I usually live-blog stuff like Bush’s State of the Union address. Alas, I’ve got better plans tonight. I’ve been invited to a nice dinner at an undisclosed location, though sources have tipped me off it may be at Walter’s Steakhouse.
Hope you all have a good time without my snark. If you plan on live-blogging the speech, leave a comment and I’ll shoot a trackback your way when I get home.
Update I: So far, the best and most succinct comment I’ve seen on the State of the Union has come from Miss Hissy Fit herself, Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) The good representative says: “It was a nice break from reality TV.” C’mon! Even you conservatives have to give her credit for that one. It’s pretty witty.
Posted by Mike Matthews in ODB (Our Dumb Bush) at 6:48 PM PST
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I’m pissed. This post may be the most vicious, vitriolic piece of sludge you’ll ever read on this site. Don’t go any further if you have the sensibilities of a retard, OK? I don’t want to hear it. Do whatever you want to me. Flame me. Take out a hit on me. I’ve often found these solutions to be acceptable among anti-free speech zealots.
This post will lack a cohesive argument because I’m so pissed off right now. So excuse the rambling.
First, I’ll set this up. I came home at about 12:30 yesterday evening and decided to visit some of my favorite sites prior to turning in for the evening. On my short list of must-reads is the great PolitaKid’s blog. PolitaKid does good work. Even when I disagree with him, his work is quite exceptional. But this shit just cornholed me the wrong way:
A reporter for the weekly Dover Post newspaper was fired Monday for offensive comments made on his personal weblog.
Matt Donegan, a copy editor and reporter for the newspaper, was fired by Dover Post Editor Don Flood after a reader reported the blog entries to Sussex County radio talk-show host Dan Gaffney.
PolitaKid and Dan Gaffney are no strangers to the controversy surrounding MySpace blog entries. Each made this a cause celebre several months ago. I took on bonehead Gaffney in a previous entry.
Let me lay this out there first. Yes, I realize Delaware is an “at-will” state in terms of employment. You can be fired for eating your lunch the wrong way, being gay, and writing stupid comments in a personal blog. The shithead assholes at the Dover Post were well within their rights to fire Donegan. But, where I come in (and, where I’m glad I’m not a Christian) is to call these spineless assholes (in particular Dover Post Editor Don Flood) on their bullshit. And this is where I also am demanding Flood either a) rehire Donegan or b) submit his resignation in front of a live press gaggle. More on this later.
As many of you know, I graduated in 2005 from Temple University with a degree in journalism. Though I’ve yet to utilize that degree in said field, I know my shit. Don’t fuck with me. The news is a tiring profession both in terms of remuneration and respect. People hate journalists. Right-wingers hate when Bush is pulled over the coals. Left-wingers hated when the media held a magnifying glass to Clinton’s dick. As a “journalist” I laugh at all retards who attempt to label the news as right-wing or left-wing. Fuck you all. You don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about. Unless you KNOW the news business, then shut the fuck up. Get over the “bias” bullshit you spew on a daily basis. If you had any college education, you’d very well know that bias is something you can’t get away from ANYWHERE in life.
Are you offended yet? Good. That’s my intent. As my friends on The Hott Spott say, “Come Get Offended.” Because I’m not done yet. It’s good to offend one’s sensibilities from time to time. Heightens the senses.
Radio “journalist” Dan Gaffney is a reactionary fool. There. I said it. He’s a hungry jackanape who sucks dry all the topics he regurgitates on his radio show. His sensibilities were offended. So he goes on the air and starts, yet again, another crusade to rid this world of such “evildoers.” Pornographers? For shame! Potty-mouths? Oh my! Making intentional (and frighteningly obvious) “threats” against others? Burn him!
I am throwing my full support Donegan’s way. And I don’t even know his political persuasion yet. Rest assured, though, I won’t change my mind if he happens to be a right-wing, raving Bush supporter. I’m a “journalist” first, partisan second. Oh my. I went three sentences without an obscenity!
Like I said, it was within the paper’s right to fire Donegan. And it was in Gaffney’s right to broadcast this. However, Gaffney’s actions will have a chilling effect on the blogosphere, I sense. People will be more likely to censor themselves. Some stories may be quashed. What Gaffney doesn’t realize is that there are spineless idiots out there like Editor Flood who buckle under the tiniest amount of pressure. Gaffney and his 0.8 ratings had an effect on a guy who doesn’t seem to have caused any trouble while on the job. Like others, he decided to speak freely outside of work. Perhaps Donegan’s only error is the written word. Every motherfucker on this earth knows that co-workers leave work on a Friday night and talk shit about every one else while throwing down a couple at the bar. Everyone knows this! There may even be some comedic threats involved.
I’d be surprised if Gaffney had never participated in such nonsense in the past. We’re all human here. Leave a comment if you seriously have never participated in such salacious office gossip. Because I’ll call you on your bullshit in a hot minute! The problem I see here is that Donegan opted to write his thoughts, which, by the way, I found quite hilarious from a satire point of view, which is what they were clearly meant to be.
Here’s what grousing Gaffney should have done, since he so clearly would have wet his panties had he not reported this non-issue: Anonymously report on the matter. Advise Donegan of his actions off the air. Give him a chance to respond. Instead, Gaffney and producer Jared Morris called up The Dover Post and alerted them to these actions. Talk about obscene and slimy. Gaffney ought to be ashamed.
I don’t see how any of this is Donegan’s fault. No matter what some will say, he WAS fired for utilizing his freedom of speech. Unfortunately, Delaware being an “at-will” state and all, employers can violate one’s Constitutional rights however they choose.
Because I’m a foul-mouthed opportunist, I’ve openly invited Donegan to join me here for time-to-time posts on whatever he chooses. If he choose to use the word “fuck” one too many times, I’ll allow it. Should “cock” or “pussy” join the conversation, so be it! I am a champion of the First Amendment. Some of you long-time commenters can attest to this. Even when I’ve allowed certain comments that have pissed some of you off, I have never censored ANYONE.
If any organization in this country should respect the First Amendment, it’s the “free” press. Dover Post Editor Don Flood has fucked up. He should tender his resignation immediately for failing to engage his readers in a truly First Amendment-respective debate, as opposed to just turning it off.
Gaffney is Gaffney. You know what they say about old dogs. I expect this behavior from him. I don’t mind pompous bombast. I’m a suspect of it myself. It’s just Gaffney’s actions have proven to be less kind to working individuals looking to survive in this vicious economy.
Gaffney, I’ll help make your job easier. I am a college student looking forward to earning my Master’s degree by next spring. I’m going to school to become a high school English teacher. After being fired from an insurance company (read about it here) I thought it would make an interesting career switch. Let me let YOU in on a little secret. In the six years of working a deskjob at the insurance company, never before did I hear such filth as that that emanates from the teachers’ lounge at lunch time. Those motherfuckers are some sick pricks, lemme tell you. And, they’re TEACHING the children of OUR future. So, I’m going to be a teacher. Feel free to phone up any of the school districts up here in New Castle County. You right-wingers are fans of blacklisting people anyhow, aren’t you? Do what you will. I figure I’m making your job easier by providing you tomorrow’s story today.
Update I: Sebastian at The First Slate joins the fun before reminding us of tonight’s drinking-game bonanza!
Hube draws a parallel between this case and that of Frank Calio. Don’t know who Calio is? Google him.
Note: All errors are mine. Grammatical, spelling and others. I started this post at 4:25 and the time is now 4:45. When you’re hot you’re hot.
Update II: I forgot, Mr. Gaffney. I rarely reference my last name here. In case you take me up on my above challenge, you’ll certainly need it. My full name is Michael Matthews. Middle initial “J.”
Update III: For those interested, here is my MySpace profile. For those adventurous, add me as a “friend!”
Posted by Mike Matthews in First State Filth at 4:05 PM PST
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Last week I attempted to get some of my Hott Spott buddies and I some VIP passes to Spark Magazine’s second-anniversary bash at Costa’s Grill and Wine Bar in downtown Wilmington. Alas, it wasn’t meant to be, as it turns out this party wasn’t really VIP. As relayed to me by one of Spark’s staff members, this VIP soiree was actually filled to the brim with more than 600 “guests.” In truth, VIP status was held by anyone who wanted it. The magazine advertised to its readers and let them know they could be on the A-List by simply submitting their email address, along with their name and name of a companion. It’s just that I missed the cut-off for submitting the names of my friends and myself.
The VIP bash was to last from 7-10 pm. We decided we’d crash the joint a little after 10. We head downtown, find a cozy parking spot in an expensive parking garage and walk across a lively city street to get to the pleasant-looking eatery. Only to find out that the door was guarded by some nefarious creature demanding a cover fee of $10 per head! Damn stupid me! Had I gotten on the VIP list early enough we could have gone earlier with no cover needed AND had free drinks and food. And now this creature, who one friend told me used to be a bouncer at another local club, wants $40 for the four of us to enter?
Pssshaw! After taking a peek inside, it soon became clear WHY they were charging this outrageous cover. It didn’t seem as crowded as it probably should have been. Perhaps it’s because all the VIPers stayed only for the free food and booze and then went elsewhere to satisfy their libationary cravings? Either way, we started walking back to the car, not entirely upset that we’d failed to gain access into this momentary world of “exclusivity.” Then the bouncer pleads: “Will you come in if I knock it down to $30?”
Heh heh. We kept walking.
Maybe next year.
Shout out to Holly Norton, though, who stokes my fire every week with her saucy prose. Too bad I missed her. I was hoping to shake her hand and get a good peek last night.
Posted by Mike Matthews in First State Filth at 12:31 PM PST
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Anyone wanna crash a party tonight?
Posted by Mike Matthews in First State Filth at 9:37 AM PST
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Condi Rice claims Iran is “feeling heat” from the international pressure over its nuclear program.
I always knew that butch, leather-wearing chick was packin’. You know what they say about black women and shoe-size.
Posted by Mike Matthews in Dumb stuff at 10:04 PM PST
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Whew…I haven’t laughed this hard in a couple days. Seems D.B.S. is alive and well in Delaware.
Don’t know what DBS is? Take a look: Dumb Bitch Syndrome. Offended at the use of my word bitch? Get over it. I use it interchangably to describe both men and women. You’re a bitch if you do something stupid that may demand a quick bitch-slap in response.
Who’s the candidate this week? Some unidentified little trollop speeding through speed-trap-crazy Elsmere in a stolen car:
A 14-year-old Wilmington girl driving a stolen SUV led officers on a chase this morning that ended with her ramming into a state trooper’s car. The girl, who was not identified because of her age, and her two teenage passengers were arrested.
Looks like someone needs to open up a can of slap-a-bitch on this teenaged troublemaker!
Shit. I knew by the age of 8 that speeding through that cavernous town of nothing was a no-do. This 14-year-old didn’t know this? My ass slows down well before I hit the Elsmere bridge. Of course, I’m only just pulling out of the McDonald’s after eating a tasty Quarter Pounder with Cheese, but you get the point.
Those pigs are out for blood in Elsmere! They must have some crazy-ass quotas to meet every month. Maybe some Elsmerian folk can explain how this works????? (wink…wink)
Posted by Mike Matthews in First State Filth at 9:05 PM PST
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Heard on Al Mascitti’s radio show this morning, via the great Liz Allen:
Hamas is not a terrorist organization.
Liz was, of course, citing yesterday’s Palestinian parliamentary elections.
I called Al earlier in the show to discuss other matters, but couldn’t resist calling up to debate the woman. Alas, she hung up before I could get a word in with her. This woman’s acts of verbal fellatio on fiends like Khaled Mashaal, leader of Hamas, are amazing.
I guess it’s time to re-visit that cozy, Reagen-era practice of eliminating democratically-elected folk, terrorist or not. Though it’s nice seeing an election go off without a hitch, having Hamas in power doesn’t exactly make me feel tingly inside.
I’m telling you, Al…me and Liz on the phone together. Set it up!
Posted by Mike Matthews in First State Filth at 9:24 AM PST
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Me here (anyone else tired of seeing single-writer blogs refer to themselves as “we?”) at Down with Absolutes loves the continuing train-ride (wreck?) that is the full-speed ahead Jaremchuk 2006 campaign.
In fact, I’ve stumbled upon the official site for said campaign. Unfortunately, the site isn’t yet fully operational. The only sections with content are those asking for money and volunteers. Greedy, hand-out seekin’ republicans!
So send some love to the Jaremchuk camp. Especially send some love to Amy Olga, the woman after my own (bleeding-liberal) heart!
I may not agree with much of what this fun bunch has to say, but I’ll spout their talking points any day! There’s some sordid poeticism in there somewhere.
Posted by Mike Matthews in First State Filth at 8:11 AM PST
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*********************BREAKING************************MUST CREDIT DOWNWITHABSOLUTES!!**********************
OK…enough with the obscene display of theatricality. I just had to get that out of my system.
It seems someone, allegedly, at The News Journal has been working overtime. As many of you know, Al Mascitti, columnist at The News Journal and radio talk-show host on WDEL has never had a tough time taking on the corrupt Sherry Freebery/Tom Gordon county administration and its sundry freaks and fiends.
Continued public criticism may have gotten to local Freebery/Gordon champion and News Journal columnist Ron Williams, though. As Dana at Delaware Watch has ably chronicled, Williams has a history of pretty much bowing down to the Gordonbery cabal of rejects. He’s written editorial after editorial defending the decedant administration’s shenanigans, rarely ever showing some hesitent remarks chastising its behavior. Is Freebery THAT amazing in bed?
Anyhow, back to the controversy. On January 17, Mascitti logged the following blog entry on the continuing saga of Gordonbery-gate:
Sherry Freebery seemed buoyed by the mistrial declared in her mortgage fraud case, but she can’t be happy at the prospect of how much time she’ll be spending in courtrooms in years to come. Not only does she face the prospect of a new trial on these relatively minor charges, she and her former boss, Tom Gordon, still have to defend themselves against the bulk of the charges in their federal indictment. Once that’s resolved, the duo must deal with a clutch of lawsuits filed by county police officers who were passed over for promotion for one reason or another. I doubt this is what she had in mind when she took Lisa Dean Moseley’s money so she could look for happiness.
At this time, Tuesday night at 10:30, the original post shows that 54 comments have been logged in response to Mascitti’s fairly innocuous entry. However, once you make your way into the actual post it’s a completely different story, as nearly 30 of the comments have been deleted since this afternoon, the last time I checked and noticed the comments were a bit more, um, filled in. Here is a screen-shot taken at 10:30 Tuesday night:
Many of the comments viciously, anonymously and hilariously attacked Gordonbery. I specifically remember a comment columnist Mascitti made about columnist Williams, which seemed to have set off a chain of response comments from, again, anonymous posters offering some harsh rhetoric hurled at Williams. Mascitti performed the totally acceptable task of attempting to reel in some of the viciousness. Alas, it seems to have all be done for naught.
I’ve logged back into Mascitti’s site numerous times in the past 45-minutes and the comments simply aren’t there. Out of the 54 ought-to-be-there comments, at press time (10:45 pm) only 24 comments are visible. That’s more than half.
Technical errors could be at play here, though I’m more inclined to believe that someone’s (Williams’s) sensibilities were harmed at The News Journal. Deleting such licentious script could sooth a bruised ego.
Would certain folks at The News Journal like to comment on this issue? You know where to reach me.
I’ll probably have more on this tomorrow. Check back often.
Update I: All comments have since been mysteriously restored to Mascitti’s blog post. Hmmm.
Posted by Mike Matthews in First State Filth at 10:49 PM PST
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Michelle Malkin again shows off her lack of a sense of humor. She’s upset that liberal LA Times columnist Joel Stein has penned a wickedly sarcastic and satirical piece that makes complete and brilliant sense in terms of how we treat our soldiers.
Maybe Michelle just doesn’t get it, but I’m inclined to cite a bit of sarcasm in an opening hook like this:
I don’t support our troops. This is a particularly difficult opinion to have, especially if you are the kind of person who likes to put bumper stickers on his car. Supporting the troops is a position that even Calvin is unwilling to urinate on.
I believe Stein is using this outrageous-speak to illustrate a point –not that he actually hates the troops. He’s using this satire to draw the readers into his deliciously warped world.
Malkin also bunched up her panties after reading this:
I’m not advocating that we spit on returning veterans like they did after the Vietnam War, but we shouldn’t be celebrating people for doing something we don’t think was a good idea. All I’m asking is that we give our returning soldiers what they need: hospitals, pensions, mental health and a safe, immediate return. But, please, no parades.
I wonder which statement was more offensive to Malkin. That we shouldn’t celebrate the soldiers or that we should offer them a bunch of hand-outs in the form of free (or cheap) medical care and pensions for their service. In a conservative’s world, are hand-outs acceptable even when the recipients are triple-amputee, brain-dead vegetables?
Joel Stein is my hero of the day.
Filed under “dumb stuff” because Malkin’s rant is, um, dumb.
Update I: Myopic Zeal has a pleasant round-up of some more conservative responses to Stein’s column. I think I’m the token liberal in the group. I’m reciprocating as well as adding the blog to my ‘roll.
Update II: Michelle Malkin gets all uppity and shit.
Posted by Mike Matthews in Dumb stuff at 1:03 PM PST
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Need I –again– remind you guys of the newest and freshest blog on the Delaware-blogosphere block?
Head on over to The First Slate, where host Sebastian makes your MBNA job look secure!
I’m the only one who’s commented on one of his posts, so be sure to add your cheap and bitchy two cents.
Posted by Mike Matthews in Friends at 12:37 PM PST
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Unbelieveable:
A military jury on Monday ordered a reprimand but no jail time for an Army interrogator convicted of killing an Iraqi general by stuffing him headfirst into a sleeping bag and sitting on his chest.
Chief Warrant Officer Lewis Welshofer Jr. also was ordered to forfeit $6,000 salary and was largely restricted to his barracks and workplace for 60 days.
Good thing it wasn’t Tookie Williams or else those on the right would be furious.
Further rationale is provided for military murder:
“When you send our men and women over there to fight, and to put their lives on the line, you’ve got to back them up, you’ve got to give them clear rules, and you’ve got to give them enough room to make mistakes without treating them like criminals,” [defense attorney Frank Spinner] said.
Welshofer was apologetic, though:
Earlier in the day during the sentencing hearing, Welshofer fought back tears as he apologized and asked the military jury not to separate him from his wife and children by sending him to prison.
If apologies don’t work for death-penalty lovin’ conservatives, then why should anyone accept Welshofer’s?
To be fair, it’s at least one less Iraqi we don’t have to deal with. Blow ‘em up. Mutilate ‘em. Bag ‘em and suffocate ‘em. The sooner we kill ‘em all, the sooner our troops can come home!
Posted by Mike Matthews in Craziness at 12:22 AM PST
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Though he failed to muster much support for last year’s Ordinance 447 –anti-illegal immigrant legislation meant to punish immigrants and those landlords and employers who enable them– Elsmere Councilman John Jaremchuk is giving it a go to win the seat for the 13th District in the State House of Representatives.
What isn’t known is with what party Jaremchuk has decided to align himself. Nowhere in the press release I received was a party mentioned. Though, knowing how his daughter, Amy Olga, comments here quite frequently, I’m inclined to believe Jaremchuk would run as a Republican.
In the press release I received, Jaremchuk seems to be continuing to concentrate his efforts on the influx of illegal immigrants in the state of Delaware, citing uncited “quality of life issues” as his impetus for running.
Most interesting is his assessment of the handling of illegals:
THE STATE OF DELAWARE, UP TO NOW, HAS TAKEN A “DON’T ASK, DON’T TELL” POSTURE IN REFERENCE TO THE ILLEGALS, WHILE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT EITHER CAN NOT OR WILL NOT ENFORCE IMMIGRATION LAWS,” JAREMCHUK SAID.
Well, if it’s worked for gays in the military…
Another target of Jaremchuk’s decision is to go after the incompetency of the Minner Administration’s educational “achievements:”
JAREMCHUK PLANS TO FOCUS HIS CAMPAIGN ALSO ON EDUCATION ISSUES. “WE CANNOT HAVE A REPEAT OF THE MINNER ADMINISTRATION’S THREE TIERED DIPLOMA FIASCO” JAREMCHUK SAID. AMONG OTHER PROPOSALS WHICH WILL COME TO LIGHT DURING HIS CAMPAIGN, JAREMCHUK PLANS TO INTRODUCE A TESTING SYSTEM WHICH IS FOCUSED UPON INDIVIDUAL PROGRESS RATHER THAN PROGRESS BASED UPON PEER PERFORMANCE.
Jaremchuk has stated he’s looking forward to open and public debates on the issues. He wants the electorate to be able to make informed decisions when going off to the polls. Which means…”if you’re not gonna vote for me, stay home!”
Posted by Mike Matthews in First State Filth at 9:38 AM PST
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Black folk down in the area of Little Italy had better beware! Big Brother’s got your number and he’s coming after you!
From today’s News Journal:
A city councilman was hit in the back of the head, pepper-sprayed in the face and robbed at gunpoint in August after buying a pizza. The gunmen remain at large.
A 19-year-old woman’s purse was snatched in November. Cpl. John Burns chased the man, caught him in a backyard and retrieved the purse.
About a month ago, two men and two women leaving Dead Presidents Bar & Restaurant were robbed by armed men in ski masks. One of the men was pistol-whipped and punched in the face before cash, cameras and purses were taken.
All of this happened on the outskirts of Little Italy, which has had problems of its own recently with robberies and purse snatchings, Little Italy Neighborhood Association President Luigi Vitrone said. The area also had a crime spree in 2003, when three stores were robbed in a short time.
Vitrone’s restaurant, Pastabilities on Lincoln Street, was one of them. A young employee had a gun shoved in her face on a night when her parents were dining at the restaurant.
Now, community leaders in Little Italy want to fight back. They want to install a camera surveillance system throughout the neighborhood. They don’t have the money yet, but are looking for contributors. At least $50,000 is needed, Vitrone said.
What’s wrong with this article? Well, besides the fact that the actual news isn’t revealed until the sixth graf, I suppose it’s not so much something wrong with the article, as it is the logic behind the idea of cameras going up in Little Italy.
What good will cameras do when the buffoons are wearing ski masks? Sure, there may be other important characterists revealed on film. Perhaps if the suspect is a double-amputee or wearing a totally gay, flaming hot-pink shirt and Cher wig.
But what is this really about? It’s about gettin’ the darn negroes up out of of their greaseball neighborhood! Being that I’m half-Italian, I can get away with that slur. Being that I’m also 2% African, I can also get away with calling black people “negroes.”
As many in the city of Wilmington know, some of the residents and businesses in Little Italy practice some overtly racist tactics toward blacks. I’ve had personal experiences with friends and have heard about even more extensive experiences by friends.
The racist wops can’t complain too loudly, though. If they did, blacks may not return every year to make asses of themselves at the St. Anthony’s Italian Festival. It’s the one week out of the year when black folk reserve their weed money and trips to get their hair-did to take the kids out for some good white-trash fun.
It seems the people of Little Italy have forgotten one thing, though. What good will the cameras do at catching these nefarious blacks at night? Shout out to my man Nefarious Black!
Damn dagos.
Posted by Mike Matthews in First State Filth at 8:40 AM PST
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Friday night was spent with friends over dinner and a movie. It was me, along with Hube, Dana Garrett, and Paul Smith. Mrs. Hube also joined in the fun.
Dinner started off at the great El Tapatio Mexican restaurant in Claymont, Del. When I worked at the insurance company in North Wilmington, this reasonably priced eatery served as a frequent stop for my co-workers and I on our paydays every other Thursday.
After a great meal, the five of us schlepped over to the movie theatre in Brandywine Town Center, where we each plunked down $9.25 to view Steven Spielberg’s latest monumental achievement, Munich. Taut and emotionally-intense, Munich hardly relents in it’s three hours of fast-paced chills. Chills because we know the film is based on the facts surrounding the horrific slaughter of 11 Israeli athletes and one German police officer during the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich.
Controversy has plagued the film since before its release, which may explain its severely lackluster performance at the box office thus far. One prominent conservative trashed the film even before its release. It seems many conservatives are upset that Spielberg has attempted to “humanize” the terrorists; whatever the hell that means. Is it possible to “humanize” beings that are already “human?” More on that later.
What Spielberg has crafted fits nicely with his cadre of more serious fare like Schindler’s List and Saving Private Ryan. Good thing for Spielberg her knows how to at least entertain and inform an audience.
Munich opens with a tense and dramatic reenactment of the hostile takeover of the Olympic Village dormatories in which the Israeli athletes resided. It’s a scene rife with brutality and misery. And Spielberg doesn’t shy away from the graphic nature of the crimes. Blood splatters and sprays from the bodies of the doomed victims of the Islamic terrorists. Though not nearly as graphic, this opening scene is reminiscent of Spielberg’s opening to Saving Private Ryan, in which the brutality of the Omaha Beach fight during World War II was filmed in all its tragically brutal glory.
The Munich Massacre provides the set-up for the intriguing plot that followed. Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir orders immediate retaliation against those parties involved in the Olympics massacre. Unfortunately, such acts could cost Israel dearly while playing politics with the world. The actions against the remaining terrorists and those who aided them are to be committed covertly, by Israeli agents cut-off from their nation. Eric Bana (of The Hulk) plays Avner, the Mossad agent asked to temporarily suspend his identity to help in this most crucial of operations.
Avner is afforded a team of men to help complete this necessary act of retribution. The men seek help from numerous sundry folk in their search for those who committed the atrocity. Louis, a French connection to the group, has all the answers — for a price. He helps them locate many of the men involved in the Munich massacre. The information comes at a high price –both monitarily and in the form of questionable trust from this French lad. As Louis says –and, later his father, known as “Papa”– he doesn’t deal with governments. Governments are corrupt by nature. Louis and Papa, along with the rest of their clan, deal with individuals seeking information. They could care less who lives and who dies. Papa (played by the great Michael Lonsdale, of James Bond-Moonraker fame) is a stolidly languid character that possesses a certain creepy moral ambiguity. Do Louis, Papa and their syndicate wish to help the Israelis seeking revenge? Or are they also helping the Muslim terrorists. Scenes featuring Papa and Avner come at a premium, but they’re genuine and effective pieces of cinematic interplay.
Like I mentioned above, this film has received some rapping from conservatives who feel Spielberg is in the wrong for “humanizing” the terrorists. Yes, in one particular scene terrorists are presented as kind and gentle to Avner and his men, though, to be fair, the terrorists don’t know they’re Israelis. But that doesn’t matter. Knowing that these monsters were once sensible individuals before having their minds tainted with such hate and filth is just as important and necessary a display as the reenactment of their brutality. When Avner has a friendly discussion with the security guard of one of his targets, you get the feeling that maybe there is hope in the world. That individuals can co-exist without such violent feuds. As soon as religion enters the fray, though, all hell breaks loose. Such quarreling truly animates one of the lyrics to John Lennon’s “Imagine:”
Imagine there’s no countries,
It isnt hard to do,
Nothing to kill or die for,
No religion too,
Imagine all the people
living life in peace…
In the end, the film asks a question of its audience that Hube summarizes so succinctly in his review:
Do we — as a civilized nation of laws — “stoop” to the level of the terrorists, or do we utilize [at least some] of their own tactics? Do we afford those who would destroy our laws and freedom … the very things they’d annihilate?
What a challenging question.
Posted by Mike Matthews in Movies at 5:00 PM PST
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Thanks to commenter Greenwich for this.
Does this new blog look familiar to anyone?
Posted by Mike Matthews in First State Filth at 10:04 AM PST
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The Bush Administration just gets creepier and creepier:
Google Inc. is rebuffing the Bush administration’s demand for a peek at what millions of people have been looking up on the Internet’s leading search engine — a request that underscores the potential for online databases to become tools for government surveillance.
Of course, I envision this all as part of Bush’s master plan to enhance our “security” in this “post-9/11 world.” He’s doing it all for us…that’s it. All for our protection. Why shouldn’t we be thankful? This man CARES about us.
In all honesty, though, Bush only cares about the children:
In a separate case in Pennsylvania, the Bush administration is trying to prove that Internet filters don’t do an adequate job of preventing children from accessing online pornography and other objectionable destinations.
I suppose it’s OK to violate my rights as long as our president is protecting the CHILDREN. Don’t fuck with my granny porn, W!
Posted by Mike Matthews in Filth at 10:35 AM PST
7 Comments | Gimme some more »
Note: I’m not in an editing mood. I wanted to kick this piece out. Any errors weren’t intended and, had this been written with more care, could have beene asily avoided.
Today’s busy day at the cafe was afforded a bit of levity when we switched on News Journal columnist Al Mascitti’s radio show on WDEL. Mascitti’s been on air for a while now and has really gotten close to perfecting the craft. He’s engaging and slightly enraging, which makes for totally captivating radio.
I rarely get to listen to the show because of other ventures, so I savor it when I do have the chance. And savor I did today when I tuned in from 9 am to noon. I try to call in whenever I can, making sure to mind the station’s two-call per-week maximum. What got me on the phone today was a fairly innocuous couple of minutes of commentary from local left-wing activist Liz Allen, who makes it a habit to spend all day in front of the radio and call in to berate those who make comments personally offensive to her. Odd the station has a two-call per-week max. I could’ve sworn I’ve heard Liz multiple times on multiple days of the same week when I tune in to WDEL. Alas, I digress.
Liz called in today to discuss something about Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito and the fact that he’s Catholic. She tied it into something about immigration. Honestly, I wasn’t paying much attention. I’ve heard Liz’s act on the radio, seen Liz’s act on her public-access TV show, and witnessed live Liz’s act via several Pacem in Terris meetings I attended two years ago. To say the least, she’s entertaining. In a kind of can’t-take-your-eyes-away-from-the-train-wreck way.
What she said that ticked me off, and I’m paraphrasing, is that she’s “always right” about the “facts” she puts forth in her various venues of communicating to her breathlessly amused legion of followers. I suppose she’s right. As a (now former) member of her legendary mailing list, I was privy to numerous emails a day about whatever conspiracy theory the right-wingnuts were concocting against negroes and poor white trash. These little-researched pieces of opinion often came through from via questionable sourcing, or no sourcing at all.
I needed to call Liz on her obvious bullshit. The pieces were in play. I wanted to debate her LIVE and on the air, with Al Mascitti serving as mediator. Unfortunately, by the time I got through, other calls had already been taken. Liz was gone. I was left to pontificate to Al and his listeners without the luxery of a response from Ms. Liz.
While openly labeling myself as a left-winger, I took Liz Allen to task for the many stupid comments she’s made in the past via emails and calls to radio stations and other forms of media announcement. I came to Al with a particular instance in mind to prove that, quite often, Liz can be wrong. Perhaps you guys remember this tidbit of misinformation that Liz disseminated via her mailing list:
French and American intelligence agents have arrested Barbara Olson, the wife of a former Bush administration official, a few days ago on the Polish-Austrian border, according to agents close to and with knowledge of the incident.
The alleged 9.11 Pentagon crash victim was found to be in possession of millions in fake interbank Italian lyra currency, according to the agents.
Olson was also reportedly in possession of a fraudulent Vatican passport and was held on charges of counterfeiting.
I had the nerve to call Liz out on this bullshit by saying the theory (not even a theory, but reported as hard-news FACT) was loony. Liz replied to my post by saying “Tom Flocco (the author of the flagrant piece of crap) just happens to be a very good source for information.”
While pointing out Liz’s misgivings to Al, I took time to say that I do enjoy her tenacity and that I would be glad to take one for the team and relieve some of Liz’s tension so she could lighten up a bit. You know what I mean when I say relieve some of her tension. To be honest, it’s part and parcel of the pseudo-sexual desire I have to “enlighten” Liz to see things my way!
Fearing I may violate one of the many FCC statutes with my lascivious-speak, Al was a bit quick to get me off the air. And I don’t blame him. I may have started explicitly describing HOW I would’ve relieved some of Liz’s pent-up tension. I ended the phone call by expressing my sincere affection for Ms. Allen and demanding her to not remove me from her mailing list.
So the call was over. Later, Ms. Liz called back to defend herself, saying that just because she sends off various news articles, it doesn’t mean it’s HER creating the ideas. In effect, her by-proxy forwards to us weren’t the product of her brain, so she isn’t technically “wrong.” I didn’t even bother to call in and dispute her delusive statement. I hold the opinion that by simply co-opting these fallacious statements, she signs on to accept some responsibility of the claims made therein.
I thought the friendly war of words was over. Alas, I couldn’t have been more wrong. When I arrived home from work, I found the following email in my box, courtesy of Ms. Liz:
AS AN ARCH REPUBLICAN….FORGET CALLING YOURSELF A LEFT WING REPUBLICAN…THERE IS NO SUCH THING….YOU WILL RECEIVE NO FURTHER EMAILS FROM ME…
So now I’m an arch-Republican? I replied, in kind:
Hmmm…Irrational name calling. Arch Republican? You’d think I’d know how I classify myself. And, if you took the time to read my website, you’d very well know that I would hardly be classified as ANYTHING either Republican or Conservative!
You do the left a disservice, madam!
But, I still love ya.
Mike
Her reply:
YOU ARE NOT ON THE LEFT…YOU ARE ON THE RIGHT…A RIGHT WING ZEALOT….I HAVE YOU OFF MY LIST AND YOU SHALL REMAIN SO….ARCH REPUBLICAN ARE KIND WORDS…..
Zealot? Jeezus, I haven’t been to church in years! My reply:
Huh? Come again? Wow, you really are whacked!
When are we doing dinner? There’s a book to be written about the great Liz Allen!
Love ya, precious!
Mike
Please note: Liz’s emails have been unretouched by me. To experience the brevity of her communications, I felt it necessary.
So that’s where we’ve left off. Al, how about a debate between myself and the great Liz Allen? I’ll be provocative and she’ll be Liz. Arbitron’s ratings will eat this shit up!
Update I: My love, Liz Allen, has tentatively agreed to meeting me for dinner. This tawdry affair is taking on some new and unexpected dimensions. Let’s see how this develops! Of course, you are all along for the ride. This sassy lady has got my mojo swingin’ in high gear.
Posted by Mike Matthews in First State Filth at 5:19 PM PST
23 Comments | Gimme some more »
