A Gathering of Bridgemen

It started about 5 years ago; just a few former teammates getting together for a Thanksgiving morning breakfast at the Plaza Diner in Fort Lee, NJ. They had all played football together at Fort Lee High School in the late 60's and early 70's. It was a way to come together and maintain a bond that, for me, made team sports worth playing.

I was not at the first few gatherings but I had heard about them. I guy that I work with in NY also played football at Fort Lee around the same time that I had. He had run into one of the original organizers who invited him to come and to invite other former players as well. After a few years of saying "maybe", last year we decided to attend for the first time. By then, it had outgrown a back table at the Plaza Diner and was being held at the VFW Hall in Fort Lee.

At first, I was a little apprehensive about attending. I try to be a forward looking person and am not very into nostalgia. But I thought, how could it hurt? I had always enjoyed my teammates and hoped that I would again. But how much had they changed? How much had I changed? After all, nothing remains unaltered. Even the town itself had changed radically. It went from a town with mostly Italian, Irish and a few Jewish families to overwhelmingly Asian.

When we arrived at the VFW there were about 25-30 men milling about the small meeting hall. Most were in their 50's and 60's, and, surprisingly, in pretty good shape. In fact, a few of the guys looked as if they could still play a down or two! Most of the faces were unrecognizable to me. They had not played on my team or during my era. However, there were a select few whom I recognized almost immediately. They were my teammates; the boys who I sweat with, bled with, cried and laughed with. They appeared as grown men but I saw the boys I knew beneath them all. Some I had not seen in 40 years but I still knew exactly who they were.

Over coffee and bagels we spent a few hours catching up. It had been a lifetime and there was much to learn about all of them. There were families, children, and careers to talk about. And, of course, there were reminisces of past gridiron glory. Well, maybe we were a little short on the glory part, our team was not very good! But what was glorious was the confirmation of what the word teammate really means. These "boys to men" were, at one time, my brothers and I found out they still are. And I am proud to say that they had all grown to be outstanding people. They are husbands, fathers, and sons. They are successful in one way or another. It was an affirmation of all we played for - one another. We all had withstood so much bull shit to play what many people consider an insane game. We played in an era when we weren't allowed to drink water, even at the hottest practices. Sanitary conditions were non existent. If we would have know what a mersa infection was, I'm sure we would have all had it! We suffered the indignities of coaches questioning our manhood and lineage, while they preached perseverance. We were told that everything could be overcome if we stuck together and persevered. We thought they were insane and just plain evil and cruel. But, now, 40 years later, I realize they were right. We did overcome and it helped us become the men that filled that VFW Hall in Fort Lee. The bond that we all felt in that room was forged on those rock strewn playing fields, smelly locker rooms, and sweaty gymnasiums where we spent our youth. I suppose that Ben Franklin's quote urging unity during the Revolution sums it up best: "if we don't hang together, we will most certainly hang separately".

At this years Gathering of Bridgemen (our rather awkward team name) there were many of the same faces I had seen the year before and a few new ones that I thoroughly enjoyed seeing. I'll sleep well tonight knowing that the more some things change, the more they remain the same. We loved each other then and we still do. And, in this case, that's just fine by me.

The Cesspool of Worthless Knowledge

In response to a number of request from our last "swim in the pool", I've researched the origin of the word bizarre. It is apparently an ancient word that comes to us from the Basque language. Basque is a rather obscure language spoken primarily by the people of the same name who reside mostly in Northeastern Spain, on the border with France. It is unlike virtually every other European language and its exact origin is largely unknown.

What is known is that in its original form, bizarra, in ancient Basque, meant beard. It was eventually adopted by the Spanish and Portugese who altered its meaning to handsome or brave. Sometime in the middle of the 17th century it began to be used commonly by the French who, for reasons unknown today, changed its meaning to its modern connotations: strange or grotesque. Linguists theorize that in the many years of conflict between the Basques and the French, the French altered the word's meaning to demean their opponents.

For whatever reason, how bizarre is it that what was once a word used in the affirmative (brave, handsome) came to be one with such a negative connotation (strange, weird, grotesque)? :)

At The Game

In my position as a photo/video journalist, I have been privileged to witness many historic events. From the horrific (9/11 and Hurricane Katrina) to the spectacular (the launch of the Space Shuttle Discovery) to the sublime (Barack Obama's acceptance speech at the DNC in Denver), I have often pinched myself during these events just to make sure that I wasn't dreaming.

Well, I had another occasion to do so this past Saturday night. I got to attend and photograph the first college football game at the new Yankee Stadium. While not as dramatic as the events I mentioned above, it was still an experience that most people simply would not have access to, making it so special and memorable. The game pitted old-time rivals Army and Notre Dame. After many previous battles at the old stadium with national title implications, they last played there in the mid 1960's.

I was originally scheduled to shoot news video for the game. However, that assignment was cancelled, effectively leaving me with my press credentials and nothing to do. Again, I had to pinch myself! Here I was, a huge fan of the Yankees and college football (I played in High School and College), standing on the hollowed ground of the most famous stadium in America, with my personal 35 mm camera and nothing but time on my hands. And my access was extraordinary; the only way to be closer to the action was to be in the huddle. I made over 100 photos. In fact, one of my co-workers (also there from the original assignment) laughed saying, "you look like your working out there". Well, it was anything but! Shooting soley for myself was pure pleasure.

The game ball was delivered to mid-field by an Army Ranger who parachuted down from a Black Hawk helicopter high above the stadium. The Army team charged out of the tunnel to take the field following one of their captains proudly streaming the Stars and Stripes. Notre Dame dashed unto the field in their rarely used kelly green jerseys with their huge band playing the famous Notre Dame fight song. If you were to write a Hollywood script about how to begin an historic college football game, this is how you would do it!

To stand on the side on the sidelines, with the glare of the stadium lights and hear the roar of the huge crowd swell and then thunder down to the field gave me goose bumps. To be part of that collective energy is an awesome experience.

It was a beautiful night with nearly a full moon. Army scored first on a field goal to take an early 3-0 lead. The sell out crowd of 54,000 + crowd was boisterous, enthusiastic and largely in favor of the Fighting Irish. Supported by their huge band and cheering section, The Fighting Irish eventually overwhelmed a game but overmatched Black Knight team 27-3. But for me, as it should be for most sports fans, especially on the collegiate level, the score should be secondary to the experience. And this one was just great.

From the Cesspool of Worthless Knowledge

Just about everyone knows the work berserk. I'm sure most of us have experienced that emotion in themselves or others. Some act on it, others not. But do you know where the word comes from?

It's actually a Norse word that comes to us from the Vikings. Of course, we all know of the wild and formidable raider/warriors who terrorized Middle Ages Europe. They used their magnificent Long Boats to sail the world, terrorizing and pillaging cities and villages from Ireland to Sicily. Their raids were so sudden and shocking that the most popular prayer of the time was "Lord, protect us from the Vikings". And the fiercest of the fierce Vikings were the berserkers. They were the storm troopers of their day. They fought with such ferocity that it is widely believed that they were under the influence of some type of hallucinogenic substance (probably wild mushrooms). In addition to their wild fighting style, they were distinguished by their bear skin or berserk tunics. Hence the moniker berserker.

So, the next time some idiot treats you with disrespect or some clueless driver cuts you off at 70 m.p.h., break out the bear skin tunic and just go berserk! :)

The Douche of the Day: Roger Ailes

It's officially, Roger Ailes has been named Douche of the Day. The Chairman of Fox News Corporation narrowly edged out Willow Palin who was considered for the callous and insensitive comments she made during the premiere of her family's reality TV show.

Ailes is DOTD for calling the executives of NPR "Nazis". He told The Daily Beast: "they are, of course, Nazis. They have kind of a Nazi attitude. They are the left wing of Nazism. These guys don't want any other point of view. They don't even feel guilty using tax dollars to spout their propaganda". Ailes then called for Federal funding to NPR be cancelled. He later apologized to The Anti-defamation League saying he uttered those words in an angry response to NPR's firing of Juan Williams. He said that "nasty, inflexible, bigot", would have been a better choice of words. Really?! What a guy!

Here are the issues: NPR can easily and accurately be described as ultra-liberal in their programming and Williams was fired, according to NPR executives, for talking a position contrary to those liberal leanings. Now, I NEVER agreed with that decision and wrote so in this blog. But "Nazis"?! First, beyond the dubious wisdom of NPR's actions in the Williams affair, to suggest that they are Nazis is beyond reason. And it's inflammatory. Every time someone challenges Fox News' POV, one of their program hosts screams "Nazis" in response. An independent group researched FOX News programming and found frequent use of the word "Nazi" by both Glenn Beck and Bill O'Reilly. Now we know where they get it from: right from their boss, the DOTD, Roger Ailes.

Fox News, under the leadership of Ailes, is constantly fostering a theme of fear and loathing in their programming. They use words like "Nazi" to dehumanize their opponents and achieve their goal: a conservative agenda. They want NPR stopped for their liberal posture while they continue to pursue a conservative one under the guise of reporting the news. Fair and Balanced my ass. The hypocracy is stagering! If NPR is a bastion of liberal fools than Fox News is a haven for conservative creeps.

And don't forget where Ailes comes from. He may have started in the news business but he has been a media consultant for CONSERVATIVE, REPUBLICAN causes since the 1960's. He has advised Republican presidents from Nixon to Bush. Fair and Balanced?! It's a case of the proverbial "pot calling the kettle black". They mock NPR for their strong POV and yet have the same strong approach but in the opposite direction. Give me a freakin' break!

And as for cutting the Federal funding to NPR, it would hurt but it wouldn't kill them. They receive less than 10% of their total operating budget from the Government.

So, congratualtions Roger Ailes, you are the Douche of the Day!

Todays DOTD?

Working on today's Douche of the Day. So far, it looks like Roger Ailes is the hands down winner. Stay tuned. More later.

Brain Droppings: The Royal Scam!

I don't know about you guys but if I hear one more freakin' thing about the latest "Fairy Tale Royal Wedding", I'm gonna' hurl!! It's already getting wall to wall media coverage. Shit, CBS' The Early Show was "live" from Buckinham Palace this morning!! Could you really give a shit?! I don't care where she came from, where he got her ring from, what color the gowns will be, what time the affair is, what they'll eat, or where it's supposed to take place. You see, I have a life to pursue. I don't need to live vicariously through someone else. So I don't watch reality TV - ever. And I don't give a shit about anyone elses wedding - especially a bunch of inbred Anglo hold-overs from an era that's better having past!

And it's just beginning. . .

Have a nice day!!!!!!!!

Life On the Red Carpet

Read what it's like to be a videographer on the RED CARPET for the latest movie premieres in NYC by going to www.talk-frank.blogspot.com.

On The Carpet

To those of you thinking that shooting at a Red Carpet Movie premiere is glamorous, this is for you. It's a 5 second clip of Russell Crow meeting the paparazzi on the RC to promote his new movie (at the bottom of the page). As you can hear from the clip, it's nothing short of insanity. In fact, in TV parlance, they are known as "pig fucks": lots of squealing and jostling for position!

First, when we arrive, usually about an hour before the actual event, we are sent to some holding pen near the celebrity arrival position (just like cattle). Then (just like cattle) we are herded into our positions on the carpet. If it's cold or rainy, then it's inside a large tent. If it's clear and warm, they are usually held outside. Once you're in, you find your place which is marked by a single, 8x10 loose-leaf sheet of paper on the ground with your organization's name written or typed on it. These are then lined up one next to the other so that the photographers are literally shoulder to shoulder. I place a step stool in my position. We all have them. It's impossible to shoot from ground level because so many people (security, publicists, etc.) are on the carpet with the celebrities. You have to be above it all to shoot down on the subject. I'll spend the next hour or two climbing up and down the stool to get my shots. Since I have a foot and a half long, 25 pound piece of steel on my shoulder, this is NOT a lot of room. In fact, the videographers usually apologize to each for banging each other in the head with our cameras BEFORE we even start shooting. Then you wait for the arrivals.

No one is ever on time. When they do arrive they hit the still photographers first and the place just EXPLODES. The amount of light generated by (sometimes) hundreds of flashes going off simultaneously is absolutely BLINDING. Each photographer screams the subjects name in an effort to get the subject to look directly at him/her so as to appear they were the only photog there. So, the noise is deafening! While this is going on, I'm up on my stool getting shots of the photographers shooting the celebs. This is known as "b-roll". After the still photographers, they hit the line of video cameras and reporters where each outlet gets to ask them questions. Sometimes there are as many as 20 or 30 crews, all asking just about the same questions.

Rapped around the celebrities who are actually involved in the film you were sent to cover are the other "beautiful people" who are simply making the scene. In addition to other actors who are supporting their friends, are the other media whores looking for some free publicity. This invariably includes models, designers, reality TV "stars", and other sycophants. These people never make my cut!

By the end of the night, I'm sweaty, deaf, and my shoulders are killing me. Very glamorous indeed!

Today's DOTD: Glenn Beck

Today's Douche of the Day is Glenn Beck. This is Mr. Beck's first time as DOTD but I believe that's only because it just started yesterday! I have a feeling that this is the first of many times he will be so honored. Why should we single out Glenn today over any other day? After all, on a daily basis, isn't he a whinny, paranoid, narrow minded, trickster ( I refrain from using even "pundit" to describe him. He's not that clever!)?

Well, this time it's for his latest attack on a man I consider a living embodiment of the American Dream: George Soros. Whether you agree with Soros' ultra-liberal politics or not, his story AND his courage are to be admired, not ridiculed. Born in Hungary, this is a man who survived the Nazis AND the Communists to become one of the richest and most influential people on the freakin' planet. By his own admission he is ulra-liberal because he knows what it means to live in a country that is NOT FREE. He, above most, understands that it takes constant vigilance to maintain a truly free society. He's pretty much freedom across the board. He also puts his money where his mouth is, donating millions of dollars to causes he believes in, even when they may be unpopular. And Glenn Beck hates him for it!

On one of his recent programs, Beck accused Soros of a world-wide attempt to destabilize foreign governments with an eye on eventually causing the US economy to collapse. Beck also suggested that Soros was a "closet" (my quotes) anti-Semite because, as a 14 year old boy, he was forced into Nazi collaboration against Jews. What a douche!

The first accusation is just pure paranoiac fantasy - something that Beck regularly builds his program on. In TV parlance, these kinds of sensational accusations deliver "eye balls" i. e. an audience.

The second one strikes close to my heart. My father-in-law, like Soros, is Hungarian born and about the same age. He, also like Soros, survived the Nazis and the Communists, emigrated to the US and became a successful, tax paying, loyal American citizen. I have listened to my father-in-law tell stories about being a teenage boy and being pressed into the service of the Nazis. He has told me stories of his illegal imprisonment by the Communists where he was forced to stay even as his mother lay dying. And he often speaks of his love for this country and the real freedom and success it has afforded him. This is what, I believe, George Soros is all about: preserving our freedoms, especially our freedom to choose.

What does Glenn Beck offer as an alternative? Fear and Loathing (I loved Hunter S. Thompson!). His vision of the future is an apocalyptic one. One where free thinkers and doers, like Soros, offer a recipe for disaster. What is Beck afraid of? I say it's the deepest kind of freedom - freedom of thought that he fears. If your vision doesn't match his Mormon Faith inspired one, then it's evil.

Well, for your narrow minded point of view, Talk Frank is happy to reward Glenn Beck with today's Douche of The Day Award. Congratulations! :)

New Category - Douche of the Day

Along with Social Commentary, Brain Droppings, and Widsom from the Cesspool of Worthless Knowledge, I've added a new category to the blog:

Douche of the Day or D.O.T.D.

This special category is reserved for those special people and institutions who have exhibited the brain power of a soothing, feminine hygene wash.

We actually got a great start yesterday for DOTD. Kanye West, fresh off his petulent rant on The Today Show, narrowly edged Lebron James, whose self-serving Nike commercial is polluting the airwaves. Congratulations Kanye!

Who will it be today. Keep logging in to find out!! :)

Social Commentary: Telling Lebron what to do.

About the only thing as lame as Kanye West's twitter response to his lame interview with Matt Lauer on The Today Show is Lebron James' new commercial for Nike. Have you seen it? It's the one where he asks the rhetorical question (in response to the criticism he received for his Miami Heat debacle): "what should I do"? Well, I have an answer for him (and it is definitely NOT rhetorical). Lebron, you should shut the fuck up and do what you do best - play basketball!

Have a nice day!

Ps: did I mention the commercial was lame?

The First Winner of "Douche of the Day": Kanye West

Congratulations to Kanye West for being sellected as the very first ever Douche of the Day winner!

The absolutely worst person I was ever involved with during an interview was Kanye West. Hands down. No equal. What a douche! It was 3 or 4 years ago and he was doing a publicity swing through NYC. My producer and I were scheduled to meet him at his room at the Mandarin Hotel in mid-town. Of course, the room was huge, with spectacular views of Central Park. In addition to West, his entire entourage was milling about. All were there to serve the mighty West. During the interview, his level of arrogance was astounding! He made it clear that there was no one quite like him (THANK GOD!). When the producer asked him who his artistic influences were, his response was, "no one. I'm am so totally original that I have NO influences". Give me a freakin' break. The arrogance of that douche. Even when he wasn't spewing self-serving nonsense, his body language and tone were insufferable. He said nothing of substance. It was all "me, me, me".

When the interview was complete, I needed to get some "b-roll" (generic filler footage) of him leaving his room and heading down to the street. I piled into the elevator with him and his entourage. When we reached the ground floor, I left the elevator first to get a shot of him leaving. While I was backing out, shooting video, I clipped the corner of the elevator and temporarily lost my balance. Instead of showing concern or helping, West and his flunkies laughed so heartily that they almost doubled over - just the funniest thing ever!

I guess this seems harmless enough but it was emblematic of his attitude towards the world: we are all here for his amusement. Look at his track record. The Taylor Swift incident is just one of his many transgressions. South Park did a great job of exposing him for the douche he is on their episode "Fish Sticks". It was brilliant in it's inception and execution.

Now he's at it again, showing his true colors in a recent Matt Lauer interview on "The Today Show".

I don't know about you, but for me, his music, even at its best, will never be able to compensate for his boorish behavior. In fact, the only time I want to see, or even HEAR from, Kanye West is when he's spoofed on South Park! Congratualtons Kanye :)

Social Commentary: They Were Giants

This was originally published in The Nyack Villager:

They Were Giants

It seems to happen to me every Veterans Day. I’ll be watching a documentary on The History Channel of any one of the great battles of WWII. Riveted, it suddenly strikes me: “Oh my god, war is such a horrible thing. What a terrible price to pay – THEY paid”! I unabashedly shed a few tears. Whenever I am reminded of their sacrifice, I am overwhelmed with emotion. These men were GIANTS. I apply that moniker to all who served in that capacity but in particular to the so-called and so aptly named Greatest Generation – the men and women of WWII.

A large part of this connection lies within my family; both my father and his brother served in combat units in the European Theater. My father was an engineer with Patton’s Third Army and my uncle Ralph served on a tank with the 7th Armored Division. My father is gone 20 years now and my uncle, like so many of his comrades, just recently passed away. But their sense of duty, honor, commitment and pride in service has lived beyond them both.

One thing that strikes me so deeply is that, despite the enormity and importance of the task at hand, it so often came down to young, 18 and 19 year old boys who became men in the blink of an eye, the flash of a muzzle, or the blinding light of a fierce explosion. They became steel forged in the crucible of mortal combat. Yet, for me, it’s their humanity in the midst of such barbarity that affects me most. These men knew their mission was to survive by killing the enemy, destroying them and eliminating his ability to wage war. It was his JOB and he was going to do it! He also came to know that loyalty and commitment to his brother in arms was the key to his survival. This is such a powerful thing that it can even overcome the frightening might of a .50 caliber machine gun bullet. Giants, I say, Giants!

In the time after the violence of battle and they could reflect on what they experienced, they realized the terrible cost of war: so many young lives lost, the enormous human potential wasted. It is at these times of deep, inner reflection that the emotion, the compassion, the deep sense of humanity comes out in all of them. In the end, they, before all others, know we must choose humanity over brutality. It’s this legacy that, despite the obvious sadness for the loss of so many young lives, gives them tremendous inner strength, validated by their very presence.

There is a family legend about the two LoBuono brothers from Cliffside Park, N.J. – my father and his younger brother, Ralph. Somewhere in eastern France, my father, the engineer, was building a pontoon bridge across a small river so that the US tanks could roll on. Well, sure enough, my uncle, the tanker, needed to get his tank across that very river. At some unknown intersection, in the middle of a great battle to save the world, two brothers had a chance meeting. It only lasted a few minutes but I can only imagine the deep pleasure it must have given them to finally see one another again. It had been two years since they last met. There was brief blurb of the encounter published in Stars and Stripes. “Brothers Meet in France” read the headline. My mother still carries that article, folded and graying, in her purse.

I recall that story every Veterans Day and think of my father and uncle. I think of all the veterans of all the wars. And I prefer to think of that story above all others because it’s one of reunion, family, and hope. Ultimately, they are the values that these men fought and died for in the first place.

Perhaps my father met his brother again. Somewhere. In some far away place. Like they did on that day in 1944. I’d like to think so. I’d like to think that veterans and all brothers in arms will once again be with one another - as they were in their youth.

Well, there I go again with the water works. I get softer as I get older. But I still don’t mind the tears. They were worth it. They were ALL so worth it.

Author’s note: I sincerely hope that, eventually, we will learn from their sacrifice and abolish war so that we will never have to memorialize the loss of so many again. Wishful thinking? Perhaps, but a worthy goal, don’t you think?

photo: F LoBuono caption: Candy store, Philadelphia

Brain Droppings: Shame on you Keith!

CNN reported that Keith Olbermann of MSNBC donated money to three democratic candidates in the last election. Olbermann confirmed the report and defended his actions in a statement he released to Politico. It was confirmed by the National Board of Elections that he gave the maximum individual amount allowed to each of the three. To whom he gave it is irrelevant for my discussion.

This is not only expressly prohibited as a matter of policy from his employer, NBC, it's pretty damn stupid. Let's face it, Olbermann throws a lot of proverbial bricks. It's his job and it pays him very handsomely. Well, he's about to find out that he lives in a pretty glass house!

Olbermann is caught in that very grey area between journalist and pundit. Today, these are the people who are most successful in television "news", particularly on cable. The list begins with the likes of Glen Beck, Bill O'Reilly, Sean Hannity, and so on. And it's not restricted to just conservatives like the ones I just mentioned. Keith Olbermann and Rachael Maddow are just two of the many, more liberal cable news/opinion oriented show hosts. Their jobs are take a strong POV and, based on information reflecting their point of view, state their case and tape their programs.

Not all of them claim to be journalists (like Glen Beck) but many do, or at least want to be seen as one. Many of them, like O'Reilly and Olbermann, came with hard news backgrounds. I think that it's safe to say most people see them as such. I would think that, certainly, Olbermann would like to be seen as one. Therefore, he should behave like one.

Within this blog, I offer my opinion. It's one of the main reasons I created it: to voice strong feelings and opinions. However, because I see myself not only as an archivist of sorts, but as a journalist as well, I do my utmost to seperate that which is opinion from that which is factual. I do this not only on the blog but in my personal life as well.

Within the blog, I will never DIRECTLY/OFFICIALLY endorse a political candidate. I am registered as an Independent voter, so I have no political party affiliations. I have never, and will never (at least as long as I consider myself to be a journalist) donate to a political party. I won't even sign petitions that are political in nature.

It's not easy, especially when one wants (and NEEDS) to be involved. Even though we are journalists, in our own lives we realize that we must be involved in the process too. We are in this together. But we must practice diligence to make sure we find a happy medium; one where we are involved in a private, personal level while, at the same time, maintaining the proper checks and balances of our profession.

One also has to keep in mind that Olbermann just recently ripped News Corp (Fox) a new one for donating $million to Republican causes (and rightly so, I might add!!). So, I say Keith, shame on you, a sharp guy like you should have known better.

photo: C LoBuono

Social Commentary: The Politics of "NO"

They're back!! Yes, unfortunately, the HATERS are back. And, after the recent election, they are in full force and as vitriolic as ever. Emboldened by the results, they have crawled out from under their rocks or emerged out of one of their caves to screech "we won, we won, now let's get that bastard Obama"! Mitch McConnell, the pasty faced, old white dude who happens to be the Senate minority leader, laid out the future for his party, the GOP: do everything in their power to make sure that President Obama is not re-elected in 2012. It is there mission, their mantra. WTF!! This is why you voted these people in?!! Most of these people ran on a platform to change Washington, that they would end "partisanship" and "business as usual". So, what's the first thing they do: promise to disagree with EVERYTHING on the President's agenda if it does not jive with their direction and philosophy. They will dig in their heels and just say "NO" (Nancy Reagan would be so proud!). This means that, in two years, NOTHING will get done. NOTHING! How is that change, at least for the better? They promised to "end the politics paralysing Washington". Please tell me how this is going to work?

Obama, to his credit (or, perhaps not), has often extended an olive branch to the Republicans. He did it again after the election, calling for a White House meeting of leaders from BOTH parties. What did the Republicans do when he extended his hand? They told him to stick it up his ass!! Shameful! This is the way to create a consensus? This is the way to move OUR country forward? They lied and you bought it - hook, line, and sinker. Their sole purpose is to gain control and forward their misguided agenda.

Now, you may say this is politics and that the Democrats do the same thing (and they do). However, this election was supposed to be about a "new way". People won by promising to end "politics as usual" in Washington. And, what is the first things they do when they get into power: promise to get more power! Did you ever hear "power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely"? Well, the Mitch McConnells of the world are absolutely corrupt.

Let me leave you with this: a rumor is going around that President Obama's "vacation" to India and the Far East is going to cost $200 million dollars a day. A day?! Where do they get this shit?! How could anyone spend $200 million a day?! And yet people bought it as FACT. True, he is booking entire hotels when just a few rooms are needed. But that's not his choice. That is done by the Secret Service for security reasons. One might ask, "why go then"? Well, the countries he is scheduled to visit are extremely important trade partners and, therefore, key to our economic recovery. They are also important allies in our efforts to fight world-wide terrorism. If he didn't do things like this the HATERS would be screaming that he's not doing enough.

Well HATERS, you can't have it ALL ways: you can't have change AND business as usual. You can't claim a man is not doing enough and then criticize his efforts when he tries. All I can say is OPEN YOUR EYES AND WAKE THE F' UP!!!!!! You've been bamboozled.

photo: F LoBuono

Photos of the Day/Election Day 2010

Just a few Election Day images taken in and around my town, Haverstraw, NY.

all photos: F LoBuono

Brain Droppings: Do you know your history?

Do you remember Thomas Paine from your history books. No? Yes, you do. He's the so-called Founding Father who wrote of "the summer soldier and the sunshine patriot". Ah, now! Do you know where this snippet comes from? It's particularly apropos today. It's from the opening paragraph of the first in a series of pamphlets he wrote during the American Revolution and cover the period 1776-1783. The series was called "The American Crisis". The paragraph from which those words were taken is among the most brilliant and inspirational ever written in the English language. It starts as follows:

"These are the times that try men's souls: The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in the crisis, shrink from the service of their country: but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and women. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain to cheap, we esteem too lightly."

Now, before all of you "Tea Partyers" start going crazy saying "this is our mantra", this is EVERY Americans mantra. It just depends on your POV. We ALL must be vigilant about our duties and responsibilities as American citizens. These are words for people to live by.

But there's more to Paine's story. And this part strikes right to the heart of those who claim our Founding Fathers created this country as a "Christian" one based on "traditional Christian values". In can well be said that these men had a strong sense of spirituality but most resisted framing the workings of government within a single, organized religion. Again, Paine brilliantly captured this approach with his "The Age of Reason" (1793-94). In it his says this:

I do not believe in the creed professed by the Jewish Church, by the Roman church, by the Greek Church, by the Turkish Church, by the Protestant church, nor by any church that I know of. My own mind is my own church".

Once again, in just 2 sentences, he brilliantly captures the true American spirit. We must be undeterred by those who tell us we must think this way, act this way, or worship this way. To be an American is to be free of thought and free of spirit. Government has no role in this except in its defense of our ability to choose our own path within the bounds of a truly free society.

Interestingly, and ironically, Tom Paine was shunned for his brilliant defense of a rational, thinking society. When he died in 1809, no Christian church would allow his burial on their grounds. So, he was buried on his farm in New Rochelle, NY. Only 6 people were in the funeral procession - two of them were free blacks. It seems tragic, but, somehow, in the end, I don't think he would have minded. In fact, I bet he was pleased!

photo: F LoBuono Caption: Campaign worker, Haverstraw, NY

Brain Droppings: Post-election

The people have spoken. Their will be done. The system worked again. Vision and compassion to the victors. Renewed commitment and grace from the vanquished. These are the things we hope for in any, in ALL, elections. So it should be with this one. Thanks and Well Done to all who participated.

And, by the way, to the doom sayers, the sun came up this morning

Have a nice day. :)

photo: F LoBuono caption: Sunrise, Weeks Bay, Alabama

No excuses - please vote today!

Here's a quote from Vince Lombardi that I believe has particular relevance today:

"Individual commitment to a group effort - that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work".

So, make the commitment. Vote your conscience. DO IT TODAY. There are no excuses!!

Have a nice day.

photo: F LoBuono Caption: Obama campaigners in Denver

VOTE - DAMN IT!!

Tomorrow is election day. And it's a big one. But for American's they ALL should be big ones. This year's have been particularly contentious. In some ways, this is certainly healthy. Debate is one of the cornerstones of American democracy. However, most of us have never witnessed a more bitter, angry, and vitriolic political season! This is, indeed, the "winter of our discontent". And I think that voting your conscience is the way to express your dissatisfaction. I would strongly suggest, though, that you do not allow anger, fear, and disillusionment to triumph over good sense and honor. As the director Spike Lee conveys in his seminal film, "Do the Right Thing": do not let emotion prevent you from doing what you know is, ultimately, the right thing.

So, get out and VOTE - DAMN IT!!

photo: F. LoBuono Caption: Giant flag on the GWB