Mea Culpa

Keith Olbermann called me one of the worst people in the world the other night.

Oh, of course, he didn't tell me personally, but it might as well have been me.

On Monday, Seung-Hui Cho, a 23-year student at Virginia Tech, lost his marbles and killed 32 people. On that day, I was so angry over this shooting, that I asked, "Why don't they just shoot themselves first?" In that post, I knew the person was seriously messed up but frankly, I didn't give a damn about whatever was going on inside him at the moment he snapped. I said:

Maybe he wanted to go down in history because his life wasn't worth it in the first place? Maybe he knew that he wouldn't get out alive or would face the Virginia death penalty? Maybe he just snapped after reportedly shooting his girlfriend in a domestic dispute? Maybe something else horrible happened to him? Maybe he was just a loser who couldn't control himself and wanted to inflict as much pain on others before he took himself out of the equation.

And I was so mad at this guy, that he would do something like that, that I wanted to smack him dead. I also wanted, in my heart of hearts, for some one to rise up and beat the crap out of the dude. I don't think I was actually thinking rationally, but more emotionally, more viscerally. That "someone" I was talking about were the students themselves.

So, in a nutshell, I momentarily agreed with folks like John Derbyshire at the National Review Online.

I had been listening to an April 17th story related by Virginia Tech student, Erin Sheehen. Sheehen was one of only four students who survived Cho's rampage through their German class. They survived by playing dead and after Cho left, they blockaded the door and stopped Cho from returning to the room. It made my blood boil just hearing about what the kids and teachers went through. I applauded them for not letting him back into the room.

Maybe I've seen one too many kung fu or action hero movies. But everything in me screamed, "Just knock that fucker out."

That was complete and utter rage speaking. I was accused at Gothamist of blaming the students for not trying hard enough to stop the asshole with a gun. An asshole with a gun is a powerful thing. I guess I've known too many people to die from gunfire, and how much I hate guns. And people who shoot folks for no good reason. How much sometimes, I wish someone would just "knock the fucker out." Looking back, I realized that I was blaming the victim. I'm sorry.

So, I offer this conversation and this mea culpa. I am one of the worst people in the world.

Special Thanks for Food

And friends!

This past week I was honored by another fabulous meal prepared by David, the husband of my friend, Liz. As usual, the meal was delicious!


Thank you, David!
And Liz, thank you for the other thing...

I am very lucky to have good friends. I am very lucky that I am able to enjoy their company. Particularly when the world goes boom.

Go and visit Liz's "The pith as i see it."

Shrimp with Olive, Plum Tomato and Bell Pepper Assortment on Spinach
with lemongreen viniagrette and shaved parmesan
New York Strip Steak, grilled and lightly sea-salted.

Wesley Autrey: Subway Hero!; Conned Man?

This New York Magazine story on Wesley Autrey, New York City's "Subway Hero," made me unhappy. Autrey, as you may recall, leapt from a subway platform to save an ill man from a certain death. Afterwards, Autrey acheived a bit of notoriety and was honored at the 2007 State of Union. In fact, his appearance was the highlight of the speech.

Autrey is basically the head of a large family, and a lot of people have wanted to help him out with donations and endorsements. Unfortunately, he seems to have fallen prey to lawyers and entertainment people who, according to Autrey, rushed him into signing a contract whereby 50% of whatever profits he made would go to them.

Wow, sounds like the recording industry of the 1950s and 1960s in regards to black artists. But at least Autrey gets 50%... sheesh.

I really hope that he's able to get himself out of this horrible contract and into one that's more sane and realistic. The man's got a big family to help out. Good luck. You're gonna need it along with a good lawyer.

Why Don't They Just Shoot Themselves First?

I know it's harsh to say. I just don't understand it. Why shoot yourself AFTER you kill others and THEN kill yourself? Just shoot yourself first and take your damned misery with you.

Thirty-three people dead at Virginia Tech, including the shooter, who is reported to have killed himself at the end of his rampage. Maybe he wanted to go down in history because his life wasn't worth it in the first place? Maybe he knew that he wouldn't get out alive or would face the Virginia death penalty? Maybe he just snapped after reportedly shooting his girlfriend in a domestic dispute? Maybe something else horrible happened to him? Maybe he was just a loser who couldn't control himself and wanted to inflict as much pain on others before he took himself out of the equation?

As a semi-practicing Buddhist, I know I'm suppose to have compassion for all beings, but sometimes it's just tough. There is no excuse for what this young man did, no matter for what reason. It can't be justified at all.

At the same time, my thoughts turn to those who are being killed in Iraq by bombs at the hands of suicide bombers. Again, just blow yourself up first for your cause and don't take your misery or perceived glory out on others. It's all horrible.

Please, take a bit of advice: Just kill yourself first and spare everyone else the pain.

Thank You, Mr. Vonnegut and Good Night

Kurt Vonnegut, 1922 - 2007

The Easter Bunny Hates You

Got that, buddy?



And you know what? I almost believe he does...

"I've Got A Theory": When Buffy Meets Scooby

My friend Liz sent me this, and truthfully, you'll only understand it if your a Buffy "The Musical" Fan. If you make it through to the end, you'll see a succinct message about the mash-up, which I fully agree with, but it's brilliant nonetheless.

And remember: bunnies ARE evil!

Worried about Pet Food? You ain't the only one

I've been away from the blog for a bit. It's been a rough birthday month, but I promise to write more. There's at least one person out there who's been asking about the blog. You know who you are, Greenspend.

As you can see, Paikea has been on the Internet (or at least on my computer) since she first heard the news of the massive recall of dog and cat food that happened on Friday, March 16th. Paikea and I (OK, let's face it, just me) were a bit concerned that the company, Menu Foods, put the notice out on a Friday, the traditional day when news that one wishes to die upon release, is released. That may be a tad unfair, but seriously, Friday is not the day to issue news that your pets may be in danger.

Due to a self-imposed news media blackout last weekend, we didn't hear about the recall until Monday morning, just like many vets and pet health care workers. Unfortunately, vets, being on the front line of care when it comes to ill pets, received no special faxes or broadcast messages in their mailboxes to be on the alert for illness, death, or both.

To say that Menu Foods (a Canadian conglomerate company traded under the name Menu Foods Income Fund) handled this recall badly is to bring light to the obvious. Last Friday, they sent their news release out in Canada with the notice "not for publication over US newswires." When that release went out, there was little or no indication of what the problem was, how whatever was in the food could cause harm, and their website was stripped of all information except for the list of recalled foods and the admonition that only "cuts and gravy" style foods were affected.

I was going to write more on this subject, but truthfully, it's all been too much this week. Almost the moment I came back from Detroit to attend Brandon's funeral, I confronted horrific wall of animal death. The week brought up so many memories of Zanzibar "wonder girl" kitty dying, that my heart was bursting for all those who were losing their dogs and cats left and right. I felt so helpless for all those Gothamist commenters writing about their animals. I felt hopeless as the good folks at Petconnection, who earlier in the week set up a self-reporting database of sick and dying dogs and cats, reported their database numbers, which grew daily. The worse part of that was consistently hearing day after day (which continues) that "only 16" pets had died from eating tainted food. No one who even read one page of comments in one source could believe that only 16 animals had died.

The silence over the week from both the FDA and Menu Foods was deafening. I would like to say they did a good job, but I would be lying. Thankfully, the Internet came through. In addition to Petconnection.com, the Howl911 site popped up, acting as a clearinghouse for information that just wasn't coming from the company or the government. Itchmo in Seattle (a pet blog on the West Coast) and Catmanager (a vet and vet industry blog) took up the battle as well. The Yahoo pet care groups I'm on gathered their own sources and helped members get through it. I'm sure there are hundreds of other sites that helped out, but I am unaware of them. (Notice that I didn't mention the ASPCA or the Humane Society, major pet and advocates groups which did not step up to the plate this week.)

The four sites are to be commended for their work this week. Thousands of people were desparately seeking information on what foods were recalled, what the onset of symptoms were, what to feed their animals... and there was no help or information coming from Menu Foods or the major food companies they manufacture for. In fact, the vet site Dolittler.com has produced its "Second Annual Pet Food Recall Awards" (the first was awarded to Diamond Foods' recall last year). They pretty much nail what was right and what was wrong in this situation for the past week.

To all of who are suffering with the thought that they may have fed their animals tainted food, really, it's not your fault. To those whose pets died, my sincere condolences to you. To all those whose pets are sick, I wish them all a speedy recovery. To those who are searching for the right foods to feed to your dogs and cats, I hope this opportunity affords you the chance to learn more about dog and cat nutrition.

To Menu Foods, I hope this last week has taught you that you need to step up your game in public relations. It's best to talk to the people on a wide-scale basis than let others talk for you. I'm still a little ticked at the timeline. If it's right according to news sources, you've got a lot of barking and meowing to do in explanation of the last three months of food production. We'll see.

An Update on Brandon

The Detroit News published an obituary for Brandon on Tuesday, March 6, 2007.

His funeral will be held at the Coles Funeral Home on Saturday, March 10, 2007 beginning at 10:30 AM. Please note that the Detroit News has the location of the funeral home incorrect. The location is: 2624 W. Grand Blvd. at Rosa Parks.

James H. Coles Funeral Home
2624 W Grand Boulevard
Detroit, MI 48208
Phone Number: (313) 873-0771

4 Out of 5 Ain't Bad

Appeal, pardon, or whatnot, you're guilty Scooter. As McLaughlin says... "Bye Bye!"

Read more at the Washington Post.

Do You Realize?: In Memory of Brandon Wolfe

Redford High School "The Family Team," Detroit, Mi.
Championship Photo, University of Detroit
Brandon stands in the middle, with his arms crossed

Do You Realize - Oh - Oh - Oh
Do You Realize - that everyone you know
Someday will die -
Flaming Lips - "Do You Realize?"

I woke up this morning and NYC was rainy and nasty. I thought to myself, "Wow, if only this were Saturday, I could stay in bed all day and listen to the rain come down."

Unfortunately for me, it was Friday, and no matter how I cut it, I had to get out of bed and go to work. I finally dragged myself up, fed the cat, brewed the coffee, wrestled with the broken shower, splashed on the makeup, and sat on the bed for five minutes when the phone rang. It was my mother. It's never a good sign when your mother calls before 9:00 in the morning. This time was no exception.

Unfortunately, the news was that my foster brother, Brandon, all of 20 years old, had died the night before due to the flu coupled with his existent asthma. There is no autopsy yet, but that's what my mom says happened.

Brandon and one of his brothers and two of his sisters came to live with my mom and dad when Brandon was about 10 years old. He and his brother grew up to be giants, Brandon at 6' 7", his brother a little shorter. He played high school basketball at Redford High School in Detroit, and went on to community college basketball before heading to college ball. Unfortunately, his time came much too soon, and now this young man, who struggled through so many troubles in his short life, is gone.

It just doesn't make any sense.

I was reading Andrew Sullivan, and he had posted a video of the Flaming Lips' "Do You Realize."

Do You Realize - that you have the most beautiful face
Do You Realize - we're floating in space -
Do You Realize - that happiness makes you cry
Do You Realize - that everyone you know someday will die
And instead of saying all of your goodbyes - let them know
You realize that life goes fast
It's hard to make the good things last
You realize the sun doesn't go down
It's just an illusion caused by the world spinning round
Do You Realize - Oh - Oh - Oh
Do You Realize - that everyone you know
Someday will die -
And instead of saying all of your goodbyes - let them know
You realize that life goes fast
It's hard to make the good things last
You realize the sun doesn't go down
It's just an illusion caused by the world spinning round
Do You Realize - that you have the most beautiful face
Do You Realize

Unfortunately, I have been all too aware lately that someday everyone I know will die. Sometimes they die too young. Like Brandon.

Brandon would laugh at the Flaming Lips. They are certainly not his kind of music. Nonetheless, here's Brandon's beautiful face. Rest in peace, Brandon. Your struggle is over.

Back From Iraq: Bob Woodruff Reports

Just saw this report on ABC. As you may know, Bob Woodruff, former nightly co-anchor of ABC's World News Tonight, was injured in January of last year when, reporting from Iraq, an IED went off near the tank he was a passenger in. He suffered a major brain injury and went through months of rehabilitation. He was able to regain his powers of speech, cognition, motion, and generally is back to a place near to where he was before the incident.

He's one lucky man.

Woodruff's ordeal was updated during the first part of the show, but a tad more than half of the production was devoted to the extent and degree of severe brain injuries suffered by American soldiers in Iraq. One of the contentions in the documentary is that a lot of the information regarding the number of brain injuries and injuries in general of Iraq War veterans has not been released due to the possible reaction of the American public. There is also a dispute over the number of brain injuries as the Veterans Administration does not list them under their own category. (Click here and scroll down for a Powerpoint on injuries of American soldiers in Iraq.) National security may also play a part in the media's silence about the number of overall injuries from the war. This does begin to address the issue of whether the Bush Administration purposefully obscures or fudges these numbers for their own benefit.

Woodruff spoke with or met some of those who suffered the same type of severe injury to the brain as he did, most of whom have not made the healing leap that Woodruff has over the last year and two months.

Paul Reickhoff was inviewed for the production. I cried for 45 minutes. I hope this program helps bring to light the medical care and attention being paid to American soldiers. Woodruff's report and comes pretty close in timing to the devastating story from the Washington Post on conditions at Walter Reed Hospital (though reports on the hospital and general V.A. conditions and lack of readiness to prepare for soldier/patient homecomings from Salon.com (subscription or view ad) appeared as early as 2005). I also hope it brings to light that there is a war actually going on. Sometimes, I don't know if we are aware of the war except for the 'sis-boom-rah' and "go team USA" quality of it all or if we hear about it over the back and forth verbal slinging Americans are doing in regards to it.

The Woodruff Family has established the "Bob Woodruff Family Fund for Traumatic Brain Injury." The website has information regarding the Fund. ABC also has a website with collections of clips entitled, "The Home Front" which "takes an in-depth look at the war's wounded and the challenges they face once they leave the battlefield and return home."

Net Neutrality or Stopping the "Human Lobotomy"

Save the Internet Rock the Vote

Four Eyed Monsters would like to remind you that the Net is still under attack from corporate interests who are ready to tell you what you can and cannot connect to over the Internet. This is a serious issue regarding the Internet and we all need to be on top of it. Just because it hasn't been in the news doesn't mean that corporate interests haven't stopped planning the takeover of a Openly Connected Internet.

Four Eyed Monsters is also encouraging everyone to create their own messages regarding Net Neutrality and upload them to YouTube. These videos may be edited and included in the "Human Lobotomy" video. Find out more at their website.

Thanks to Crunchyknee for reminding me about this important subject.

Andi Warholas at the Alt.Oscars 2007

Kostume Kult held their Second Annual Alternative Oscars at Manahatta yesterday. The Andy Warholas showed up with Edie Sedgwick this year, in honor of that Factory Girl movie that came out, which we heard was horrible. Or at least Lou Reed told us it was horrible.

First we met at the Washington Mutual:

Andis Do Their Favorite Thing: Get Money
Photograph by Kurt Opprecht

We headed over to Mannahatta (across the street from the now defunct CBGBs) to walk the red carpet, but Edie was late, as usual. Late and incoherent. As usual.

2007, by the way, is the 20th Deathiversary of Andy Warhol's passing.

SUNDAY FEB. 22, 1987 6:31 AM: ANDY WARHOL DIES.

Warhol had checked in to room number 1204 of New York Hospital's Baker Pavillion under the name of Bob Roberts, listing his next of kin as FRED HUGHES. He kept his wig on throughout his hospital stay, including during the gallbladder operation. During the operation the surgeon also repaired a hernia which Andy had since his shooting in 1968. (DD5-10) Although the gallbladder operation went fine, Warhol died early in the morning - on Billy Name's birthday - from an unexpected heart attack. According to Vincent Fremont, Andy "was just getting back into filmmaking at the time of his death." (UW74)

Here's the official video from last year:

Tim Hardaway Speaks

I observed a few days ago that Tim Hardaway Doesn't Like Gay People. Hardaway talks about the incident, the public reaction, and his own perspective here. It's a provacative perspective. Hattip to Americablog; go over there and join the conversation. Here's Sullivan's take on the interview.

It's Really Different Around Here

The 'here' of which I speak of course, is "at the end of the boom" itself, which the four or five of you who happen to stop by may have noticed. (Hi Jacq, who noticed!) Anyhoo... the New Blogger has a lot more adaptability for folks like me. I know enough html and xml to either make a difference or cause a lot of heartache.

I finally created an image in Photoshop of a picture I took off of the balcony at the AMC-25 located on 42nd St. I had just seen "Children of Men." I was a tad depressed after the depressing movie and the day was grey, but the movie was good, and it's always a pleasure to be in Times Square. The balcony is one of two located at the movie theater, and I was on the lower of the two balconies. It's not a great picture, but I like it. The eye is part of a giant electronic billboard on the side of Port Authority, where 42 St. meets 8th Avenue. I trimmed the image down, added the blog title, fiddled around with the code, and voila! A new blog top.

Though I added the title in the actual Photoshop file, for some reason, I can't get rid of the blog title within Blogger itself, hence the additional (and hopefully temporary) floating black title. I've tried to figure out how to do this (and Blogger help says you can actually do it an easy way, but alas, they lie), but I can't quite figure out the code that the Forums talk about. Too many, "well, you should do it this way" or "you should do it that way," until you can't figure out which way to do in the first place. Oh well. If anyone has any ideas or leads, feel free to plop 'em in the comments. Other than that, I'll just have to figure it out eventually.

On another note, I found some nifty 3-column Blogger templates. I was toying around with the idea of adding the new template, but then I realized I can barely fill two columns, let along three of them. Maybe if I ever hit the "Big Blogtime©," and have something more to say, then I'll do it. Or maybe I'll get bored again and just up and decide to move the furniture around. Sometimes, everyone gets the urge to put the bed in a different corner.

If you've switched to the upgraded Blogger, I'd love to hear your comments about it. I'm finding the changes in the program refreshing. What about you?

Happy New Money Day

It's actually Presidents Day, but just in time to honor our past Presidents, here's a new $1 coin set of all them, currently scheduled for minting through 2016. The first four (in the likenessess of Washington, Adams, Jefferson and Madison) are being released, and eventually all of the Presidents, including our current Resident (whose name, just like Voldermort's, shall remain nameless) will be depicted in future runs. Our Blogmate, Red Tory, thinks they are ugly, but I am going to withhold opinion until I see one in person. The U.S. Mint has three-sided renderings that are pretty neat. Three sides? Yes: "E Pluribus Unum" is engraved on the rim. I think that is pretty neat.

I didn't like the Sacagaweas when I first saw them, but after awhile, they grew on me. I keep one in my wallet and rarely spend it. I don't think that's what the government has in mind when it comes to the $1 coins they mint, but hell, what else am I going to do with them? Americans will never stop using the paper dollar unless you just take it completely out of circulation.

President Nixon gets his in 2016. The Mint hasn't posted yet when Ford, Carter, Reagan, and Clinton's turn will come. Of course I'm hoping to be around in 2018 or 2020, but I'm certainly not looking forward to seeing the worst President ever's image on a U.S.-minted coin.

C'est La Vie.

Happy President's Day.

The Dragon in the Year of the Boar

Happy New Year!

Dragon : 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000
Dragon is very happy to see the pig. After a year of challenges by the yipping dog, the dragon is ready to sit at the banquet table and rest. The tired dragon must remember that the dog is not far away and the clouds of the dog year still dampen his fire. The pig year will bring fullness to the dragon who eats slowly. Self control does not come easily to the fierce dragon, but this year there is little energy stored after battling the dog. The wise dragon will spend resources with caution and build strength for new cycle starting with the rat year in 2008. Enjoy the quiet return to fullness and do not get frustrated at your weakness after battle with the dog all year in 2006. Your strength will return. This year plan trips and business ventures that will not need your full power. Success will come slowly. You will find many reasons for frustration with family and coworkers. It is not the fault of others that you cannot provide the energy you need this year. Control your fire breath and you will receive more assistance and find good fortune.

Yep. That just about sums it up. I'm glad the Year of the Boar is upon us.

Money Trumps Peace

Don't look at me, I didn't say it....

President George W. Bush: [L]et's put it this way, money trumps peace, sometimes.

While I didn't say it, I'm proud of President Bush and his glimmer of truth, even though he slipped that "sometimes" in there as if his hands were... shall we say... clean. I'm also happy that Bush has justified the message of the Billionaires For Bush from these last six years. And people thought we were just funny, pshaw.

Tim Hardaway Doesn't Like Gay People

If you haven't caught this story, here it is. Unfortunately, from what I have known, this is a sentiment that a large part of the African-American community believes. It makes me shake my head. I hate homophobia. I hate hate of all types. Even when hate comes from myself. It happens sometimes. Did I say how much I hate it?