We must always remember that the horrific acts carried out on 9/11/01 were attacks on all of humanity.
Today is a day for remembering, mourning and honoring.
Tonight we will hope that tomorrow will bring us a better world.
Shalom
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Crazy talk: A lot from Bachman & A little from Dawkins
The crazy that is Michele Bachman says "if we cry out to God" Hillary Clinton can be stopped from becoming President.
Michele Bachman is 9 months away from an indictment and 24 months away from prison. So if she is going to cry out to to God maybe she should do it on behalf of her own ridiculous ass.
Noted biologist and author Richard Dawkins "a little mild Pedophilia does not cause lasting harm". This is a perfect example of smart people thinking that everything that comes out of their mouth is a pearl of wisdom. Word of advice to Mr. Dawkins - use a filter - Think before speaking.
Michele Bachman is 9 months away from an indictment and 24 months away from prison. So if she is going to cry out to to God maybe she should do it on behalf of her own ridiculous ass.
And
Noted biologist and author Richard Dawkins "a little mild Pedophilia does not cause lasting harm". This is a perfect example of smart people thinking that everything that comes out of their mouth is a pearl of wisdom. Word of advice to Mr. Dawkins - use a filter - Think before speaking.
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
Well Done You! Vince Gill - He kicks some Westboro Ass
This is great!
Country music icon / super star Vince Gill slaps down the Westboro Baptist Church .
There is no room in the country for the hate that these horses asses are all about. They are not a church, they are not religious, the are not people of true faith and they are certainly not Christians.
Well done you! Vince Gill!
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Country music icon / super star Vince Gill slaps down the Westboro Baptist Church .
There is no room in the country for the hate that these horses asses are all about. They are not a church, they are not religious, the are not people of true faith and they are certainly not Christians.
Well done you! Vince Gill!
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Monday, September 9, 2013
Detroit Institute of Art - When Art & Culture Does Not Matter
In yet another potentially cultural tragedy the Detroit Institute of Art (DIA) which is owned by the city of Detroit may be forced to sell off some of it's collections.
We all know Detroit is broke and this could be a way to get the city back into the black. The DIA has brought in folks from Christie's to evaluate the situation. If the museum sells just 40 of it's most prized possessions it could bring $2.5 billion to a city $18 million in debt.
There is an international museum rule that forbids the asset of a publicly owned museum from being used to pay for other public expenses. In fact museums are only allowed to sell works of art if they are going to use the funds to improve their collections. I am not sure how this can be enforced or what the repercussions will be for the City of Detroit or the DIA if the sale moves forward.
From a financial point of view it seems like a no brainer and a fairly easy quick fix to the problems that have beset the once great city of Detroit. I would think most of the art in the museum was donated or gifted by a citizen or foundation. Can a museum sell a gift? Should a museum sell a gift? These are but two of the ethical questions involved in such a transaction.
If the Detroit is allowed to or does sell off enough of the collection to pay the debt it will solve the most urgent problem but it will do nothing to fix the fundamental issues that are at the core of Detroit's downfall. The debt is paid; now how does that fix what Detroit need to do to move forward? Will the schools get better? Will the middle class move back into the city? Will the roads get fixed? Will the street lights start working again? I doubt it. So then where does that leave the city?
The bigger question is what does it say about the nation and our current culture when New York can't sustain an opera company as interesting and exciting as City Opera and the people managing the bankruptcy of Detroit are so cavalier about the true value of art?
What has happened to this country that once used art and culture to help pull itself out of the great depression?
What has happened to this country that used to think big?
What has happened to this country that used to dream?
Why did we allow conservatives to make this country smaller and more narrow?
Why did we let the conservatives diminish our capacity for greatness?
A great nation needs art, music, dance and theater. A great nation needs culture.
.
We all know Detroit is broke and this could be a way to get the city back into the black. The DIA has brought in folks from Christie's to evaluate the situation. If the museum sells just 40 of it's most prized possessions it could bring $2.5 billion to a city $18 million in debt.
There is an international museum rule that forbids the asset of a publicly owned museum from being used to pay for other public expenses. In fact museums are only allowed to sell works of art if they are going to use the funds to improve their collections. I am not sure how this can be enforced or what the repercussions will be for the City of Detroit or the DIA if the sale moves forward.
From a financial point of view it seems like a no brainer and a fairly easy quick fix to the problems that have beset the once great city of Detroit. I would think most of the art in the museum was donated or gifted by a citizen or foundation. Can a museum sell a gift? Should a museum sell a gift? These are but two of the ethical questions involved in such a transaction.
If the Detroit is allowed to or does sell off enough of the collection to pay the debt it will solve the most urgent problem but it will do nothing to fix the fundamental issues that are at the core of Detroit's downfall. The debt is paid; now how does that fix what Detroit need to do to move forward? Will the schools get better? Will the middle class move back into the city? Will the roads get fixed? Will the street lights start working again? I doubt it. So then where does that leave the city?
The bigger question is what does it say about the nation and our current culture when New York can't sustain an opera company as interesting and exciting as City Opera and the people managing the bankruptcy of Detroit are so cavalier about the true value of art?
What has happened to this country that once used art and culture to help pull itself out of the great depression?
What has happened to this country that used to think big?
What has happened to this country that used to dream?
Why did we allow conservatives to make this country smaller and more narrow?
Why did we let the conservatives diminish our capacity for greatness?
A great nation needs art, music, dance and theater. A great nation needs culture.
.
Is Hawaii Next for Marriage Equality?
Governor Neil Abercrombie of Hawaii has called a special session of the legislature to address the issue of marriage equality. The Democratic Governor will be pushing a bill that will legalize marriage equality.
On paper this seems like a slam dunk, Hawaii was an early civil union state.
Also, Hawaii is such a live and let live accepting kind of place. Many people refer to each other as "Cousin" because it is assumed somewhere in history we are related. The people of Hawaii are such a mix of cultures and ethnicity's that most people are more than happy to let you live your life as long as you let them live theirs. The people of Hawaii are also some of the nicest people I have ever met. I keeping asking my guy if we can move there.
If this passes it will make Hawaii the 13th state to decide to make this a more perfect union.
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On paper this seems like a slam dunk, Hawaii was an early civil union state.
Also, Hawaii is such a live and let live accepting kind of place. Many people refer to each other as "Cousin" because it is assumed somewhere in history we are related. The people of Hawaii are such a mix of cultures and ethnicity's that most people are more than happy to let you live your life as long as you let them live theirs. The people of Hawaii are also some of the nicest people I have ever met. I keeping asking my guy if we can move there.
If this passes it will make Hawaii the 13th state to decide to make this a more perfect union.
.
George Zimmerman Pulls A Gun On Someone
A few weeks ago George Zimmerman posed for pictures at the company who manufactured the gun he used to kill Trayvon.
Then..........George Zimmerman is detained over the weekend because his estranged wife called the police because he pulls a gun on his soon to be ex father in law.
George Zimmerman really likes guns.
George Zimmerman really likes to pull out his gun.
When will George Zimmerman kill someone else?
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Then..........George Zimmerman is detained over the weekend because his estranged wife called the police because he pulls a gun on his soon to be ex father in law.
George Zimmerman really likes guns.
George Zimmerman really likes to pull out his gun.
When will George Zimmerman kill someone else?
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Sunday, September 8, 2013
A Tragic Opera Story
The City Opera of New York which has tried to bring opera to the people for the past 70 years is in danger of cancelling the rest of this season and all of the next season. If they do not raise $20 Million by the end of the year it could very well be the end for this beloved New York Institution.
The City Opera is the smaller of the two opera companies that occupy space at Lincoln Center and it has always struggled in the shadow of the mighty Metropolitan Opera. The theater is not as big, the stars are not as big and production values are not as big but they are in no way inferior. The City Opera has been where the great stars of opera make their American debuts and has proven to be a great training ground for the likes of Beverly Sills and Renee Fleming just to name two.
I have seen Madame Butterfly performed by both companies and quite frankly I thought the woman cast as Butterfly was better at The City Opera. But, that really means nothing other than to try to make myself come off as an opera snob. I do love opera but I am hardly an expert.
The City Opera in many countries would be consider the premier opera and in fact it is world class. It is astonishing to me that New York cannot sustain two brilliant opera companies.
If The City Opera of New York is forced to close it will be a very sad day for the arts & culture for not only New York but for all of us. And, for those who could only enjoy opera at a fairly reasonable price tag. .
.
The City Opera is the smaller of the two opera companies that occupy space at Lincoln Center and it has always struggled in the shadow of the mighty Metropolitan Opera. The theater is not as big, the stars are not as big and production values are not as big but they are in no way inferior. The City Opera has been where the great stars of opera make their American debuts and has proven to be a great training ground for the likes of Beverly Sills and Renee Fleming just to name two.
I have seen Madame Butterfly performed by both companies and quite frankly I thought the woman cast as Butterfly was better at The City Opera. But, that really means nothing other than to try to make myself come off as an opera snob. I do love opera but I am hardly an expert.
The City Opera in many countries would be consider the premier opera and in fact it is world class. It is astonishing to me that New York cannot sustain two brilliant opera companies.
If The City Opera of New York is forced to close it will be a very sad day for the arts & culture for not only New York but for all of us. And, for those who could only enjoy opera at a fairly reasonable price tag. .
.
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