The times -- they ain't never changin'

HOSPITAL FORCES LESBIAN TO DIE ALONE
(Asterisk)


Allegedly, Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami denied visitation rights and alerts on the condition of dying patient Lisa Pond's partner Janice Lengbehn and their adopted children despite Lengbehn having been named Power of Attorney and permission in a Living Will to make end-of-life decisions. The lawsuit was dismissed under U.S. District Judge Adalberto Jordan.

According to a testimony from Lengbehn, "...around 4pm, a social worker came out and introduced himself as Garnett Frederick and said, “you are in an anti-gay city and state. And without a health care proxy you will not see Lisa nor know of her condition." 

To think that right here in Florida (not even BFE Florida, but the progressive South Florida metropolitan area) a homosexual couple could be denied such basic rights in spite of having full legal authority to them simply on the grounds of their sexual orientation. Not even that, but that the lawsuit was closed and Jackson is allowed to turn away gay and lesbian couples from dying family members. As someone who has long supported the LGBT movement, I left positively speechless. Have we not moved from these archaic acts of prejudice? As a nation, we should be turning towards a more liberal social ideaology and, I believe, we are moving in the right direction. But these continued acts of pure bigotism are the blockades that are keeping us from making progress at the rate we should be. To deny such rights to anyone, homosexual or not, is unbearably cruel and should be viewed as a travesty towards humanity. As I bow my head in shame for this tragic occurance, I cannot help but try to keep a beacon of hope alive in my mind for the future of our nation.



For link to article at asterisk.com
http://blog.mattalgren.com/2009/09/hospital-forces-lesbian-to-die-alone/

Shattering the Stained Glass Ceiling?

CAMERON PLANS 'ALL-WOMEN LIST'
(BBC)

Conservative party leader David Cameron has made comment of the under-representation of minorities in both race and gender in Parliament and, as such, has compiled a shortlist of exclusively women that are considered higher priority prospective candidates. According to the article, "Mr Cameron made the comments as he, Gordon Brown and Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg appeared before a Speaker's Conference - an inquiry by MPs looking at how to increase the representation of women, ethnic minorities, homosexuals and disabled people in the Commons." This is an obvious at the Conservative party's attempt to modernize as to not seem old-fashioned in comparison with the liberal Tories. Tory MP Ann Widdecombe is noted saying that this would, actually, make women second-class citizens. Agreeably, if women must be segregated to a seperate list to be considered legitimately competitive candidates, they are not on par with men in British politics. Britain is known for being rather homologous and measures like this merely emphasizes this stereotype. As Lib Dem Nick Clegg put it, "Our Parliament pretends to represent modern Britain but it doesn't have modern Britain in it."


Link to story at bbc.com
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/8314322.stm

Local news, now available nationwide!

Update on speakers in class:

Today we heard from an editor from The New York Times who is developing a project called The Local. The project, aimed at expanding the demographic for the coverage of local news touts the slogan "Your town. Your neighborhood. Your block. Covered by you and for you."

The residents of the targeted areas for the project are able to send in video clips, photos, news stories, or anything else the Times asks of them, in addition begging for suggestions from the general public. In competition with other similar projects such as Patch.com, the Times is really trying to step up their game with appealing to neighborhoods aching to make the world seem a bit smaller. In my opinion, they're succeeding -- coverage of events such as the collapse of a building are now enhanced with photos and videos from those directly involved. Otherwise forgettable events like town meetings are covered now in such depth, one truly realizes how much can be accomplished and how relevant they are to one's day-to-day life in the city.
It makes news seem more personal; instead of listening to it at 11 PM, you as a resident are out covering it, making it, and spreading the word.

In a world in which national news is the hot thing, this reminds us the world outside your front door is worth noticing, too.


Link to The Local at nytimes.com:
http://www.nytimes.com/marketing/thelocal/

It's a bird! It's a plane! Oh...it's just a Falcon.

COLORADO BOY SAFE AFTER FLYING SAUCER SCARE
(ABC News)

Falcon Heene, a six-year-old from Fort Collins, Colorado, was thought to have floated over the state for two hours when a "homemade flying saucer" got lose from his parents' yard and he went missing as well. Luckily, it was found out when the saucer landed and he was not inside that, in fact, he had spent that time hiding in the attic. Allegedly, his father had reprimanded the boy for playing with the aircraft and he retreated to the attic. As all great things eventually are, it's been found out after an interview on Larry King Live with guest host Wolf Blitzer that his parents, Mayumi and Richard Heene, were guests on the television show Wife Swap, and that the entire balloon stunt was for the sake of publicity. Is anyone particularly surprised by this in any way? I mean...and experimental aircraft in the backyard of a family's home that they're son happened to wander into and float away in Wizard of Oz-style? Plus the sketchy fact that they didn't bother to thoroughly check the attic? Puh-leese. However, good job on the verbal gaffe, little Falcon; kids say the darndest things!

Link to story at abcnews.com:
http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/year-boy-floats-homemade-flying-saucer/Story?id=8837704&page=1

The only thing redder than the leaves are our faces

LEAF US ALONE
(Newsweek)

When one, especially a Floridian like myself, envisions a New England autumn, we think dazzling displays of multicolored foliage, a crisp scent in the air, and holistically the pre-season to a Currier and Ives print. However, from a local's point of view, they're nothing more than a pain in the rear and us tourists (or "leaf voyeurs") simply clog up the highways. Leaves are apparently Hell's gift to the human race as they bring nothing but pain and sorrow on the poor inhabitants of the north who must spend the remainder of the fall season raking them until kingdom come.

The piece itself is quite comical as the utter exasperation and disdain on the part of author Raina Kelley juxtaposed with what we tropical inhabitants see as majestic, peaceful, and worth spending a weekend just staring at giraffe food.

Link to story at newsweek.com:
http://www.newsweek.com/id/216512?GT1=43002

A lens-eye view

It's most certinaly the worst feeling in the world when you have a lovely blog entry typed up, Mozilla crashes, and you're left with a blank slate when you restore your window. Alas, I currently harbor that pang in the pit of my stomach. Thus, I shall be brief!


Today in class we had a speaker from The New York Times demonstrate and discuss the videography industry in today's media. Now, what I had previously viewed as simply sitting idly by filming events has manifested itself more as actually creating them. Of course, I'm not saying that it was staged but a fair amount of coaxing and reiteration is necessary to get an adequate and discriptive answer to questions from people who are instinctivly nervous and tight-lipped, especially if background narration is a no-no. It was thrilling listening to him because he was so genuinely passionate about his work and his career that he picked up so late in life. As a videographer, you don't just film the action, you're a part of it.

NO-bel?

SURPRISE NOBEL FOR OBAMA STIRS PRAISE AND DOUBT
(The New York Times)

 Around the globe, people both cheered and scratched their head in puzzlement at the choice of Barack Obama to receive a 2009 Nobel Peace Prize that was announced this Friday. Considering his short term thus far in the presidency, it has left many people wondering how deserving young Obama is of this particular honor. The committee, which has chosen to award him on the grounds of “extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples,” seemed to be almost a proclamation of hope for a better and brighter tomorrow. While Republicans (and even a few skeptical Democrats) view this as simply Europe's infatuation with his rhetorical prowess, the committee has assured that its decision was based on based on "...Mr. Obama’s actual efforts toward nuclear disarmament as well as American engagement with the world relying more on diplomacy and dialogue."

Obama himself expressed his own surprise in which he was humbled by being in the company of other such accomplished figures. From my perspective, whether or not it was deserved based upon the actions he has accomplished, it is a metaphorical fire under Mr. President's behind to live up to such glory. It is awkward enough as is to accept an award that has come under such scrutiny from both sides of the political spectrum -- it would be even worse to simply coast at this point. Let us hope this will serve as inspiration for President Obama to live up to the standards that the Nobel committee and the world have set in place for him.

Link to story at nytimes.com
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/10/world/10nobel.html?_r=2&scp=1&sq=obama%20nobel%20peace%20prize&st=cse

Braaaaaaaiiiinnnnnsssss....get some.

ZOMBIE PREPARDNESS PLAN REMOVED FROM WEB SITE
(The Alligator)

Doug Johnson's nerdy lovechild, a Zombie Prepardness Plan added to the UF E-Learning Support Services Web site last week was taken down Thursday afternoon. According to Johnson, "UF is searching for a new Chief Information Officer (CIO) and it was felt that the plan would hamper the seriousness of the search, which is a very valid reason for removal." The plan, entitled Zombie Attack Disaster Prepardness Simulation Exercise #5, laid out plans in case of the event of a campus-wide zombie epidemic. After having garned national coverage for the plan, UF has gained much respect in the geek subculture. Like vampires, zombies are all the rage, even sparking parodies of classic novels such as Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. When you think about it, it's a pretty legitimate plan to have -- you never know you needed it until it's too late and, I don't know about you, but I'd rather know what kind of pistol to have on me to take down one of those undead suckers. While business is business, it'd be nice to know my fellow Gators are safe, too.

Edit: As a member of Theatre Strike Force, I'm also just going to go back and edit this post to include a photo of our zombie attack plan-inspired flashmob. Shameless self-promotion...alright!

Versailles Burger -- now with extra snooty!

RESTAURANT CHAINS AIMS FOR UPSCALE AMBIENCE
(THE ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Burger King Co. has opted to swap it's generic fast-food joint interior in favor of a "sleek interior" and rotating flame chandeliers. In a statement from Chairman and CEO John Chidsey, "I'd call it more contemporary, edgy, futuristic." Thus far, remodeled restuarants have seen a spike in sales upwards of 12 to 15 percent. Okay, that's really great, Burger King. But, personally, when I go to a fast food restuarant, it isn't for the atmosphere of being in a legitimate beef castle -- it's for your fast and efficient flame broiled mediocrity. An upscale burger is probably my last concern upon entering a Burger King and I'm sure the majority of their patrons (kiddies and college-age students) couldn't give a rat's patootie what the interior looks like. In addition, these alterations will cost between a whopping* $300,000 and $600,000 PER RESTAURANT. The economy is lagging and franchise owners are expected to make these changes by a deadline. While sales may have spiked, they are surely not enough to cover the expenses brought on by these seemingly unnecessary alterations. If corporate really has that much money to spend, put it towards developing new menu items or better toys in kids' meals. Mine always break.

Plasma television menus don't enhance my food-going experience mostly because fast food itself is an experience and attempting to enhance that is merely altering that experience. You dig?

* pun worthy of a footnote.

The Lettuce Life

THE CRITICISM RALPH LAUREN DOESN'T WANT YOU TO SEE!
(Boing Boing)

As if women don't have enough problem, here's yet another example of the fashion industry inspiring squadrons of bulimic women desperate to stay hip to the latest trends by starving themselves to unrealistic proportions. Just recently we discussed the ethic of photoshopping in class and here we are -- this is obviously completely altered. For goodness sake, her head is bigger than her pelvis! Is this any way attractive? In all honesty, I'm sure the model shown is positively mortified that she looks like some sort of alien, sub-human species. And here, the company who blogged about the lunacy of Ralph Lauren's marketing ploy is being sued. However, they are not backing down in the face of opposition and are using this as an opportunity to mock the pompous figureheads of the Ralph Lauren company. Hear, hear!

The ethics of journalism should still apply to advertisers, who are obviously getting away with murder. Had a journalist falsely edited a photograph, well the media would be up in arms against their fellow reporter. But apparently the leeway the ad industry gets gives the fashion industry the audacity to destroy the expectations of their audience. Eat a sandwich and get a clue.

Link to story at boingboing.net:
http://www.boingboing.net/2009/10/06/the-criticism-that-r.html

"Oh, golly gee! The circus is in town!"

TRIP TO DOCTOR TRIGGERS ERECTION, HUMILIATION
(The Alligator/Erik Voss)

So I was pretty pumped when I realized my improv teacher was not only one cool dude, but also had my dream position on The Alligator as resident humor columnist. I eagerly awaited his next column in The Avenue when I learned his position. As I skimmed the pages, the headline immediately caught my attention for...er, obvious reasons. See, when someone becomes your mentor in a sense, they take on an almost superhuman persona. Despite the fact he's only three years my senior, he's still someone I look up to. And well, apparently "up" is something Erik knows a lot about. Being in the world of comedy on a daily basis, nothing is off limits -- pretty much all you wind up talking about during routine conversation involves sex, erections, laughing about them ,and what you could do with them in a scene. But this was legitimate. This wasn't hypothetical arousal, this actually happened. Erik also did a fantastic job capturing the mindset of his 13-year-old self with hilarious metaphors. ("If you combine a loose cannon dangling between my legs with a sexy professional making six figures a year, the only response to such a request [to remove pants for an examination] is: 'Fire in the hole!'" is brilliant. Just brilliant.) So here I am, sitting, laughing hysterically, unable to get the notion of pubescent Erik Voss' sexual awkwardness out of my head. Should I feel bashful? Amused? Forget about it? High five him at rehearsal? I chose the latter and it was a cool move on my part. I still look up to him probably more than I should, but that human quality remains.

Lesson learned: Even gods get boners.


Link to story at alligator.org
http://www.alligator.org/the_avenue/columns/article_2acf0bf2-3d0d-5e18-b146-18d35db475cd.html

No one expects the Spanish Inquisition!

MONTY PYTHON - STILL ON COMEDY'S FLYING TRAPEZE
(THE NEW YORK TIMES)

40 years later as of today from the premiere of the groundbreaking television show Monty Python's Flying Circus and the the merry men still have it. As someone who dabbles in the comedy sphere with a heavy hand, I can say with complete assurance that Monty Python has played a huge role in shaping contemporary comedy in everything from improv to sketch, television to comedic films. Alas, since then, the members have all gone their separate ways doing such scholarly things as making documentaries and dreaming about Don Quixote remakes (yes, Terry Gilliam. You are the only American and by far the strangest of them).

However, on Oct. 15, the five remaining troupe members (Graham Chapman succumbed to throat cancer in 1989) will reunite at the Ziegfeld Theatre. The Independant Film Channel (IFC) will also broadcast a six-hour documentary entitled Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer's Cut) beginning Oct. 18. As an avid Python fan since my elementary years, I'm most enthused to see that even in what seems like a completely vapid society, we can still appreciate what is British (and, therefore, awesome).


Link to story at nytimes.com
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/04/arts/television/04mcgr.html?_r=1

Following the yellow brick road to Crazy Town

THE MOTHER OF ALL PARTIES
(Dave Barry)


Dave Barry has always had a way with words -- fact. There's just something about his writing that's just personably hilarious. Barry reflects on the traumas of raising a daughter in the Keeping Up With the Jones' ideology perpetuated by his well-meaning but overbearing wife bent on outdoing other moms who appear to love their children more based upon the outrageous time and money investment on a party the kids will likely forget the week later. His wife's dedication to the "Wizard of Oz" theme despite obvious safety hazards is all too common.

His turn of phrase and tongue-in-cheek monologue is unbelievably readable (the House of Really Slippery Surfaces is now my favorite department store). His theory of a dad-thrown birthday party was spot-on amusing. Nothing quite hits home like the fond memories of your parents arguing over such a supposedly joyous occasion as your day of conception – mum screaming at the top of her lungs about how the clown that was hired “just wasn’t good enough” and your dad marveling at how they managed to spend $200 on just feeding a battalion of 3rd graders. A happy birthday, indeed.


This classic Dave Barry column was published Jan. 25, 2004.
Also, as a footnote, this is the article I decided to use for the in-class article swap.