YOU KNOW THE REPUBLICANS ARE HAVING A SERIOUS 2016 CANDIDATE PROBLEM...

YOU KNOW THE REPUBLICANS ARE HAVING A SERIOUS 2016 CANDIDATE PROBLEM...












WHEN IN COMPARISON, GEORGE W. BUSH STARTS SEEMING TO BE A REASONABLE AND MODERATE PERSON.



 

Mr. President -- Please Read The Speech First Before Delivering It

All Presidents have speech writers. Yes, the President may contribute, enhance, edit and make final changes to a speech that will be heard by millions, but how tonight's inexcusable revision got by the nation's first black President is unfortunate.

"My fellow Americans, I am confident we will succeed in this mission because we are on the right side of history. We were founded upon a belief in human dignity -- that no matter who you are, or where you come from, or what you look like, or what religion you practice, you are equal in the eyes of God and equal in the eyes of the law."

You might want to share that with the approximate 700,000 slaves that existed  in 1776, IN ALL 13 COLONIES, at the founding of America.

      The nation's first George W. with some of his helpers.



RUBBER SOUL -- THE BEATLES 50 YEARS







It was a cold, grey day in Chicago, Monday, December 6, 1965. I was almost 13. I could not concentrate on anything in 8th grade that day, because all I knew was that a new Beatles album was coming out and at 3:15...I would be at the Chicago-Rogers Park neighborhood record store.

I did not know the album's name, or any songs that would be on it. There were no pop music magazines except "16" and there was only one radio station for young people, WLS. All they said is that the new Beatles album would be out today.

I walked in the cold to the tiny mom & pop record store and there it was--RUBBER SOUL...with its slightly distorted cover in tones of brown and I took out the $1.98 for the MONO version, which was a lot of money to a kid back then.

I ran home with it, took it out of its sealed enclosure and joyfully placed it on my child's record player that I still had from age 5 with its tiny speaker and limited one-tone control.

What I would hear would ASTONISH me. I was mesmerized.


It was amazing. And an incredible breakthrough
for this group going through a musical transition.


Side 1--I've Just Seen A Face was a great up-tempo pop song with a great harmony hook (fallin' yes I am fallin')...Norwegian Wood--was I hearing right? Was this The Beatles? It was indescribable and what was that weird instrument they were using?...You Won't See Me had such daring background vocals going on...Think For Yourself--by now I was going crazy! That fuzz bass sound (never used before) was captivating...The Word was so catchy yet demanded your attention...and then the opening notes of Michelle was just the beginning of this musical masterpiece--not only was Paul singing French, but he was doing a complete separate Bass composition on his own!...the enchantment continued with side 2, but when I got to "In My Life"...I knew this album would effect me the rest of my life.

Yes, it was Capitol Record's version of "Rubber Soul" but nobody knew ANYTHING about another version. It wasn't until 1978 that Tower Records had a special Beatles week and brought in a limited supply--one time only of the official British albums. And I bought the whole set.
Was I ever surprised at what the real Rubber Soul consisted of. 99.9% of the rest of Americans did not know anything about this until the official CDs were issued in the late 1980s of British versions only.


*The American version of Rubber Soul did not contain the following tracks--
They were taken off and used for a phony Capitol Beatles album “Yesterday and Today”
only released in America and allowing yet another million selling album:
"Drive My Car", "Nowhere Man", "What Goes On" and “If I Needed Someone.”
*The American version of Rubber Soul contained the following tracks not on
any release of the album elsewhere worldwide:
“I've Just Seen A Face” and “It's Only Love.”

This of course says something important about artist integrity.
Up until “Sgt. Pepper,” Capitol Records would butcher the Beatles albums
to create their own versions of what they believed Americans wanted to
hear. They would take tracks off, put other tracks on, add echo where they
wanted, use alternate versions. And create non-existent albums.

America was the only country that did not get the official British releases
as desired by the Beatles and producer George Martin.

RUBBER SOUL has always been my favorite Beatles album.
I estimate that I have listened to the album on
LP, cassette, CD and in computer memory at least
1500-2000 times. I base this on the fact that I have listened to
the album at least 30 times a year since 1965.

The album inspired Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys to create his masterpiece LP “Pet Sounds.”
Wilson's brilliant work inspired Paul McCartney to put together “Sgt. Pepper.”

RUBBER SOUL is considered one of the Top Ten greatest pop music albums ever
by every leading survey.














David Canary

I used to really enjoy Adam Chandler.

And when Stuart came along, it was even
more fun.


IN TRIBUTE


HALLOWEEN HIPPIE 2015

HALLOWEEN is always big in Hollywood.


I decided to put together the ultimate
HIPPIE outfit this year:
Tie Die T-Shirt
Love Beads
Head Band
Hair (that's mine)
Blue Jeans
Sandals
Rainbow Shades

People think its funny.
If they had been around in 1968,
they would have seen it all over America.
 
 


Back To The Future 30th

A "Back to the Future" Marathon was held at the legendary Cinerama Dome in Hollywood to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the films and to coincide with the date 10/21/2015 that Marty and Doc go into the future in BTTF2.

It was spectacular seeing the films on the big screen again since 1985, 1988 and 1989.

I noticed that the majority of those attending were 25-35 years old, so I have to think about the attraction to that group.

About 30 people dressed up accordingly. Mostly guys wearing Marty's hat and jacket from BTTF2, girls dressed as Marty's girlfriend from the 1st film, and girls dressed for a 1950's dance.

I already had the hair naturally, found a yellow jacket and red shirt in the closet and used a pair of nightshades as goggles, making me the only realistic Doc Brown present. Yes, everybody was staring.


The American character has become a perverted sickness of Narcissism.



America has become a place where people try and out-market each other. They try and see if they can get more publicity than the next guy. This takes place at work, in schools, in homes, in communities, in traditional and social media.

The big problem occurs when people start believing their own publicity.

When they engage in publicity utilizing harmless stunts and actually know its really a bunch of BS and are secretly laughing about it all, they are actually quite level headed.

Its the ones that genuinely think they are more important than everybody else and their opinions and actions are of so much greater value than the rest of us, and will turn to harmful activities--who are the dangers to society.

There is no need to call in psychologists, FBI profilers and other experts to try and analyze America's most recent tragedy. The individual already told you in his online postings that he understood all of this. 

It has nothing to do with guns--it has to do with an individual who decides he is going to out-market everybody else and instantly be recognized by everybody in the nation. If he had an atomic bomb at his disposal, he would have used that.

The American character has become a perverted sickness of Narcissism.
 



 

TROUBLE WITH TRUMPLES


TOO MANY YOUNG PEOPLE DYING OF HEROIN. SHARE THIS WITH THEM.

 
Our parents lied to us about Marijuana.
As they stood there with a martini in their hand and scolded “Is is true you are on the Marijuana?” the Baby Boomers just laughed behind their backs at their hypocrisy.


Now the Baby Boomers are your parents, grandparents and great grandparents.


The difference is they will not lie to you.


When they tell you that Heroin is the most dangerous thing you can try, they are telling you the truth.


Heroin is available everywhere, at its cheapest prices and greatest potency and you and your friends might think it is some fun quick and cheap high.




Marijuana might be a firecracker, but Heroin is a bomb.


I'm going to make it simple for you.


A human being has not been physically designed to deal with Heroin. The same way you have not been designed to be impervious to a cold virus, you simply cannot handle Heroin.


When you shoot up Heroin, you are going to have the greatest rush of a lifetime. You are going to feel better than anything you have ever experienced. Not only are you aware of this. But your brain is very, very aware of this.


As a matter of fact, your brain will enjoy it so much that it will say, “That was fantastic. I want to do it again. Right now. Go get me some more.”


And when you tell your brain, “No. That was it. Once was enough,” your brain is going to get really mad at you.


"Ok. You won't get me some more of that. Then I'm going to give you chills, aches and pains until you do.”


When you give in for a second time around, and say “That's the last time brain. There will be no more.”


Now your brain is really infuriated.
"Either you get me some more Heroin-- until then, how about some nausea, diarrhea, cramps, vomiting, anxiety, sweating, sleeplessness and other uncontrollable discomforts?”


Your brain has become addicted.
You soon find that your brain needs more and more and in larger quantities to keep it satisfied. But these larger quantities are causing your breathing and heart rate to function abnormally. And soon you overdose and die.


Heroin is not Marijuana.


Heroin is a man made laboratory
concoction from the poppy plant.


You cannot handle Heroin.


Don't even try it the first time.


Anybody who offers it to you is not your friend.


Walk away.

Dean Jones -- Average American Joe That Made Us Laugh

 


Actor Dean Jones had a wonderful way of playing the average American Joe who would find himself in the middle of incredible predicaments -- but always managed to do the right thing to make things come out OK.

Primarily known for 1960's Disney comedies in which he would wind up being the straight man to dogs, cats or Volkswagens, Jones could get big laughs by just being perplexed or confused.

Best known for "The Love Bug," "That Darn Cat," "The Ugly Dachshund" and later on the non-Disney "Beethoven," my all-time Dean Jones' favorite was "Blackbeard's Ghost," a much underrated 1968 film which was ignored because it was 1968 and didn't have an expected socially significant meaning at the time.

That boyish look, projection of honesty in every character played, and father figure to many, Dean Jones was loved throughout the world.


 

HOW TO OFFEND EVERYBODY AT THE SAME TIME

HOW TO OFFEND EVERYBODY
AT THE SAME TIME

 

An Analysis Of the Presidential Polls

An Analysis Of the Presidential Polls



The Presidential Polls have always been fairly accurate.

So let me sum it up for you as of August 9, 2015.

If Hillary Clinton went up against Donald Trump in the 2016 Presidential election,it would be an overwhelming landslide for Hillary Clinton. We're talking totally embarrassing for the Republicans.

If Hillary Clinton went up against Jeb Bush in the 2016 election, Hillary Clinton would win, but by just a small but comfortable margin. The Republicans would retain the little dignity they
have left.

Both Fox News and the Republican Party are both very
aware of this. Their job is to try and undermine Donald Trump so the GOP has a chance with Bush.

You think Republican voters are more discerning, methodical, analytical, less prone to emotional thinking than Democrats?
The very fact that they are supporting in huge numbers TV star
and media personality Donald Trump over a viable candidate,
shows you they are just as brainwashed by Hollywood.


 

JOHN FOGERTY/A NIGHT OF CCR AT THE HOLLYWOOD BOWL

One band dominated the airwaves in America in 1969. They had three albums, a dozen hits and had the nation rockin' to their unique combination of rock, pop, blues, rockabilly, Southern rock and psychedelic.

Creedence Clearwater Revival, dominated by the inimitable vocals of John Fogerty, who at 24 wrote every one of their hits (except Suzie Q) were played around the clock all around America. From San Francisco, but believed by many to be from the South, the band had America up on their feet happily dancing during a year of political turmoil and a very unpopular war.

It was then that the non-political John Fogerty shocked America with an anti-war song that condemned political privilege and those who would make sure their own sons would never see the jungles of Vietnam. "Fortunate Son" is as relevant today as it was in 1969. 

"Some folks inherit STAR SPANGLED EYES
Ooh, they send you down to war, Lord
And when you ask 'em, 'How much should we give?'
Ooh, they only answer "More! More! More!"


gets people's blood to boil in a timeless manner as the inequities of the U.S. war machine are exposed once again.

Fogerty was joined onstage by his 21-year-old son on guitar as he covered almost every CCR major hit with a small band that sounded like groups that perform with 10 or more members. Accentuated by psychedelic video screens and lighting, the night was a 1969 experience.

Even though former members of the original band are out on the road performing, they are not CCR without John Fogerty. The man's voice is as powerful, distinctive and recognizable as it was almost 50 years ago.

Primarily a 40-70's age audience, they all came alive with beach balls and the smell of pot everywhere.
Although some late 30's folks could be seen, the audience was clearly devoid of anybody in their 20's. Although they've heard the songs all their lives, it has no relevance to them. If they only knew what they missed.
 


Jeb Bush Campaign LOGO


The Aftermath of June 5, 1968.

The Aftermath of June 5, 1968.
I think this photo montage I put together says it all.

David Letterman -- We've All Grown Old With Him

All the stories talking about David Letterman's retirement from late night TV refer to his NBC show for 10 years at 12:30 a.m. ET (after the "Tonight Show") and his 11:30 p.m. ET CBS show for 22 years on CBS.

Most people do not know that David Letterman had a morning/daytime show (about 11:00 a.m. in the morning) on NBC that lasted for four months in 1980. I know because I either watched it live or recorded it on this new device called a VHS.

It was so over the top and strange for a talk show that audiences just did not get it. We would not hear about this man again until 1982.

In 1982, NBC decided that a younger audience would get it at 12:30 a.m. ET after the "Tonight Show." Then it was a huge success.

Sometimes in the mid-1980's, David took his very popular show to Los Angeles for a week. It was impossible to get tickets but I was working with NBC on something new called the Internet and they took care of that for me. One of David's guests was Johnny Carson so that made it even more historically enjoyable.

Around 1988, David Letterman was a guest on the Larry King RADIO show. This was a newer show on the radio and the first syndicated talk radio interview show. I got in as a caller and asked David some questions. I remember he was such a wise guy in his responses.

When I first started watching David Letterman on his first unknown NBC morning show, I was 27 years old.  I am now 62 and David Letterman has retired tonight. Letterman and his low-key style of humor has been part of millions of people's lives as they have grown older with him.

He's done a great job. Providing some laughs at the end of the day. And never having "guest hosts" which became an unwelcome feature of Johnny Carson's "Tonight Show."


 

 A

ALL 3 ELVIS TV MOVIES WATCHED AGAIN

It is the responsibility of all good Americans to watch all three Elvis TV movies at least one time each.

The original "Elvis," starring Kurt Russell aired in 1979 on ABC.




In 1988, "Elvis and Me" based on the book by Priscilla Presley aired on ABC.

In 2005, Elvis - The Miniseries" aired on CBS.

I watched all of them again for the second time ever within one week and can make the following analysis.

The best of all of them is "Elvis and Me." Because it is based on the book by the girl/woman who was part of it all from 1958 on, it is the most intimate. It is her and Elvis' story told in the most personalized manner. It tells a great deal although there is plenty of information left out which has become known over the years.

The best performance as Elvis clearly goes to Kurt Russell. He acts and performs most like Elvis and is the most believable in the role.
This original Elvis telefilm came out only two years after he left the building permanently.
The thing that was most amazing seeing it 36 years later is that there is not one mention of his indulgence with prescription pills and comes off like that never even happened. Although there was still limited information overall about this subject two years later, it is amazing ABC wanted to whitewash this.

 "Elvis -- The Miniseries" has the slickest look and takes advantage of the fact that by 2005, viewers expect and are treated to modern stylization in their movies and TV shows.

As there has been a new Elvis TV movie about every 10 years, we are overdue for another one.
 


VE Day 70 Years Not Much Of A Celebration In America

Today is the 70th Anniversary of Victory In Europe -- VE Day. 70 years ago the Nazis agreed to an unconditional surrender.



There are huge celebrations all over Europe, especially in the UK.

But in America, there's hardly a mention.

Americans are much too interested in news on what Kardashians are wearing today, what shocking activities that whore Miley Cyrus will demonstrate today, how Bruce Jenner will wear his/her hair, how Kylie Jenner gets those lips so damn big, and what new TV shows will be on next week after the new ones from last week get cancelled.

And here are America's young men in 1944.
About to step on the beaches of France, knowing that the chances are they will die, but their combined efforts will allow their families and fellow Americans to continue to live life normally.

 

 

Where Did You Go Joe DiMaggio?




Every American boy used to look up to their sports heroes. Whether a baseball, football, basketball or boxing champ, these role models gave young American boys lessons in honor, striving to be the best, and always doing what was right. They were especially effective with boys who had no fathers or those that had sorry excuses for a father.

Just in the last few weeks, we have seen baseball teams fighting on the field, clear evidence of tampering with footballs and other pathetic examples from professional sports.

Even sports is reflecting the attitudes of the rest of American society. It is so sad.

 

BERNIE SANDERS - 1 IN A MILLION CHANCE HE WILL BE THE NEXT PRESIDENT

A BRAVE DEMOCRAT HAS DECIDED TO CHALLENGE HILLARY CLINTON FOR THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINATION FOR PRESIDENT IN 2016.



IT IS SOCIALIST, SUPER LEFT-WINGER, RELIGION HATING BERNIE SANDERS.

BERNIE, THE ONLY PLACE ANYBODY WOULD TAKE YOU SERIOUSLY IS IN VERMONT.

OH YES-- YOU ARE A U.S. SENATOR FROM VERMONT!

THE ONLY WAY THAT YOU WIN THE PRESIDENCY OF THE UNITED STATES IS TO
APPEAL TO SLIGHTLY RIGHT OF CENTER.

YOU'RE GOING IN THE WRONG DIRECTION BERNIE.

EVEN HILLARY KNOWS SHE MUST APPEAL TO THE CENTER OF AMERICA
AND JUST SLIGHTLY RIGHT OF IT (AT LEAST DURING HER CAMPAIGN PROMISES).

BERNIE, YOU ARE SO LEFTIST YOU MAKE GEORGE McGOVERN LOOK LIKE
A CONSERVATIVE.

LET'S LOOK AT THIS REALISTICALLY. LET'S PRETEND YOU WON THE
DEMOCRATIC NOMINATION FOR PRESIDENT TO GO UP AGAINST THE
REPUBLICAN IN THE FALL.

EVERY REPUBLICAN ALREADY HATES YOU.
EVERY RIGHT-WINGER ALREADY HATES YOU.
EVERY BIBLE THUMPER THINKS YOU ARE THE DEVIL AND ALREADY HATES YOU.
EVERY REPUBLICAN JEW HATER ALREADY HATES YOU.

EVERY DEMOCRAT THINKS YOU ARE TOO FAR TO THE LEFT AND
ALREADY HATES YOU.
EVERY DEMOCRATIC JEW HATES YOU BECAUSE YOU DO NOT PRACTICE THE RELIGION.
EVERY DEMOCRATIC JEW HATER ALREADY HATES YOU.

EVERY INDEPENDENT AND FRINGE PARTY VOTER ALREADY
HATES THE JEWS AND ISRAEL, SO THEY ALREADY HATE YOU.

ALL THAT LEAVES IS THE PEOPLE OF VERMONT.
THEY ARE THE ONLY ONES THAT WILL VOTE FOR YOU.
VERMONT HAS 3 ELECTORAL VOTES.
NOT ENOUGH TO WIN.

BUT THIS WILL BE HIGHLY AMUSING.

WITH ALL THAT CAMPAIGN MONEY SECRETLY COMING FROM THE
DEMOCRATS SO THEY CAN SAY "SEE WE HAVE A DEMOCRACY! THERE'S
ANOTHER DEMOCRAT OPPOSING HILLARY" IT WON'T COST YOU A CENT.

HERE'S SOME CAMPAIGN PROMISES FOR YOU:
*FREE CABLE TV FOR ALL AMERICANS.
*FREE INTERNET FOR ALL AMERICANS
*FREE UTILITIES FOR ALL AMERICANS
*FREE BIG MAC MONDAY FOR ALL AMERICANS
*OBAMAPHONES NOW BERNIEPHONES

THANK YOU FOR DECIDING TO ENTERTAIN US FOR THE NEXT YEAR!










My Link To Russia

I don't know why, but for the last few months I have been getting a lot of traffic from Russia.


Do Russians find my observations of American politics, media, culture and history that fascinating?

Well, for all my new Russian friends, I thought I would share something interesting with you.
One of my sets of Grandparents came to America from Kiev, Ukraine at the turn of the century late 1800's-early 1900's.

As a young man, my grandfather took my grandmother and came here as Antisemitism was growing in the Ukraine and dreams of freedom and opportunity became known about in this fascinating country that had only been around for just over 125 years.

My grandfather and his sons got into the shoe business and I got a free pair of Beatle Boots when I was 13.

Because of the Cold War in the late 1950's, 1960's and 1970's, Americans were taught to hate all Russians by our government. There was a paranoid atmosphere in America (there usually is about something) that all Russians are horrible people. In the 1970's, I attempted to learn the truth about Russian people (not their government) and I watched as fellow Americans freaked out (even on a college campus) that I should even mention these horrible enemies in any positive light.

When the Berlin Wall came down and the Soviet Union abandoned Communism--all of a sudden the U.S. government was like "OK--It's alright to like Russians now!" 

And I was "Wait a minute...what about all this crap, propaganda and pure paranoia over the last 40 years pushed by the U.S. government that you cannot even mention Russians and Humanity in the same sentence?"







 

 

 

 

HILLARY FOR PRESIDENT? WHAT YOU SAY?

Hillary Clinton has announced that she is running for President of the United States!



What a surprise! Who ever saw that coming over the last 6 years?

Who will be the lucky Democrat that will go up against her in the Democratic primaries just to prove that we have a Democracy?

And what lucky Republican Bush family member will go up against her in the general election?

Why even bother this time? The polls show Hillary will win overwhelmingly no matter who is her opponent.

Why spend billions on campaigning and election administration when that money can go to charity instead?

And can't you feel it? The party atmosphere has already begun!

 

 

 

"Since I Fell For You" 1963 Lenny Welch If You're Not Affected By This Song, You Have No Heart And Soul

Every once in a while, you actually run into a touching comment among the sarcastic
and inflammatory responses on YouTube videos.

The song: "Since I Fell For You" 1963  Lenny Welch

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7xrQY_FLM4

jackpark7927: Yes I agree with you. I first heard this tune sung with such passion when I was an 8 year old boy in 1963.  I wondered then, "Would I ever love someone so much that it hurts in my lifetime?" I did--they didn't. I loved Anne all through High School. She rejected me and married another. She even invited me to her wedding, knowing that it would kill me to go. I did go, but I sat in my car at a distance, and saw the most beautiful Angel in white on this earth walk down the steps of the church, and walk out of my life. Years passed and decades later she did come back to me when her marriage was over, and apologized to me. We could not go back though, too much time had passed for us as she had changed and I had changed and we lived in a world very different than that of yesterday. They found her home alone one day,  dead of an overdose. As I lay flowers on her grave today I remember this beautiful song, and a beautiful girl named Anne--RIP


MONSANTO and MONARCHS

I LOVE MONARCH BUTTERFLIES.

I have loved them since I was a child growing up in Illinois. I am still thrilled when one comes near and just freeze watching this beautiful creature.

I see very few of them in Southern California.

Their numbers are dwindling all over the United States.

MONSANTO, the creator of GMOs, Frankenfoods and lawsuits against innocent farmers who happen to get the wind blowing some of their Frankenseeds on their land and then get sued for patent/licensing infringement, have announced they are contributing $4 million for the repopulation efforts of the Monarch butterfly.

The scary food-controlling corporation turned on its publicity machine to make themselves seem like heroes in regards to being the savior of the Monarch butterfly.

However, they forgot to mention something just a bit important.

One of the biggest reasons for the possible extinction of the Monarch butterfly is because they cannot get their only source of food--milkweed--in the midwest anymore.

And why is that? Because Monsanto's Roundup herbicide which allows their GMOs to grow, destroys Milkweed.


 

FACEBOOK has apparently become PORNBOOK

I don't use Facebook and I'm not on it.

I've always had web sites. And I understand that Facebook can now be a great way to highly increase your web site traffic with links.

So I went up on Facebook to take a look around.

Random people link to other random people, etc.

But I couldn't help but notice a clear pattern.

Facebook apparently has become a porn show for
high school girls wishing to display themselves.

It's quite shocking.

I know our MTV pop culture and hip hop music exerts a
phenomenal pressure among this age group--but what I saw
is quite appalling.

Average girls highlighting themselves in every revealing prostitute-style pose and also lack of dress imaginable, all trying to top each other.

Which brings up two interesting questions:

WHERE ARE THE MOTHERS WHILE ALL THIS IS GOING ON?

WHERE ARE THE FATHERS WHILE ALL THIS IS GOING ON?

Having come from the "free love" generation, all I can say is that even the hippie girls of the time wore some of the most beautiful non-traditional clothing and did not dress like skanks for the whole world to see.

I'd like to say that what I saw is an exception--but it is not. Link after link reveals the same strip show and bump and grind displays by America's young women.

All of America's corporations willfully promote this by running their ads on MTV and all of its counterparts.

Each young generation tries to shock the previous generations with new hair styles, clothing styles, makeup, jewelry, dances and whatever they can dream up.

But this is outright porno. Thank you Miley Cyrus for
encouraging new levels of skankdom amongst young female America.

Your hypocritical parents, Billy Ray Bogus and Tish Cyrus should be hung upside down by their toes between the indentations of the crown on the Statue of Liberty.









I held off discussing this. It was shocking to me at the time.

I held off discussing this. 
It was shocking to me at the time.

About 2 months ago, on a cold day in Burbank, CA,
I was headed to the supermarket shopping center.
I took a little shortcut that most people don't use to get into
the side of the main area. In this area away from any traffic, was
a man lying with his head on the cement.
Clearly homeless, looking dazed, unshaven, wearing rags
that were all he had and covering himself with
newspapers, I stopped the car and got out. 
I stood over him, awoke him with my voice and
handed him a decent amount of money:
"I want you to walk over to (nearby chain) right now, get a
full meal -- you are to use this only for food--
is that understood?" With no expression he nodded
his head up and down.

I noticed we were in the same
age range (late 50's-early 60's) and as I was getting back into
my car, I decided to make a social commentary:
"America sure has changed" I said.

"Yeagh...and we got a NWORD as President!"

Did I think about walking right back over and take
away the gift I had given this stranger?
Yes I did. I will not lie about that.
And then I thought about something else I had once heard,
got into the car and left.

“Carve a tunnel of hope through the dark mountain of disappointment.” -- MLK

What would you have done?   eliotstein@yahoo.com

My Brush With The Greatest--Mohammed Ali

My Brush With The Greatest--Mohammed Ali


It was the very late 1970's. Toyota had planned a major print campaign that would appear in every magazine, newspaper and billboard in the world.

It focused on how everybody in the world loves Toyotas. Representatives from children to adults would appear in the distinctive clothing of their countries and parts of the world around a Toyota and the main attraction would be the greatest--Mohammed Ali--standing in the center.

To my surprise, I was selected to be in the ad and represent--the Arab countries.

When I arrived at the photo shoot, they dressed me up in a sparkling white Arab outfit complete with head piece.

Mohammed Ali and his bodyguard came into the room. I had to say something to this bigger than life personality.

I walked up to him, smiling, and I said, "I'm the very first Jewish Arab!"

Instead of the return smile, laugh or clever retort (a specialty of his) that I expected, both he and his bodyguard just stared coldly at me, saying nothing.

In the ad, I was standing right next to Mohammed Ali and would be seen worldwide.

How could anything top the disappointment of the Greatest not appreciating my humor?

The very next week as Toyota prepared the distribution of the ad campaign, Mohammed Ali was all over the news. 
Not for his new association with Toyota--but for an alleged serious financial scam for which he had been indicted by the Federal Government.

And this news was everywhere.


Toyota immediately dropped the campaign and their association with Mohammed Ali.

It paid outrageously well for the 2 hours of work, but I would rather have been next to the Greatest in a worldwide ad campaign then be paid anything at all.




They Have Their Musical Legacy And I Have Mine

Just in time for the commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Selma March, we have a group of college students celebrating on a bus by singing a racist song that has its roots in the legacy of their fraternity. Hey fellas. The late 1950's are calling. They want their bigotry back.

I was thinking about my own musical legacy that started in the late 1950's and continues until today:

I listen to Nat King Cole over and over.
(I have his autograph on a 45 record cover in a frame on my wall)
I listen to Dionne Warwick over and over.
I listen to  the Four Tops over and over.
I listen to the Temptations over and over.
I listen to the Supremes over and over.
(Even though I had a run-in with Diana Ross once and yes--she's an egotistical bitch)
I listen to Martha and the Vandellas over and over.
I listen to the Jackson Five over and over.
I listen to Sam Cooke over and over.
I listen to Marvin Gaye over and over.
I listen to Stevie Wonder over and over.
I listen to Smokey Robinson over and over.
I listen to Ray Charles over and over.
I listen to the Marvelettes over and over.
I listen to B B King over and over.
I listen to the Fifth Dimension over and over.
I listen to the Dixie Cups over and over.
I listen to Jimi Hendrix over and over.
I listen to Gene McDaniels over and over.
I listen to Mary Wells over and over.
I listen to Barbara Lewis over and over.
I listen to the Shirelles over and over.
I listen to Aretha Franklin over and over.
I listen to Ella Fitzgerald over and over.
I listen to Dinah Washington over and over.
I listen to Louis Armstrong over and over.
I listen to the Platters over and over.
I listen to the Ronettes over and over.
I listen to the Chiffons over and over.
I listen to the Crystals over and over.

                                         
The following songs put me into a dream world every time I hear them:
Reach Out I'll Be There - Four Tops
Someday We'll Be Together - Supremes
A Rainy Night In Georgia - Brook Benton
Valley of the Dolls - Dionne Warwick
Oh Happy Day - Edwin Hawkin Singers
What's Going On - Marvin Gaye

Anybody Notice Anything?


 
 

Welcome to the 1960's

Today is the 50th Anniversary of American ground soldiers for the first time in Vietnam. They were Marines. And the official beginning of  "The 60's" as for the first time, the children of America began protesting U.S. involvement in a war 10,000 miles away that was never officially declared. Over the next 10 years, America would drop more than 3 times the amount of bombs and chemicals than they used in WW2 on a tiny Southeast Asian country.

This war would see 58,000 Americans dead--the majority--the youth of America aged 18 to 25. And an additional 100,000 with lifelong permanent injuries.

And as America became a divided nation--those over 30 in support of the war and those under 30 against the war (in general), we saw a political and social phenomenon that destroyed the country. Parents not talking to their children. Children not talking to their parents. 100,000 young people 13-23 taking off in the middle of the night for San Francisco with no notice. Protests in the streets nationwide and on college campuses. A generation gap unlike that had ever existed. Young people hitchhiking all over America, easily recognizable by their new clothing and hair styles. The re-introduction of a brief 1930s fad, marijuana, on epidemic scales. New social protest movements everywhere from every segment of society that felt they were getting a bad deal. The sudden strange musical shift, even from the world's most popular English band. The draft dodging. A sexual revolution that makes "50 Shades Of Grey" seem like a cartoon.

And there was total culture shock from the generation that had just seen WW2 end 20 years earlier. Had America slipped into some kind of parallel dimension?

Nobody had ever dared to question the actions of the U.S. Government, let alone, the children of the nation.

Welcome to the 1960's.



 

 






SELMA MARCH March 7, 1965

1965 started out as a magical year in America because of the variety of Pop Culture--TV, Music, Movies were the greatest!

At the same time, young people of America had an important question on March 7, 1965:

How come these people are not allowed to vote?




 Here is how society responded to America's children:

"You're too young to understand. Go listen to the Beatles."

"We do not discuss things like that at this school."

Those same young people wanted answers and would soon explode across the nation.

2015, 50 years to the day of the Selma to Montgomery March.






In more ways then one, the "60's" are going to start the very next day as you can see from this archived newspaper:

http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1965/03/08/page/1/article/negroes-routed-by-tear-gas

BIBI COMES UP WITH A CLASSIC LINE

ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER BIBI NETANYAHU CAME UP WITH A CLASSIC LINE IN HIS ADDRESS BEFORE THE U.S. CONGRESS.
IN DESCRIBING IRAN, ISIS AND THE OTHER PLAYERS INVOLVED, HE GAVE A NEW INTERPRETATION OF A POPULAR PHRASE:

"THE ENEMY OF YOUR ENEMY--IS YOUR ENEMY."


 

THE COLOR-CHANGING DRESS IS NOT A HOAX

Chances are that you have heard something about a color-changing dress in the last few days.

Try this first. What color is the dress and what color is the lace?


















 Some of you will say - it is clearly a white dress with gold lace. 

Some of you will say - it is clearly a blue dress with black lace.

When I saw this for the the first time last night, it was clearly a white dress with gold lace. I mean--how could anybody say it was blue?

I made a copy of it.

When I woke up this morning, the dress was now clearly blue with black lace. My first thought was that the photo must have a program built in that changes the color.

Throughout the day, under different outside and inside lighting conditions, I have watched it change back and forth at different times.

Apparently, an illusion is taking place.

When you look at the photo, your brain picks up a small context clue of it and then establishes the rest of it--all happening in milliseconds.

Wouldn't it be great if this worked on a map of all the red and blue states?

 

LEONARD NIMOY

It was Leonard Nimoy's portrayal of Mr. Spock which made the character a worldwide and timeless icon. Every actor focuses on different aspects of a character's personality, responses, vocal inflections, body movements, motivations and interactions. With a different actor, we would probably be looking at Mr. Spock in a completely different manner. Leonard Nimoy's version for a TV show with a tiny budget dominated television at the time and is legendary.



                    "Live Long And Prosper"