Special Needs Groups Boycott Ben Stiller Movie-Tropic Thunder

        Ben Stiller, the talented and funny actor has a new movie coming out; it is called Tropic Thunder.  It is a movie he was instrumental in producing, by doing the writing and directing, among other things.  There is a boycott brewing by special needs advocacy groups because of a movie within the movie.  The movie is supposed to be a mocking satire of actors who will take any movie no matter how over the top or bizarre to make a name for themselves as an actor, without regard for the subject matter. 

         Is this something that is supposed to be funny?  The lower our standards of conduct go…the funnier it is supposed to be…is that the concept?  Instead of getting kudos by the industry for a financial success…there should be a call to accountability; demanded by the American public for standards of decency.  Controvery about the subject matter should not just be just a tool used by public relations departments to garner curiosity that translates to box office rewards; that is my opinion. 

         One of the movies within the movie called, Simple Jack, allegedly mocks and makes fun of people with disabilities.   Meetings with advocacy group leaders were held with Stacey Snider who is a chief executive at Dreamworks…the company that released the film to try to address the concerns about the movie.  The studio has refused to make changes to the movie.  Shame on them!  Their attempts at humor just aren’t funny when the laughs are at the expense of a population of people born with disabilities.  Where is the respect? 

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Barack Wins Oregon–The Scale Tips

        With Barack Obama’s win in Oregon…the balance of the scales has tipped in his favor as the person with the majority of delegates needed to get the nod from the Democratic party as the presidential nominee. 

         Since that time…the buzz is building for Hillary Clinton to be his running mate.  Right before this…you started to hear Barack sing Hillary’s praises.  Was it a way to “test” the idea before the voters?  This brings to mind the playground antics of scapping students who find a way to co-exist in the same sandbox.  However, each of the two potential nominees have strengths that combine to make a Democratic ticket more enticing to some voters…distateful to others.

         The PR machine has revved up it’s engines as Barack is in the process of picking a running mate.  Will it be Hillary?  Or will some other potential running mate make an appearance?   It is too soon to tell.  There is alot of background wrangling going on that we are are not all privy too.

        It won’t be long before the Democratic dream team is announced.  Then you will see some movement in the actual presidential race.  The intensity will pick up between the Republicans and the Democrats on the ISSUES before them, in the scramble to the top. 

         This election is critical for our nation.  Getting to the most powerful position in our government is filled with booby traps.  Choosing carefully who should have the priviledge of competing for the opportunity is serious business.  However, I am afraid that the brou- ha has only just begun.  Let the political maneuvering begin.

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25 Years To Think-Lou Pearlman-Scam Artist

        Many people may not know who Lou Pearlman is; but, they certainly know about some of the big names he has represented as a music producer.  Lou Pearlman was just sentenced for 25 years in federal prison on four charges.  He has been convicted on charges of  money laundering, conspiracy, and using false statements in bankruptcy court proceedings.

        Going back 10 to 15 years he has allegedly falsified documents; and, employed financial scams that have stolen many people’s finances.  He was touted as a musical producer, of genius status, when he created industry buzz behind bands such as N’Sync, Backstreet Boys, and many other “boy” bands in the midst of the frenzy of such musical groups.  At one time, he even developed a television show for ABC called, The Making Of The Band; that show was capitalizing on the hopes and dreams of those with musical talent.

         He based his lavish life-style on money that was allegedly scammed from other “false” businesses that he claimed to own or have invested in.  Some of them never existed.  There were even long-time employees and acquaintances who’s lives were devastated by his actions.  One man even allegedly took his own life when his true financial reality was revealed. 

       Lou evidently had the ability to “motivate or induce” people to invest their hard earned money in his ideas and business plans.  He was very convincing; this had the devastating effect of plunging many people into despair when they discovered that they had nothing to show for their investments.  The ruthlessness here is hard to understand.

        After his financial misdeeds were documented…some other legal and moral allegations came to light.  He took off and disappeared for quite some time out of country; trying to avoid the legal ramifications here in the US.  He was spotted, photographed, subsequently arrested; and, returned to the United States.

       He was quietly accused of “inappropriate” actions with some of those young men in his groups and other potential musical hopefuls.  Unfortunately, Lou Pearlman’s perceived power was intimidating.  He used that to coerce or intimidated people to backdown legally when they would notify him that he was going to be challenged.  At the heighth of his power, he held a lot of sway in the industry;  people did not follow through on legal action out of fear of retaliation personally and professionally. 

        It was alledged that some of those, for whom Lou Pearlman represented or were hopeful of his representation, “allowed” themselves to be used in an inappropriate way in exchange for representation.  Children can not give consent; that is sexual abuse.  Sexual concerns were whispered about in relation to Lou Pearlman and young men. 

          If any of those allegations are true…Mr. Pearlman will have about 25 years to reflect on how his actions have affected those around him during that time in his life when he held all of the power; the balance of power has now shifted.  Hopefully, that will bring some justice to those he has hurt.

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The Gucch Has Got It-Dancing With The Stars!

         Last night’s competition on dancing with the stars was outstanding.  The group dance that began the show was awesome to see.  The teamwork and genuine joy of working together for these three competitor teams was obvious to see.  They like each other…they really like each other.  When the individual dances began, Kristi and her partner Mark set a standard that looked impossible to beat.  I think to myself as i watched it….the Gucch has got it!  The showman in her just can’t help but ooze through her pores.  But, she competes with style not with a mean bone in her body.

       Then Jason and Edyta started their dance and it was fireworks from the beginning.  Boom, there they were…somehow though, i don’t know how it happened…they both seemed to have costume malfunctions…they each “lost” pieces of clothing!  LOL The song was hot and so was the dance. 

          Then, right before Christian and Cheryl began their dance; Samantha was awkwardly interviewing Jason.  She made references to the media buzz surrounding Christian and Jason’s newfound friendship.  Jason with a wry grin said, that was last week!  🙂  His sense of humor comes through.  I loved seeing him with his children.

          Christian and Cheryl’s dance was good.  After all, he was not capable of doing the high flying of Kristi and Marks dance, he wasn’t able to lift his partner Cheryl in competitive lifts the way Jason was able to smoothly lift Edyta, but what he did have was Latin blood pumping through his veins and it brought a salsa side dish to the dance.  His surgery is scheduled for Friday.  His dance was good.   I am just afraid with the injury….Kristi’s dance was more advanced; advanced to the point of winning the trophy.

         Of course, it all comes down to the wire with the votes of the fans.  That could, as always, change everything!  This year’s finale was great.  No disappointments here, no matter who you support!

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A Trio To Remember

      Tonight, there will be a trio of contestants to remember, on dancing with the stars.  Kristi Yamagucchi and her partner Mark will go head- to- head (or feet- to- feet, as the case may be) with Jason Taylor and his partner Edyta  &  Christian de la Fuente and his partner Cheryl.

       This finale will be something to see.  Jason and Christian are new life-long friends according to all of the media buzz.  Kristi says it is time for another female celebrity winner to claim the trophy.  Tonight, they will compete for the final time.  Who will take away the trophy?

        Kristi barring any catastrophe is far and away the most skilled.  However, Jason has a huge following and is looking pretty smooth out there; but, Christian is strong in well-wishers because of his arm injury, weeks ago during competition.  He is scheduled to finally have the surgery on Friday for the ruptured tendon in the bicep. 

         Will Christian have the sympathy votes to get him the trophy?  He has definately stepped up his skill set in the last couple of weeks…and, has definately earned the right to be in the finale.  They all have.

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Barbara Walters-Where Is Her Dignity?

         With all of the hoopla surrounding the publication of Barbara Walter’s book called, “Audition” i have to wonder; where is her dignity?  i think she lost it somewhere between bragging on her affair with a married man approximately 20-30 years ago and dishing on the ongoing public tongue lashing of her former co-hosts Rosie O’Donnell and Star Jones.  There is so much more, i am sure, in Barbara’s memoirs but i have to wonder…with all of the truly outstanding news stories she has brought to our attention over the years…why resort to digging dirt?

        After all, the book would have been interesting enough because of some of the all time history making interviews such as Fidel Castro, Monica Lewinski, President Gerald Ford, Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez, Rudy Giuliani former mayor of NYC  and the list goes on.  Then there are all of the famous celebrities she has interviewed over the years as well.  Some celebrities doing a PR spin on whatever scandal they were going through at the time…there would have been enough sex, drugs, violence to attract the gossipmongers to the book strickly because of some of those interviews.

        Barbara’s book would not have been short on excitement, intrigue, or interest had she concentrated strickly on those interviews and all of the behind the scenes regarding them.  I fail to see the need to tell us of her sex life and such. She is interesting in her own right just because of her childhood, her professional life, her adoption of her daughter Jackie and the famous people in and out of her life. 

          I wonder if this type of publicity buzz will have a disasterous backlash when it comes to the sale of the book; or, whether it will bring publishing to a whole new level of indigity itself.  The business of publishing has been going through it’s own destructive roller coaster over the last decade or so; regarding making a profit, plagerism, fictionalized memoirs, editors who publisher hop from one company to another; and then, the spector of how digital publishing is affecting printed publishing financially.  When dignity is for sale we all lose out. 

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