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September 30, 2009

Why is Anyone Rushing to Defend Roman Polanski?

Am I missing something here or what? I've watched with amazement at how the popular media has covered Roman Polanski's arrest in Switzerland. Hardly anyone conducting an interview on this topic -- at least that I've seen (and no, I don't go searching for this stuff... it's just difficult to avoid) -- has asked any relevant questions or brought forward anyone with an opinion other than to say that what is happening to Mr. Polanski is an abuse of justice.

Not to go on a rant here, but I agree with CNN's Jack Cafferty when he said that when it comes to Polanski, many in Hollywood are out-of-touch. Polanski did, if I'm not mistaken, plead guilty to having unlawful intercourse with a minor and then promptly fled the United States before he could be sentenced.

But Polanski's lawyers, according to everything I hear and see in the news, are fighting his extradition to the U.S. -- as are more than 100 actors and directors who've signed a petition against the arrest; people like Tilda Swinton, Martin Scorsese, David Lynch, John Landis, and Woody Allen have all signed on to defend Polanski. (By the way, Woody Allen... [said like Woody would say it] the last person on Earth I'd want coming to my defense in a case such as this, but that's besides the point).

From Cafferty:

Actress Debra Winger says it's "a three-decades-old case that is dead but for minor technicalities." Yeah, one technicality being he fled the country to avoid sentencing after officials said he drugged and raped a 13-year-old girl.
Whoopi Goldberg says Polanski didn't commit "rape-rape," whatever the hell that means. And Harvey Weinstein says Polanski was the victim of a "miscarriage of justice." Hey, Harvey: He pled guilty.

California officials have kept the pressure on for all this time and insist they won't bow to pressure from Hollywood.

How would you feel if it had been your 13-year-old daughter?

Here's my question to you: What message does it send when some in Hollywood don't think director Roman Polanski should be punished for a 1977 child sex charge?blockquote>

Posted by Mikal at 2:20 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack

September 25, 2009

Four For Friday

Q1 - Moving: Americans have apparently tamed their wanderlust during the recession. According to the latest data released by the U.S. Census Bureau, only 2.4% of Americans moved from one state to another in 2008, down from 2.5% the previous year. Do you know anyone who recently moved from one state to another?

Q2 - Vaccine: A vaccine to prevent HIV infection, the virus that leads to AIDS, has shown modest results for the first time, researchers have found, raising hopes that a disease that kills millions every year may someday be beaten. Do you believe a vaccine to prevent HIV will be developed in the next 10 years?

Q3 - Iran: President Obama said today "Iran is on notice" regarding its nuclear efforts, and that the international community is united in its opposition to the country's nuclear program. Do you think Iran's motives for developing its nuclear facilities are peaceful?

Q4 - Electronic Cigarettes: In the hunt for a safer cigarette, electronic cigarettes, often referred to as ecigarettes, are becoming a popular option among those either trying to quit or who are looking to replace standard tobacco smokes with an alternative that manufacturers claim to be safer. Ecigarettes vaporize a solution often containing nicotine, but there is no smoke, just odorless water vapor, and produce almost no dangerous carcinogens. Have you heard of electronic cigarettes, and do you think electronic cigarettes should be regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in the same way smoking patches, gum and lozenges are regulated?

Posted by Mikal at 9:55 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack

September 19, 2009

Tradition states that we are to receive gifts on our birthday, which of course isn't half bad; but I'm of the opinion that on my birthday I should thank the people I value, look up to, and/or have learned something from. With that very simple thought in mind, please know that on this, my original date of birth, I give thanks to all of the people who have allowed me to be a part of their lives, including (all the people who made my latest trip around the sun another great one)...

...my entire family (but especially my Mother and Brother), Jerry C., Joe K., Erin A., Mike & Maggie Moore, Melissa R., Matt H., Ford C., Rod W., Robb D., Scott T., Luke S., Christoph & Bee, Kate R., Fred, Martin & Boma, Kimberly C., Bradley W., Stewart G., Erika & JJ G., Darleen D., Julie F., Rob & Kimberly V., Lee McD, Dave M., Irene L., Lisa, L., Howard & Susan L., Isaac A., Steve & Shelly G., Don & Mary S., Howard G., Bob W., Nick K., Bobby M., AJ G., Frank & Susan K., Mary P., Shelia H., Scott & Jay, Juli B., David S., Howard C., Mark H., Roland S., Emory & Kathleen F., Richard T., Anne-Marie S., Mike Santa L., Clark W., Dan H., Roman M., Lucy D., Scott B., Nina K., Elizabeth LAL, Tyson W., Ken & Jan, Keith H., Lisa W., Abby W., Mikey V, Erik S., Majorie M., Dave S., Anna C., Shiladitya P, Kandee DW., Ruben C., Steve L., David T., Paul B., Ron & Rebecca R&B., Bryce O., Kristin D., Stefan G., Bobby B., Stephanie C., Patricia C., Todd K., Paul C., David & Arlene B., D. Lee, Kim K., Julie M., Niko & Vicki, Farrell S., Debra O., Jeremy H., Buck T., Mike G., Big Daddy Rick, Sharon A., Jake S., Blaine N., Jared S., Lilette S., Travis W., Moyo, Howard W., Adrienne W., Ryan Z., Josh D., Brian D., McGyver, Amy C., Nicole B., David F., Megan R., Jennifer M., Robert M., Susan S., Meagen R., Elaine K., and Stu & Meadow L. (along with a bunch of other great people I'm sure I've missed).

I've said it before and I'll say it again... I truly believe that we are a part of all of those who have touched us, and I thank each and every one of you from the bottom of my heart for making me a part of your life and for touching mine on a daily basis by just being who you are.

September 18, 2009

Q2 - 3-D: Three-dimensional images are expected jump out of movie theaters and into living rooms by next year. Sony and Panasonic say they will release home 3-D television systems in 2010; Mitsubishi and JVC are reported to be working on similar products. Do you want your television to be capable of handling 3-D images, or do you feel 3-D is best suited for the big screen (i.e., movie theaters)?

Q3 - Fall Movies: Whiteout; Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs; The Informant; Jennifer's Body; Love Happens; Fame; Surrogates; The Invention of Lying; A Serious Man; Zombieland; Couples Retreat; Where the Wild Things Are; Amelia; Disney's A Christmas Carol; The Box; The Fourth Kind; The Men Who Stare at Goats; 2012; New Moon; The Blind Side; Planet 51; Nine; Ninja Assassin; The Road... which Fall 2009 movies are you most looking forward to seeing?

Q4 - Back Lime Olive: Visit this online Anagram Maker to create an anagram for your name (clicking "Anagram Maker" opens a new page); then, pop back here and share your favorite two or three results.

September 11, 2009

Q2 - Lunchtime: It's been a staple of lunch for generations. Where do you go to get your favorite sandwich, what is it, and how often to get it?

September 4, 2009

Q2 - Talking to Kids: While the President of the United States prepares to deliver a back-to-school speech to the nation's school children on Tuesday, September 8, some parents are convinced he is going to use the opportunity to advance a partisan political agenda on the nation's young minds, and are threatening to keep their children out of school on that particular day. "At a minimum it's disruptive," says Minnesota's Governor, who is a possible future Presidential candidate himself. "Number two, it's uninvited. And number three, if people would like to hear his message they can, on a voluntary basis, go to YouTube or some other source and get it. I don't think he needs to force it upon the nation's school children," the Governor told reporters this week. Taking the issue a step further, the chairman of the GOP for Florida released a statement this week accusing the President of the United States of using taxpayer money to "indoctrinate" children. Background: President George H.W. Bush delivered a nationally televised speech to students from a Washington D.C., school in the fall of 1991, encouraging them to say no to drugs and work hard. And in November 1988, President Ronald Reagan delivered remarks that were made available to students nationwide. Among other things, President Reagan called taxes "such a penalty on people that there's no incentive for them to prosper ... because they have to give so much to the government." The President's talk next Tuesday... It focuses on encouraging students to study hard and stay in school. How do you feel about the President's upcoming address for the nation's school children?

Q4 - Cash for Kids: Japan's new ruling party is floating a proposal to pay Japanese parents approximately $3,400 a year per child (until the child reaches high school age) as a way of boosting the country's birth rate, which is one of the lowest on Earth and is said to have future negative ramifications on Japan's economic welfare. How do you feel about 'cash for kids'? If you were on the fence about having a child, would an extra $3,400 per year ($283.00/mo.) sway you one way or another?