Movie Review of the Day
Film: High Tension/Haute Tension (2003)

I won't let anyone come between us any more.

Current Mood: shocked

so unemployment in the US is now 'officially' 10% which means its actually significantly worse than that.

so here's my question....according to this article http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8346936.stm 10% unemployed = 15.7 million. that means the work force they're basing the % off of is 157 million people. the population of the US is 307 million.

who the fuck are the other 150 million people? obviously a large amount are children who cant work but does anyone know what the % of children are? also, how does the US determine who makes up the work force VS who makes up the population?

obviously it's all BS, i'm just wondering what the bs is based off of to help prove it's bs-ness to me

I've written another installment in my Oscars series, this time on "Amadeus." It's in today's blog entry, if you'd like to read it.

Another film that featured in the London Film Festival, now on general release in the UK is The Men Who Stare At Goats. I saw this today (making an unintentional George Clooney double bill with The Fantastic Mr Fox) and its a winner from its title on down. The film is a fantastic modern fable that explores the fine line between mysticism and self delusion. Clooney is joined by two of my favourite actors, Jeff Bridges and Kevin Spacey and each turn out briliant wry performances in this very funny film. It almost feels like a Cohen brothers comedy - such is the level of dead pan lunacy, and I cant think of a higher compliment to give.

Current Mood: amused
Current Music: The Loving Spoonful - Pow!

The Fantastic Mr Fox had its UK premiere during the London film festival but has since gone out on general release - I saw it today. Ive got nothing but good things to say about it. Its based on a book by Roald Dahl, one of the greatest (non-patronising!) childrens authors ever. Directed by the ever-awesome Wes Anderson and featuring a stella cast its hard to go wrong. The film has so much of the vibe of a live action heist movie (Oceans 14?) I had to work at remembering that it was an animated film! Even in that department it has a totally unique look, which is hard to come by nowadays.
It seems you have to wait ages for a great animated family film then a bunch all come along at once. Up, Fantastic Mister Fox - whats next?

Current Mood: impressed
Current Music: Elvis - A Little Less Conversation

I've been working on a pamphlet to address the myths spouted off by pro-confederate revisionists. I was wondering if anyone had any resources that they would recommend, or if there are any existing pamphlets or zines that address this issue?

Anarchists vs. Nazis at the Arizona Capitol? The "Phoenix Class War Council" Talks the Talk

Submitted by worker on Thu, 2009-11-05 00:06.

From Phoenix New Times - By Stephen Lemons

[via anarchistnews.org]

There's one group talking a big game about confronting the neo-Nazi scum at the state Capitol this Saturday: the anarchists, the traditional foes of goosesteppers going all the way back to the Spanish Civil War, and then some. They're often badmouthed in many activist circles here in town for being unruly and pigheaded, but I will give them points for at least demonstrating against Holocaust-denier David Irving when he spoke at a Phoenix diner back in July. The anarchists were the only ones there. And for ruining Irving's day at least, I'd label the demonstration a success.

They don't command large numbers, and I suspect that organizing them is a little like herding felines. But they are generally intelligent, and pro-immigrant to the point of being for open-borders. Plus they have no moral quandaries with confronting blackshirts in the streets.

Their class-based political theories are a bit nutty, though. In a recent post to the Phoenix Class War Council's blog, which describes itself as a "fanatical, revolutionary anarchist group," the writer invites the local libertarian community to join the anarchists on November 7 in protesting the Nazis. Um, sorry, but the Ron Paulites and teabaggers are a little too close to the swastika-lickers for comfort sometimes, "states rights" being the battle cry of neo-Confederates, and all that. Paul himself had no problem accepting a campaign contribution from Ron Black, proprietor of the white supremacist messageboard Stormfront.org. He even appeared in a photo op with Black and Black's son.


The rest of the post is pretty gratifying, however, even if it sounds like a schnauzer with a doberman complex.

"If
Americans can be counted on for anything," reads the post, "it's for
hating Nazis, and images of brownshirted fascists in full historical
reenactment regalia (or, alternately, dressing like SWAT team wannabes)
spouting their anti-immigrant nonsense will highlight the extreme
nature of what passes for the mainstream discussion in Arizona, and to
show that there is strong resistance to it. The NSM's traveling circus
affords us the opportunity to twist their spectacle to our ends."

The
poster also reminds readers that, "militancy does not necessarily have
to manifest itself in the obvious ways," and advises folks to "think
imaginatively" in dealing with the Hitler-worshippers, and "treat
the event as a stage." Ultimately, the blog's scribe hopes for "a
variety of creative and interesting tactics...employed by as broad a
collection of people as possible."

Crikey, he almost makes it
sound like fun. And well it should be. The National Socialist Movement
is a joke, populated by outright brigands, liars and cowards. Rather
than bricks and bats, the anarchists need a little sketch comedy, some
Dave Chappelle, or even Three Stooges to make their point with the
dunderheads swathed in black.

Kudos, too, for drawing upon
Quentin Tarantino for inspiration, and declaring themselves the
"Inglourious Basterds Bloc," though I'm hoping they're not a bloc of
one. I dig their slogan,"Doin' It Like Grandpa Did in France of
'44!" Now all we need is Brad Pitt in a white tux trying to speak
Italian with a Tennessee accent, and the Basterds are sure to prevail
in humor over their Doc Marten-shod foes.

Movie review of the day
Film: Snow White (1987)

(I'll take her livah!)

Current Music: Breaking Benjamin - So Cold

Everyone,

Currently, theres a friend and comrade of mine who has, to use the layman's term, "gone nuts". Rather then re-type the whole story again here, Im pasting under the cut a Facebook message I sent to one of my comrades so-called friends.

Essentially, Im truly at a loss at what to do in this situation (despite my rhetoric in the message). Has anyone experenced this before with a friend? How did you handle it?

Thanks everyone. I appreciate it.

( Read more... )

Comments for Thursday, November 5, 2009
Guest: Susan Rice
Permanent U.S. Representative to the United Nations