The Pre-Read

This Side Of 19

When I was 17 I thought i knew everything I would need to know to make it in life.

Well, the older I got the more I realized that the world isn't always black and white. There are a whole bunch of gray areas in-between. And just because you THINK you may have things under control; well there are any number of variables of which you may not even be aware.

I also learned, as I got older, that I wasn't as invulnerable as I thought I was.

And so it amazes me, but was happy to hear, that as of this past Tuesday the driver in the video below survived.

He may be 19, and he may be indestructible. But like a cat with 9 lives, I think he's used up 8 of his. From now on I hope he's more cautious. And to any young drivers out there...it only takes a second to lose control and possibly your life.

W T F ?

Report floating around that Democrats have agreed to drop the public option in the current health-care debate:

--Dems agree to drop gov't-run insurance option:

By DAVID ESPO (AP) –

WASHINGTON — Democratic senators say they have a tentative deal to drop a government-run insurance option from health care legislation. No further details were immediately available.

But liberals and moderates have been discussing an alternative, including a private insurance arrangement to be supervised by the federal agency that oversees the system through which lawmakers purchase coverage. Additionally, talks centered on opening up Medicare to uninsured Americans beginning at age 55, a significant expansion of the large government health care program that currently serves the over-65 population.

Sen. Tom Harkin of Iowa told reporters he didn't like the agreement but would support it to the hilt in an attempt to pass health care legislation.--

What is going on here? We're caving in to Republicans who do not want any competition for insurance companies. They don't want any reform or they would have done it during their control of Congress and the White House for so many years.

Even the bi partisan group that came up with the last agreement didn't provide any republicans when it was revealed to the public. It was obvious then as it is now that their dedication to reform is as clear as the blank pages they held up during the presidents State of the Union address.

The public option is an O P T I O N !!!  why remove it to get the bill passed?

I have made no secret of the fact that I was a Clinton supporter. But I voted for Obama and have given him the benefit of the doubt. He's only been in office for a few months, not nearly enough time to change 8 years of draconian laws instituted by his predecessor.

However, his recent meeting on the Hill with Democratic leaders must have hinted to this possibility. That is to say he would be okay with them dropping the Public Option.

If this is the case then I am truly disappointed.  I still think we would have been better off than had McCain been elected. But now I wonder if we wouldn't have been better off with Hillary Clinton as president.

Protect And Serve? Hmm, Not So Much.

I'm sure you've heard of the woman who was trapped in her SUV for eight days. By the time police found her, alive remarkably, she was dehydrated, injured and her kidney's had given out.  Her doctor says she is still not out of danger and is, as of this writing, in critical condition.

When her husband told the press that he had difficulty in getting the police to begin a search for her when she failed to return home from work, one officer is quoted as saying "It's not that we didn't take him seriously," Deputy Rodney C. Chinnick said. "We don't take every missing person report on adults ... If we did, we'd be doing nothing but going after missing person reports."

Well, I guess in a way that does make sense. Heck, if they took every report on crime, they'd be doing nothing but going after criminals. Heck, if they took every report on dead people, they'd be doing nothing but trying to find the cause of those deaths.

Yeah how silly of the husband of this woman to expect that deputy to protect and serve. 

The Seduction Of Confidence

Few people today will remember how much Henry Kissinger's private life filled the pages of newspapers and magazines. Heck, I'd argue few people remember Kissinger at all.

Of course as Secretary of State he was one of the most powerful men way back in the days of Nixon and Ford. And while no one would suggest he had the looks of a Robert Redford or Paul Newman, Kissinger was quite the ladies man in his day.

The numerous articles written about his "nightlife" sojourns inevitably lead to discussions of what was jokingly referred to as his almost universal appeal to members of the opposite sex.

The general consensus seemed to be an acknowledgment that Kissinger was certainly a gentleman, good natured, funny and charming in private. But it was also the amount of power he wielded that seemed to act as an aphrodisiac.

I don't know that we'll see the power of foreign policy as much in the hands of a single White House lieutenant as we did in the 70s. And while some may have disagreed with Kissinger's take on world affairs, no one would ever argue that he was a smart cookie. And a confident one at that. The same might be said of John Travolta. Of course no Kissinger, Travolta recently shluffed off those pesky gay rumors during a recent interview.

When confronted by a reporter who asked if he was concerned about those rumors, he said "no" that what truly mattered was the quality of his work. And this could be true. But it was the tag to that comment that caught my attention. "I don't think anyone can hurt me," he finished.

Everyone loves confidence. But I begin to worry when one's self confidence becomes self absorption. Granted, spending any time thinking about this is probably spending too much time. But I can't help but wonder if Travolta's belief that he can't be hurt is a manifestation of life experience, or his religion, or both.

I'm not saying there's anything wrong with that comment. I could argue that it's a healthy way to look. He didn't say, after all, that "no one" can hurt him, he said he "didn't think" anyone could hurt him. So maybe he's just confident, maybe he believes he can weather any monumental obstacle that may cross his path.

But it was just an unusual comment, at the end of an interview that had him agreeing with Tom Cruise, and their religion, on the use of psychiatry and the drugs that some prescribe.

I don't know that there's anything to it. I just thought it was an interesting comment, and gave me a little bit more perspective of him.

I wonder if Henry Kissinger was a Scientologist?

I Hear The Train A Commin'

Honestly. I don't think anyone really wanted to see this:

I mean, if I were facing the same sentence as La Hilton I would probably react the same way. I really think I would. I would cry and shake and just about lose it.

But something my dad told me a long time ago would ring in my ears. "If you're gonna make a bed, be prepared to lay in it." Or something like that.

Upon learning that she would go back to jail, it is reported that she comment "it just isn't right."  What isn't right? The fact that she repeatedly broke the law? That she has to serve out a sentence according to that law?

Now, I am not so naive as to think that the judicial system is truly blind. I have heard far too many stories of injustice heaped upon any number of people for any number of issues. I will admit, however, that I don't think Ms. Hilton's escapades will fall into that category. But I've been wrong before.

Still, I honestly do pray that she has the receives the strength needed to come to terms with what must be a frightening ordeal. I also pray that she emerges an adult, aware of the consequences of her actions, and the potential damage those consequences could have on others.

Go West Young Man

Of course the early years of film traces its history to Europe.  But when filmmakers decided to set up shop in the United States, New York seemed the logical place. Back in the silent days of filmmaking, it wasn't uncommon for a "studio" to have a glass ceiling to let as much light in as possible. Or to film without a roof.

Of course to anyone who is familiar with The Big Apple, not having a roof can prove troublesome during certain parts of the year.

With so much filming occuring outside, or without cover, California was thought of as the new perfect destination. Near year round sun, very little development with wide open space. So the decision was made by some to head out west. In fact, they went so far west that they reached the Pacific Ocean.

But, for some, Hollywood wasn't the first destination. It was San Diego. The sleepy little town just a matter of a few miles from the border seemed like a filmmakers dream come true. The beach and ocean were within sight, the "city" was still small enough that filming in rural areas meant a short 10 minute drive, and mountains and deserts were close by.

There was one small problem, however. The city didn't want any filmmakers and "actor types" loitering around.

With today's classy celebrities like Paris Hilton, Lindsy Lohan and Tom Sizemore, it's difficult to believe there was a time when actors were thought of as being no better than common prostitutes. Granted there were celebrities who caught the eye of the general public, but for highbrow types, actors were not welcome.

So moved north they did, and, well the rest is history.

Of course the great thing about Southern California is the near year round sun. The bad thing about Southern California can be, at times, the year round sun.

Today a fire broke out in the Griffith Park area of Los Angeles. While a fire may not seem like a big thing to some, out here it is a big thing. Los Angeles, San Diego and the surrounding areas are primarily desert communities. There has been, of course, a great deal of development, water brought in from other states, green lush landscapes abound and water sprinklers irrigate lawns, schrubs, trees and the like. But for a city the size of Los Angeles, you would be surprised at how much undeveloped land there is.

And it's that undeveloped land that doesn't get water. No rain, equals dry brittle brush. Of course when the rare rain does drop during our short "winter" months, sometimes it does more harm than good by providing nourishment to those shrubs, which, later in the year, dry out from lack of water, and become prime tinder for an errant spark, or as is reported in this case, a carelessly discarded cigarette.

I only recently wrapped a project that was both fun, and a little frustrating to cast. It just seemed like one obstible after another would fall in our path. But all those things were dealt with, and everything seemed to be set to go. That is until today. The first location for filming was the Griffith Park area.

I understand filming permits have been revoked in this area for the time being. Our production schedule doesn't have us there for a few more days, and were told at one point that things should be back to normal by then, but with news reports that the fire ended up being more extensive than earlier thought, production is now scrambling for a back-up. And, you might be surprised that Los Angeles has a lot more rural areas all within a few minutes drive from downtown. So a back-up shouldn't be hard to findd.

As of this writing, no structures were lost in this fire, and you can bet I'm happy for that. And in thinking about all things I have to say I think Los Angeles was a great choice for the movie capitol of the English speaking world. Even with its lack of rain, fires and Paris Hilton.

I'm glad Hollywood is Hollywood.

Shut Up Already!

The Vice-President is at it again. While his boss says he welcomes debate on all issues, including those of sending more troops to Iraq, the Vice-President has another take, and that is to paint those who differ in their opinions to his as being not only unpatriotic, but lending aid and comfort to the enemy.

Said the Vice-President "I think if we were to do what Speaker Pelosi and Congressman Murtha are suggesting, all we will do is validate the al-Qaida strategy" and he continued. "The strategy is to break the will of the American people...to persuade us to throw in the towel and come home, and then they win because we quit."

Who the hell is "we"?

For a man who said he had more important things to to than fight in Viet Nam, and got not one, not two, not three, not four, but at least five deferments for that conflict and then to be so bold as to say some Americans don't "have the stomach" for war is unconscionable at best, and lunacy at worst.

Shut up already.

If he is so convinced that anyone who disagrees with him is unpatriotic or giving aid to the enemy, then bring charges against them.

This man has done more disservice to this country than any other Vice-President in recent memory. He can boast all he wants, but he should be ashamed of himself for advocating the sending of more young people to this war when he, himself, chose not to defend it when his turn came up.

I'm tired of hearing him go on and on about things that are rattling about in his head. Like his statement on the British pullout of troops; "I look at it and see it is actually an affirmation that there are parts of Iraq where things are going pretty well."

Uh...is he serious?  They're pulling out because things are going so well?  Is he serious? 

Thank goodness at least Speaker Pelosi had a nice comment about that statement. Said Pelosi "If it's going so well, we'd like to withdraw our troops as well."

Hear! Hear!

Behind The 8 Ball

So word today is that Britney has shaved her head. I actually think she looks nice. I mean, she's very beautiful, but with the dyed black hair, the hoochie momma outfits and her panty-less photos, she has, most recently, just been a terrible caricature of what she could be.

I'm not saying that the shaved head isn't another potential media disaster, but it really does seem almost liberating to see a bald Britney Spears.  She has a beautiful face, and for the first time in months you can see that.

My fear, of course, is that Britney may be heading down the Anna Nicole road.  I hope not. I hope shaving her head is way to say goodbye to the bad publicity, the bad friends, and the bad habits.  I hope so anyway.

What Took You So Long?

Well, not AP exactly. EXTRA reports:

BRITNEY SPEARS ENTERS REHAB

Sadly, TMZ reports:

BRITNEY SPEARS LEAVES REHAB

Apparently she checked into a rehabilitation facility outside of the country, only to check out less than 24 hours later.

Goodbye Sacagawea

Well, not really.

Many moons ago the United States mint had a brilliant idea, or so they thought. They would re-mint dollar coins. The genius, of course, was that coins lasted several times longer than paper dollar bills. It's staggering how little time paper money actually lasts in general circulation.

Once the idea was approved, an image had to be chosen and suffragette Susan B. Anthony was chosen.

The problem with those coins, of course, was their size and color which had both the feeling and general look of a quarter. While the circumference of the coin was round, the relief has a geometric design that I, even to this day, couldn't help but think would have helped the coin survived had the actual coin been minted in the unique shape. But I don't work for the mint, so enough about that.

Needless to say the Anthony Dollars weren't very popular as people kept giving away dollars in change thinking they were quarters.

Then, in 2000, a new idea was hatched to encourage people to use hard dollars. That was the Sacagawea dollar. Gold in color, the coin had the basic shape and weight as the Anthony Dollar, but of course the gold tint allowed for easy identification. In theory anyway.

For whatever reason, the Sacagawea dollar was just a little more popular than the Anthony, which isn't to say it was very popular at all.

Well, here it is, 2007, and the US Mint has announced it will start releasing (Thursday) a new hard dollar, in addition to the Sacagawea Dollar. This new dollar will be printed with four different images on it's face each year commemorating US Presidents.  The idea stemmed form the popular Quarter designs that have been issued over the past few years in order of each State's entry into the Union.

The hope is, of course, that the hard dollar will catch on, but no one truly thinks it will. Cited as being too heavy and cumbersome, people have clung to the paper money as easy and convenient.

It should be noted that nearly every other major country uses, almost exclusively, hard denominations of lower currency for the specific reason of it costing less to produce in the long run.

One interesting note about this new coin is the apparent absence of two quotes which appear on all US currency. "In God We Trust" and "E Pluribus Unum" will appear, along with the issue date and mint mark, on the coins edge instead of on its face.