Like the Monkees. I mean, they weren't always permitted to play their own instruments, but they knew how.

That makes a difference, you know.

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John M. Murtagh:

During the April 16 debate between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, moderator George Stephanopoulos brought up “a gentleman named William Ayers,” who “was part of the Weather Underground in the 1970s. They bombed the Pentagon, the Capitol, and other buildings. He’s never apologized for that.” Stephanopoulos then asked Obama to explain his relationship with Ayers. Obama’s answer: “The notion that somehow as a consequence of me knowing somebody who engaged in detestable acts 40 years ago, when I was eight years old, somehow reflects on me and my values, doesn’t make much sense, George.” Obama was indeed only eight in early 1970. I was only nine then, the year Ayers’s Weathermen tried to murder me.

Read the whole thing; via Insty.

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I can take a joke.

Californians Gather To Celebrate Annual Wildfire Tradition

Sort of.

Hey, what about your twisters, Flyover People? And your Hurricanes, Gulf Coasters? And how are you liking that humidity, ya fuckin' Eastern Seaboard snobs? Likin' the storms, are you? Got Mr. Howell lined up to help you escape?

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Popular Mechanics explains why we need to keep all alternatives on the table right now, and get government out of the way as much as possible. And all those analogies you keep hearing to the early heyday of NASA, and putting a man on the moon? James Meigs tells us why they don't really apply:

Yes, the moon landing was a towering achievement. But, as aerospace analyst Rand Simberg notes, it was also a "well-defined engineering challenge, and a problem susceptible to having huge bales of money thrown at it." Retooling America's energy infrastructure is far more complex. It isn't one challenge, it's thousands—a total overhaul of the American lifestyle involving deep changes in every home, vehicle and business in the country.

Anyone who believes we should put all those myriad decisions in the hands of government officials should take a close look at NASA. No, not the agile NASA of the Apollo years, but the ponderous space agency of recent decades.

After Apollo, NASA set out to build an affordable, reliable vehicle that would make space travel routine. Instead, we got the shuttle, a delicate, dangerous craft that flies infrequently and costs nearly half a billion dollars a launch. So, while NASA still accomplishes some great things, it's hardly a model of efficient, long-term problem solving.

Before we decide that a bigger, better energy policy is going to fix our troubles, we should recall that the United States has had various energy plans since the Nixon administration. Unfortunately, such policies have often made things worse.

Look at natural gas. In 1982, Congress banned offshore drilling in virtually all U.S. waters. In addition to limiting our ability to produce more oil, that put at least 76 trillion cu. ft. of potentially recoverable natural gas off-limits.

And that's a shame, because natural gas is our most attractive major energy source right now. Solar and wind power are promising, but so far they've barely made a dent in our use of oil and coal. Natural gas is a practical alternative, and relative to other fossil fuels it's clean to produce and burn—and it releases much less carbon into the air. It can drive factories, heat homes and even, as Pickens advocates, power vehicles. But we're producing far less than we need.

. . . . Coal has been a national priority ever since Jimmy Carter put on that cardigan. Yes, coal is plentiful, but it is an environmental headache all the way from strip mine to smokestack.

Then there's ethanol. It was less than a year ago that leaders of both parties decided that ethanol made from corn would be a brilliant alternative to foreign oil. Speeches were made; sweeping mandates passed. The result? Food prices went through the roof—and energy prices did, too.

Where would a more sensible energy policy start? Pickens is on the right track with his plan to increase use of natural gas. And McCain's call to allow more offshore drilling would significantly increase production. Alternatives such as wind or solar look better by the day, and, indeed, every major energy plan stresses them. But, it will take decades for the alternative-energy infrastructure to match our needs. We must have those offshore oil and gas reserves to bridge the gap.

The government can play a role in advancing alternative energy. Tax incentives and regulatory relief can help. So can research money channeled through the National Science Foundation or DARPA. But let's tread lightly when it comes to giving handouts to corporations in the name of research. Obama's promise of billions in development funds sounds enticing. But who gets those dollars? It wasn't too long ago that investors and politicians alike regarded Enron as a brilliant innovator in the energy field. If copious research funds had been available in Enron's heyday, its executives would no doubt have found a way to pocket a share.

. . . In fields ranging from batteries to biofuels, there are hundreds of promising research projects under way. Some will succeed, some won't. But we need scientists, entrepreneurs and consumers to pick the winners, not politicians. Finding solutions to our energy problems isn't rocket science. It's a lot tougher.

Read the whole thing; it really is a beautiful summary of why we have to stay flexible, and keep trying things until we hit on the handful of solutions that will be most useful 10-20-30 years down the line.

Via Glenn Reynolds at PJ Media and the Sean Hackbarth of the Senate GOP's media room. (Sean's own blog is, of course, The American Mind.)

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But given the type of care now available for preemies, I'm skeptical about how the determination was made that the "pre-viable," but delivered fetuses, had no chance of survival outside the womb.

Some versions of the story say "little chance of survival"; others use the phrase "no chance of survival."

There is a difference, and it is at the heart of whether we can call what was going on in Chicago "infanticide."

In any event, factcheck.org concedes that Obama's been lying about the Illinois bill.

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Via Ace, who clearly has a stronger stomach than I am: he's watching the Dem convention. Presumably, you know—so I don't have to.

If Obama can't even bear to hear the Hillary delegate counts, how is he going to manage an actual Presidency? I mean, that job is hard. It's really a ball-buster.

Ace, again, having too much fun:

Breaking; Negotiations Between Hill and Obama Have "Ceased;" Obama Now Merely Telling Hillary What's Going to Happen

Possible Plan to Scrap Roll Call Entirely in Favor of Written Ballot (Which Woud Be Untelevised, and Perhaps Not Even at the Convention)

Alternate plan: Roll call begins tomorrow, but ends at 1:15. Then the call for unanimous acclimation of Obama.

Another plan: Each state reads its delegates' votes... but only Obama's numbers are mentioned. Hillary's delegate counts are omitted entirely. Thus, instead of saying "The Great State of Iowa casts (whatever) 44 votes for Hillary Clinton, and sixty-six votes for the next president of the United States, Barack Obama," they just say "Iowa casts sixty six votes for the next president of the United States, Barack Obama."

That's not how it traditionally works. At least I've always heard the vote-split way of announcing the delegate count.

On FoxNews now. Hill's Angels are getting pissed off.

. . . . . . . . . . . . .

Bear in mind, this genius Obama is further annoying Hillary's delegates in the interests of "uniting the party."

And, from Salon, whose Rebecca Traister seems skeptical about just how many hard-core PUMAs* there really are out there:

"There is such a fear of women coming into power, that when they protest, they are given more weight," said Marie Wilson, head of the White House Project, before speaking as part of the Unconventional Women's programming, acknowledging the likelihood of protest. "Just the fact of women saying they support their candidate and want to make their voices heard sounds more scary than it would be if it were guys. That's just part of backlash. But come on. When women gather around a water fountain, men get scared. People oughta just chill."

Wilson acknowledges that there will be residual tension at the convention. But she sees the discord as a positive thing, a perhaps painful step in the right direction. "Putting issues on the table" -- as opposed to keeping political frustrations pent up -- "is what is going to bring people together." Wilson believes that in the wake of Hillary's run, "we are in the middle of a revolution. Women are stepping up and taking power." She said her organization, which encourages women to seek elected office, has seen a 61 percent increase in participation in the past year.

A half-hour later, many of the same sentiments were echoed by a woman who sat behind me during Nancy Pelosi's presentation, which was taken over by Code Pink protesters. As the demonstrators shouted for peace, I heard a soft voice say, "Ask Pelosi why she asked Hillary to get out of the race." After the speech was over, I spoke to Pat, a 73-year-old retired teacher who declined to give her last name because her husband is a delegate.

"I'm not anxious to disrupt the convention," she said, adding that she plans to go to a pro-Hillary march on Tuesday, but that "if it gets rowdy, I'll step to the side. I consider that march a thank-you to Hillary for having not given up." Pat said she'll vote for Obama, but that she just wonders, after listening to Pelosi tell the crowd about how there should be more women seated around her at the White House table, "Why, why, why did she ask Clinton to leave the race? And why did she encourage superdelegates not to vote for her? That whole speech she just gave was about how women have to strive for power, but she used her own power to diminish and destroy Clinton's."

This was anger, no doubt about it. But it was reasonable, rational, thoughtful and politically sophisticated anger, not the "No-bama!" protests I would see later in the day. "The thing is," said Pat, "if Obama loses the election, don't think it won't be Hillary who's blamed." But, she said, she doesn't believe the convention will be badly disrupted by protest. "A roll call vote, that's traditional!" she said. "Dennis Kucinich got one, and Shirley Chisholm. I don't understand why it should be such a big deal."

Neither did Dana Kennedy, a 40-year-old Hillary delegate from Arizona who is one of the 300 signers of the petition to get the roll call vote for Hillary. "My hope is that in the first round of voting I get to vote for her, and in the second round, I will vote for Obama," said Kennedy. "A vote for Hillary is a vote for history and not against him."

*No, not a chick in her 30s who likes to date younger men, no matter what the Urban Dictionary would have you believe. A male or female who felt that the media were "in the can" for Obama, and feel distinctly cranky about it. The acronym stands for "Party Unity, My Ass."

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The Release Is This Coming Friday, 8/29!
(at the Sunset 5 in Los Angeles, or this same weekend at the Quad in NYC)

Says Jonah Blechman: "Opening weekend is important, so show your support for queer cinema and bring a friend or two...or twenty! And please join me and some of the cast in LA for Q&AÂ’s and Parties...all the info is below, including a link to purchase tickets. . . . Cheers to a new Spring Break Extravaganza!"

Here's the trailer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KaFJAOFdO-s

Oh—and a few reviews:

"Â… scene-stealing powerhouse Jonah Blechman, who plays the insanely hysterical Nico, is as terrific and hilarious a comedic actor as any Jim Carey or Mike Myers!"
Shotgunreviews.com

"The most hilarious gay film spoof ever made!"
Gay.com

"Silly, raunchy, fun! Lotsa hot guys, making out, promiscuous sex, backstabbing, drinking, projectile vomiting, etc!."
Out in Hollywood, with Greg Hernandez

"Super-Fabulous Filthy-dirty-funny. Gleefully naughty, nudity-filled, outlandish!" Instinct magazine

"90 minutes of sex, sex, sex!"
The Philadelphia Inquirer

It sounds like the Rocky Horror Picture Show without all that silly heteronormative stuff in it . . .

Los Angeles Screening Schedule, with Parties!

LeammleÂ’s Sunset 5 - Daily
1:45pm, 4:20pm, 7:10pm*, 9:45pm
*Cast Q&A this Fri. and Sat. ONLY

Purchase Tickets ONLINE at:
http://www.laemmle.com/viewtheatre.php?date=08292008&thid=2

• Tues., Aug 26th: The Falcon – Beige
7213 Sunset Blvd. @ Poinsettia
*Cast on Site

• Wed. Aug 27th: Hamburger MaryÂ’s – Bingo
8288 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood CA 90069
*Cast on Site

• Thur. Aug.28th: Avalon – TigerHeat
1735 Vine Street (N.of Hollywood Blvd) Hollywood
*see Perez Hilton and his Music Video in the Film

• Fri. Aug. 29th: Eleven – Fresh
8811 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069
*No Wait in Line with Ticket, Cast on Site including Brent Corrigan

• Sat. Aug. 30th: Here Lounge – Destination
696 N. Robertson Blvd (next to The Abbey)West Hollywood, CA 90069
*No Wait in Line with Ticket, Cast on Site

• Tues. Sept. 2nd: MJ's – Rim Job
2810 Hyperion Avenue, Silver Lake, CA 90027
**Cast on Site including Brent Corrigan

• Wed. Sept. 3rd: Here Lounge – Garage
696 N. Robertson Blvd (next to The Abbey) West Hollywood, CA 90069
*Cast on Site

• Thur. Sept.4th: Avalon – TigerHeat
1735 Vine Street (N.of Hollywood Blvd) Hollywood
*Cast on Site including Brent Corrigan

Credits:
Directed by Todd Stephens

Written by Todd Stephens, based on a story by Eric Eisenbrey and Todd Stephens.

And featuring . . .

The beautfiul and funny Jonah Blechman as Nico;

Jake Mosser as Andy;

Aaron Michael Davies as Griff;

Jimmy Clabots as Jarod;

Euriamis Losada as Luis;

Mario Lavandeira as Perez Hilton;

RuPaul as Tyrelle Tyrelle;

Scott Thompson as Andy's Dad;

The Lady Bunny as Sandi Cove;

Will Wikle as Jasper;

Brandon Lim as Jasper Chan;

Isaac Webster as Jasper Pledge; and

Brent Corrigan as Stan the Merman.

Posted by: Attila Girl at 05:05 AM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
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Gotta go and check the place out for hidden cameras placed there by my Ambien.

I hate it when drugs fight dirty.

Posted by: Attila Girl at 08:23 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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The story is this: Chris Muir's last fundraiser for Day by Day was outrageously successful, and it looked that the results of that would carry him through this year. Then he lost his day job, which is terrific in the sense that he'll be able to do more research for the characters, work on the story lines—perhaps even go back to Iraq—but has the obvious downside that he'll need to rely even more on reader contributions.

The current fundraiser will go on for a month.

The "silver lining" here is that for each level of support (yes: the levels are Jan, Zed, Sam, and Damon), you get special goodies such as old sketches of the characters, posters, and a deck of DBD playing cards. (These are downloadables, except at the Damon level, which is supposedly sold out. I think the goodies at that level are sent out on archival paper.)

Personally, I think Muir should find a printer for the playing cards, and offer 'em on an ongoing basis. T-shirts, too.

I'll be sending him some money as soon as my next invoices get paid (which might be too late for me to get playing cards), but the good I get out of syndicating his site for free compels me to kick some dough in, as soon as I, like, have it.

And, yes: I'll be doing my own fundraiser, which will probably also last a week, in the second half of September.

UPDATE: Hey, Chris! Why posters of Sam, and not Zed? I want a Zed poster . . . or maybe a Damon one.

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