Showing posts with label Pop Culture. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pop Culture. Show all posts

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Finding My Own White Light.

George Michael has a new song and video out called "White Light."

 

I'm back
I'm back
Prouder than ever baby
Louder than ever maybe

One more pill
Just one more beer
One less star in the atmosphere
For us
Maybe she just wanted to be free

Heartless pictures on TV
Change that channel that could've been me
I said
Maybe she just wanted to be free

So I just kept breathing my friends
Waiting for the man to choose
Saying this ain't the day that it ends
Cause there's no white light
And I'm not through

I'm alive
I'm alive

And I've got so much more that I want to do
With the music
Was it music that saved me?
Or the way that you prayed for me?
Guess either way I thank you
I'm alive

Hotel Motel makes it clear
One more voice we will never hear again
But maybe he just wanted to be free

And I don't know
What the hell
What the gods
What the fuck
I'm saying
Half the time
But something divine
Oh divine
Brought me back to you
And I know it

So I just kept breathing my friends
Waiting for some god to choose
Saying this ain't the day that it ends
Cause there's no white light
And I'm not through

I'm alive
I'm alive

And I've got so much more that I want to do
Was it music?
Was it science that saved me?
Or the way that you prayed for me
Guess either way I thank you

I'm alive

And Tomorrow is mine
I said Tomorrow is mine
Said I just got to keep on breathing
I said no
Don't let goooo

Breathing breathing breathing

Got to keep on
Got to keep on
Got to keep on

I just got to keep on breathing
I'm alive
I'm alive

And I got so muh more that I want to give
Was it music?
Was it science that saved me?
Or the way that you prayed and prayed for me
Well I thank you
I'm a-live
Yeah

Mmm hmmm
Mmm hmmm


I can't stop playing this video and song. It's one of those that just resonate with me. Dark places, gloomy times, wanting to "just be free" of whatever (temporarily) overwhelming problem or worry has me in its clutches.


But none of those in-the-moment problems is greater than the simple fact that I get another day to do better, to feel better... to be better. This song is my kick-in-the-pants that I need from time to time. And for that reason, I'll keep playing it loud and often.

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Make It Stop.

One Town's War on Gay Teens


[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XP4clbHc4Xg&w=560&h=315]
"Make It Stop (September's Children)"
Woah, woah.Bang, bang go the coffin nails, like a breath exhaled,
Then gone forever.
It seems like just yesterday, how did I miss the red flags raised?
Think back to the days we laughed.
We braved these bitter storms together.
Brought to his knees he cried,
But on his feet he died.

What God would damn a heart?
And what God drove us apart?

What God could make it stop?
Let this end.
Eighteen years pushed to the ledge.
It's come to this,
A weightless step.
On the way down singing,
Woah, woah.

Bang, bang from the closet walls,
The schoolhouse halls,
The shotgun's loaded.
Push me and I'll push back.
I'm done asking, I demand.

From a nation under God,
I feel its love like a cattle prod.
Born free, but still they hate.
Born me, no I can't change.

It's always darkest just before the dawn.
So stay awake with me, let's prove them wrong.

Make it stop.
Let this end,
Eighteen years pushed to the ledge.
It's come to this,
A weightless step.
On the way down singing,
Woah, woah.

The cold river washed him away,
But how could we forget?
The gatherings hold candles, but not their tongues.

And too much blood has flown from the wrists,
Of the children shamed for those they chose to kiss.
Who will rise to stop the blood?

We're calling for,
Insisting on, a different beat, yeah.
A brand new song.

Whoa, whoa [x3]
(Tyler Clementi, age 18.
Billy Lucas, age 15.
Harrison Chase Brown, age 15
Cody J. Barker, age 17
Seth Walsh, age 13.)

Make it stop,
Let this end.
This life chose me, I'm not lost in sin.
But proud I stand of who I am,
I plan to go on living.

Make it stop,
Let this end,
All these years pushed to the ledge,
But proud I stand, of who I am,
I plan to go on living


Friday, May 6, 2011

Jordin Sparks' "I Am Woman," or, More Pop Crap

Not sure why this has me so annoyed this morning, but here it is, anyway. Have you heard the new song by Jordin Sparks? It's called "I Am Woman." And it's crap. But here, listen for yourself.







Bad, right? It gets worse. Here's the lyrics:
It ain't easy walkin' in stilettos
But somebody gotta do it
Spend a day in my shoes
Then see what the hell I go through
It's so rigorous
Doing what I do
Always on point
Always on cue
Life's so hectic
Call it a zoo
Think you understand
If you only knew

I am (I am) woman (woman)
I am (I am) woman (woman)
I'm a woman
I'm a woman
Yes I am
Ain't nobody else can do it like we can
Said I am (I am) woman (woman)
I am (I am) woman (woman)
I'm a woman
I'm a woman
Yes I am
Ain't nobody else can do it quite like we can

My first thought? No, Miss Sparks, you are mistaken. No one has to wear stilettos. Women choose to because they think they make them look sexy. But they wear them by choice, not by mandate. Perhaps if you really want to sing an anthem for women, you might want to go with something like this:
Women wearing sneakers and flats
Look just fine 'cuz we're all that
Wearing stilettos, look like a whore
Make me do that, I'll show you the door

Yeah. I know. I'm no songwriter. But really, people, this song is bad. Terrible bad. Like, Beyonce's new "Girls Run The World" bad.

You've been warned.

Friday, April 22, 2011

My Brush With Celebrity, The Go-Go's!

I'll say it. I LOVE Twitter. I love that it creates instant connections between celebrities and fans.

Case in point, this response from the fabulous Kathy Valentine of the Go-Go's.



And the backstory. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is opening their "Women In Rock" exhibit, and the Go-Go's are absent. Stupid, right? Fans were vocally unhappy, and now the Rock Hall is claiming that they reached out to the band but their management never got back to them.

I called shenanigans. And I did so with a tweet to Jane Wiedlin and Kathy Valentine. Lo and behold, Miss KV replied to me via Twitter.

Yeah, I know it's silly. But it's fun. I have been a crazy fan of the Go-Go's for thirty years, and I'm still enough of a kid at heart to love when one of my music faves takes a moment to drop me a personal note.

I'm cool like that.

Friday, April 1, 2011

"What I Cannot Change"

Just something on my mind today...

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZhNQDab7Jg&w=480&h=390]

"What I Cannot Change"

I know what makes me comfortable
I know what makes me tick
And when I need to get my way I know how to pour it on thick
Cream and sugar in my coffee
Right away when I awake
I face the day and pray to God I won't make the same mistakes
Oh the rest is out of my hands


I will learn to let go what I cannot change
I will learn to forgive what I cannot change
I will learn to love what I cannot change
But I will change, I will change
Whatever I, whenever I can

I don't know my Father
Or my Mother well enough
Seems like every time we talk we can't get past the little stuff
The pain is self inflicted
I know it's not good for my health
But it's easier to please the world than it is to please myself
Oh the rest is out of my hands

I will learn to let go what I cannot change
I will learn to forgive what I cannot change
I will learn to love what I cannot change
But I will change, I will change
Whatever I, whenever I can

Right now I can't care about how everyone else will feel
I have enough hurt of my own to heal





I will learn to let go what I cannot change
I will learn to forgive what I cannot change
I will learn to love what I cannot change
But I will change, I will change
Whatever I, whenever I can

Monday, November 1, 2010

John and the Rocky Horror Picture Show

Here I am in Denver, being part of the entertainment before the start of the show.

Gif Created on Make A Gif

Yep. If there's a good time to be had, count me in!

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Bobbie Laid The Blues On Me

I'm that guy. I admit it. I have mad crushes on many people. And I love being star-struck. I am so impressed by songwriters and singers and playwrights and actors who can reach deep into my soul and leave me breathless. And in my life, I have been fortunate enough to meet several such people. Years ago, I sat face-to-face with Janis Ian and interviewed her for the San Diego Gay & Lesbian Times. (You can read that interview here.)

And now, I have Facebook to thank for bringing many of these artists even closer. Are we real life friends? No, not really. But through the power of the web, I have been able to say thank you to artists who have given me so many hours of joy. Whether the songs made me laugh, dance, or cry, they still touched me and I'm never quite the same after hearing them.

My newest crush that has reached out to me? The beautiful and talented Bobbie Cryner. As crazy as it is for me to believe, I understand that not everyone knows this artist. She is an amazing singer, songwriter who has yet to receive the commercial acclaim she so richly deserves. Really, what's not to love about tracks like these?



















And this song written for Trisha Yearwood:







Recently, I found her on Facebook. I sent her a friend request, not really expecting she would accept. And when she did, I assumed it was an assistant or fan club manager running her page. Nope. It was the one and only Bobbie Cryner. Seriously, how cool is that?

And today, I received a message back from Miss Cryner thanking me for being a fan. There was a bit more to the note, but the details are just for me. I'm just bragging and showing off a bit, and sharing with everyone how cool I think this woman is. And soon, when her new CD comes out and she finally breaks huge across radio, I'll be the guy telling everyone, "I knew her when! I knew her when!"

Thank you, Bobbie Cryner, for two CDs of music that have been played more times than I can count. You keep making music and I'll keep buying it... and shouting out loud about it to all my friends.

John

P.S. To my friends who are wandering if I have gone completely round the bend with a celebrity crush, don't worry. Just remember the last time you saw a movie, or a play, or heard a song, and thought to yourself, "man, that is serious talent." That is what Bobbie Cryner is to me, and I am happily starstruck by anyone who brings that much joy to so many.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

It's Everybody Draw Mohammad Day.

And I can't explain it any better than Greta Christina has already done:

This is my drawing of Mohammad.
Greta drawing Mohammad

I wish I were a better artist, and could draw something other than a stick figure. But I actually kind of like its purity. If a simple, entirely undistinguished, smiling stick figure with the word "Mohammad" above it can be so offensive as to earn me a possible death sentence... that makes the whole silly idea seem even sillier. And I like the fact that it's a photo of my hand actually making the drawing. Gives it a certain punch, I think.

Today is Everybody Draw Mohammad Day: an event in which people around the world... well, draw Mohammad. We're deliberately violating the Muslim law against creating images of the prophet Mohammad -- a law that some radical Muslim extremists are attempting to enforce with violence and death threats. On everyone. Muslims and non-Muslims alike.

Draw-Mohammad-PromoActually, strike that. It is a law that some radical Muslim extremists are successfully enforcing with violence and death threats. Everybody Draw Mohammad Day was instigated by Seattle cartoonist Molly Norris, after Comedy Central cut a portion of a South Park episode following a death threat from a radical Muslim group. And this is hardly an isolated incident: when the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten ran the cartoons of Mohammad that sparked violent protests around the world, many news publications declined to publish the cartoons in question, despite their obvious newsworthiness. Many newspapers still won't publish them. And when this self-censorship happens, the Muslim law against drawing Mohammad has successfully been enforced.

Today, along with hundreds of people (hopefully more), I'm drawing Mohammad.

I want to explain why.

That's more or less what I'm doing today. I realize that.

I'm doing it because, in some cases, offending people's sensibilities is, in and of itself, a valid point. And this is one of those instances.

The idea that the rules of a religion ought to apply to people who don't follow that religion? It's flatly absurd. As Hemant Mehta of Friendly Atheist so brilliantly pointed out, "You never hear about Hindus walking into McDonald's and telling the manager they're not allowed to use beef products anymore. If they did, we would laugh it off. We'd say that's absurd because non-Hindus don't have to follow their rules."

But that's exactly what these radical Muslim extremists are doing. Despite the fact that they will happily violate the Hindu rule against eating beef, or the Orthodox Jewish rule against interfaith marriage, or the Yazidi rule against wearing the color blue, they nevertheless feel that it is their right, and indeed their duty, to enforce the Muslim rule against drawing Mohammad -- even on people who aren't Muslim. Using violence, and threats of death.

Mohammad cartoons-thumbAnd it is not possible to effectively protest this by simply saying, "This is wrong." The only way to effectively protest this is by violating the damn rule. If we all wring our hands and say, "Oh, yes, this is terrible, how dare these terrorists use violence and death threats to enforce their religious rules on people who don't share them" -- and still nobody will break the damn rule because we're afraid they'll hurt or kill us -- then their terror tactics will have worked.

I'm drawing Mohammad to send a message to Muslim extremists -- and other religious extremists -- that their terror tactics will not work.

I'm drawing Mohammad to reject out of hand the attempt to make criticism of Islam -- or of any other religion, for that matter -- off-limits, simply out of fear of violence.

I'm drawing Mohammad because many people feel comfortable critiquing, or poking fun of, or indeed commenting on, any other religion... but avoid doing any of this with Islam, for fear of violent retribution. And I refuse to allow myself to be extorted in that way.

And, perhaps most importantly of all, I'm drawing Mohammad to spread the target around... so there are so many people drawing Mohammad, the terrorists can't possibly go after all of us.

InfidelThis is a point made by Ayaan Hirsi-Ali -- former Muslim, current atheist, target of a fatwa for her outspoken blasphemous criticism and defiance of Islam. In a piece she wrote about the South Park/ Comedy Central incident -- and about the seriousness of the death threats against the show's creators -- she asked, "So what can be done to help Mr. Parker and Mr. Stone?" And she answered, in part, "Do stories of Muhammad where his image is shown as much as possible. These stories do not have to be negative or insulting, they just need to spread the risk. The aim is to confront hypersensitive Muslims with more targets than they can possibly contend with."

That's the point.

And there is no way to make that point without actually violating this rule.

Perhaps you think that going out of your way to offend a cherished tenet of people's religious beliefs is... well, offensive. Hurtful. Perhaps you think that secular groups and others organizing "Draw Mohammad" protests are engaging in anti-Muslim or anti-Arab marginalization. Perhaps you think that deliberately breaking another religion's sacred rule, with the sole and stated purpose of breaking that rule, is a form of religious bigotry. Or even just childish jerkitude. A lot of people think that: moderate Muslims, and others.

To them, I say... well, Claudia commenting at Friendly Atheist said it way better than I could, and I'm just going to quote her: "The day drawing a bloody stick figure isn't something you have to do while looking over your shoulder. The day cartoonists don't have to build panic rooms in their homes (!!) for a rough picture of a dog with a mans head. The day dozens of people don't die (again !!) because of some cartoons. On that day, I will agree that the secular group is just being immature and hurtful."

Is it hurtful to deliberately poke people's sore spots with a stick, just for the sake of doing it? Yes. I don't think it's a very nice thing to do, and I don't generally do it.

But is it far, far more hurtful -- not only to certain individuals, but to every individual in the world, and to society as a whole -- to use violence and death threats to frighten people away from criticizing your religion, and to force obedience to your religious views on the entire human race?

By a thousand orders of magnitude, yes.

And in this case, the only way to oppose the latter is to engage in the former.

There's something I want to say here: words that keep brimming up in my head and won't shut up. I'm reluctant to write them down; I cringe a bit at the thought of posting them; they've become such a cliche that it's embarrassing to even think them. I never imagined that I'd say these words as anything other than a joke. I never imagined I would say them with any sort of sincerity or passion.

But if we don't draw Mohammad, the terrorists win.

*

Atheist-cartoonI don't normally go out of my way to offend people's religious sensibilities. I'm perfectly willing to do so, obviously: most of what I write here offends somebody's religious sensibilities, and of course I know that most of my atheist writing is deeply offensive to many religious believers, simply because it is atheist. But offending people's religious sensibilities, while it's something I'm willing to do, is secondary. It's a side effect of the fact that I'm making some point. It's rarely the point itself. I rarely offend people's religious sensibilities just for the sake of it, simply because people find it offensive.So here's mine:



Monday, May 10, 2010

Don't Be Proud of Your Ignorance

Obama: iPad, Xbox Turn Information Into A 'Distraction'

HAMPTON, Va. -- President Barack Obama, addressing graduates at historically black Hampton University on Sunday, said that it is the responsibility of all Americans to offer every child the type of education that will make them competitive in an economy in which just a high school diploma is no longer enough.

Moreover, Obama said, the era of iPads and Xboxes had turned information into a diversion that was imposing new strains on democracy.

"You're coming of age in a 24/7 media environment that bombards us with all kinds of content and exposes us to all kinds of arguments, some of which don't always rank that high on the truth meter," he told the students. "And with iPods and iPads, and Xboxes and PlayStations -- none of which I know how to work -- information becomes a distraction, a diversion, a form of entertainment, rather than a tool of empowerment, rather than the means of emancipation. So all of this is not only putting pressure on you; it's putting new pressure on our country and on our democracy."

(Continues at link)

Obviously, as anyone who has read my recent posts knows, I am a huge fan of the iPad. So yes, I'm a bit biased here. But this sort of celebrated ignorance on the part of the President is disappointing.

His near-boastful admission of ignorance reads to me like the people in the early 90's who would say, "oh, I don't even know how to turn a computer on," and sound somewhat proud of that fact. It's no crime nor sin to not have complete control of all technology, but to brag about what you do not know seems stupid to me.  And if he really doesn't know how to use an iPod, why would he give one to the Queen of England?

But to the bigger allegation, that these devices are distractions or, worse still, peddlers of disinformation, I would remind the President that the same has been said of every media format since the beginning of time. Surely the first cave wall drawing depicted one man's interpretation of an event rather than an unbiased telling of it. Unfortunately, at the time, there were very few choices for alternative media.

The delivery system is not the problem here. And blaming the messenger does nothing to address the real issues. In fact, the President's clumsy speech should have stressed the need for critical thinking, not been an example of the lack of it. Perhaps the President should have been in my meeting with my IT Manager, who told me that he had read more news in the first week with his iPad than he had in the entire month prior. And maybe the President should utilize the amazing new apps designed exclusively for the iPad that provide more than just text for any news story. They also include links to source material and other related stories, so I can verify data and read it in the context of other relevant data.

I expect better. I certainly expect a President who knows better than to demonize technology.

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Mad Men and Marines

Tonight, Ric and I start Mad Men, Season Two. I expect we'll burn through all thirteen episodes by Sunday evening.

Despite that distraction, I will take the time to write about my experience yesterday at My friend's retirement ceremony. It was truly amazing.

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

The Open-Mind Challenge

Blame my friend, Tony. It's his fault that I am embarking on a new challenge. I'm reading Glenn Beck's book, "Arguing With Idiots."

I say it's his fault because he is directly responsible. He appealed to my vanity and said that, as he was reading and agreeing with things in the book, he kept thinking, "that sounds like something Hulsey would say."

What could I do? I promised him I would read it and share my opinion with him. And then, me being me, I decided that sharing my opinion with everybody via my blog and Facebook was much more my style.

So, I'm starting to read it tonight. I'm going to keep an open mind and give an honest assessment of the book. And if I like it, I may even film a clip of myself tearing up a little as a tribute to Glenn.

Okay, I tease. I tease. But I really will keep an open mind and give it a fair chance. Wish me luck.

Monday, May 3, 2010

I'm a changed man.

I held out as long as I could. But once the iPod Classic came out with a 160 gig drive, I had to have it. And once I bought my first Apple product, I was a goner. And now, with the iPad? Well, I'm a changed man. I love, love, love this new toy. I think the whole world should have them. I want my Grandfather to get one so he can finally get on Facebook. I want my Aunt Sue to get one so she will web surf and email while watching her old movies. I want everyone I know to get one so they will understand why I am going crazy over mine.

I'm a changed man. I heart Apple and I heart this iPad. There, I admitted it. And it didn't hurt that bad.

Thursday, April 29, 2010

I Hate (Almost) Everyone and Everything.

Except my husband. And my friends. And my family. And my job. And Glee.

Other than that, I hate everything. Especially Republicans and Democrats and lazy people on welfare and the annoying lady at the county office and local news broadcasts that are truly retarded and people who think I'm being judgmental because I use the word "retarded" and technology that doesn't work as promised and the unbelievably slow pace at which a person can get their body back in shape and the endless commercials when I'm trying to watch Dancing With the Stars online. (Oh, yeah. I don't hate Dancing With The Stars.)

It's just the mood I'm in. I doubt tomorrow will be any better, but we'll see.

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Matthew Montgomery, Revisited

I love pleasant surprises in life. I never really know what's coming. For example, a year ago I posted this quick blog entry about a performer I really enjoyed. And here I am a year later, Facebook friends with this same actor.

Image and video hosting by TinyPic

Yeah. It's pretty cool to be me.

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Hate Crimes - Gay Men and Meth

The gay community is under attack. But this time, we're our own worst enemies.
Maximum speed: Crystal meth's gay grasp

Crystal Meth has long circulated in a subculture of our community, especially where gay men congregate.

The drug commonly referred to as “Tina” has become so readily available that gay men from all ethnicities and economic backgrounds are lured by its sexual power and tempting highs. But the addiction ruins lives and continues to spread through night clubs, bath houses and at social gatherings.

And more information is available at Life or Meth, a website focused exclusively on the impact cystal meth is having on the gay community. The statistics are staggering and the impact is immeasurable.

The cycle is short and vicious. Someone tries crystal meth, enjoys the rush, and wants more. Worse, the person is no longer concerned with their own personal safety. Safer sexual practices are abandoned and a lifetime of being careful and protecting oneself disappears in the heat of a moment. And just like that, a man once smart and wise is now an addicted tweaker with STD, most likely including HIV.

It's heartbreaking to see and hear everything that is going on with this. There are too many smart people making stupid decisions, and once they begin the slide, it's quick and it's horrifying. Crystal meth will take everything you have. It will strip you of your pride, dignity and every dream you ever had. It will leave you desperate, broken, so fixated on one more rush that you will literally do anything to get it.

Meth is not cool. It's not a party. It's just a drug that breaks hearts and destroys lives.

Sunday, April 4, 2010

Whisper To Your Heart - Irela Doom

Yep, it's time for more bragging. I know rock stars. I know filmmakers. And I know an amazing and talented singer with a beautiful voice. My friend, Irela Doom, can sing just about any song she attempts. But two tracks stand out for me. The first, Shania Twain's "From The Moment On" is a favorite because Irela and our friend Russ sang it for Ric and I at our wedding. The other track, Whisper To Your Heart, is Irela's first commercially produced track. You can hear a sample and purchase the track at the link.

It's amazing how many cool and talented people I know. But hey, someone gets to be their friend. Why not me?

Friday, April 2, 2010

More Brushes With Greatness

Based on my previous post, it's obvious that I am super cool enough to know two amazing rock-and-rollers. It's true. But that's not it. I also know a musician named Jeremy Ward. And when I say I know him, I mean, "yeah, that guy's my friend in real life." And when he gets a label deal and starts distributing his original tunes, ask me for an autographed copy. And if that isn't enough, Jeremy and his wife, Julia, are also filmmakers.

So why am I bragging about knowing all these creative types? Two reasons. One, because they deserve every shout-out they can get. Two, and this is the big one, because celebrating their creations inspires me. It's been more than ten years since I wrote my one and only produced play, and it's time to get back to pulling the art out of my head and putting it onto paper. It's time to make things happen.

Thanks, friends, for reminding me that creating art can be its own reward.

You'll love this music. Guaranteed.

I love music. I love good, good music. And when I find artists that have yet to break out huge, I want to slap the music buying public hard across the face with a Lindsay Lohan CD. But, I resist such temptation, because I know others ways to get someone's attention. Case in point:

I am a huge fan of Eric Himan and Deborah Vial. Both are amazing singer/songwriters. Both are openly gay artists. And both write and record music that merits far more attention than they are receiving. So, I'll do my part. I want my friends to click here for Eric and here for Deborah and buy something. And listen to it. Play it loud and play it often. And if you decide you don't like it, I'll buy it from you. Really. It's 100% guaranteed.

Yep. I'm serious. I'm that confident. These artists are so incredibly talented and deserve far more attention than they get. So, what are you waiting for? Get clicking!

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="395" caption="Eric Himan"][/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="376" caption="Deborah Vial"][/caption]

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Fox News Channel - The Good with The Bad

Fox News Channel. Something good:
Fox News host Bill O'Reilly will pick up the legal tab of the father of a fallen U.S. Marine after a judge ruled that he must pay the court costs of the members of the controversial Westboro Baptist Church, who he sued for protesting his son's funeral.

And something bad:
Fox News has an unlikely adversary: rapper LL Cool J.

After the network announced that Sarah Palin would host a special Thursday called "Real American Stories" -- featuring interviews with LL Cool J, Toby Keith and other celebrities -- the rapper and country singer both hit back claiming they were lying.

"Fox lifted an old interview I gave in 2008 to someone else & are misrepresenting to the public in order to promote Sarah Palins Show. WOW," he tweeted.

Likewise, Toby Keith never sat down with Sarah Palin, Keith's spokesman told HifFix. "We were never contacted by Fox," Keith's spokesman said. "I have no idea what interview it's taken from. They're promoting this like it's a brand new interview."

Fox News responded Wednesday morning, saying they would cut the footage of LL Cool J (aka James Todd Smith) from the special. Keith's old interview is still slated to run.

"Real American Stories features uplifting tales about overcoming adversity and we believe Mr. Smith's interview fit that criteria," a network spokesperson told TVNewser. "However, as it appears that Mr. Smith does not want to be associated with a program that could serve as an inspiration to others, we are cutting his interview from the special and wish him the best with his fledgling acting career."

No, Mr. Network Spokeperson, it is not that Mr. Smith does not want to be associated with a program that could serve as an inspiration to others. It's that he doesn't want someone claiming that old interview footage is an exclusive new interview with Sarah Palin. And your attempt to spin this as him not wanting to help others is petty and dishonest. Worse, your dismissal of his acting career as "fledgling" is just stupid and childish. A check of his credits at IMDB shows that not only is he the star of a current network series, he has also appeared in many other movies and TV shows.

But really, that doesn't surprise me coming from Fox News. The surprisingly rare good news is way offset by the continual bad.

Sunday, March 28, 2010

Sneaky Gays

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