. A memo reportedly written by one agent has been destroyed, sources said Wednesday afternoon.

Cheney has a long history of alcohol abuse, including two convictions of driving under the influence when he was younger. Doctors tell me that someone like Cheney, who is taking blood thinners because of his history of heart attacks, could get legally drunk now after consuming just one drink.

Pres. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran

Pres. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran
Originally uploaded by recyclingfan.

Here are a number of observations about Iran. (1) They dont have nuclear weapons. It will be years before they do, if they want. (2) they have no way of delivering nuclear weapons. they have missles, but they cant reach the USA (3) there is no reason why iran would want a war with the usa - what would be the purpose? (4) a it on Israel from Iran would be WWIII - they wont do it (5) they live in a dangerous part of the world. Iran is surrounded by nuclear powers: Russia, Pakistan, India and yeah, the USA: we have nukes on our carriers off their coast. The press in USA has gone over the top covering stories about Iran: its as if they are the new global threat to USA. They are not. The US is the worlds largest arms supplier, the largest holder of weapons of mass destruction, the biggest aggressor. The US press reports are awful. This guy Mahmoud is his own worst enemy: he needs to shave, tone down the rhetoric, wear a tie, maybe talk a bit about how Islam is a spiritual movement - I think he is playing to the radicals in his government, he gets points for demonizing the USA. Then again, US presidents always got points for demonizing Iraq (Bush, Clinton, and Bush again). What this guy needs is to hire james Carville as his political consultant: Jim would make this guy more likeable, less extreme. We need allies in middle east, not create enemies. We need to figure out what to do about the 1.5 million Palestinian refugees - how to find them a place to live, return somehow to Israel (not all of them) find them economic opportunities - in short, we need peaceful and prosperous Israel and palestine and the middle east would be a different place. I know how to make this happen: why dont those bastards in the Bush admin call me so I can solve their global problems??? (just kidding - but yeah, solutions are out there, just not on the table).

Rice: No V-E Day in Iraq

Rice: No V-E Day in Iraq
Originally uploaded by recyclingfan.

Of course not! First of all, how many people even know what V-E day is? Was? Or V-J Day? THERE IS NO COMPARISON OF IRAQ WITH WWII. I dont know why the bush admin keeps on with this. iraq's invasion of kuwait was not like germany's invasion of poland, our invasion of Iraq was not like our entry into WWII, so why would anyone expect a V-E day? No one I know thought there would be a final day of the iraq war...it was predicted to be a quaqmire from the beginning. You mean to tell me the Bush admin has finally figured out there is not going to be a final victory day in Iraq? They are probably the last to figure this out. Rice has given bush the worst possible advice. You know what she told bush at the beginning of his term? Dont try to negotiate peace between israeli and the palestinians, you will only fail. Find something in foreign policy that can be a success. yeah. like invading Iraq?

New US embassy in Baghdad

Iraq_Jobs
Originally uploaded by recyclingfan.

The US is building a $1 billion embassy in Baghdad, on 104 acres, in downtown area. I guess this will be known as fortress America, or the new Alamo. Of course, the republican congress approved the budget. I cant get over the sheer waste of spending by the federal government - this administration is supposedly conservative, yet they engage in unrestricted spending. The deficit is higher than ever. What does this tell iraqis? That the REAL government is not iraqi, but American? This is the largest and most fortified US embassy in the world. It has its own electricity and water/sewage system - the whole Iraq country could stop functioning, and our new embassy wouldnt sense it. Those working at the embassy (60% of employees will be security) never have to leave: it is self contained. I cant imagine any Iraqi's being employed there. We are no different that the British empire, when they ran India and the middle east. Of course, there are private companies building the embassy: you guessed it, the embassy is under contract to a Kuwait company, who subcontracts to republican cronies. Its the no bid contract system again: graft, corruption, fraud. The Bush administration is as dishonest as Nixon, and is as corrupt as Warren Harding. And, Americans have elected these people TWICE! They could have gotten rid of him in 2004, but re elected him by over 3 million votes (ok, the election in the Electoral College was closer, it came down to 130,000 votes in Ohio). Our obsession with the mafia on film and tv (sopranos) is that it reminds us of our government: organized crime run by syndicate families.

tsotsi

tsotsi
Originally uploaded by recyclingfan.

incredible movie from south africa. Tsotsi means "thug" and the the main character is that: he was a homeless child who grew up in storm sewers outside of Soweto. He now heads a gang of marginal criminals. he carjacks a woman's car, shoots her, turns out her baby is in back seat. he decides to keep the baby. he begins a journey of self discovery. This thug eventually completes his spiritual journey at the end: he is a criminal, but becomes human. Incredible story: what is the nature of mankind? Are we loving caring creatures by nature? What turns us into thugs? Can we be redeemed? Is redemption important, even if we spend the rest (most, say 30 yrs) of our life in prison? What is the purpose of our life...to be redeemed, to find serenity, peace? Very powerful movie. If you watch this, remember ITS ONLY A MOVIE. No one really gets knifed, beaten, the dog doesnt get kicked and has its back broken, the mother really isnt paralyzed ITS ONLY A MOVIE but reflect upon the spiritual message. Jesus! (really, jesus). Great movie. Absolutely. Hey I almost deleted my blog on Moussaoui but someone commented on it - check it out!

moussaoui

moussaoui
Originally uploaded by recyclingfan.

The so called extra terrorist from 911 is on trial for his life. His crime? he took money from terrorist organizations and paid for flying lessons in minnesota. His flying lessons were ridiculous - his intructors couldn't understand why this guy was taking lessons in simulators - his skills were awful. He portrays himself as one of the 911 hijackers: I think he is nuts. But think...these guys "seem" nuts in the first place. Those horrible tapes from flight 93 show that the terrorists were "praying" to allah as they ritualistically killed the flight crew - how nuts is that? So you have a schizophrenic who wants to fly a plane into a building: how do you determine if this guy is a radical fundamentalist or just plain crazy? He is described as a problem inmate, who has to be subdued by force. yeah, he's nuts. His testimony is nuts: he thinks Pres Bush will give him a pardon once he is convicted...? what? The only pardons bush will give out will be to his cabinet. We want to punish these bastards for 911, and we got this sorry pos to blame. I want to hold those responsible for their crimes, but to find some crazy sob to use as a scapegoat is wrong. This guy is a defense attorneys nightmare - he wants to be found guilty, tells the jury he hates americans, says he got a hard on when listening to the flight 93 tapes (really disgusting), but thinks bush will pardon him. His mother is beside herself, says he has had mental problems a long time, he disappeared, didnt know where he was, then he resurfaces in minnesota as the "extra" terrorist - what a nightmare for her. But what do you do with this guy? Convict him on immigration charges, taking money from terrorist organization, spend a few years in prison, then release him??? Thats all they have on him. This guy is as good as dead.

japan train

japan train
Originally uploaded by recyclingfan.

East Japan Railway Co. unveiled the latest prototype of the next-generation bullet train, code-named "Fastech 360Z," to the press on Wednesday at its rolling stock laboratory center near Sendai in northern Japan.

The six-car Fastech will aim to log the world's fastest speed for wheeled trains at 360 kilometers (224 miles) per hour during a normal journey.

In comparison, France's TGV (Train Grande Vitesse) ordinarily runs at 300 kph. However, the TGV still holds the world record for wheeled trains for hitting 515 kph (320 mph).
I can't imagine how a train can go this fast. I understand velocity and atmostphere (airplanes) but velocity while still attached somehow to earth is beyond my grasp. What is the psi of a train going through the atmosphere that fast? It goes over my mind...here is the story:
"The Fastech can run safely at more than 400 kilometers per hour but we do not have plans to test in the 500-kilometer range," company spokesman Makoto Yasuhara said.

"We will start test runs at the weekend for about two years before we put it into commercial operations," he said.

Joyeux Noel

10m
Originally uploaded by recyclingfan.

Beautiful story of a cease fire on the western front during 1914. A scottish minister celebrates mass along with german, french and scottish soldiers. They of course were discipline (they are supposed to kill each other, not pray together). great movie, very good sets, costumes, music. great.

Ushpizin

Ushpizin
Originally uploaded by recyclingfan.

Remarkable israeli movie, filmed in orthodox area of jerusalem. About a rabbi who is broke, wants to honor succah by taking strangers in (celebrates Moses and years spent in sinai, esp honor Abraham, who took in strangers, practiced piety for god's grace). Moshe and his wife (real wife, both played by theater trained actors) pray for miracle, some rich jewish businessman gives them $1,000 anonymously, they rejoice. Moshe gets a succah (steals it as it turns out) and two of his old friends come by for help. Turns out, they are criminals, in fact, Moshe used to be one. Is Moshe pious? is he sincere? Will god bless him and give him and his wife a son? The story parallels that of Abraham and Sarah (kinda), combines the secular with the ultra conservative orthodox jews in jerusalem, happy ending. Absolutely beautiful movie. The living Torah?

Congressman McKinney

Congressman McKinney
Originally uploaded by recyclingfan.

OK, so there are 13 black female congressmen in the House of Representatives, am I right? (I might be wrong, but I can name three). So you would think that the capitol police would know each of them, right? Unless, all black women look the same...or unless cong. McKinney changes her hair style (corn rows to the wild style on left). This whole controversy is ridiculous - capitol police cant recognize one of thirteen female black representatives? How will they identify criminals from the FBI most wanted list? How will they identify Osama bin Laden? Do you really think capitol police can let every black woman with a crazy hairdo in without grabbing her? Yeah, this is racism. Know what Tom DeLay said? McKinneys "assault" on police shows the Republicans are more serious ahout national security!!! This is about terrorism!!! McKinney is Saddam's weapon of mass destruction!!! god i hate politics, but love studying it.

Deerhunter on the big screen!

bobby deniro
Originally uploaded by recyclingfan.

Physicians for Social Responsibility hosting film series at pittsburgh filmmakers. Imagine that - an organization with a social responsibility. Can you imagine, political scientists for a social responsibility? During Vietnam war, nothing published in APSR about the war, during Iraq occupation, nothing published - no research. Political scientists are wussies. anyway, May 7th sunday evening will show Deerhunter at reqent sq theater, my favorite theater. Anyone interested in going, I have 4 seats available in my huge old japanese car. Great film. I have never seen it on the big screen. Other films to be shown listed here. Check it out. Deerhunter very pittsburgh - a must seen on the big screen. i cry at the end, every time, used to show it in pol film every semester (along with big lebowski) - incredible film. Deniro's greatest role - he wanted to film russian roulette scenes with live bullets - Cimino the director was so shocked, that he had a staff member in charge of deniro's gun, to make sure it wasnt loaded. Denero thought, that greatest scene ever, me with a loaded gun, unsure if I will blow my brains out. Deniro thinks his roles were downhill since Deerhunter. great movie - one of the all time best, along with Casablanca, Citizen Kane, Third Man, Donnie Darko, Big Lebowski, Walk on Water.

Low Cash Cowboys - music group

I just met BJ, lead guitarist for Low Cash Cowboys, on a plane from denver to chicago. Great guy. Sounds like a great band. he said they have web site, their name, but I can't connect. They dont have a contract yet, but they have played on the Tanya Tucker tv reality show, Tuckerville, on discovery channel. i cant get connected to that link either. But I will keep trying. BJ got hassled by security, dont know why - but the flight attendant gave him free drinks to make up for it. he drinks Jack Daniels, what else? His band is headquartered in nashville, but they are on the road alot. More later! I told him about the Poverty Neck Hillbillies - he hadn't heard of them. Also told him about Rex Theater in the burgh, and Club Cafe, two great places for them to play if they can get booked.

Pennsylvania turnpike

turnpike
Originally uploaded by recyclingfan.

So everyone kids me about how i like the PA turnpike. "Take I 80, go through state college, its faster." No way. I did that once driving to harrisburg, got behind a logging truck, took forever. The PA turnpike is very historic - Andrew Carnegie actually was behind it, when he wanted railroad tunnels built (to compete with horseshoe bend near Johnstown). Easier to go through a mountain, than up and around it. the PA turnpike originally used the old railroad tunnels. Anyway, here is a link you can research the turnpike - really cool old pictures here, also pictures of parts of the turnpike abandoned (very creepy). On the home page, scroll down and you will find extensive pictures - if you long for those hours spent driving on the turnpike, heck, just page through pictures on the net! I have seen all sorts of great stuff on the pike: the blues brothers car (see blog entry last summer); great crashes; road rage; great sunsets; rainbows; ever a black bear running across the pike.

Sivan Shavit - my new favorite singer

sivan shavit
Originally uploaded by recyclingfan.

Watch the israeli movie, Walk on Water, and you will hear the most beautiful, haunting love song, "Kiss me" by Sivan Shavit. Where can you get this song? I tried for weeks and finally downloaded from Limewire (so arrest me....) Here is a link to a page that will give you samples from her album In this Blue Gray Light. The only places I can find to buy this is off in the internet, from the french sites. Sivan sings in the movie, during the amateur sets at the kibbutz, that's her singing with her husband on the synthesizer.

Chambersburg - get off turnpike and visit

Chambersburg - get off turnpike and visit
Originally uploaded by recyclingfan.

It was occupied three times by Confederate Forces. In the center of town, at the diamond which is now referred to as Memorial Square, General Get off the turnpike, find US 30 and drive OVER the Tuscarora mountains. I often exit turnpike and tour beautiful eastern PA (actually considered "western" PA during James Buchanan's early life). Chambersburg is a cool old town, from the 18 th century. Robert E. Lee, after consulting with his associates, made the fateful decision to move east resulting in the Battle of Gettysburg which was the turning point of the war. Finally, on July 30, 1864, Confederate troops under General J.A. McCausland of the General Jubal Early Army burned down the center of the town when ransom was not paid for alleged outrages committed by Union Troops in the Shenandoah Valley.

"Fateless"

fateless
Originally uploaded by recyclingfan.

Incredible film about Hungarian jews in WWII. It shows the pettiness, commonplace nature of daily life in concentration camps, the shallow humanity of police and officials, the brutality of pathological guards (jews) selected to run the camps. the main character, a 14 yr old boy, tells of his "happiness" in the camps - his friends, the small acts of kindness his friends paid him, the sun on his face, a refreshing cold bath (to keep the scabs and lice off his body). This boy perserveres and endures his captivity. Great scene: he is sick, dying, put on the death cart, stripped, then hosed down - those who showed signs of life were removed from the death carts. He is put somewhere else to die...still lives. So they figure, here's jew who wont die, so we may as well make him well - he is taken to a crisp prison hospital, fresh sheets (with the SS embroidered on them) warm blankets, hot meals...very existential. At the end he says the camps were not hell, because hell doesnt exist but the camps do. The film shows the meaninglessness of these camps, of the holocaust, through the eyes of a 14 yr old who is trying to figure out the basic rules of life on earth. Great film. Another great scene: an older man is intent on saving the young boys in the camp, he helps hold them up during endless nights standing outside (punishment for infractions, escapes)- a boy collapses, he picks him up, says, "hold on a bit longer, son, I will take you home." The love he showed, despite the hardship, brutality - love is possible. Also, he has a stop over at Auschwitz, and in the distance, you see the smoke stacks of the ovens, the smoke drifts down and covers the camps. Depressing, sad, but full of hope.

New of the Weird: cell phone death

"Jacqueline Dotson was seriously injured in an accident near Winchester, Ky, in february tht police say happened when she lost control of her SUV...ran cars off the road...overcorrected...flipped...landed upside down. Rescue crew labored an hour and a half with jaws of life to free her from vehicle, but one of her arms was already free, severed in the accident and lying on the road, still grasping a cell phone" I love it - not even a roll over prevented her from letting go of her cell phone - "I might be facing death but I am taking this phone with me!!!"

Balzac and Little Chinese Seamstress

Balzac and Little Chinese Seamstress
Originally uploaded by recyclingfan.

Absolutely beautiful movie. "We both loved her but in different ways." yes, you can love a woman physically, but also spiritually. Both is best. Story about two young men in cultural revolution 1970 in china, sent to rural, mountainous village for "reeducation." Very funny, but also explores harsh lives of villagers, the unfairness and irrationality of the cultural revolution. What was cultural revolution about? I think Mao was paranoid of "enemies," this was one way of exposing any potential free thinkers. Also, it gave many peasants something to do other than realize how repressed they were. Lastly, all totalitarian societies need to hate someone, the"other" the "enemy" and with the cultural revolution is was anything western or bourgeosie. For Americans? We hate the French i guess (at least the Bushites do) or john kerry peaceniks (at least dick "f***king cheney does). This movie also has great cinematography, beautiful scenes of mountains in china. Reminded me of Postmen in the Mountains, another great chinese film set in the mountains. I saw this at home, but I think in the movie theater would be better (you cant appreciate mountains on TV screen). This movie was also book, by Dai Sijie - great book, I couldnt put it down. Supposedly the movie is NR, but not because of sex or violence - only one sex scene, mild. The book was banned by some school districts (Texas and Wyoming I guess) because of a sex act (sex while standing - thats not the right position!!!! Sex in marriage only, and then the Chrisian missionary position, please) and because of an abortion (now illegal in South Dakota - who the hell would have sex in South dakota, its so cold you'd have to do it while dressed!) Great book, great movie.

Broke back Mountain movie with bunnies in 30 sec's

here is the latest movie parody, Brokeback Mountain bunnies,from the Movies with Bunnies in 30 sec guys - I still think Pulp Fiction is their best one. Here is their index of all their movies.

Haiku - The Big Lebowski movie

Big Lebowski Haiku

Haiku defined: a poem of 5 syllables, 7 syllables, 5 syllables
Lebowski Haiku: a Haiku poem comprised of dialogue from the movie
Site: www.lebowskifest.com then click "forum" icon, then click "everything else"

In N Out Burger
Those are some good burgers, Dude
somewhere on Radford

Smokey's toe slipped
over the line a little
put the piece away

Chief of Police of
Malibu is a real
reactionary

Walter has buddies
who died face down in the muck
Enjoys his coffee

In N Out Burger
is located on Camrose
Those are good burgers

I don't use the phone
and I sure as hell don't roll
shomer shabbas, Dude

My, my wife Bunny?
Do you see a wedding ring?
You got the wrong guy

Lotta ins, lotta
Outs, lotta what have you's, man.
Keeps his mind limber

Eved hear of the
Seattle Seven? Mm hmm.
Him and six others

Smoked the thai stick
Broke into ROTC
Doesn't remember

munich - Speilburg's new movie

munich
Originally uploaded by recyclingfan.

Steven Speilburg's new movie is Munich, at 164 minutes in length. Is it good? Some cool scenes of assassination I guess. Very long, too long. The last scene of the Olympic athletes being killed, in flashback, while Avner is in bed with his wife is stupid - I guess it was some kind of catharsis for Avner, but really dumb. The assassination scene with the woman was sexist and disgusting. The main theme is the moral relatavism of terrorism and counter terrorism: who are the real terrorist? When everyone is wrong, who is right? What was accomplished with Avner's assassinations? The theater was crowded, I saw it in a predominantly jewish area of pittsburgh and I understand Speilburg's purpose: let's start discussing Israel's tactics dealing with Hamas, with the Palestinian question, lets have dialogue about how to restore humanity, morality and peace in the middle east. But I think he could have done that with a shorter film, without the "kill the whore" assassination scene. How were women portrayed in the film? As a whorish assassin, a traditional wife/mother/stay at-home-keep-home woman, as Golda Meir the ruthless woman leader....this makes me think about how Speilburg protrays women in his other films....I will have to think about that.....Supposedly (I dont know this for sure) Natalie Portman thinks this movie sucks, she is offended by how israeli agents are portrayed, and she thinks Speilburg's message of moral reletavism in fighting terrorism is bullshit (she was born in Israeli). Hey, but she has made some controversial Israeli films (French director) and she has been criticized for being one of those "peacenik" American-jews-who-dont-understand-Israeli politics. I guess if this film gets people talking and thinking that it is good - but I dont want to see this film a second time. (there were great french cars in the movie - full of c ool looking Citroens!)

Jesus Christ action figure!

Here is a video about a Jesus Christ action figure (cross not included). The link was sent to me by my son Noah, so don't blame me! Funny, sick, but funny!

Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby

Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby
Originally uploaded by recyclingfan.

New movie will Will Farrell parodies NASCAR - gang from Ron Burgundy appears again. watch trailer here.

I rented a car from the Nashville airport, the agent tells me (in accent): this airport is set up just like a NASCAR circuit, just one big oval, you just go round till you see the exit ramp..." As if everyone gets the NASCAR simile.

VP Cheney hunting

VP Cheney hunting
Originally uploaded by recyclingfan.

VP Cheney not only shoots someone, but his victim is the leading Republican organizer in the state of Texas. News of the shooting was not announced by the WH, probably because Scott McClellan didn't know how to spin it. "VP Cheney, shooting at a suspected terrorist, accidently shot a fund raiser..." "Reacting to an irregular electronic spark to his heart, VP Cheney accidently shot a prominent Republican...." "Mistaking a long time friend for a reporter from the New York Times, VP Cheney shot a millionaire supporter..."

Photo essay of Cuban TV's

Cuban TV's
Originally uploaded by recyclingfan.

Yes, a photo essay of Cuban TV's. They are old, soviet style, pre embargo TV's, and kept running just like the 1954 Chevy's. How to improve Cuba? Buy a PC for every household, free AOL for six months, just like a Dell deal. You'd have democracy in 2 weeks.

law and order valentines

valentine
Originally uploaded by recyclingfan.

They're the rage! Sold out however. "In the criminal justice system, you're considered especially gorgeous."

Cute Video - Inter species love!

Here is a really cute Korean video about love, in this case, between a rabbit and a cat, but its a metaphor....really cute.

Ben shaved by Dave

ben shaved by Dave
Originally uploaded by recyclingfan.

The Steelers won the Super Bowl, so Ben can finally shave! He gets a shave from David letterman. wow! 23 yrs old and on top of the world! He had a rough season, knee surgery, thumb cracked, lots of hits. This is a great pic!

clockers: Political Film spring 2006

clockers
Originally uploaded by recyclingfan.

We just saw "Clockers" in political film, a great film by Spike Lee. The crime scene photos at the beginning are real, despite what film reviewers say on line (what do they know?) do you really think Spike would show staged murder scenes, if he could show real ones? Take a look again at those scenes: those are (were) real people. Look at the young man shot, thrown face down in a dumpster - dear god. And that beautiful Stevie Wonder song is playing in the background - the film starts mourning for those whose lives have been lost. There is an extensive discussion of Clockers here, it is a discussion of the film and Foucault's philosophy of space and social interaction (isolation). If you dont know who Foucault is, here is your chance. If there is student interest, I can put my copy of the DVD on reserve in library.

Here is the list of other films to be shown:
Postmodern Existential Politics
Dark Blue World

Postmodern Urban Drug Society
Superfly

Postmodern Urban Drug Society Part II
Clockers

Postmodern Race Relations
Jungle Fever

The Beginning of Postmodern Politics
Downfall

Postmodern Zionism
Walk on Water

Postmodern Pittsburgh
Wedding for Bella (the Bread my Sweet)

Postmodern New World Order
Goodbye Lenin!

Postmodern American Journey
Maria Full of Grace

Postmodern American Journey Part II
Motorcycle Diaries

Postmodern Election
Bob Roberts

Postmodern Spiritual Journey
Pow Wow Highway

Postmodern Spiritual Journey Part II
Travelers and Magicians

Postmodern Spiritual Journey Part III
Donnie Darko

Christmas Card from Pres. Bush

Christmas Card from Pres. Bush
Originally uploaded by recyclingfan.

I want to share my christmas card from Pres. Bush. Actually it was a "happy holidays" card: those democrats don't allow "christmas" cards. Anyway if you look closely you can see the Bush twins falling down (whoops! they dropped a bottle) and a tortured iraqi prisoner has volunteered to stand in as a christmas (holiday) tree. This is taken from Bush's intern's blog which is really funny here.

jumbo jet landing at St. Martin's

jumbo jet St. Martin's
Originally uploaded by recyclingfan.

Here is a video of tourists standing at the approach end of St. Martin's airport while a jumbo jet lands - listen to the woman screaming! Great. I used to do the same thing at Midway Airport in chicago, standing at the end of the departure, letting the jet fly over me, its engines on full throttle, my insides would shake.