Friday, December 26, 2008

NBC

Well so much for the left wing media, and MSNBC being a Democraric party outlet. For almost eight years George W. Bush, or more accurately, Don Rumsfeld, John Aschcroft etc., have subverted our Constitution, not taken care of the VA, or our many brave wounded veterans from Iraq (another Viet Nam) afe neglected, and we've understaffed and under supplied our brave troops in Afghanistan - where the real battle is to be won. We need at this time of the year to remember we can not win - without winnig the Hearts and Minds of our adversaries. We elect a man who understands this - and what do we do, complain because he made suggestions for his replacement in Illinois to a Governor who seems to be a throwback to every back room deal maker both parties have always made. If we are going to nitpick details where there is no substance, than we must clean both the Senate and the House of every person who has some dealing with a lobbyist to get themselves elected - that's everyone folks. Campaign finance reform, ethics reform, will come when the American public gets angry enough. But let's pick proper targets!
The VA - NBC - go for it, ABC listen up - and Fox please protect our troops. Dr. Phil gets it! Great show. As Barry Goldwater once said, if we're not going to fight to win - get out. My take is, if we're can't feed, arm, protect within reason, and set proper goals, and treat our wounded with due respect and care - then end the wars NOW.
Nitpik Pakistani and Saudi Arabian diversions from help on the terroist front.

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Eli Stone - Boston Legal, next Life on Mars?

I personally volunteer to take over programming at ABC - all I want is to re-program Prime time. Somebody is letting some of the most creative shows EVER to die.
Stick these shows over on ABC family at 10 PM.
Whoever chooses these shows in the first first place is to be commended.

Other shows from various networks - Jehrico, Stargate Atlantis, The 4400, etc. have just been killed off.

This is not about ratings, or a generational change - I'm 63 and my generation really screwed up on many fine shows. (But we generally gave them time - not Star Trek, that just took on a life of its own after NBC crushed it - but the fans did not let it die.

So what will occur - well Elvis Presley 30 #1 hits has been repackaged in the new SD format - strange idea when SD cards are so cheap now- but RCA Special Porudcts keeps pushing Elvis...I love El, but he's been gone since 1977.
If the record companies, or Elvis, had listened to an idiot at the Grand Ole Opry our world in music, film, civil rights, Gospel music etc. would be much different.
All I ask is tolerance - put these great shows in different time slots - if you don't want to air them - shoot them as a new format DVD - SDHC Card, but include adverting targeted at audiences that will be sold in multiple markets, with ads for specific markets.
Run Eli Stone online - convergence is coming full tilt anyway. ABC is pushing standard TV over the edge. Convergence with make the Web 2 defcto television. Then Google can track every viewer (if allowed), and TV is dead.
Art should survive - the networks will blend into the Internet after February - and we have a new ballgame in let's say 5 years.
Save Eli Stone. And let Life on Mars find an audience or I'll sic Harvey Keitel on your offices.

Boston Legal

By Denny and Alan. Have a happy marriage. You shall be missed, this level of intelligence in Primetime network TV is so very rare.
The talent of this cast just leaves me speechless...almost, thank you all!

Friday, December 5, 2008

Auto Bailout

As much as I dislike the executives at GM - I am more exasperated by the bailout of AIG etc. - with not a bit of explanation that the car makers had to go into - and the UAW, got beaten up again, most of these fine workers are not paid an amout that would push them out of the middle class. (And they are made to make concessions.) I have blue collar friends of mine beating up the UAW, have the union made errors, sure, ask some of the workers, without unions sweat shops would be back. I could go on about how some major non-union firms treat their employees, but I have Republicans friends boycotting them.
As I've said before go to www.twochocolates.com and read the post that Penny put up from Al Feldstein - I'd nationalize the industry myself, and do just what Al says.

Brenden Foster - a GIFT to us all!

I agree with my friend Penny Ronning on Brenden. Please go to www.TwoChocolates.com
and please listen to Penny, you world will change! Don't take that as hyperbole - just read and ingest her spirit.
When I saw Brenden speak I was amazed by the depth that this young man had.
We live in an era when "Shock and awe" is used to describe a mission in a war.
Brenden shocked me, and I am in awe of him. What a loss, but what an insight into what might be going on here - this was an old, wise soul - trapped in an ill body of a gentle boy. God had a special purpose for this child. Religions outside the Judeo-Chrstian, and Islamic traditions have views on reincarnation.
Physicists are discovering that there may well be parallel universes.
I remember a 7 year old child dying of cancer many years back, I was watching her and my Uncle Jack, 89, both fighting and losing their battles with cancer in the hospital. Both showed amazing grace and understanding.
Well all neeed to understand - there must be peace and understanding one day.
Start today! Love to all - Dale

Lillian Part 2 - 1953 Life gets Scarier for Lil

1953- October (day to be added)
2:30 AM
I awaken to Harry calling for Lil in the bathroom next to my bedroom, across the hall from their bedroom -
"Lil, Lil help... he sounds ill and I go to the bathoom door and look into the small room to see Lil trying to help Harry as he's coughing up blood. That was the last night I saw my father alive, or at all. I have forgotten almost everything about Harry prior to that night. Lil made me go to my room, and she just did what she always did, she took control of the situation. These lessons in handling what life smacks in your face helped me, especially in the Army. Most of the time Lil was in control, but...I was sent to stay with my Uncle Jack and Aunt Sylvia Gordon, and cousin Robert Gordon and Sanrda Gordon, for about two weeks while Harry was in the hospital. Harry had a bleeding Ulcer and the operation wasn't handled well. Harry passed away at the age of 44, I was 8, and Lil was 42. Today this condition is almost simple to take care of without problems. I've been told by Harry's close friends that he was a gentle, soft spoken, intelligent and creative person. He made a crystal radio in half a walnut shell. He remodelled our house and did beautiful wood work on the porch, turned a walk in pantry into a comfortable breakfast nook area with custom made benches and furniture, the linoleum floor was hand cut and designed by him. I remember the green shamrock cut and fitted into the floor ceter. He worked for Bendix during WW II. The other memory I have of him is at Chrismas 1952(?), Harry put up a Christmas tree because I wanted one, and there was a train set under the tree, and I had a stocking with my name on it. Later in her life Lillian denied that that ever happened, after all we were Jewish, and I went to Hebrew School. Well, I still have the stocking that hung on our fireplace mantle. (Sorry mom).
In the Jewish religion when a person dies, you cover the mirrors in the house, have the family over to your house, and for a week, you sit "Shivah" (that's how it would sound in Hebrew). It's a sort of extended wake, but in this case the wife sits there and the family and friends come with food, the Rabbi comes over and spends time with the family. That was the weakest I ever saw my mother (other than her unhealthy periods). My first cousins spent time with me, my cousin Lee Walsky stands out in my memory because he brought me books to read and tried to cheer me up. I love books because Lee did this for me. He was an athelete and a great teacher, his sister Martha was another great influence on me. She was about 12 or so years older than me, and she always loved me so much (and I her - my big sister in a way)- very kind and thoughtful, she helped Lil, as did my godmother Aunt Katy's daughter Lil Kurshner Rosenberg. At this point all these people knew I was adopted, I did not know. They just loved me. My mothers sorority sisters were there and hovered over me to make sure I was OK. They all knew I was adopted. My "Aunt" Sonya Litwak, loved me so much, it is hard to express how much love these women showed me at this tough time. Both Cousin Martha Walsky, and "Aunt" Sonya said they wanted to marry me when I grew up. How do you thank people for that kind of love - you pay it forward in your life! Do unto others...show the love. My mothers family was also very influential at that point, my mother helped start a cousins club with her relatives; and she helped run The Shack Family Circle with Harry's sisters and kept the family close until the mid 1960's.
Mom got a job and started work at the Jewish Community Center, six days a week many times. She was back at work after a long gap. I often went to work with her on weekends, or when I was out of school. I helped her at the office, learned to use the office equiptment. Lil also taught me to cook, clean, sew, and other skills, so I would be as self sufficient as possible. If anything happened I could face it like she did. She was not only a leader, manager, organizer, and teacher for me on so many things - she was the glue that kept the family together. She took control of Harry extended family for many years and kept us close for many years. She also kept the family in line politically, at family meetings while playng poker, she was a great card player, she would discuss politics and her ideas. She encouraged my interest in politics at a young age. She was also very tough, read Part 3 - please watch the times begin to change. You'll also meet Sally and Fluffy and 60 feet of Roses -"Mama Liked the Roses".

Lillian Part 3 -Roses, Puppy Dogs, and Fights.

1954-1959 Growing up fast.
Lillian adjusted to our new life and as always managed. At first if mom had to work long hours, I'd be shuffled out to a neighbors house for dinner, or at one of my friends houses to wait for her.
Hair salon
Silver's Bakery
The Smoke House
Bus to Newark
Kreske's
Woolworths
Sears records department i if you want records earn them
First records - Elvis, Old Shep, Rip it Up
Elvis - Jewish Bar Mitzvah and gospel music. Sing Boy Sing
Ed lHaupt loans me his guitar
Serious thought about being a Rabbi
Religion goes, Lil's reaction


Asbury Park, NJ - Part Time and Politics

A city to save. One of the places I lived from 1971-77. At the Empress Motel we had a state NJ Young Democrats Convention. The McGovern wing of the party fought the regular conservative Democrats. Great debates, great fun, great friends. I met my future wife Joan Gamberg, David Don (like a brother to Joan and I) ,and several close friends during this pivotal time. Taught part time as a substitute teacher in 1972 at Asbury Park High School. Too close to my return from Viet Nam to be patient enough to teach. Turned down offer at CBS TV with Walter Cronkite, low pay, 3 year Internship (should I have - Don't Look Back). We lived near the Inkwell, listen to "Subterranean Homesick Blues", Bob Dylan. Thanks Mr.Z. Oh and a hi to Madame marie, the psychic near my apartment, down the block on the boardwalk, (look into Bruce S.) Robert Gordon, Dave Edmunds, (Gary thanks for getting us on the bus to meet Dave).
Lived on First avenue 1 1/2 blocks from the beach. 10th Ave (Bruce) was not very far. Bruce put the band together, and played around the corner from my apartment. Lots of clubs, lots of bands, loved the music and the circle. Argued with the mayor about demolishing an Art deco theatre, The Mayfair, we lost that fight. Music, music, music was created.

Maukie - the virtual cat