A great actor, a passionate activist and reportedly a really nice guy to boot, Charlton Heston has passed away.

He was best known as Moses in the Ten Commandment, and second best known from other movies like Ben Hur or Planet of the apes, but also well know in the political circles for his unwavering stance on gun rights as head of the NRA for many years.

His words are still grossly misquoted and mischaracterized by liberals such as Michael Moore.

There will never be another like him.

RIP.

 Trackposted to Outside the Beltway, Rosemary's Thoughts, WayWard Fundamentalist Christian, A Blog For All, 123beta, Adam's Blog, Maggie's Notebook, Right Truth, Shadowscope, Cao's Blog, Conservative Cat, Adeline and Hazel, Pursuing Holiness, D equals S, Chuck's Place, Diary of the Mad Pigeon, Woman Honor Thyself, McCain Blogs, The World According to Carl, Pirate's Cove, Oblogatory Anecdotes - Photoshop Montage/Open Trackbacks, The Pink Flamingo, Wolf Pangloss, A Newt One- Don't miss this show!, Dumb Ox Daily News, Tilting At Windmill Farms, Rant it Up, Right Voices, and Stageleft, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.

One persistent argument that surfaces frequently revolves around the people who are openly anti war but who claim to support the troops.

So are clearly phony and easily caught by their anti Military prejudices, but others I have long maintained are sincere.

The problem is that most of their support revolves around ending the war.  By bringing them home they figure they have shown the ultimate support.  By impeaching Bush and Cheney, those they claim lied us into war they feel they are supporting the troops.

I don't particularly want to devolve into semantics here, but I tend to disagree.  The overwhelming majority of the troops volunteered to serve and most have at least reenlisted if not outright enlisted since the war began, so they have effectively voted for the war with their oaths.

Supporting them is a matter of encouragement, faith, allegiance and love.  The anti war nuts too often degrade to discouragement, disrespect and derision.  Not always.  But often enough to be the norm. 

One side thought is that we tend to lump all Bush critics with the Anti War Nutroots and that isn't really fair.  True, many liberals like to use the Military as a tool to further their Bush Derangement and some Democrats have too often carried an anti war person on their shoulders as proof of Bush's crimes.  But in being fair, not all are really anti war.

In fact, some that dislike Bush are strongly patriotic and supportive and put their belief in supporting our Military where the money meets the road.

Such is Scarlett Johansson, a young woman who is an open critic of the Bush Admin and Obama supporter, who ignores politics in showing her support in person.  Not one mention of any political aspect to the war or too Obama or anything else in her visit, that I can find.  She came in an honest effort to show her love of the men and women who sacrifice to make us all free.

I sat up with my kids tonight, waiting for the glory and spectacle of the fire works show in Seattle, what we fondly call "blowing up the Space Needle."

It started on time, then abruptly quit.  "We're sorry, we seem to be having technical difficulties..."

Oops.  Seattle ended the year on a disappointing fizzle.  As my Daughter noted "..and they had Star Wars music playing, too!"

Undeterred we set off a few dozen of the little confetti poppers and the kids went their merry way with their faux champagne (Sparkling cider).

The old year was nice, Bizarre, even.  I reflected to myself, and had no less then several dozen weird and amazing events.  Too many to detail, maybe another day.

But looking ahead...ah...I see great things happening.  A presidential election that so far promises to break all the molds.  I seriously cannot wait to blog it. 

Likewise, I look forward to my continued efforts, futile as they seems sometimes, to thwart the Global Warming lies by posting all the truth and science I can. 

Immigration will surely continue to be a huge issue, as will terrorism, the war and so much more, all dovetailed into the presidential election theatre.

The local election theatre promises to be feisty as well, as Dino Rossi preps for a rematch to his stolen victory in 2004.

And then there is Hollywierd.  Britney may have imploded and become old news, but now her sister is entering the fray. And I cannot believe that Paris will lose her fortune without some headlines.  What of Lindsey, will she clean up, or burn out?  Will Rosie return with her conspiracy theories intact?

Film at 11...and so much more.

On a personal note, I am going to be dieting, practicing guitar more and preparing to redesign my blog.

Oh Joy...I hate web design, but the new software has some features my present design cannot use.  NW Bloggers will get a face lift, and I hope, a rebirth.

Growing up, I can think of few TV "cult" heroes more memorable then Evel Knievel.  I vividly recall his ill fated Snake River jump and many others.

His passing is of little notice to many, but one of my generations child heroes has passed on, and extreme sports enthusiasts should remember him as a front runner 

Iconic Daredevil Evel Knievel Dies at 69

Evel Knievel, the red-white-and-blue-spangled motorcycle daredevil whose jumps over crazy obstacles including Greyhound buses, live sharks and Idaho's Snake River Canyon made him an international icon in the 1970s, died Friday. He was 69.

Knievel's death was confirmed by his granddaughter, Krysten Knievel. He had been in failing health for years, suffering from diabetes and pulmonary fibrosis, an incurable condition that scarred his lungs.

Knievel had undergone a liver transplant in 1999 after nearly dying of hepatitis C, likely contracted through a blood transfusion after one of his bone-shattering spills. 

More so then his jumps though, what I recall the most was his faith.

Evel was being interviewed on a talk show and was asked one of the famous Desert Island questions:  If you were stranded on a Desert Island with one thing and one person who and what would it be?

His answer?   Jesus Christ, and a bible.

Nuff said.  Rest in peace, and my condolences to his family.

 Trackposted to Outside the Beltway, Perri Nelson's Website, AZAMATTEROFACT, 123beta, Adam's Blog, Right Truth, Cao's Blog, The Bullwinkle Blog, The Amboy Times, Big Dog's Weblog, Chuck Adkins, Pursuing Holiness, Adeline and Hazel, Nuke's, Diary of the Mad Pigeon, Allie is Wired, third world county, Woman Honor Thyself, The Crazy Rants of Samantha Burns, The World According to Carl, Pirate's Cove, Blue Star Chronicles, The Pink Flamingo, CommonSenseAmerica, Right Voices, The Yankee Sailor, and Church and State, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.

I couldn't have said this better...so I won't:

Celebrities Unqualified to Give Political Endorsements

There have been so many debates and interviews and columns and profiles and polls, it’s hard to believe the election for president is still about 11 months away. Recently, celebrity endorsements have been making news, with Oprah Winfrey saying she would campaign for Barack Obama and Barbra Streisand making the not-so-stunning announcement that she was supporting Hillary Clinton.

There are reasons, of course, why candidates welcome such help. First, there’s the bonanza of free publicity. With so many names and faces vying for attention, what could be better than the burst of news such endorsements bring? There’s also the burst of money these high-profile celebs can bring in themselves and attract from others. Then there’s the extra attention and excitement these stars engender when they appear at a candidate’s political events. It’s far easier to attract a crowd in Des Moines if a big TV, movie or recording star is standing next to the politician.

Putting those obvious benefits aside, the question remains: do these endorsements really translate into votes? Does anyone decide which candidate to choose based on the recommendation of a TV talk show host or a singer/actress? If any group of citizens is uniquely unqualified to tell someone else how to vote, it’s those of us who live in the sheltered, privileged arena of celebrityhood. It’s one thing to buy an ab machine because Chuck Norris recommends it (he’s in good shape, isn’t he?) or a grill because George Foreman’s name is on it (he’s a great guy, so it must be a great grill!), but the idea of choosing the Leader of the Free World based on the advice of someone who lives in the cloistered world of stardom seems a bit loony to me.

I have a busy week coming up (5 days of work to do in only 4 days).   I've also got a computer at home with a dying fan, so my blogging time will be somewhat limited this week.

I will still be posting but at a slightly lesser pace, and I may do more crosslinking to others as opposed to extended personal blogging.

A quick note.  Two recommended books for you, both by John Stossel.

http://www.amazon.com/Myths-Lies-Downright-Stupidity-Everything/dp/0786893931/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1195462672&sr=8-1

http://www.amazon.com/Give-Me-Break-Hucksters-Media/dp/B000CC4930/ref=pd_bbs_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1195462672&sr=8-2

John is my new hero, and his books are eye opening.

On friday, I will be off and I plan to catch up on all the blogs that I will be saving notes for. 

Till then, here are a couple of cartoon moments to start the week off with a smile, though this first one is fairly sobering.

It is a Thanksgiving reminder.  When you chow down on your turkey or tofurkey or whatever, remember those in other places wil less appealing options:

Next, in respect of the Hollywood writers strike.  I normally despise strikes and unions, but part of the writers strike I believe is somewhat justified, and as I know at least one person, an actress, who stands affected by this, for her sake, I offer my meager support.

Let's not forget Hillary and the planted questions:

Finally, here is how the Dems want to appease the Gods of climate change.

See how the face of Hollywood's representation of beauty has evolved.

The names of all the people used in the morph is below the video.

Mary Pickford, Lillian Gish, Gloria Swanson, Marlene Dietrich, Norma Shearer, Ruth Chatterton, Jean Harlow, Katharine Hepburn, Carole Lombard, Bette Davis, Greta Garbo, Barbara Stanwyck, Vivien Leigh, Greer Garson, Hedy Lamarr, Rita Hayworth, Gene Tierney, Olivia de Havilland, Ingrid Bergman, Joan Crawford, Ginger Rogers, Loretta Young, Deborah Kerr, Judy Garland, Anne Baxter, Lauren Bacall, Susan Hayward, Ava Gardner, Marilyn Monroe, Grace Kelly, Lana Turner, Elizabeth Taylor, Kim Novak, Audrey Hepburn, Dorothy Dandridge, Shirley MacLaine, Natalie Wood, Rita Moreno, Janet Leigh, Brigitte Bardot, Sophia Loren, Ann Margret, Julie Andrews, Raquel Welch, Tuesday Weld, Jane Fonda, Julie Christie, Faye Dunaway, Catherine Deneuve, Jacqueline Bisset, Candice Bergen, Isabella Rossellini, Diane Keaton, Goldie Hawn, Meryl Streep, Susan Sarandon, Jessica Lange, Michelle Pfeiffer, Sigourney Weaver, Kathleen Turner, Holly Hunter, Jodie Foster, Angela Bassett, Demi Moore, Sharon Stone, Meg Ryan, Julia Roberts, Salma Hayek, Sandra Bullock, Julianne Moore, Diane Lane, Nicole Kidman, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Angelina Jolie, Charlize Theron, Reese Witherspoon, Halle Berry

I blogged this not long ago, the tacky book that OJ wrote and the bickering of who gets the money for it if published.  In it I made two observations.

So...let’s suppose OJ does get the book published and the book makes 38 Million+.  Then what?

The Browns and Goldmans get the money.  OJ’s debt would be settled, and the families would be forced to accept that Justice had spoken and the scales were now balanced.

OJ Should fight to get it published on those grounds, just to settle the suit. 

And...

But what then? No amount of cash brings back the dead, nor does it change anything. They will never NOT hate him. Fred Goldman particularly strikes me as someone who has sacrificed his own happiness and life for a cage of hate.

He has cause, but he is poisoning himself in the process, and to me it is just more evil to come out of this ugliness.

So the question is, aside from punishing him, which it does not do as he still lives cushy on a $40,000 a month pension, what is the point?

No closure will be had even if he pays every penny. This all just seems pointless now.

I stand by that. 

Now, having said that, it looks like my observations were really predictions.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20253683/

A literary agent for the family of stabbing victim Ronald Goldman has made a deal to repackage and publish O.J. Simpson’s canceled “If I Did It” book about the slayings of Goldman and Simpson’s ex-wife, a spokesman for the agent said Monday.

Details of the agreement, including the name of the New York publishing house, will be released Tuesday, said Michael Wright, a spokesman for Los Angeles-based literary agent Sharlene Martin of Martin Literary Management.

I considered several reactions.  Part of me hope it bombs so that all parties will get the message that most of America is bored with this.  No such luck.

We are a culture of voyeurs.  Admit it, we love to watch.  We watch the news to see the exciting things happening to someone else.  We watch the paparazzi as they chase down the rich and famous for us, to gift us with the candid glimpses.

We see John Edwards primping his hair, George Bush flipping off the camera and OJ in a drive by slow speed chase, all in blazing glorious colour, brought to us by toilet paper commercials and fast food resturants.

We like to watch the indiscretions of others on Cheaters, and the foolishness of people in everyday life, all for the chance to win 10 grand on America's Funniest videos.  In friendlier moments we watch silly pets, but then we tune into Hells Kitchen to watch hopeful chefs be browbeaten by a megalomaniac, or watch the hopeful top models be diligently trained in the creation of illusion.

Cops and Dog the Bounty Hunter make us feel safe as the bad guys are brought down, and Dateline makes us secure as another pervert is exposed, and not in the way they wanted.

Face, it we live vicariously in the videos that infest our TV.

And the news is no better, as traffic copters turn into criminal chasers, video taping the slow chase of OJ, all the way up to the weapons laden bank robbers.  The copter soars overhead, and catches every lurid moment of the high speed chases and the emotional turmoil of a rescue.  What makes this scary is when you see the copter circling and you see its proximity to other news copters and the police helicopters.

These pilots, the pushers to our armchair thrill seekers, take extraordinary chances, sometimes for good reasons, as when the pilot thwarted a kidnapping/carjacking.  But invariably the luck would run out and tragedy would strike.

And it did.

No Distress Seen Before Air Collision

People who saw two news helicopters collide and plummet to the ground while covering a police chase say the choppers did not appear to be in distress beforehand, investigators reported Saturday.

I confess.  The supreme arrogance and idiocy of Paris keeps me running stories about her long after she really deserves it.  But it just kills me what is coming out.

Now, Hilton and her worshipers leeches suck ups sycophants supporters as well as the Sheriff have contended she got more time the most of her prison peers.

Maybe on the surface that is true, though I bet many got more.  Maybe it is as Al Sharpton contends, they are just surprised a rich white girl had to do time.  But there is also a thing called judicial discretion.  Considering her disdain for the legal system and the court in general, and her refusal to act responsible about her crime make me unsurprised he imposed a slightly harsher sentence.

But how harsh was it?  We know Baca released her for unspecified medical reasons after 3 days. 

I'm not sure when being sick of jail was a medical condition.

But it now appears there was serious preference being given her after she was returned.

I already blogged one instance, the private visitations with her family, including her family being whisked to the front of the waiting line.

More Hilton Privilege: Parents visit and get VIP treatment, normal folk kicked out.

The parents of Paris Hilton didn't have to wait long to visit their daughter Tuesday, raising more questions of whether the hotel heiress was receiving special treatment. The Hiltons breezed past some waiting in line for hours to see loved ones.

The visit angered some others who were waiting to see inmates. Shatani Alverson, 23, said she was hustled out of the visiting room at the Twin Towers Correctional Facility moments after her husband walked in because of the Hiltons. She was told to come back after lunch.

Alvina Floyd waited more than four hours to visit her fiance. It normally takes two, and Floyd, 20, blamed the Hiltons for the delay.

"I have to be at work later," she said. "I can't wait here all day."