Etier Photography

Elvis Found Alive!

2012-01-24T19:02:00.001-05:00

Why can't the mainstream media pick up a really good story? When all the best stuff comes out, we're often left to rely on documentary films to tell us the whole (real?) story.

Such is the case with the return of Elvis "The King" Presley. Documentary film producer, Joel Gilbert, brings us the story and is reviewed by my wife, HERE. Accompanying the DVD was a recently released "Comeback" album from Elvis himself. The CD includes some fresh covers of some of Elvis's most poplar tunes and rock and roll classics (such as Every Step You Take by The Police) along with a new composition, "Lisa Marie" especially for this project. You can find my review of the CD, HERE.

Join the more than 50,000,000 Elvis fans in welcoming his return!

MCMXII - A centennial and a half

2012-01-06T18:19:00.000-05:00

Pictured above are Danny Thomas and Marjorie Lord, stars of Make Room for Daddy that aired on CBS in the early fifties. (Image credit: WikiCommons) I remember it from syndication. I recently started a series of articles on subjects that celebrate their centennial in 2012. Thanks to "Miss Bob," I narrowly missed getting this story. Today, Jan. 6, 2012 is not only Epiphany, but it's the 100th anniversary of Danny Thomas's birth. It is also the Golden Anniversary of St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital which Thomas founded. Check out my story HERE.

GITMO Anniversary and Satan's Spy

2012-01-04T11:04:00.000-05:00

January 5, 2012 will mark the tenth anniversary of the Guantanamo Detention Center. The use of torture to obtain information varies from country to country and differs also by culture. The timeliness and importance of the information needed are also factors. The use of torture is typically denounced and at the same time used continuously -- even by the countries that denounce it.

Internment of one's enemies is also a tactic that is used and it, too, is perceived differently by other cultures.

And then there's capital punishment. What a can of worms!

These issues and more are all included in a best selling novel by Andre Le Gallo, Satan's Spy. We spoke recently and I asked him about these topics. Here is his reply:

Le Gallo: Both the internment of Japanese Americans and the use of Guantánamo reflect national security policies crafted to deal with the perceived threats of the time. To my knowledge there was no popular outcry at FDR's executive order and the use of Guantánamo has now received bipartisan imprematurs by two very different administrations, Bush's and Obama's. An interesting, and unintended, consequence of leftist uproar over the Bush counter terrorist policies has been an increase in the loss of life and intelligence. Rather than face opposition from its core supporters, the Obama administration has chosen to kill rather than capture enemy combatants in spite of their intelligence potential.

Interesting comments from a former CIA agent.

My review of Satan's Spy can be found HERE.

MCMXII -- The series begins

2011-12-25T16:07:00.000-05:00

First in the series was "MCMXII -- The Lost World Centennial" published on Examiner.com on December 17, 2011.

Watch for the next article about a business that spawned an international best selling book whose title became a household phrase in the 1950’s.

MCMXII

2011-12-14T11:12:00.000-05:00

Watch for my new series of articles at Examiner.com!

Subjects will include the births and deaths of famous people, centennials of famous events, businesses, books and inventions. In fact, anything of interest that happened in 1912 will be fodder for my column.

Thanks for following and watch for notices on FB and Twitter.

12 Movies with body counts higher than Rambo

2011-12-03T12:08:00.001-05:00

Rambo comes in at number thirteen?

What a shock! I remember when the first of the Rambo series (First Blood) hit the big screen in October of 1982, there were considerable discussions about the body count -- especially in later installments. The ranking of Rambo 2008 came as a real surprise when I discovered a list of “46 Movies with Ridiculously High Body Counts” in a newly published book from HarperCollins.

Listomania, A World of Fascinating Facts in Graphic Detail contains over 250 pages of interesting lists. As I scanned through the forty-six mentioned above, I noticed that the 2008 version of Rambo came in at number thirteen. Rambo III (1988) appears at number 37 and is the only other of that series to make the list. Here’s the list and along with each title is the year it came out and the body count. Rambo 2008 had a body count of 247.

12. Saving Private Ryan, 1998 -- 255 dead

11. Starship Troopers, 1997 -- 256

10. We Were Soldiers, 2002 -- 305

9. Titanic, 1997 -- 307

8. Hard Boiled, 1992 -- 307

7. Grindhouse, 2007 -- 310

6. The Two Towers, 2002 -- 468

5. The Last Samurai, 2003 -- 558

4. Troy, 2004 -- 572

3. 300, 2007 -- 600

2. Kingdom of Heaven, 2005 -- 610

and the winner (the second of the Lord of the Rings series to make the list) is...

No. 1. The Return of the King, 2003 with a ridiculously high body count of 836!

Micro

2011-11-29T20:09:00.000-05:00

Check out my review of Michael Crichton's last novel. This is the techno-thriller that was finished by Richard Preston. Preston was chosen by representatives of Crichton's estate and his publisher, HarperCollins.

Here's the review: "Don't Mess with Mother Nature."

If you enjoy the review, please click the "Subscribe" button and get instant updates on future articles and reviews. I write about a wide variety of subjects and review books, movies, and music.

Losing My Religion

2011-11-06T09:22:00.000-05:00

We quit attending organized religious services several months ago. Maybe a year? I can’t find my check register from last year. It’s been a while. According to Bill O’Reilly’s book, Killing Lincoln, we have that in common with the sixteenth President. Strong beliefs but no urgent desire to attend services. We didn’t quit giving. Not altogether. When we want to give, we make a donation to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital or one of the denominational organizations where 100% of the contribution goes to the charity.

I’ve always believed that “religion” was man-made.
I’ve always believed that “faith” was a spiritual experience that occurred between two kindred beings.
I grew up Methodist. Still am.
Both of my wives have come from Roman Catholic backgrounds.

“Shorty” Bevil, my Methodist pastor when I married that Catholic girl told me, “Don’t ever lose your faith.” He was always careful to distinguish between “faith”, “religion” and “denomination.” It wasn’t a matter of semantics for him. It isn’t for me. I never believed that Jesus Christ came down on the “Day of Pentecost” and established that denomination any more than I believe that the Pope is infallible.
Now an MSNBC contributor, Brian Alexander has published the results of a study presented recently at the annual meeting of the American Sociological Association in Las Vegas. Bottom line -- Miss Bob and I should be in church. The study reports that, “college educated white Americans more likely to practice religion than the working class.” We still seem to be contrarians because we don’t fit the demographic for working class white people. Well, you could have fooled me! I still have to work for a living. We’re still white. Perhaps my income doesn’t fit the mold. Anyway, we still have to pay taxes and even though my wife is retired, I still work full time to pay our bills.

Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary defines “religion” as: commitment or devotion to religious faith or observance.
The same source defines “faith” as: belief and trust in and loyalty to God.

We just don’t go to church. Even if we may have lost our religion, we haven’t lost our faith.

Publisher Converting to Young Adult Titles in 2012

2011-10-21T10:07:00.002-04:00

Nicole Langan (pictured above), publisher has announced that beginning in 2012, Tribute Books will become solely an ebook publisher of young adult titles.

They're looking to work with authors who are savvy with social media - those who blog, tweet and update their Facebook status on a daily basis.

Their preference is for authors who already have a book(s) published through a royalty-paying press. Said Langan, "We want to work with those who are familiar with the ins and outs of the publishing process. We seek those who have experience having their work edited and know the effort required for successful book promotion.

There would be NO charge for authors, and those selected would receive 50% of the net retail price in royalties."

Here is an interview with Langan:

1. Why the change into e-books for young adults?Our main reason is the explosion in popularity of e-readers such as the Kindle, Nook and iPad. Over the course of 2011, we've watched our ebook sales outpace our print sales by 2 to 1. The under $5 price point of most of our titles and the ease of purchase and delivery are surely contributing factors. No one age group integrates technology into their daily lifestyles like teenagers. They are constantly plugged in and connected 24/7 either by smart phone, electronic tablet, laptop, etc. They "get" ebooks.

2. How are you taking submissions?
We're accepting submissions via email. Our email address is: info@tribute-books.com

3. What are the requirements for submission?
We're looking for Microsoft Word documents with a maximum of 350 pages of text with no photos, charts, illustrations, graphs, etc. Manuscripts that have already been professionally edited will receive greater consideration. Our preference is to work with authors who have already been published through a royalty-paying press and who know the ins and outs of book promotion. An established social media platform is a must, and we will not consider writers who do not have a well-followed blog, Facebook page or Twitter account.

4. What kinds of young adult titles are you interested in?
Our preference is for damn good writing, the particular topic is secondary in importance. However, books written with a series in mind or those that delve into the paranormal will have a slight edge.

5. Where will these ebooks be available?
The ebooks will be available through Kindle, Nook, iPad, Smashwords and as PDF downloads through Tribute-Books.com.

New site focuses on the art and literature of TRAVEL

2011-10-19T10:26:00.001-04:00

Loyal readers and fans know that I promote my photography under the name of "FCEtier" and sign my work simply as "Etier."

Now my work is available at Venture Galleries, a new website featuring the work of award winning artists (such as Rick Rush, "America's Sports Artist"), photographers and writers. Presently there are eight bloggers and authors and eleven artists showcased on the site.

The debut of Venture Galleries publishing heralds the arrival of a new "modern travel novel" that includes links in their e-books to photography of the settings and places of interest to the story.

I'll be blogging more about subjects and artists and authors related to the site as time goes by.

Travel photography will also be a focus of VG's website and include blog articles by the photographers about each image -- the ''story behind the photo." Check back often.

Please take a few minutes to visit the site and check out all the amazing images and literature.

Is torture ever appropriate?

2011-10-13T16:11:00.000-04:00

For some people, the mere presence of a K-9 in the same room is torture.

For some people, going to work is torture -- especially if the wrong associate is there and is on a tear.

My most recent article as National History Examiner looks into the subject. Please check it out and share in the social media. Tweets and FB "Shares" are especially welcomed!

National History Examiner

2011-10-10T20:53:00.000-04:00

Now you can follow my writing HERE. I've been appointed as one of the contributing writers for Examiner.com to write on history-related topics. Most of my new articles will appear there.

My wife and I both recently ended our affiliation with another site. Miss Bob's article on Technorati explains why.

I hope you will visit the site often and subscribe to my posts. It's easy. Just click on the "subscribe" button next to my profile photo, or click on the Twitter follow button.

You comments on each article will be appreciated.

Why I Wear High Tops

2011-09-04T21:39:00.002-04:00

Currently in my fifteenth season as an official, eighth as a referee. I wear the white hat. I've always worn high top shoes. For most of the years, the highest tops I've been able to find were Nike Land Sharks. That's what you see in the accompanying photo.

Please check the article at THIS LINK to get the rest of the story as to why I prefer high tops.

Enjoy!

Faces of Folkmoot

2011-08-09T21:16:00.001-04:00

The 2011 edition of Folkmoot USA ended recently and was a resounding success!

Get the full story HERE.

Also, you can view a slideshow of portraits from the performers HERE.

Watch for a collection of those and many other images from Folkmoot HERE.http://etier.zenfolio.com/

Enjoy!

Pharmacy Security Survey -- RESULTS

2011-07-29T10:21:00.002-04:00

Here are the results of a national survey we did last week to gather data in support of several articles.

To no surprise, three preferences surfaced among respondents.

1) Pharmacy customers prefer to shop where they feel safe; both when selecting the neighborhood and the specific pharmacy.
2) Pharmacy customers feel safer when an armed uniformed guard is present.
3) The public has little confidence in the effectiveness of video cameras to prevent crime.

Here are the highlights:

1) 50.8% say they never shop in a high risk neighborhood. (8% felt that any pharmacy that stocks Oxycontin and Percocet is high risk.)
2) 77.8% would prefer to see an armed uniform security person near the Rx Dept.
3) 71.4% feel that the big chains should do more than just set up video surveillance.
4) 80.9% would not mind if their pharmacist was armed (concealed weapon).
5) 23.8% said they have concealed weapon permits and have/do carry weapons into the pharmacy when they shop.
6) 52.4% feel that metal detectors at the store entrance are an invasion of privacy and are not in favor of their use.

There were seven questions and #4 above combines the results of two similar questions.

Boycott!

2011-07-09T15:59:00.003-04:00

Do a search on Google Images for "boycott" and it returns over four million images! It seems like somewhere, someone is boycotting something or somebody -- or some company.

You want to organize a boycott against a person, business, a government? How revolutionary! How American! Boycotts in America go way back. Think 1765 and The Stamp Act. That boycott of British goods by American colonists lasted all the way through the Revolutionary War.

We took a closer look at BOYCOTTS over the 4th of July weekend. Check it out and add to the conversation with a comment. We'd love to hear what you have to say. Just click HERE.

Bad Behavior Bedevils Buckeyes - Death Penalty Looms

2011-07-08T19:24:00.000-04:00

Breaking news!

Check out my story on Allvoices about the latest problems for the Ohio State Buckeyes.

A long-time college football fan, I really hate to hear about this. I was a loyal fan of Ohio State back in the glory days of Rex Kern, Archie Griffin and Woody Hayes.

FCEtier Prints in Gatlinburg, TN

2011-07-08T16:38:00.000-04:00

Next time you're in or near Gatlinburg, TN, stop in and visit with Calvin and Cassie at SMOKY MOUNTAIN ARTS & CRAFTS.

It's easy to find and you'll see some of my photography on display for sale.

Directions (with a map) are available from their website, HERE.

Miss Bob and I have season tickets to Dollywood and often stay overnight in Gatlinburg. We enjoy BOTH!

Michael Vick

2011-07-01T15:37:00.000-04:00

Miss Bob sacks an NFL quarterback, a television network (BET) and a national restaurant chain -- Subway.

First, here's her commentary on the news item regarding the selection of Michael Vick as 'Sportsman of the Year" by BET and Subway.

Then, after a reply from Subway, here's her thoughts on what they had to say.

Father's Day 2011

2011-06-19T15:56:00.004-04:00

"Love is like a dying ember
Only memories remain.
And through the ages I'll remember...." -- Fred Rose

Remember the day you learned how to ride a bicycle.
Remember the day you learned how to throw a ball.
Remember the day you learned how to use a hammer -- and maybe a saw.

Who taught you how to plant a tree?
Who taught you how to paint?
Who taught you how to drive?

Who helped you rake the leaves?
Who helped you build your first fire (either camp or in the fireplace)?
Who helped you with your homework?

Do you know how to use a compass?
Do you know how to use a firearm safely? (See photo -- my Dad taught me to hunt.)
Do you know how to bar-be-que?

These are just a dozen experiences my father shared with me. No doubt many readers will identify. It's also likely that many readers will have shared these experiences not with their biological fathers, but step-fathers, other father-figures (uncles, brothers, cousins, family friends), or their mothers.

If this significant person in your life is gone now (either literally or figuratively), as is mine, perhaps we can share a moment in reflection and remember them today. Not a day goes by that I don't think of my father who died in 2005. In fact, my associates will tell you that I quote my father perhaps more than anyone else, except George Patton.

As I get older, the memories do remain and remind me of the love we shared.

Women Who Rock

2011-05-13T18:29:00.009-04:00

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum opened their exhibit today honoring female artists that have made a significant contribution to rock and roll.

Women Who Rock: Vision, Passion, Power fills two entire floors and will run through February 2012. More than sixty artists have been selected for the spotlight and many have memorabilia on display including a dress worn by Momma Cass, Lady Gaga's piano and Patti Smith's boots. Musical instruments, original drafts of lyrics and other interesting artifacts will be on display.

Watch for links to additional coverage as the story continues with a concert on Saturday, May 14 featuring Cyndi Lauper, Wanda Jackson, and Darlene Love.

The Manhattan Project

2011-05-05T06:16:00.002-04:00

During the last week of April 2011, my wife and I visited New Jersey and completed a photo shoot of the New York City skyline. Three locations proved excellent for the shooting. Over two dozen images made the cut from several hundred shots. Check back to the link above over the next few weeks as more will be added to the Zenfolio gallery as they make it through the editing process.

We visited the boat basin near Fort Lee, NJ, just North of the George Washington Bridge. While there, we also got some great shots of the palisades.

Next was the tennis club at Binghamton and then on to Hoboken, where a great pier just South of the Frank Sinatra Park turned out to be a great vantage point.

While in New Jersey, we also visited the Liberty Science Museum and Liberty Park. Additional shots of the skyline were made there as well as the Statue of Liberty. Those images will be the subject of a future blog post. Check back soon!

Travel Photography - Continuing

2011-04-24T08:24:00.003-04:00

The scene in the accompanying photo is on my way to work and the other day, I decided to stop and shoot it. This dogwood tree is in a field on Cruso Road as drivers head up towards Cold Mountain. The fence in the foreground and the trees behind frame it nicely with the bright white blossoms drawing the eye into the upper left third of the frame.

Just past this location is the spot where I shot many of the images in my "Travel Photography" gallery on Zenfolio.

Watch for more images as we travel around the country, especially the Smoky Mountains, Blue Ridge Parkway, and the Appalachian Trail. We'll be heading up through the Shenandoah Valley next week!

Also, readers may be interested in following my new series of articles on "Restaurants with a View". Considering started a blog dedicated to that subject. Check back soon for details. The first article in that series can be found HERE.

Missing the Cold War, Part II -- Conclusion

2011-04-17T08:19:00.003-04:00

The conclusion of the article by guest blogger, Reese McKay.

==========

The United Nations is often pointed out as the seat of this menacing threat to the sovereignty of the United States and other national governments. However it seems to me that the UN is really mostly a sideshow used to distract and draw peoples' attention away from the real power centers (don't pay any attention to the man behind the curtains). The proceedings and operations of the UN make for some occasional entertaining theatrics. However, it was set up so that it has little real independent power. The five dominant nations at the end of the Second World War made sure that each one of them kept complete veto power over any serious initiative proposed by the UN. Each of these five “permanent members of the Security Council” has quite freely wielded their veto power numerous times over the decades. It seems to me that the real power structures are mainly all the central banks, the entire interconnected banking system beyond the central banks, the WTO, GATT, NAFTA, the G7, the G8, and now the G20, and numerous other international monetary and trading systems and rule-making processes, nearly all of which are totally or nearly totally outside of the influence of electoral and representative government.

What amazes me (and it is one of the most depressing aspects of this) is how so many people on both sides of American politics seem to fear only the "other" side's political motives and ambitions. It should be crystal clear to anyone by now that both major parties in the US have been in virtual lockstep for decades, especially when it comes to "foreign policy." Their rhetoric is strikingly different, but their actions when in the Oval Office are strikingly similar and trending continually in the same direction. This clever use of rhetoric and propaganda to keep the "common" people fiercely divided against each other is the most ingenious and powerful weapon the elites have in their arsenal. I simply have not seen more than a handful of politicians in either party over the past 30 years or so who have really stood up for the Constitution, the rule of law, the sovereignty of the US, the economic well being of the average citizen, and a foreign policy that is not merely based on keeping the American public in a state of fear in order to manipulate us to let the super wealthy continue dismantling the republic and the economy. Both parties have either promoted or stood by and gone along with policies that continually water down and dumb down the news we get. They have continually supported policies that benefit the global elites at the expense of everyone else. In fact I voted Democrat for a long time in recent years because it appeared to me that the Republicans were even more in the pockets of the global elite than the Democrats are. It seems to me that Republicans have routinely and continuously backed all international trade agreements, some of which seem to have helped to lower wages and eliminate jobs in the US. Regardless of the claims of lower prices, economic growth, and other justifications for these trade deals, I have seen little evidence that their benefits have outweighed their damage to the US economy in terms of lowering the general living standards in the United States and reducing job opportunities here. The Democrats have unfortunately jumped on the same bandwagon, doing little other than paying lip service to the importance of putting in provisions in these trade deals that protect American small businesses and workers. Many of our trade deals seem to have unilaterally given most of the advantages to our foreign trading partners such as China. These deals may also help American owned corporations open up new markets in places like China, but the net effect for most Americans seems to be lower pay and fewer jobs. China keeps its currency artificially low, giving it an unfair trading advantage, and neither party is willing to do anything about it other than engage in cheap talk.

The last Bush administration practically held a gun on Congress and threatened an international global economic depression if Congress didn’t immediately approve (no real questions or deliberations allowed) a trillion dollar bank bailout. Did everyone notice how much money Wall Street poured into the Obama campaign and the campaigns of Democrats running for the House and Senate in 2008? The bankers fell all over themselves to “support” Democrats when they realized the Republicans were going to lose in a landslide. As soon as Obama and the Democrats were in office, the bankers immediately started campaigning hard and heavy against them, despite the fact that the most powerful members of Obama’s administration were heavy hitters from Wall Street itself. I can’t really tell what President Obama stands for when it comes to the biggest and most important issues. At least the Republicans talk a better game. By that I mean the Republicans are more straight talking about their agendas and supposed principles. But am I the only one who noticed how frequently the Bush administration’s actions seemed to go in the opposite direction of their rhetoric? I don’t think I am the only one. During his second term I talked to numerous Republicans who were nearly constantly and bitterly complaining about the failures of the Bush administration to live up to their promises and to stick to Republican principles. So, just as I ask myself “who are the real Democrats,” I ask myself “who are the real Republicans?” Which Republicans are going to show up on any given day?

In any case President Obama has been such a huge disappointment that I may be willing to vote for a Republican again, as long as the Republicans can nominate someone who can at least create the appearance of being a real leader, someone who can stand up to the most radical elements in his own base when necessary like Ronald Reagan did on a number of occasions. I don't expect to ever see another one like Teddy Roosevelt, Franklin Roosevelt, or Ronald Reagan. I know all of them had their faults and their detractors can even make a case that they did some terrible things, but given the difficulty of being the leader of the most powerful nation in the world during a century that was wracked by such terrible and devastating wars, those three seem to have done remarkably well. I don't think it is entirely the fault of Bill Clinton or George W. Bush or Barack Obama that they have each been such disappointing presidents in so many ways. They have all had to deal with an immensely powerful mafia-like banking system and the difficulty of managing the sheer size and weight of the US government, and especially the momentum of the military-industrial complex and the intelligence/security apparatus in the context of a world that is rapidly changing, extremely chaotic and volatile. The American people seem poorly informed, childish in our expectations, and wanting to stick our heads in the sand when it comes to many of the bigger issues.

The bitterness of our divisions and disagreements (and mutual distrust) probably has a number of causes. But here is one striking fact. The country has been badly divided ever since the Vietnam War. That war and other events of the time so badly divided the country that no Vietnam combat veteran has even been elected President. Being a Vietnam vet has actually been either a political liability or at best not a big plus. It is the first time I know of in US history that being a combat veteran of a major US war has not been a major political plus in running for President. Bill Clinton did not serve in the military. John McCain, a Vietnam hero if we ever had any heroes from that war, lost the nomination in 2000 and lost the election in 2008. George W. Bush served in the National Guard, but thereby avoided actually going to Vietnam. And even his VP, Dick Cheney, the most hawkish of hawks, avoided military service during the Vietnam War. Not that I have any standing to criticize anyone who didn't fight in Vietnam, since I took my college deferment and later got a very high draft number. And I sure didn’t volunteer to fight there.

I can't exactly remember what I was thinking about above when I mentioned the "bright side." But, I still have some optimism that the American people will wake up and figure out how to work together on the things that we can agree on. Oddly, I have numerous friends of every imaginable political and religious stripe. I seem to get along with all of them just fine on a personal level. Yet I am less and less sure what exactly we can come up with that most of us can agree on. I once thought I understood American politics. Now, not so much. For example, can anyone give me a meaningful definition of “sovereignty” in the 21st Century in light of the seeming tendency of nearly everyone to go along with the continued internationalization of all trade rules and other aspects of the economy, finance, etc.? Americans seem willing to expend all of our energy fighting over the culture war and things like the definition of patriotism. We get involved in endless wars of words and name calling contests, seemingly content to let the international elites of all stripes merrily divide up the world for their own benefit and make all the big decisions without bothering to inform us “little people” of what they have decided. My only request is that people ask more and deeper questions. We need to become more intelligent in how we engage in politics and how we decide who to trust, who to support, and what policies to support.

Missing the Cold War

2011-04-15T12:16:00.002-04:00

Today's guest blogger has been a life-long friend. We were close all through jr. high and high school. Then college and life took us in different directions. Last year we got together again for our high school reunion and discovered that we still have similar interests and opinions. As before, we don't always agree and we still enjoy lively conversations on a wide range of topics. Unlike my wife and I, he doesn't practice politibacy -- nor is he an apolitical inactivist.

This piece isn't intended as a personal manifesto, rather, he hopes to ignite interest and engage in healthy discourse with others who can contribute both similar and differing voices. Please consider the words of Mangham, LA native, Reese McKay, who now resides with his wife in Colorado. (Image from pravda.ru)

==================================================================

Part One:

I often find myself missing those old days of the Cold War. It seemed like there was a certain stability and predictability about that era, although that's probably just bullshit. The decade of the sixties with Vietnam and all the assassinations was as volatile and dangerous as any other time in history. But the 70s and 80s seemed somewhat more upbeat to some of us at least. That is also probably an illusion. There were numerous economic and political upheavals during those two decades also. I probably have good memories of those two decades because I was finally out in the world on my own, starting businesses, learning about the oil business, and exploring the Rocky Mountains from the Canadian border all the way to New Mexico.

Lately I have been watching documentary after documentary on the “New World Order.” For me politics and especially world history and international politics have been a lifelong interest, so the ideas and warnings expressed in these documentaries don't especially shock me, although I could become depressed about it if I allowed myself to dwell on it too much.

In any case, as they say on Monty Python, "always look on the bright side of life." So, looking at the bright side, watching all these movies (and reading quite a few books over the past five or six years) has given me a more comprehensive understanding of the perilous situation we are in now. The fact is, even if you choose to have a more optimistic outlook (crazy as that may be) and assume that the people can still become informed enough and exert enough concerted effort as voters and active citizens to have some effect on the direction of the US government and on global relations, wars, etc., the situation still looks dire. Even if I settle on the most optimistic interpretation I can possibly make on the events of the past 50 (or 100) years, it still doesn't look very good to me.

I used to believe there was really a meaningful difference between electing a Republican or electing a Democrat as President. I voted for Ronald Reagan twice and on balance I think he was a decent president when I compare him many of the others (both before and after). But, even with the Reagan administration, the executive branch continued to arrogate more and more power to itself. The role of Congress continued to decline. The odd thing now is to remember that the "news media" actually reported on a good deal of the secret shadow government operations back during the 80s. By and large the major networks and newspapers actually reported the major scandals involving the CIA and other government agencies. They even reported on and questioned the excessive influence of some of the top para-government, para-state organizations such as the Trilateral Commission and the Council on Foreign Relations. It is almost hard to believe now watching old TV news footage from the 80s and seeing the news reporters actually asking serious questions of high officials about things that the "news" media almost totally ignores (deliberately of course) since those days.

Even though the top politicians were almost always protected by all kinds of finagling and "plausible denial" -- some people were actually arrested, tried, and convicted for violating US laws in some cases, including fairly high level executives of some private corporations. For example, the CIA's involvement in drug smuggling and money laundering was openly reported. Important banks such as BCCI were exposed as laundering drug money among other crimes. Now these things (although it seems certain they are happening on an even much bigger scale than they were during the 80s) are almost never acknowledged or mentioned by the big US TV news networks or the AP or the big newspapers. Now about all you get is nonstop inane gossip about the latest celebrity caught up in some meaningless personal scandal and continuous reports whenever any big natural disaster happens, politicians caught in sex scandals, and even relatively small local disasters are reported breathlessly (even if it is a fire happening in some town a thousand miles or more from where you live). Anything to avoid reporting on any substantive debates on serious national or international issues (except in brief sound bites). In fact many of the issues that historically would have been openly debated by Congress are now being "debated" behind closed doors by the para-state operations (presumably).

All through the last twelve presidencies since the end of World War II and the beginning of the Cold War, it seems that the military industrial complex and the "security state" apparatus of secret government has steadily grown in size, power, impunity, and ever greater secrecy. Congress is virtually a useless appendage when it comes to foreign affairs, and the members of Congress in both parties have largely acquiesced in this process of allowing the legislative branch to be neutered in relation to foreign policy, starting and conducting wars, etc. They can't even demand to find out what the intelligence agencies are doing in broad general terms (state secrets, especially memorably invoked by Senator Inouye back during the 80s or early 90s-- "I respectfully request, blah blah blah"). The continuity from Democratic administrations to Republican ones and back to Democratic ones is remarkably constant. The executive branch becomes ever more opaque and grabs onto ever more power and governs more and more through executive orders. Since 2001 the President (both of them) has routinely signed executive orders every year continuing the state of emergency declared that year under “Continuation of Government” laws. According to these laws Congress SHALL review these orders within 6 months after any emergency is declared and SHALL decide whether to extend the "emergency" or revoke it. Yet, Congress has routinely just passively let it go on.

Any way, I was turned off of politics (and much more interested in other aspects of life) during most of the 90s and the first term of George W. Bush's presidency. I did follow the news on Iraq, Afghanistan, etc., just not as assiduously as during other periods of my life perhaps. So, with my renewed interest over the past few years I have had a chance to look at it all with fresh eyes, a new perspective. And with this new perspective I am now finally even beginning to understand why so many of my friends consider global warming to be another fishy issue. Even though I still believe that the science of global warming is solid and has evolved over a 150 year (or even longer) period of ongoing scientific investigation, I can see that it is such a convenient issue for the global elites (the biggest bankers and wealthiest families being the dominant members of this elite set) to use in their dream of further establishing their “new world order,” which has been talked about at least since the days of Woodrow Wilson and the aftermath of the First World War. But each generation of politicians has grabbed onto this concept of a “new world order” and tried to redefine it in whatever way suited the political elites of the time. I can vividly remember President George H. W. Bush evoking his own version of the new world order back in the late 80s and early 90s. It is a vague and malleable term, a term that can have a kind of feel good quality as well as a kind of hard edged toughness to it. In that way it is perfect as a political propaganda term in American politics, since it can have some kind of appeal to both the liberals and the conservatives. It is perfect for politicians who wish to hedge their bets because it seems so innocuous and never has to be fully defined and explained.

However, the reality of this long and endless process of establishing a new world order is that it has no end. It is never finished. In actual practice one of its consequences seems to involve the gradual destruction of the United States as a sovereign nation (a project that is pretty far along) and establishing a system of world government that is accountable only to these elites (probably a mere 10,000 or so super-wealthy interconnected people, although their networks of influence obviously extend throughout all governments, most of the larger corporations, think tanks, etc.) My personal take on this is that it is not really a grand conspiracy in the way such things are often defined. There may not even be any real centralized organizational structure that is secretly in charge of this movement, whether people imagine such an organization to be the Bilderberg Group, the Club of Rome, the Trilateral Commission, the Council on Foreign Relations, the Free Masons, Skull and Bones at Yale University, or any other such murky and secretive organization. I see this process more as the natural tendency of all of the people in possession of great wealth and power, and who wish to solidify their own hold on that wealth and power. One way to consolidate and extend such wealth and power is through the creation of ongoing political and academic institutions that are designed to maintain the current global status quo, whatever that may be. But, generally, as has been so well stated, power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. The more power and influence these various organizations, “trade and investment accords,” central banks, and other international political and economic structures manage to gain for themselves, the more they are emboldened to grab onto more power, and to attempt to create oligopolistic power structures that are accountable to no one else.

Part Two will appear here on Sunday, April 17, 2011. Please come back for the conclusion.

Super Moon

2011-03-20T11:47:00.003-04:00

On the evening of March 19, 2011, the moon was not only full, it was as close to the Earth as is has been in eighteen years. I set up my tripod and got my camera and 600mm lens ready and waited. Moonrise was later than I thought, it had to come up over Cold Mountain for me to see it, and there was a lot of clouds moving through the area.

Here's the link to my gallery of 13 shots I made of the "Super Moon".
http://etier.zenfolio.com/p748786303

I hope you enjoy them and will leave comments with your reactions either in the gallery or here on the blog. Thanks for stopping by and viewing my work.

Louisiana Swamp Shoot

2011-03-11T12:09:00.006-05:00

Last week I drove back home to Louisiana to conduct a photo shoot in the swamps near where I grew up.

Various selections from that shoot will be available for viewing and purchase on several sites where my work is seen now. Watch for more selections at my "Louisiana Swamp Shoot" gallery on zenfolio.com.

My journey took me to familiar sites from my childhood, particularly the "slough" (pronounced "slew") near my parents' home. Also, we got several good shots under and near a bridge on Little Creek. It's near Lone Cherry Baptist Church, on the way to Goldmine Plantation.

Serial Photography

2011-02-26T18:47:00.010-05:00

Almost seven years ago, I read an interesting article in Shutterbug magazine. It was about "self-assignments" for photography projects. They suggested that for one month, try to take as many different images of "stairs" as possible. All different types and locations of stairs would be great. I took images of staircases and steps both inside and out, fancy and plain, modern and traditional. I even found a set of concrete steps in the yard of a lumber company that was being offered for sale. The next month, the subject was anything "green". Each month, readers were encouraged to select a different subject.

Well, the images above didn't come out large enough. Wanted to show an example of serial photos with signs. The reader board at the church -- seen through a wet windshield says, "Pray for rain." The diner is the "No Name" diner and the portable reader board says, "Go green. Buy army surplus". The motel sign says, "Welcome Hookers -- Lowest Rates". I guess I'll sacrifice spontaneous humor for the example of the serial photos. [sigh]

It was serial photography. Now, Harald Mante has written a book about it. Serial Photography -- Using Themed Images to Improve Your Photographic Skills will be available on February 28, 2011 and would be a great investment of both your time and money. I recommend it highly!

Travel Photography

2011-02-25T12:14:00.003-05:00

Watch for my images soon on a new website dedicated to "travel photography". When the site is up and running, I'll post a link. (Sample image included here is Cumberland Falls in Kentucky. The image is copyrighted by RFWLLC and it's use or reproduction is prohibited.)

Meanwhile, here are a couple of books I've reviewed that relate to the subject.

http://technorati.com/entertainment/article/book-review-the-art-of-photography/

http://technorati.com/entertainment/article/exploring-north-american-landscapes-by-marc/

Nude in Art

2011-02-21T20:55:00.004-05:00

For over 25,000 years, the nude as been the most enduring subject in art.

So, is it art? Is it erotica? Is it pornography?

Art historian, Tim Marlow, hosts a new DVD containing four episodes discussing "The Nude in Art" will be released on February 22, 2001.

Read my review here: http://technorati.com/entertainment/article/nude-in-art-with-tim-marlow/

"Crashing Augusta" reviewed

2011-02-13T17:29:00.005-05:00

My review of a collection of short stories (originally published in Playboy) was published today over at Technorati.com.

The book is available on Amazon in both paperback and on Kindle. I highly recommend it both for yourself or as a gift. The Masters Golf Tournament is less than sixty days away as baseball season is right around the corner, too.

You can read my review at the link below: http://technorati.com/entertainment/article/crashing-augusta-real-life-tales-of/

Vargas Remembered

2011-02-11T13:41:00.002-05:00

Vargas’ work is considered by many critics and aficionados to be some of, if not the best, of the pin-up and illustrator category. It is both inspired and inspiring and therefore some of the most copied. A Google search for “alberto vargas” yields 2,240,000 results. Delving into that search, you can still find specific site references to Vargas’ beautiful, sensual, exotic women nineteen pages deep.

A search on YouTube for “vargas girls” turns up an amazing 750 results; that’s a lot of video clips! It must be mind boggling for curators of his work and representatives of his estate to protect the images from those who would use his incredible talent and amazing work for personal gain. Out of millions of reproductions of his work, there’s just no telling how many are meant to honor the man and his work and how many are malicious attempts to capitalize on the name/ “Vargas” for personal gain. No doubt, Playboy magazine has an interest in various copyrighted works as well – Vargas became a household name because of Hugh Hefner.

As they say, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery and it was proven time and again in the military. Countless aircraft carried images (many inspired or copied from Vargas) of scantily clad women with suggestive names. Shown above is the “Memphis Belle” along with the original Vargas girl that inspired the nose art. (Image credit: B24BestWeb.com)

Check out my article commemorating the 115^th anniversary of the birth

of AlbertoVargas here: http://technorati.com/entertainment/article/vargas-remembered/

Cholesterol

2011-02-06T07:40:00.003-05:00

My total cholesterol blood value has hovered around 200 for over 15 years. Last year it was 237. We're waiting on results of lab tests done last week to see how it stands now. After reading and reviewing this new book, I'm VERY reluctant to consider oral meds.

When the first studies came out indicating that cholesterol could be a contributing factor to atherosclerosis and heart attacks, the "normal" range of blood levels for total cholesterol was established as 150 to 300. Over the years, the higher end of the range has been lowered. Dr. Curtis says it was lowered with no evidence to support the change.

Here is my review of his book: http://technorati.com/lifestyle/article/the-cholesterol-delusion-by-ernest-n/

Check it out and see what you think. If you or someone you love is taking or thinking about taking drugs to lower your cholesterol, the modest investment in time and money in this book could make a difference!

Convergence

2011-02-05T17:38:00.002-05:00

Jazz pianist, Lynne Arriale will be releasing her eleventh CD on February 8, 2011. It's dynamite!

Jazz fans and newcomers to the genre with both enjoy this new album. Read my complete review here: http://technorati.com/entertainment/music/article/convergence-mdash-lynne-arriales-latest-release/

iPad, iPhone, iPhull -- Playboy Offers an Apple

2011-02-01T21:33:00.003-05:00

“Is that an iPad in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me?” – Mae West would most likely enjoy the opportunities that our media-driven world now offers for more people to be happy to see her. Whether you’re using the new Playboy Hard Drive or looking forward to the just announced Playboy feature (about to be available on iPad) to fill your eyes with beautiful models, opportunities abound.

No longer will viewers need to rely on hiding their covertly obtained copies of the magazine in their closet or under the bed. Now when an unwanted pair of eyes approaches, you can minimize the screen – just like on a computer – or simply put your iPad face down.

On Thursday, January 19, Hugh Hefner announced (via his “official” Twitter account) that Playboy (archives and new issues) would be available “uncensored” on iPad. That news became a cause celeb and sparked a media explosion over the possibility of Apple changing their rules to accommodate what some people regard as porn. Later, with another post on Twitter, Hefner amended his previous statement by saying, “Playboy will be available on iPad without the Playmates. Steve Jobs has a thing about nudity.”

Hef is in the process of taking over control of the Bunny Empire and has over the years learned that there is no such thing as bad publicity or a bad review. Since news came out about the possible buy-out, Playboy Enterprises has been in the news constantly. Last fall came the announcement of the Playboy Hard Drive and the news that more Playboy Clubs are on the drawing board. A new line of “retro” oriented Playboy products was revealed. Now the iPad thing has the attention of all the media news bureaus and others such as Device, PC magazine, and Forbes.

Forbes reports, “According to a Playboy spokeswoman, the content will be accessible through a ‘web-based subscription service’ that can be opened on the iPad. Meanwhile, iPad users will be able to access a nudity-free Playboy iPad app that meets Apple’s current guidelines.”

Hefner’s recent moves could be counterproductive. Playboy products are multiplying like rabbits! If he’s too successful, the term, “Playboy” could become too commonly used and endanger his copyright just like Xerox, Kleenex, PhotoShop, Jell-O, Band-Aid and aspirin.

Stereotypes, Profiling and Prejudice -- A Prelude to Black History Month

2011-01-31T21:24:00.007-05:00

Role-playing is a part of our lives. Americans are used to it. There was an entire session devoted to teaching us how to change roles quickly and completely in the Dale Carnegie Course I took back in 1978. At the time, I had a wife, two small kids and a job. Throughout the day I had to change roles frequently. Daddy, husband, gardener, mechanic were all different duties around the house. At work, doing my specific job wasn’t enough. At times I was a counselor, cashier, stock boy, janitor, and pharmacist. It’s hard to avoid letting one role interfere with another.

Often, our societies and cultures assign us roles. Many times those assignments are based entirely on the color of our skin, our ancestry, where we live, or our religion. As the general public becomes familiar, those assignments morph into stereotypes. How we respond, of course, varies. In 1650, George Fox mentioned in his journal that his religious sect was ridiculed because they would “tremble at the word of God.” Over time, The Society of Friends embraced their stereotype and now everyone knows about the “Quakers”.

Emphasize, or over-emphasize an aspect of a subject and you have a caricature. One example that comes to mind would be a drawing of Jay Leno with an overly large bottom jaw. Archie Bunker was a character whose popularity and acceptance turned out to be the antithesis of his creator’s intent. According to Wikipedia, “Norman Lear was shocked when Bunker quietly became a beloved figure to much of Middle America.” Meant to be a parody of right wing bigotry, the caricature of Archie Bunker actually represented the mindset of many viewers.

Some might be surprised to learn that an outspoken apologist for Mr. Bunker was the man who once described himself as “the most discriminated-against person in America. I’m short, Jewish, and black.” None other than Sammy Davis, Jr. himself made a guest appearance on All in the Family to tell Bunker that he liked him. Again from Wikipedia, “he [Davis] felt that Bunker’s ‘bigotry’ was based on his rough life experiences and also was honest and forthright in his opinions, and showed an openness to change his views if an individual treated him right.” Mr. Davis should know. He made a career of playing the stereotypical role that his audience wanted and expected – the subservient buffoon of the infamous “Rat Pack”. (We’ve often wondered if Sammy Davis, Jr. ever enjoyed a life of his own, free from his role, or if he was consumed by the part he played.)

Discrimination leads us directly into profiling. This writer experienced it back in 1973 when a long lost cousin from California asked if we saw many alligators on the way to school every day in Louisiana. He thought I rode in a pirogue to school. Mention a “redneck sheriff” and images of Jackie Gleason in “Smokey and the Bandit” come to mind. So I end up married to a New Jersey Yankee, and she thinks I’m Gomer Pyle!

Flash forward to a CNN report in 2005 from Paula Zahn about an airline ticketing agent who checked in Mohamed Atta on September 11, 2001, who “would later say that looking at the pair his first reaction was to think ‘If this doesn't look like two Arab terrorists, I've never seen two Arab terrorists.’ But he immediately felt guilty, and had no legal grounds to search on the basis of their suspicious appearance had he wished to.^”

Many readers will remember the story of Danny Glover and his experience with the New York City cab driver (who was allegedly of Arabic descent). In a stunning turn of events, on December 7, 2010, bvblackspin.com reported that Fernando Mateo, head of the New York State Federation of taxi drivers, (who himself is of black and Latino origin) urged his members to racially profile their passengers. Said Mateo, "I don't care about racial profiling. You know, sometimes it is good we are racially profiled, because the God's honest truth is that 99 percent of the people that are robbing, stealing, killing these drivers are blacks and Hispanics.” What would Archie Bunker or Sammy Davis, Jr., say about that?

The late Michael Crichton, author, medical doctor and anthropologist defined prejudice as “opinion in the absence of evidence.” When we form opinions based on stereotypes, caricatures, profiling and prejudice, we make mistakes that can not only be embarrassing to ourselves, but potentially hurtful and disrespectful to the subject. Dr. Dorian McCoy, a personal friend of this writer earned his doctorate at L.S.U. and took a job teaching at the University of Vermont several years ago. He is Assistant Professor of Higher Education and Student Affairs and recounts this frequent occurrence: “Many times I was asked by strangers (all white) during our first two years here, ‘So, you are a coach at UVM?’ Why is it that people assume if you are African American and work in higher education - you are a coach?”

Stereotyping, profiling, and prejudice may be the only facets of inter-racial relations that are truly non-discriminatory. We’ve all been victims and we’re all guilty as charged. Will complaining about it, acts of aggression and filing suit help? Perhaps we should take the advice of Jesus Christ when he said, “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone.” (KJV). Remember the question asked in 1991 by another man who became famous, “Can’t we all get along?”

The answer to Rodney King’s question should be a resounding “Yes!” It will take generations of hard work, self examination, and individual acceptance of responsibility for attitudes and mutual respect for it to happen. But it’s possible.

Rat Pack Memories

2011-01-23T19:44:00.002-05:00

Reprise Records is releasing a new collection of songs from Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis, Jr. Don't ask me how they selected the songs. All the selections are fine, especially the ones by SDJ, but two of my favorites are missing!

"Just the Way You Look Tonight" by Sinatra and

"That's Amore!" by Dean Martin

Here's the link to my review: http://digg.com/news/entertainment/rat_pack_memories

Thanks for clicking through and checking it out. A comment would be great, too!

Playboy iPad

2011-01-21T18:30:00.003-05:00

Hugh Hefner is in the news again. If he's not getting married, buying out stockholders, or announcing new products, he's stirring up things in the media.

If nothing else, he certainly knows how to get headlines.

Check out my report here:

http://technorati.com/technology/gadgets/article/playboy-ipad-takes-it-all-off/

Jeff Beck Honors Les Paul

2011-01-20T21:24:00.003-05:00

Check out my review of a special program. Jeff Beck et al honors Les Paul with a great show. Lots of PBS stations used this last fall in their annual pledge drives.

http://technorati.com/entertainment/tv/article/jeff-beck-honors-les-paul-mdash/

GJMYDM9QQ8UX

2011-01-16T18:26:00.002-05:00

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Jazz Life

2011-01-15T19:15:00.004-05:00

Check out my review of a great jazz/photography book. Do you believe photography is art? Do you see photography as art?

Do you enjoy jazz music?

Here's the link to my review: http://technorati.com/entertainment/music/article/your-pictures-have-soul/

Click through and read the review. Please leave a comment.

Photography As Art

2011-01-07T17:40:00.004-05:00

One of the best ways a "self-taught" photographer can learn, is to study the work of other artists that are regarded as being successful, "critically acclaimed", or a "master". That was true back in the summer of 1969 when I studied drawing at Louisiana Tech. I spent many hours in the library or in galleries trying to learn from the work of others.

Now, here comes a photographer who for over forty years has been considered a master at his craft. He has collected the work of fifty-two other photographers (who all are considered to be artists) into one volume. What a great book!

You can read my entire review and see three sample images here, at Technorati.com.

The first image in the book just happens to be the work of another author who's book I reviewed just a short time ago. Bruce Barnbaum's "Circular Chimney" starts the collection. Click through and see what you think.

Edwin Edwards -- Governor of Louisiana

2010-12-31T22:18:00.003-05:00

People from all over the country brag that their home state has the worst, or most corrupt politics in the country. My wife is from New Jersey and she has always argued in favor of The Garden State having some dubious political history -- until she moved to Louisiana. In spite of her home state loyalty, she seems to agree that things are very bad in the deep south.

For over fifty years, Edwin Edwards was involved in some way in the state's political scene.

Click here and read my review of an interesting new book about the former governor who is at the time of this writing, incarcerated in federal prison.

Even if you aren't from Louisiana or don't care about Louisiana, there's something for everyone with any interest in politics.

Robert E. Lee

2010-12-30T23:15:00.003-05:00

PBS will air a documentary on Robert E. Lee on Monday, Jan.3, 2011 at 9:00 PM.

Notice the physical changes in his appearance as he aged, and also as the was affected by the stress of war. The two images furtherest to the right could be as close together as 6 months but are most likely a few years apart (maybe as much as 10-15 years). I had the opportunity to review a preview copy recently. Here's my review:

http://technorati.com/entertainment/tv/article/dvd-review-american-experience-mdash-robert/

Art of Photography

2010-12-26T22:54:00.005-05:00

Great new book on the technical side of photography.

Instructor Bruce Barnbaum includes important NON-technical info as well.

Shown here is one of my favorite images of his, "Moonrise Over Cliffs and Dunes".

Often criticized as being "false", it is actually a combination of two images. What it depicts, does not exist in nature.

Do you think this is ethical?

Does it compromise his integrity?

Check out my entire review here:

http://technorati.com/entertainment/article/book-review-the-art-of-photography/

War Is A Racket

2010-12-26T18:28:00.004-05:00

Ever heard of Smedley Darlington Butler?

How about "Devil Dogs"?

Butler was, at least during his lifetime, the most decorated solder in U.S. military history. To this day, not very many have won TWO Medals of Honor. Then, after a thirty-three year career of exemplar service to this country, Butler experienced an enlightenment. He began a campaign against war.

War Is A Racket is his book explaining his position, how he arrived at that position, and his recommendation for dealing with war. Here is my review of that book.

Mel Torme - Remembered at Christmas

2010-12-23T21:14:00.004-05:00

Another Christmas season and another time to hear our favorite Christmas music. Here's some info on the composer of a seasonal favorite, "The Christmas Song". Many of us know it by the lyrics in the first verse, "Chestnuts roasting on an open fire..."

Nat King Cole had a big hit with it and it's one of the most covered Christmas songs ever.

Join me in celebrating and remembering Mel Torme. Follow this link to my tribute to him on Technorati.com.

John Lennon - Power to the People

2010-12-12T07:14:00.002-05:00

Here's my review of a new compilation of Lennon hits.

http://technorati.com/entertainment/music/article/music-review-john-lennon-mdash-power/

I also had a review of a new book about John and the link to it is here:

http://technorati.com/entertainment/article/book-review-john-lennon-mdash-life/

Please take a moment to check out these articles and consider re-tweeting, sharing on Facebook, and/or Digging them. I would really appreciate it.

Robert Altman - The Oral Biography

2010-12-11T23:04:00.006-05:00

Mitchell Zuckoff has written a new book about film legend, Robert Altman. Here's the link to my review: http://blogcritics.org/books/article/book-review-robert-altman-the-oral/

Altman directed 37 movies, countless television programs, and several plays. Here's the trailer to one of my favorite movies he directed:

Remembering Leroy Anderson

2010-12-05T21:23:00.010-05:00

Who? You know.

I bet you know the words to some of his songs already -- may have danced to some of them, too. Do you tango?

Do you type?

Ever listened to a clock?

Danced with your cat?

You know Leroy, he's great! Oh, and he pronounces it: "la - ROY", the classical way. He went to Hah-vahd you know.

He's shown here in this photo with Arthur Fiedler of the Boston Pops for whom he wrote a number of pieces. A large portion of his body of work was referred to as "light orchestral" compositions. He would appear as a guest conductor for the BP and of course conduct his own pieces.

Read my article at this link for the rest of the story:

http://technorati.com/entertainment/music/article/remembering-leroy-anderson/

Playboy Hard Drive

2010-12-04T21:14:00.005-05:00

Here's my news article on Playboy Magazine's most recent effort to recoup lost readership, revenue, and advertising.

Business analysts say the future for the magazine is online -- but this is off-line. It's an external hard drive.

Read the story here: http://technorati.com/technology/article/playboy-hard-driveevery-issue-cover-to/

No Pressure

2010-11-27T17:15:00.007-05:00

Since the television and motion picture industries started self-governing themselves and attempting to apply some standards to their products, it seemed as though killing children on-screen was a taboo.

A despicable ad campaign came out in October 2010 with an effort to scare people into supporting the climate change movement. Not only did they blow up children and adults who didn't consent to their "no pressure" approach, they succeeded in getting explosive reactions with an epic fail production.

Check out my wife's commentary on the campaign in her article here. As she says, if nothing else, "no pressure" will become a popular catch phrase.

Yo ho ho!

2010-11-27T13:43:00.006-05:00

In January of 2010 I reviewed Michael Crichton's book that was discovered by one of his assistants after the legendary author's death, Pirate Latitudes. I liked it very much and now have learned that Steven Spielberg (who worked with Crichton on Jurassic Park and E.R.) will be doing the movie.

Also, the existence of a book trailer was just pointed out to me and here it is. If you have read the book, it might be convenient to read it again before the movie debut. That's what I plan to do. Hmmmmmm........I wonder who might get cast as Lazue?

Watch for more details as they become available.

2010-11-26T15:01:00.002-05:00

Over a year ago, I started writing reviews for Blogcritics and more recently, Technorati. These are sister publications and appear online at their respective websites. My reviews cover a variety of media including movies, books, and music. My favorite kind of music is JAZZ and you can find my jazz oriented articles as a part of the “Jazzed Up” feature. Articles about other music genres are scattered through the “Entertainment” section of Technorati and the “Music” section at Blogcritics. Frequently my reviews are picked up by other publications like Seattle Post Intelligencer and other websites like "Cloudspeakers.com". Please leave a comment and if you have a request, please let me know!

Clarence Darrow's Landmark Cases

2010-11-25T14:42:00.003-05:00

How many lawyers can boast of having been involved in a "landmark" case -- or one haled as "the trial of the century"? Clarence Darrow could and did. How about THREE? Clarence Darrow did!

I recently reviewed a new book about those cases. An interesting bit of history (which I discuss in my review) involved three other trials without which, none of the three big cases would have seen Darrow's participation.

For some reason, books with long titles seem to appeal to me and this is no exception. The Great Trials of Clarence Darrow: The Landmark Cases of Leopold and Loeb, John T. Scopes, and Ossian Sweet is a, but wait. Just click HERE and read my review. It would be great if you could leave a comment over there or here. I'd appreciate the feedback.

"The Kennedy Detail"

2010-11-23T09:05:00.004-05:00

When I got home from school That Day, my mother told me she had been watching "As The World Turns" when it was interrupted by the CBS News Bulletin, Walter Cronkite speaking.

November 22, 2010 was the forty seventh anniversary of this fateful day. Recently I had the opportunity to review a new book about the secret service agents assigned to protect the First Family on what they refer to as "That Day".

The Kennedy Detail: JFK's Secret Service Agents Break Their Silence was written by former agent, Gerald Blaine along with award winning author, Lisa McCubbin. Retired agent Clint Hill (shown in the above photograph) wrote the foreword.

Please click on the link, enjoy the article and share on Facebook and Twitter.

Bob Dylan's Lyrics

2010-10-31T22:30:00.004-04:00

It took me years to figure out some of Dylan's lyrics. The actual words I mean. Sometimes he's hard to understand! Finally, the internet came along and was of great assistance. Now there's a book out, two actually, that deal with where the lyrics came from and some inkling as to what they might mean and their significance.

Here's the link to my review of Still On The Road, by Clinton Heylin.

Last year, I reviewed Dylan's Christmas album and now I'm looking for it because it's about time to start listening to Christmas music again. Sure got here fast!

Bob Creates a New Word -- "Politibacy"

2010-10-26T06:48:00.003-04:00

My creative wife, Miss Bob, has been busy again. This time, she's come up with a new word. Her prolific writing (over 420 articles for Blogcritics in less than a year and 49 for Technorati in 26 days) has given her lots of opportunity for self expression and in doing so, she's come up with a great new word!

It is: " POLITIBACY" and she talks about and uses it in the first paragraph of her recent article reviewing a documentary by Oliver Stone. http://technorati.com/entertainment/film/article/dvd-oliver-stone-goes-south-of/

It would have been great to have had this word when I wrote this article. It sounds better than "apolitical".

http://etierphotography.blogspot.com/2009/12/apolitical-inactivist.html

We would both appreciate some feedback; what do you think?

Review of a Pulitzer Prize winning book!

2010-10-10T19:56:00.002-04:00

This doesn't happen every day; or week; or even year. It was a great honor for me to be able to review the book that won the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for non-fiction.

Another significant aspect is that this is true and more terrifying because it is. If you thought you were safe just because the Cold War ended, think again.

What's the 21st Century version of "duck and cover"?

Here's my review:

http://blogcritics.org/books/article/book-review-the-dead-hand-the/

The New Mickey Spillane?

2010-09-10T07:26:00.002-04:00

The second novel of the "Jo Epstein" mysteries is available now to pre-order from Amazon. It hits the streets in Nov. 2010.

Here's an excerpt from my recent review and a link to the entire article:

"[Joyce Yarrow]..may very well prove herself to be the Mickey Spillane of the 21st century. Has the golden age of pulp fiction returned? Yarrow and Spillane share similar roots, the Bronx and Brooklyn respectively. Like Spillane, she can come up with some great analogies, exciting plotlines and typical street/detective chatter."

Read more: http://blogcritics.org/books/article/book-review-the-last-matryoshka-by/#ixzz0z7p4jmPR

And here's the trailer from YouTube:

Global Warming -- Which side are you on?

2010-09-10T07:13:00.005-04:00

Climatism! by Steve Goreham hit the streets back in April, 2010.

Here's an excerpt from my review and the link to the entire article:

Regardless of which side of the global warming issue you find yourself, have you been successful in converting anyone who doesn’t agree over to your point of view? That might be as easy as getting Michelle Obama to become a Methodist Republican — or getting Rush Limbaugh to become a Zen Buddhist Democrat!

Read more: http://blogcritics.org/books/article/book-review-climatism-by-steve-goreham/#ixzz0z7laIXWk

How I Watch Football

2010-08-18T08:15:00.004-04:00

Seems like I've loved football all my life. Watching on TV is a lot of fun and I enjoy games when none of my favorite teams are participating. I just pick one of the two in the game and cheer for them.

Over the years, as I've gotten more familiar with the rules, listening to the announcers, commentators, and other talking heads has become boring, tedious, and irritating.

Many times, while watching an LSU game on TV, I would "MUTE" the sound and tune in on the radio so I could hear Jim Hawthorne, the "Voice of the Tigers". Living in the mountains of North Carolina makes it difficult to hear Jim now, so I've come up with another solution -- and it works for any game!

Again, I hit the "mute" button and now, I turn on my CD player and listen to OPERA!

Yes, you read that correctly, opera. One of my favorite performers is Kiri Te Kanawa.

One aspect of opera that appeals to me is the emotion -- and football games are full of emotion! Whether your favorite team is winning or loosing, it's a emotional roller coaster throughout. Years ago, the schools' bands were featured at half-time. Now we just get more commercials and talking heads.

Many public broadcast stations present the Metropolitan Opera on Saturday afternoons and that's great timing for college games.

NFL Films actually filmed a "Hi Mom Opera" years ago and that's where I got the idea. To see it, go to this link and skip all the way over to the last segment, at the "40 min" marker.

It's going to be a long time till football ends next year (the Superbowl isn't until May 2011), so enjoy the opera and have a great season!

Rush Limbaugh! An Army of One

2010-08-15T07:03:00.011-04:00

On August 12, 2010, Zogby International released poll results showing Republicans leading in this fall's elections while the presidential approval rating remains at 43%.

A June 2010 Gallup poll shows that people who consider themselves to be conservative outnumber their liberal counterparts by 2:1.

It's not common for the party in control to dominate the mid-term elections, but these numbers at lease raise eyebrows, especially considering the way Democrats dominated the last national elections.

Can observers credit Limbaugh as having influenced this turnaround? USA Today founder, Al Neuharth, reports in the August 6 edition that Limbaugh's daily radio show is carried on almost six hundred stations and has a daily listenership of "between 15 million and 20 million". He even claims to be a frequent listener himself.

Michael Harrison, publisher of Talkers, the leading trade publication covering talk radio says, "Limbaugh is more -- not less -- important than he thinks he is."

Lanny J. Davis, a lawyer, political columnist, and former Clinton aide says that Limbaugh is dangerous because "millions of people believe him."

I recently reviewed the new biography of Limbaugh, Rush Limbaugh An Army of One,by Zev Chafets, for Blogcritics.org. I was surprised to learn that Limbaugh's January 2009 comment about the new administration, "I hope he fails." set the Republican strategy for the November 2010 elections. Limbaugh's role models included Ronald Reagan, William F. Buckley, and Muhammed Ali. He privately supports gay unions and does not feel strongly about capital punishment.

It was interesting to note that Limbaugh's basic tenants, belief structure, and modus operandi haven't changed much, if any, from his statements in the 1993 Playboy interview. Whether you are a loyal fan, or hate is guts is irrelevant. You will benefit from this book either way. Read the complete review here.

Jazz Guitar!

2010-08-06T08:15:00.004-04:00

Instrumental jazz got me through pharmacy school. I hated to study in silence but lyrics distracted me. I needed some variety to classical and Mantovani. Dave Brubeck and "Take 5" came along just in time.

Over the years, I expanded my interests in jazz and started tuning in to WBRH (Baton Rouge High). It's the only high school radio station in the country and they play smooth jazz 24/7. Since I started writing for Blogcritics.org in October of 2009, it's been a pleasure to write about jazz music.

Check out my two articles on the work of Lee Ritenour. First a review of his latest project, 6 String Theory -- http://blogcritics.org/music/article/music-review-lee-ritenour-6-string/

And, then, a real treat for me, an interview with "Captain Fingers" himself!

http://blogcritics.org/music/article/a-conversation-with-lee-ritenour/

Enjoy the articles and please, I could use a few diggs, re-tweets, and shares on FB.

Are you ready for some football?

2010-07-09T17:33:00.003-04:00

It's about that time again! As of this writing, the first high school games are barely six weeks away!

I'll be writing a feature column on football at Blogcritics and hope you will visit with questions, comments, and suggestions.

Here's some good summer reading to get you into the mood. These are my reviews of two great football books.

First a look at a unique idea that Jackie Sherril turned into a tradition at Texas A & M.

http://blogcritics.org/books/article/book-review-no-experience-required-by/

Next a review of the history of one of America's winningest college programs, The University of Alabama.

http://blogcritics.org/books/article/book-review-the-a-game-great/

I recommend both of these books. Excellent writing, great stories, and memorable illustrations and photography. Both are available on Amazon.

Violinjazz - Gypsy Jazz !!!

2010-06-24T18:35:00.002-04:00

If you aren't familiar with this genre of music, you're in for a real treat! It has roots in folk, rural, local, and classical music. Django Rheinhart is probably the most well known and now here comes Jeremy Cohen drawing attention to an American artist who was also great in that field: Eddie South.

Here's my review of Cohen's group's CD: http://blogcritics.org/music/article/music-review-violinjazz-the-music-of/

And here's my telephone interview with the talented Mr. Cohen: http://blogcritics.org/music/article/violinjazzs-jeremy-cohen-talks-about-the/

You can hear samples at Amazon, please check it out.

Sensational Murder Trial !!

2010-06-05T19:11:00.002-04:00

"He needed killing." was, as the legend goes, a legal and effective defense in the Deep South for shooting a man.

The "hip pocket move" and the doctrine of "apparent danger," taken together, were the comparable defense in the Wild West Days of Fort Worth, Texas. Fort Worth, in the roaring twenties, was still considered in many ways to be enjoying the "wild west" ways of days gone by. It was certainly true of their legal system. To that synergistic mix, add Fort Worth's eleventh commandment, "Thou Shalt Not Mess With J. Frank Norris" and it's easy to see how a local pastor with the national celebrity similar to that enjoyed in later years by Michael Jackson or O.J. Simpson could be found guilty in the court of public opinion and acquitted by a jury of his peers.

Read my complete review here: http://blogcritics.org/books/article/book-review-apparent-danger-the-pastor/

Then if you want more info, I interviewed the author, Reverend David Stokes. Here's the link to that interview: http://blogcritics.org/books/article/interview-with-apparent-danger-author-david/

Tarantino and Violence

2010-06-03T07:00:00.003-04:00

New book about Quentin Tarantino and his use of violence.

Read my review here: http://blogcritics.org/books/article/book-review-quentin-tarantino-life-at/

Memorial Day Memories

2010-05-28T19:48:00.003-04:00

Two articles published recently (this week) about Memorial Day. Please take a moment to click on each link and visit the two sites. There are some similarities, but each article is different.

Blogcritics gave my article there a front page headline on Saturday, 5-28-2010.

http://blogcritics.org/culture/article/memorial-day-memories/

The article over at Hubpages is longer and has more photos as well as related merchandise:

http://hubpages.com/hub/Memorial-Day-parade

I hope these two pieces help you remember those who gave the ultimate for our freedom today. Many times veterans are heard to say, "If you can read this, thank a teacher. If you are reading it in English, thank a veteran." No matter what language you speak today, if you see a veteran, be sure to offer your appreciation.

We often hear that in war, the first casualty is the truth. Regardless of how the politicians behave and the decisions they make, or the motives that drive those decisions, the poor grunt in the trenches and foxholes has to live with them. I choose to honor the men and women in uniform who meet the enemy in person. What becomes of them?

Football is in the air!

2010-05-16T07:52:00.003-04:00

Not just because of Ben Roethlisberger. Most high schools have finished their spring training and graduation is just a couple of weeks away. Football officials are signing up for the fall and we start meetings in July. August and the first weeks of the next season are barely a hundred days away.

It's a good time to re-visit a couple of articles I've had published that relate.

The first applies to every area of our lives although I wrote it in the context of football.

It involves staying in control.
http://blogcritics.org/sports/article/control-the-game/

Next comes an article that gives me a headache. Football helmets keep coming off!

You'll see in the article that both national and local organizations have promised to do something about it. So this season, we have a new rule. Officials have to watch for symptoms of concussions. A whole new can of worms!

http://blogcritics.org/sports/article/football-helmet-safety-heads-will-roll/

Since October 22, 2009 I've had fifty articles published at Blogcritics.org and I hope you have or will enjoy many of them.

My profile there:http://blogcritics.org/writers/fcetier/page-1/

Book Review: Zen and the Magic of Photography by Wayne Rowe

2010-05-06T21:58:00.002-04:00

Haiku: Pictures
by Bob Etier

The photographer
Sees an invisible world
and captures moments.
===================

I missed my exit. On the way home from work the other night, I drove right past my exit taking the same route as every night for over four years. Obviously this is a well known journey for me. I was aware of the other vehicles on the road and the operation of my own car. I was driving safely but my thoughts were elsewhere. This may not be the best analogy for a zen experience but it sure fits the mold for a somnambulist trance.

Since becoming a professional photographer, the most frequent compliment received involves my ability to "see" the subject with a different eye. "Oh, you see things I would have never noticed!" is a common remark. A major influence on my selection of subjects has for years been William Eggleston. Years ago someone said of his work, "He doesn't go out looking for the bizare, but he finds it in everyday situations." When an artist can produce work that elicits those type comments, it shows that he or she was "in the moment" when that piece was created.

A simple definition of zen is "meditation". Wikipedia says this of meditation: " a holistic discipline by which the practitioner attempts to get beyond the reflexive, 'thinking' mind into a deeper state of relaxation or awareness." We're back to "in the moment" now and it can apply to anything from motorcycle maintenance to religion to photography. Zen and the Magic of Photography is Wayne Rowe's offering on how to learn to see and to be through photography.

Dr. Rowe is a professional photographer and a professor of photography at Cal St. Tech in Pomona. His book consists of three parts. Part One deals with the image, zen, satori, haiku and their connections. Like Dr. Rowe, once I became "enlightened" it was clear that zen experiences have occurred for me and my Canon as well. I learned that seeing "with a different eye" can be described as making the "invisible visible". Chapter titles pique the readers interest with names like "Zen and the Empty Mind" or "The Role of Intuition and Feeling in Photography". My wife has written haiku for my images for years and Rowe's commentary on that aspect of zen really appealed to us.

Part Two encourages the reader to be open to all forms of the photograph from still to motion pictures. After a brief discussion of the "third effect", we're back to being in the moment. Covered here is a comparison of method acting as exemplified by James Dean and Marlon Brando to zen due to their "intuitive, spontaneous, realistic, and 'in the moment' style". Another example is the zen experience of a noted movie director as he films a climactic scene in Capote's In Cold Blood.

The concluding section offers examples from Dr. Rowe's own portfolio as well as others that illustrate his message. Analyses of the images by someone with Rowe's experience and love of his art make the book even more valuable to both the novice and seasoned professional. I especially enjoyed his comments on an iconic shot of James Dean at Times Square by Dennis Stock. Even a casual reader will quickly discover that Rowe has accomplished his goal to help us see and be through photography.

Would I buy this book? Yes, in a moment. It will help all photographers benefit from zen more often, and on purpose.

A Fragile Species - Guest Blogger

2010-04-09T11:10:00.006-04:00

Today's guest blogger is my dear friend, Miriam Goldberg. She wrote this essay to accompany my entry [shown here, "Dead Zinnia"] into the Fragile Earth photo competition at Western Carolina U. My entry was one of 96 accepted in a field of over 500.
================

Haiku
Snowflakes fall then melt,
their time profoundly fleeting,
in them I see us.

A Fragile Species

Do you know how many species of life there are? How many have disappeared? How many are disappearing? If your answer is “yes,” let’s sit down to tea. Because only God knows answers to these questions. Man has never known with whom or what he shares planet Earth. Just as you may know many, but not all, of the people who live in your town, we have a rough idea of our global neighbors. We know that within our own species lie great mysteries which define our differences, and we willingly admit that there are things in nature that defy our understanding, yet we seldom let our ignorance prevent us from making dire pronouncements on the state of the planet or its inhabitants, both plant and animal.
When a species is added to an endangered list, numbers dictate its inclusion. Low numbers. Perhaps, though, one of Earth’s most fragile species numbers in the billions. A species with a sketchy survival instinct that could easily paint itself into oblivion—that’s us.
Save the tigers! Save the rainforest! Save the whales! Save the polar bears! The list sometimes seems endless. How about “Save yourself!”? Let’s save ourselves from those who predict the death of our planet by a new ice age or a global warming. Let’s save ourselves from those who predict our future based on a pond’s frog population or the number of butterflies that drown in the Gulf of Mexico each autumn. Let’s save ourselves from our own words and actions by finally seeing our purpose on Earth.
We, the arrogant “owners” of the planet, are more bird-brained than the lowliest of birds, if any bird could be considered lowly. In arrogance, we strut around like peacocks; we crow our reign over all things living as if any other species agrees we have more of a right to this space than they. We’re cuckoo, and we are on our way to dodo status. It’s time to think small, my non-feathered friend.

As a species we strive for more territory, more influence, more power, more comfort, more knowledge. How about more understanding? Instead of solving problems by creating problems (such as the DDT solution or the Ethanol solution), let’s solve problems by understanding and eliminating them. No one would seriously blame the extinction of a species on that species, but we seem bent on deserving that responsibility. Has there ever been a more self-destructive species than man?
We expand our territory to include areas that are hostile to us, then attempt to eradicate the hostility, whether by resettling human populations, relocating crocodilians and bears, building sound barriers, rerouting rivers, or any of our other often futile endeavors to recreate and rule our environment. We think big. We want more. When we create a problem, we don’t solve it, we hide it with another, bigger problem, and we keep doing it until it’s seemingly unsolvable. The planet, however, has a simple solution: extinction. The phrase appearing on the tombstone of the extinct Homo Sapiens should be, “All they wanted was more.”
Our footprints are large, but not ineradicable. We feel we have no borders, no limits; this earth is ours! We believe that we are the proprietors of the planet, the invincible rulers. How nature laughs at us. We are so mighty, our entire species can be taken down by a microscopic, nearly invisible entity. We, whose numbers are large and whose influence seems boundless, can be exterminated by a virus. Our history of reproduction, colonization, and victory is primitive compared to what a virus can accomplish. Or a bacterium. Or bug. While hikers may fear a bear encounter, or swimmers a shark, so many more of us succumb to attacks by predators we have invited by invading their territory.
We affect climate, we affect nature, we affect each other, but we blame all these things for their effect on us. We are as fragile as earthworms and fireflies; despite knowing we are mortal, we feel invincible. Therein is our weakness, our fatal flaw. Our footprint is large, but when we no longer walk this planet, the earth will quickly recover. Nature will overtake our cities, our homes, our factories, and malls. Birds will make nests in our plastic shoeboxes, cockroaches will eat our wallpaper, all species—known and unknown to us—will benefit from us having been here, but gone. And the planet—self-cleaning as it is—will eliminate the damage we have done, burying the indestructible with earthquakes, hurricanes, tsunamis, and all it has in its considerable arsenal, while life continues and makes use of our remains.

The Indomitable Teddy Roosevelt

2010-03-30T22:23:00.004-04:00

They just don't make presidents like they used to! Harrison Engle's 1986 film makes it easy to suspend your disbelief and get caught up in the enthusiasm of one of the most popular presidents in history. This is a remarkable film of a remarkable man. Watching this DVD is like attending an open air band concert on the mall. Few men can match the variety, notoriety, and successes of his relentless efforts. Even fewer Presidents can compare with his accomplishments. He's even on Mount Rushmore! TR was awarded (posthumously by President Clinton) the Medal of Honor for his heroics in the Spanish American War in 1898. He is our only President to be so distinguished. Roosevelt was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for the 1905 peace treaty between Russia and Japan. Something he actually accomplished -- not just promised.

The twenty-sixth President is described by narrator George C. Scott as a man of action who wanted the common man to have a fair chance and a square deal. Distrusted by liberals and feared by conservatives, TR was known more for the results he achieved than for promises, claims, and rhetoric. He personally authored over a dozen books (no ghost writers). He was an outdoorsman, naturalist, conservationist, and of course politician. During his term as President, the number of national parks doubled and he worked hard to get the Grand Canyon recognized as such. His trip to Panama made history as he became the first sitting president to travel outside the country. He is often regarded by historians and critics as one of the five best Presidents along with Washington, Lincoln, Jefferson and FDR.

Previously aired on Biography and The History Channel, The Indomitable Teddy Roosevelt will be available on DVD April 13, 2010 (from Infinity Entertainment Group). We can enjoy a tour de force documenting the life and times of America's youngest President. Enjoy a romp through history at the brisk pace of a Sousa march, which in fact accounts for much of the soundtrack. The film includes remarkable footage of historical events, still photos, and re-enactments in both black and white and color. The set includes three discs: the feature, an audio CD, Sophisticated Sousa, and a bonus DVD. (I've enjoyed the Sousa CD in my truck on the way to work for several days now.) The bonus disc includes an interview with the director, photo archive, "Teddyisms" (memorable quotes from TR), a biography of John Philip Sousa, and Roosevelt's 1905 inaugural address.

Would I buy The Indomitable Teddy Roosevelt? Yes! In a downbeat!

Reading for Survival

2010-03-16T20:39:00.004-04:00

In a dangerous world filled with stress, the key to survival was memory. So says the author of The Executioners (later known as "Cape Fear"), John D. MacDonald. In his last published work before he died in 1986, MacDonald set out to inspire us with Reading for Survival. This thirty-one page essay was published in 1987 by the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress. It was also sponsored by the Florida Center for the Book in Fort Lauderdale. The essay takes the form of a series of conversations between his fictitious protagonist, Travis McGee, and his friend known only as "Meyer", an economist, teacher and lecturer. The opening scene finds the two in a docked houseboat darkened by a thunderstorm. The conversation begins, as does the authors opportunity to share with us his concerns for reading, readers, and non-readers.

Meyer guides us through his version of the evolution of communication beginning with our earliest ancestors' dependency on memory in order to live in the wilderness, recognize signs of nature and the animal kingdom, and then share that knowledge with future generations. Once the amount of information required was too massive for memory alone, we started making marks on pottery, then cave walls, and the next thing you know, Gutenberg got the masses involved with his press. Books became artificial memory before the gigabite arrived. Now we have tons of information and it's available to us at the speed of light. Google found over nine million results for "gutenberg", in 0.28 seconds. What do we do with all this information? Do we need that much? Consider Len Bias.

Len Bias was a talented basketball player at the University of Maryland. He was a senior during the same year that Michael Jordan was enjoying his second year in the NBA.
Bias was the second player drafted that year and went to the Boston Celtics. Two days after the draft, he died of a cocaine overdose. Kenneth Rosenau wrote in The Palm Beach Post, "That [Bias]..was finishing his fourth year at an academically respected school without a prayer of graduating is also an outrage that should be addressed."And "[He]...was twenty-one credits short of having a degree." Was Bias any better off than the homo erectus who couldn't remember which snake was poisonous? Would his judgement have improved had he been a better student? Meyer asks, "Can one examine his own life without reference to the realities in which he lives?"

What about the non-reader, the person who wants to believe because he isn't well informed and doesn't understand the risks? He's the one "born every minute" that signs up for that variable interest loan with a dubious lender. MacDonald warns us of the teacher who promotes himself as the translator. Beware the translator who interprets the information for you. Think for yourself he suggests. Education, literacy, reading, thinking and remembering are MacDonald's prescription for enduring. He leaves us with a warning from Mark Twain, "The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who can't read them."

Encourage non-readers to enrich their lives and better comprehend the word around them -- by reading.

Book Review: "Promised Land: Thirteen Books That Changed America" by Jay Parini.

2010-03-05T14:57:00.004-05:00

[Similar version was published first at http://blogcritics.org/books/article/book-review-promised-land-thirteen-books/ ]

"You know more than you think you do." So says an Olympic gold medal winner, and so begins a book that over sixty years later still influences the baby boomer generation. A book that espouses a kinder gentler approach to the journey from birth to adolescence. One of the founding myths/stories of our American heritage is the road trip. The story of two characters on a journey to freedom, either real or dreamed, the epitome of which, according to Hemingway, was penned by Mark Twain.

Since the Mayflower arrived in the New World, Americans have been on road trips. Whether it was the great unknown wilderness of Lewis and Clark or the quest for "it" as recounted by Kerouac, we've been searching. We learn from the journey and sometimes feel that when we have reached our destination, it stretches further out before us on the horizon. And we continue on. As individuals we continue the journey begun by our ancestors while seeking goals of our own along the way. Inspiration comes from our accomplishments and is driven by the efforts, desires, and dreams of previous generations passed along to us by oral family histories, diaries, journals, and books (both fiction and non-fiction).

A special collection of those books is celebrated in Promised Land: Thirteen Books That Changed America by Jay Parini. The author teaches college in Vermont and has a long list of credits that add up to "literary scholar". He sees "..poetry as the most important form of writing," and has several collections of poetry, novels and biographies to his credit.

His selection criteria in his own words, "I was looking for books that played a role in shaping the nation's idea of itself or that consolidated and defined a major trend." It is clear that this is not a collection of America's "greatest books". Choosing could only be made less difficult by narrowing the focus; he includes a list of one hundred works that also changed the country with a confession that another hundred could have easily been added.

Parini has chosen his baker's dozen well. Included are significant works from politics, religion, adventure, exploration and philosophy. These books are filled with stories--memorable legends of both fact and fiction that describe our many interconnected journeys and the diverse experiences that make us Americans. He suggests questions to help us ponder the trip. His analysis inspires us to come up with our own questions. How could a country founded on the notion that all men are created equal allow slavery? How can we not be thought to be crazy or depraved when we push the boundaries of acceptable behavior? How can we change someone else's attitude without giving offense or arousing resentment? How could women not be allowed to vote? How much individual freedom are we willing to give up to be able to say we live in a free country?

A chapter is devoted to each book and treats each with the same format. He offers a brief summary of how the book changed the country. Next is a biography of the writer and historical context of the book. If you have not read the book, you will enjoy the third portion, a detailed description of the book. In some cases he details individual chapters. Despite this occasional level of detail, he manages to keep each chapter to approximately twenty pages. A discussion of the books that followed in the wake of the subject work concludes each section. In some cases, books that came before or inspired this particular work are mentioned.

Prior to reading this book I had never considered the importance of "the road trip". It was enlightening to see the diversity in the types of trips, the parallel motives and lessons learned along the way. The most memorable benefit of this book for me was the connections that came to mind while reading. Many of the stories reminded me of other books I've read on my own journey. I can ride on the raft with Huck and Tom, stand on the shore with Eliza, enjoy Thanksgiving with the Pilgrims or ride a chopper with Dennis Hopper. I can participate in my country's grand experiment in self-governing and I can speak with confidence in front of a group. Somehow it's easier to bear my own cross down the road to the promised land because of the journeys of my ancestors and mentors. The books chosen by Parini helped me to see that they, along with many other books I've enjoyed, have not only changed America, they have changed my generation, shaped my thoughts and made me who I am. I read not only to learn, I read to survive.

Travelogue of the Poconos

2010-02-20T09:01:00.004-05:00

[Previously published at Blogcritics.org]

Journey Along the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad by Alan Sweeney

It was hiding in the attic. Underneath a thick layer of dust and dirt was an old shoe box filled with photos and picture post cards. The post cards were on a thicker bond of paper than we see these days and the side with the photo was textured. The texture was more pronounced than the typical matte finish. Slide your finger across it and you feel the embossed nature of the finish. Several of them survived the storage well and are stunning! Others did not fare as well and, although dilapidated, still manage to depict scenes of an era past in real time but alive in the memory. Who hasn't enjoyed a dig through an assortment like this found in a back room, basement, or attic? Fortunately for us, Alan Sweeney (a veteran of the hospitality industry) decided to share the fun of an adventure down memory lane with his photos and post cards.

Our trip begins in the depot at the Delaware Water Gap and we follow the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad line west to Tobyhanna. After the first stop in East Stroudsburg we visit five other tourist destinations in the Pocono Mountains. Each of the eight chapters begins with photos of the local railway station or depot followed by reproductions of vintage photographs and post cards that reveal the charm and appeal of the various mountain settings. Boarding houses, hotels, inns and resorts sprung up all throughout the Poconos as more and more New Yorkers sought the refuge of the Pennsylvania mountains for clean air, cooler weather, and beautiful surroundings. Many came for the weekend or a few days while others stayed for a week or longer. Long lasting friendships developed as locals opened their homes to the visitors who came season after season. We see a variety of scenes including interiors of the resorts, enticing landscapes, and visitors enjoying the recreational activities available. The post cards are fun! Several include hand written notes from the late 1800's and early twentieth century. Also included are some period advertisements, promotional brochures, and menus.

Over one hundred locations are represented with sometimes similar but always unique histories. In many cases, the author has included a brief history and the current status of each property. I particularly appreciated the larger size print, the arrangement of the photos, and the layout for a book destined to grace many coffee tables and find it's way into waiting rooms (especially in the North East). The quickly read comments and stories of each site add up to an interesting commentary on the area and how it evolved from shared rooms to resorts accommodating hundreds. One resort alone hosted three presidents. Journey is fun to enjoy in a single sitting or to enjoy many times letting it fall open to an appealing locale on each visit. Whether it's "The Antlers Inn", "Cherry Lane Cottages" or "The Indian Queen Hotel", the romantically named destinations will welcome you with warmth and style as many times as you care to visit.

Would I buy this book? Yes! The nostalgia factor and it's potential to begin both reveries and conversations make it an excellent investment. I'll keep it next to my recliner.

I'll Catch You at the Light

2010-02-05T14:59:00.005-05:00

[Previously published on Blogcritics.org]

On the way to work one morning last week, I was accelerating up to the 50 mph limit when a car closed fast behind me and passed in a stretch of road where the double yellow line was absent for just a few hundred feet. It would have been a close call had another car been approaching from ahead. The passer who was in such a hurry zoomed over the hill, around a curve and out of sight. Just a minute or two later, I pulled up right beside him at a red light. The temptation to wave at him was almost irresistible! In the end, I just focused on the light and to my surprise, accelerated away from the light ahead of him. Maybe I beat him off the line because he wasn't paying attention, but of course, he passed me again before we got to the school zone.

My commute to work is twenty-seven miles and depending on weather and traffic usually takes forty minutes. About ten years ago I decided that the pace of my life could slow down a bit and not much would change. It was easy to rely on my car's cruise control. Setting this handy device at about five mph over the limit tends to keep me going at a speed the state troopers don't seem to mind. Other drivers do. Most just fly by like I'm standing still and ignore me. Some are annoyed. It has always struck me that tailgating at sixty mph is dangerous so when another driver passes me and cuts right in front of me I change lanes. Remember the old rule about keeping one car length per ten mph behind the vehicle in front? The last fifteen miles to my job is all four-lane divided highway and ends at a very long light -- it must be three or four minutes if it catches you, and backs cars up thirty or more deep. For four years now, I've taken the same route to work so it has been easy to learn which lane moves the fastest and at which times of the day. So it seems, not a day goes by that I don't find myself at the "long light" next to someone that passed me earlier on the journey.

Fortunately, road rage is a thing of my past, and personal victories in morning traffic are no longer important. It does feel good though, to be able to leave the vehicle and walk in to work with a spring in my step and a smile in my heart from a fresh reminder that I am indeed a persistent tortoise.

Book Review: Pirate Latitudes by Michael Crichton

2010-01-31T13:31:00.005-05:00

[Previously published on Blogcritics.org]

Have you ever been to a party and met lots of people in a short period of time? Then you got home and said, "There were several really interesting people there! It sure would have been nice to get to know them a bit better." That's how I felt after this quick and enthralling read. I was eager to get into the story and Crichton made it easy. The story begins with a public hanging and escalates with the arrival of the merchantman Godspeed. The ship brings new characters and news of events that lead to adventure, violence, destruction, romance and mystery on the high seas of the Caribbean and the Atlantic. Interesting, intimidating and charming personalities appear in surprising people as diverse as privateers, politicians, courtesans, pirates, whores, transvestites, executioners and Harvard graduates! Crichton continues his clever connections with places and people. An island in this novel repeats the name of an island from The Lost World and a ship captain shares the author's alma mater. The lookout for the expedition, a sailor with incredible vision, is named "Lazue" which is a bastardization of the French term "les yeux" for "eyes". We meet an executioner named Sanson (a la "Manson") and visit a place that's name means "slaughter" A willing reader is quickly caught up in the whirlwind action and can easily overlook the lack of character development, "Ok, he's a pirate and she's a whore. Get on with the story!"

And what an interesting story it is! Our would-be hero sails off with a hand-picked crew to face his demons and foes. Part of his mission is to identify just who it is that he is up against in a romantic world of pirates and politicians where betrayal and loyalty walk hand-in-hand. How can you be a conquerer and return home a hero if you aren't sure of your enemy? Our protagonist (is he a privateer or a pirate?) sets out on his mission financed by important people to deal with The Black Ship, Monkey Bay, The Mouth of the Dragon and a foreboding fortress on the island of Mantanceros. Crichton's fans have come to expect enlightenment in each of his books whether it is nano technology, gene splicing, poisonous politics, or reverse sex discrimination. They won't be disappointed with Pirate Latitudes's monographs on 17th century weaponry, sailing ships, and navigation. Also included is an explanation of the posturing used by sailors in which they would stand up straight on the bow with their arms extended, back to the wind (remember that Decaprio/Winslet scene in Titanic?). If the characters are not developed enough to suit the discriminating reader, then surely the setting will satisfy. Establishments with names like "The Black Bear", "Queen's Arms", "The Yellow Scamp" and "The Blue Goat" and their seedy characteristics place the reader right there with the characters. Attention is also given to oppressively hot jungles, mosquitoes, and foreboding geography.

Island life in 1665 was not easy. It may sound romantic today but it had to have been brutal then. And a pirate's life was always violent. One such incident: "Hunter chose that moment to lunge. He pushed his palm flat against the upturned tankard, ramming it back against Levasseur's face, which thudded against the back wall. Levasseur gurgled and collapsed, blood dripping from his mouth. Hunter grabbed the tankard and crashed it down on Levasseur's skull. The Frenchman lay unconscious. Hunter shook his hand free of the wine on his fingers, turned, and walked out of Mrs. Denby's Inn. He stepped ankle-deep into the mud of the street, but paid no attention."

Readers will be glad that an assistant paid attention and found this complete manuscript in the late author's files as the book is a fitting conclusion to a remarkable career. Crichton remains to this day, the only writer to have had the number one book, movie, and TV show at the same time. The book ends with an epilogue detailing the conclusion of the lives of several of the characters as well as an epitaph that is befitting Crichton himself: "Honest Adventurer and Seaman, Beloved of His Countrymen In The New World. Vincit"

[Note: According to a New York Times article, Harper Collins will also publish a technological thriller of which Crichton had finished a third. The publisher and estate will find an author to finish the novel based on Michael Crichton's notes and plan to publish the novel in the fall of 2010.]

The Sales Floor CEO

2010-01-22T08:56:00.003-05:00

[Previously published on Blogcritics.org]

"You said your company is promoting an 'automatic order' program for your regular customers?" I asked over coffee with a friend. The Juke Box Junction attracts a diverse clientele ranging from families and teens to business types and retirees. http://www.jukeboxjunctioneat.com/

"Yeah, they're pushing it really hard." Walter sighed. "And it's really bad! Customers sign up for it, then don't accept the auto order 95% of the time. Then we have to return it to stock creating lots of double and even triple work." Walter has spent his career in retail. First with small drug chains, now with a national big box retailer.

"Why would they promote a program so heavily that doesn't work?" I asked--already knowing what was coming.

"The people in corporate pushing it haven't worked in a store in twenty years!" Walter replied, almost shouting.

Miriam drops her spoon on the table and interjects, "My kid brother was a buyer for a chain of dollar stores and he drew up those little diagrams to tell the stockers where to put the merchandise. He never worked in a store in his life! When I heard he was doing that, I asked, 'What the hell do you know about stocking shelves?' He said he just works off the numbers, you know, how much of each item sells, the customer demographics, stuff like that. He wouldn't know a box cutter from a butter knife!"

It all reminded me of my early days at Eckerd, back in the eighties. The CEO had come from personnel and we always laughed about how they didn't have any cash registers in personnel. It was our way of lamenting how out of touch the occupants of the corporate suites were with the sales floor and the stock room. When was the last time you saw a blue suit take off his jacket and tie and help unload a truck? Most of my career has been in retail with a brief hiatus in direct sales (adult education and then life insurance). The seventies and eighties had been great years for Eckerd in Louisiana. Our division manager was Tony Spedale and he taught everyone in middle management to be sure to visit with every associate in the store during visits. He wanted us to stop by each department and make sure that everyone knew someone from management was in the store and had stopped by to see them. Those were the good old days.

Pass the cream and sugar, please.

Rex, the pharmacist in our coffee group chimes in with this story. "It's about to be January. January and February are usually the doldrums of the retail business and every year the corporate gurus send down the edict to cut payroll because sales will be off after Christmas. That's true enough for the non-pharmacy part of the business, but the first few months of every new year usually feature the flu season, so we need extra help. Not the time for us to cut payroll. Customers complain enough already about long waits for their medicine."

Charlie (a CPA) relates: "When I was in college, I worked off-campus in a Valumart. Checking in an order was a nightmare! It took away time I could be with customers and if I made a mistake, they said it was "paper shrink" and we lost money just like the merchandise was stolen --and I had it all right there in the tote box. How could it be stolen if it was right there still in the shipping crate?" Walter agrees, "As ordering technology evolved, it was supposed to make it easy to keep the shelves full. You know the old adage, you can't sell it if you don't have it, and 'replenishment' was supposed to be a panacea -- it's a boondoggle. Our inventory system is so complicated, it's a wonder we have anything on the shelves. And I know what you mean about shrink! I'm not sure who's running our company, the loss prevention department or legal. It's easier to catch and fire our own employees than it is to catch a shoplifter!"

Miriam almost reveals her age by asking, "What year did that book come out that extolled the virtues of 'management-by-wandering-around'? Remember, one company they talked about required everyone in the corporate office to work in the field a certain amount of time every month to stay close to the business."

"That was In Search of Excellence," I said, "it came out in the early eighties, '81 or '82." It is still one of my favorite books on business and management. Now in the autumn of my career, I wish my company felt that way. [I've been with my present employer four years and still haven't met my supervisor's boss. I still think that the associates that spend the most time with the customers --cashiers and stockers -- should be making a lot more than they are.]

"Oh yeah," Walter interjected, "my wife used to work at Wang Labs. Wasn't that one of the excellent companies? They're gone now, but most of the others did good. Wish I'd bought stock in all of them."

Reverie

2010-01-15T19:00:00.003-05:00

Had I been asked to title this work, I would have chosen "Reverie". The setting reminds me of a New Orleans courtyard and the subject appears relaxed enough to be lost in a daydream although the expression could be anger or annoyance as much as contemplation. She is focused on something that we cannot see. I doubt we would have seen it had we been there. This is a mood evoked from the "flash upon that inward eye" of something she clearly sees and feels strongly about. Perhaps she has done something with which she is pleased, but something that others may not share her pleasure. She doesn't care. She's confident in her reliving the incident and the results. The fact that she has broken some rule intrigues me, and her attitude makes her not only interesting but curiously attractive. "She's got everything she needs, she's an artist; she don't look back. She can take the dark out of the nighttime and paint the daytime black." Dylan said it in "She Belongs to Me". How long will she enjoy this thought? How long can we share her defiance? We can enjoy it for as long and as often as we like, because she belongs to us.

Fazrul Arham worked as an illustrator in a Malaysian publication house for many years until the end of June 2009 when he decided to fulfill his ambition to work as a full time artist. He is largely self taught. More of this work can be seen and purchased here: http://www.fazrularts.com/

He writes about his work in his blog here: http://www.news.fazrularts.com/

Tittle: Demi Kasih Demi Sayang
Medium: Acrylic paints on canvas
Size: 20 inches x 30 inches
Year: 2004
Publisher: Creative Enterprise Sdn. Bhd
Signed and dated bottom edge right : fazrul arhan 2004
Model: Rohayah
Labels: Illustration Book Cover

Book Review: "The A Game: Great Moments in Alabama Football History" by Caleb Pirtle III

2010-01-10T19:14:00.003-05:00

[Note of irony: Pirtle is a Longhorn, and I am an LSU Tiger!]

In 1907, Alabama and Auburn played to a 6-6 tie in their cross state rivalry game, the "Iron Bowl". The game was played in a sea of red mud, and Bama fought the heavy favorite to a tie, thus earning their now well known moniker, the "Crimson Tide". The University of Alabama had fielded it's first football team in the fall of 1892 and it was in that first season that Auburn had beat them 32-22. After that game, Alabama's coach, E. B. Beaumont was fired. Caleb Pirtle writes, "Within the hearts of Alabama resided a tradition of winning even before there was a tradition of football. Neither time nor circumstance would change it." And so begins the first of over fifty "moments" detailed in Pirtle's fifty-second book. Each point in time is arrestingly illustrated with original work by Rick Rush, an Alabama alum often hailed as "America's Sports Artist."

Each incident chosen for inclusion in this book stands alone for the casual reader who might let the book drop open and read a few pages. Collectively, they tell the story of college football in the United States from it's infancy in New England right up through the most recent moments of the 2010 BCS Championship game. Officially, the book ends with Bama's win over Auburn in the 2008 season but illustrates the attitudes and behaviors that led to the thrilling win over Texas. Along the way, the reader will enjoy encounters with such diverse characters as Tallulah Bankhead, President John F. Kennedy, and a score of famous (and infamous) people and coaches. I suspect that the probability of Auburn or Florida fans picking up this book is slim, but they would be missing a real treat. Even the most die-hard fans of opposing teams have come to appreciate and revere the accomplishments and legacy of Paul "Bear" Bryant. Many of the moments in this book clarify and strengthen not only the great stories of The Bear, but also those of his predecessors and those who have followed.

In the fall of 1970, USC came to Alabama and won big, 42-21. By inviting John McKay and his Trojans to town, The Bear had defied history and tradition. Southern Cal was playing in the The Deep South with an array of great black athletes. After the game, Bryant visited the visitors' dressing room and personally congratulated both the coach and the team. He then met individually with Sam Cunningham and Clarence Davis. The Bear realized then that everyone's sweat was the same color. Several years later, after the 1973 Cotton Bowl, Bryant answered a reporter's question about the racial mix on his team: "I don't have any white ones. I don't have any black ones. I just have football players. They come in all colors."

November 8, 2008 marked the return of Nick Saban to Baton Rouge. The previous season, LSU had gotten a certain measure of revenge against their former coach by winning 41-34 in Bryant-Denny Stadium. Now, the Tigers and 93,039 enthusiastic fans awaited his arrival into Death Valley as an opponent for the first time. Many had felt betrayed when he left for the Miami Dolphins and, now, most were just livid. Alabama won in a game that lasted more than four hours and included overtime. It was the first game that season in which the Crimson Tide had trailed and had to come from behind. Not only did they come from behind, they stepped out front in the SEC West and this game, as much as any, marked the return to prominence of Alabama in college football.

There have been many great moments for Alabama since 1892 and this coffee-table-style book includes encounters with many of the country's finest teams. Regardless of your team loyalty you're sure to find several moments you'll remember -- and many that will be new. With their thirteenth national championship, it is easy to understand why Bama fans feel that the Tide will roll on forever and the great moments will never end.

King Cake Season is Here!

2010-01-05T20:32:00.005-05:00

In my home state of Louisiana it's traditional that January 6th, the Feast of the Epiphany, is the time when Christmas trees are taken down and Mardis Gras (Fat Tuesday) decorations begin to appear. It also marks the beginning of King Cake Season.

My wife and I moved to the mountains of North Carolina after Katrina. We arrived in February and my training with the new company began quickly. On my last week in the training store, I surprised the staff with a New Orleans King Cake from Gambino's Bakery. I've had many king cakes over the years and found that Gambino's is my favorite. Several of the people who had been so helpful in my training had heard of this delicious treat but never had tasted one. Others didn't have a clue. Sharing a bit of my heritage and talking about one of the few things I miss about Louisiana is always fun for me.

A king cake is not a typical Duncan Hines cake with two layers and icing in the middle. Take a small amount of king cake dough and bake it and you've got a cinnamon bun/roll. Take a lot more of the same dough, put it in a circular shape (like a crown) and you've got a king cake. It's more like a giant cinnamon donut! But there's more! Next comes a thick layer of white icing with purple, gold, and green (Mardis Gras colors) sugar sprinkled over it. Some variations include fillings such as cream cheese, strawberries, or praline. The final touch is the insertion of a small plastic baby. Now you've not only got a great treat or desert upon which to focus a party, you've got a religious feast! The circular shape represents a crown for the King of Kings. The baby represents the baby Jesus. The official Mardi Gras colors were chosen in 1872. The 1892 Rex Parade theme, Symbolism of Colors, gave meaning to the colors: purple represents justice; green, faith; and gold, power. Is it any surprise that the Mardi Gras colors influenced the choice of school colors for arch rivals Louisiana State University and Tulane University? When LSU was deciding on its colors, the shops in New Orleans had stocked up on purple, green, and gold material for the Mardi Gras season. LSU decided upon purple and gold, and bought much of it. Tulane bought much of the only remaining color -- green and thus the Green Wave.

Just as the birth of Jesus meant good things to come for believers, the baby in the king cake represents more parties! The person who is served the piece of cake that includes the baby is obligated to bring the cake for the next party! In South Louisiana, it isn't unusual to have one or more "King Cake Parties" every week all the way up till Mardis Gras. It sure is hard to give up king cakes for Lent! Laissez Les Bon Temps Roulez!!!

The Apolitical Inactivist

2009-12-25T21:55:00.001-05:00

[Disclaimer: I vote. Sometimes. President and the U.S. Congress (House & Senate). Beyond that it's a tossup.]

My awakening began shortly after college. My first employer was an enthusiastic supporter of several groups that billed themselves as "educational" organizations. They were devout conspiracy theorists. My father had been a Mason and I thought it was a good thing that so many presidents had been, too. What a surprise to learn of all the many conspiracies out there! One of these groups advocated the same action that "Deep Throat" told Woodward and Bernstein, "Follow the money." It was also during my tenure at this company that Taylor Caldwell had her book, Captains and Kings published. It echoed the theme that the "controllers" were the international bankers that influenced many organizations (clubs and secret societies) who could suddenly turn on the man they made and have him assassinated. I was in the third grade in Louisiana (home of Jim Garrison) when Kennedy died. I grew up in a community of hunters and was familiar with firearms and was shocked when I heard the claims that Oswald had acted alone. How could anyone fire a bolt action rife that quickly and accurately? Even for an eleven year old the magic bullet theory was impossible to swallow. I even began to doubt Walter Conkrite. After the sixites, by 1972, my mind was a fertile field for serious conspiracy theories to germinate. Throughout the rest of the seventies and the next two decades my frustration grew with the observation of the lack of real change in the way our country was going regardless of which party was in power.

Flash forward to 1997 and Dr. Andew Weil's book, 8 Weeks to Optimum Health. Several of his suggestions made sense to me and I tried them. One of them, I really liked! A one week news fast sounded too difficult but I tried it anyway. This was at a time in my life when I was reading three newspapers a day and had the television set on CNN most of the day. It was amazing! I didn't care what Bill and Hiliary were doing anymore by this point anyway. It was such a refreshing change -- no news! I'm still enjoying the benefits today by continuing my news fast. So much of the news is politics. Not having a constant influx of news and politics made it so much easier to go about the business of living my own life. In 2000 my life changed again -- separation. A divorce ensued in 2001 and in June I married a woman who taught me the importance of living my life without being concerned about what anyone else would think. Without the news and the politics it brought, combined with this new life philosophy, I was liberated!

The same old theories abound and are now like choruses sung by new choirs. Was Bullworth correct with his claims that 5% of the population control 95% of the money? He must have been correct. I haven't seen any real change, regardless of which party is in power. Don't the big money companies divide their funds on both sides of the aisle in congress? Can you imagine General Electric, Bank of America, Kraft, Alcoa, or Pfizer putting all their eggs in one basket? Was Viet Nam fought to satisfy the desires of the military-industrial complex? Is it true that the first casualty of any war is the truth?

So why should I vote? Does one person really make a difference? Joanne Herring did. She was the driving influence behind Charlie Wilson. Julia Roberts played her in the movie Charlie Wilson's War and she really did make a difference. She did a lot more than vote though. She was at the time, according to Charlie Wilson, "the sixth most wealthiest person in Houston". Do we really want one person to be able to make that much difference? Is my vote being diluted by hundreds more who are voting because of "drive-through voter registration"? When I took a course in civics in high school, we were taught that our government is different because we are not governed by the masses but by informed voters who had earned the right to vote. Our voters were people who knew how our government worked and that by avoiding a simple "majority rules" system, America was different -- and better.

Fortunately my background includes enough study to consider myself "government literate" -- I know how our system is supposed to work. There's enough political awareness for me that an informed decision to not be politically active is possible. I'm not ready to throw in the towel on our country, but don't look for a bumper sticker on my car. Don't expect to see me on the mall in D.C. with a million other men waving a sign and singing A Hard Rain's A'gonna Fall. Neither the Republicans nor the Democrats should expect any contributions from me. Can't think of any country I'd rather live in, but in many ways, it's not much different than when Thomas Payne lamented, "These are the times that try mens' souls."

Growing Old Gracelessly

2009-12-22T16:45:00.001-05:00

[This article was written by a "guest blogger", my wife, Bob Etier. You can follow her blog at: http://bob-lostintime.blogspot.com She would be thrilled!]

Here's the deal. I'm going to be 60 soon. No matter what anyone says about aging, it all comes down to one thing: it sucks. I should celebrate that I've lasted this long, right? I don't. In my head I'm 35. When I see my reflection, I'm saddened.

Growing older, gaining wisdom (LOL), and maturity are all overrated. I am now learning the answers to many of the questions I had when I was young. I now know that the reason old ladies address everyone as "honey" or "sweetie" is not a misplaced sense of familiarity, but an acknowledgement of memory loss. We've met far too many people to be able to remember all their names. I haven't yet figured out how to introduce a "honey" to a "sweetie." ("Darling, I'd like you to meet my very close friend," then let them figure it out?)

Older people's clothing was once a source of wonder. Why do they dress that way? Doesn't she know her outfit doesn't "match"? Isn't she too old for that? Who's he trying to impress with the cowboy hat? It's just a matter of priorities. Being fashionable isn't as important as being comfortable once you're past the age of wearing stiletto heels. If I'm out in the yard pulling weeds, who will notice that my pants are striped and my shirt is plaid? And I won't consider my attire (or changing it) when I jump in the car to make my ValueMart run. I bought Crocs to wear while gardening and vowed never to be seen in public wearing them. Then I broke my ankle and heel (we older folks do that a lot), and I had to wear them. Once, I'd begun wearing them in public, the ice was broken and after my foot heeled I kept wearing them. Hey, they're comfortable. However, they are not good on slippery slopes.

Being older is the end of changing outfits four times a day. That's a good thing. Being older also means not having the energy to do the laundry as often (or having a mom to do it for you). If there were a way to wear the same thing all the time, NEVER changing, I'd be interested. Showering in my clothing is not an option.

There are so many myths about old age that we subscribe to when we are young. "At least when I'm older, I won't have acne." Yeah, right. Not only will you be dealing with blackheads in the same exact spot over and over again, but you can also keep the tweezers out to deal with those "hairs on your chinny-chin-chin." "I can't wait to go through menopause, then I won't have my period to deal with." You've got two errors there: one is a dangling participle, which is easy enough to fix, and the other is that you don't gothrough menopause. Menopause is more like demonic possession. It latches on to you and never lets go. Oh, sure, some of the symptoms ease (or maybe we just get used to them), but others continue for decades if we're lucky enough to live that long. There is no exorcist and there is no magic cure. Periods are to menopause what limbo is to hell.

Everyone who lives long enough gets old. Pretty basic concept, right? Not everyone feels the same about it. I've known so many people who dreaded turning 40, but I welcomed it. I was glad to be 40, it was a milepost that said "a lot of bs is behind you, now." Of course it wasn't, but I had my illusions. Fifty wasn't a big deal either, just another birthday. So why is 60 so depressing? "Sixty" is a name for all the things I never desired. I can't walk as quickly, take the stairs as well, carry as much, stay up as late, or work as hard as I once did. And, more frighteningly, I am aware of the slowing of my mental processes. My superior math ability is now merely average, my memory--never that great--is untrustworthy at best. What 60 represents to me is the continuing decline of all that constitutes me. I am becoming the weakened, watered-down version of me. It sucks.

A Basic Primer on Manual Settings - DSLR

2009-12-14T10:51:00.002-05:00

For over two years, I used my first digital SLR exclusively on the "automatic" settings. While I did get some nice images (including my best sellers) I regretted not learning how to use the manual settings. I regretted it until March 23, 2007. Yes, I remember the date because it changed the way I take pictures. Brian Peterson's book "Understanding Exposure" walked me through the steps methodically and clearly and I cannot thank him enough. His book is one of my frequent recommendations when people ask me what to read. I also quote often from my notes taken at a weekend seminar presented by the Rocky Mountain School of Photography.

So, relying upon what I have learned from the previous sources and what I have learned in practice by trial-and-error, here is a summary on how I use the manual settings on my digital SLR. (Warning: This is NOT a definitive detailed essay of this subject. Just a quick overview to get the novice started.)

Spin the dial to the "M" setting for manual.

The three settings are: ISO, aperture or "F-stop", and shutter speed.

ISO: This determines how sensitive the digital processor is to light. Lower light shooting environments require a higher setting and vice versa. If you want a candid shot of the kids by the fireplace, or if you are shooting at night without a flash, set the ISO to 1600 or 3200. Full sun outdoors, you could use an ISO of 100, 200, or 400. The trade-off on higher settings is a more grainy image.

F-stop: Depth of field. You know how some photos have the people or object in front of or behind the main subject totally out of focus? Your eye goes right to the kid in the middle with the bright eyes and big smile. It's because that kid is the only part of the image that is tack sharp and it was done that way on purpose because the photographer used a low F-stop, probably F-2.8. You may have seen landscape shots in which the flowers in front and the mountains in the back were all in focus. It was a higher F-stop, most likely F-32. The aperture setting is my favorite artistic tool in photography. It allows the photographer to choose which aspects of the image will be in focus. Note: Higher F-stops require slower shutter speeds.

Shutter speed: Do you want to stop the action? Do you want some blur? Pull out your camera's operations manual and find the dial to spin that controls the shutter speed. In addition to the action/blur control, shutter speed also has a major influence on how light or dark the image will be. The faster the shutter speed, the darker the image and the better the action will be stopped.

When you look through the viewfinder there will be lighted graphs, charts, etc that let you know what settings you have chosen. There will also be an indicator to show if the shutter speed and F-stop are adjusted for what your camera thinks is the "ideal" setting. Canon calls this the "standard exposure index" and it appears across the bottom of the viewfinder under the focusing screen. When you change the shutter speed, you will notice the indicator move. Of course as you experiement you will learn where on this line you want the settings for the effects you desire.

Three examples:

1) The kids by the fireplace shot needs some light. Maybe open the curtains before they come into the room. (Candid shots require some preparation.) F-2.8 or 5.6, ISO of 800, and experiment with shutter speeds to get a clear, sharp focus with no blur.

2) Humming birds at the feeder in bright sunlight require very different settings. F-5.6 is still good, but I go with an ISO of 400 and shutter speeds of up to 1/2500 and faster.

3) A fall landscape scene offers many options and this is typical for me. I mount the camera on a tripod and use a cable release expecting a slow shutter speed. F-32, ISO 100. Depending on the available light, clouds or overcast, this set up could require a shutter speed of several seconds. A slower shutter speed here will also help you get that silky smooth texture to moving water in your image.

Finally, be sure to keep your camera's manual in your equipment bag for easy reference. My last tip is to take a lot of shots. And I do mean a lot! One afternoon I went out and shot fall color and moving water for a couple of hours and filled two memory cards with almost five hundred images. After you have tried the suggestions I have made in this article and experimented with several thousand shots, you will be more confident with the manual settings and never go back to "auto" again. Happy shooting!

Be My Guest

2009-12-09T08:41:00.003-05:00

A Facebook friend and fellow blogger, Juliet Robertson, just used one of my images on her blog in an article about paths.

Visit her blog, read the article and see which image she chose. I'm sure she would appreciate comments on her article.

http://creativestarlearning.blogspot.com/2009/12/learning-paths.html

Book Review: The Irregulars by Jennet Conant

2009-11-26T11:20:00.004-05:00

“In politics, nothing happens by accident. Whatever happens, you can bet it was planned that way.” This quote, or one very close to it, was attributed to FDR in an underground book promoted by conspiracy theorists in the early 1970's. That book went on to become a multi-million seller. Whether or not Roosevelt actually said it, the statement was as true then as it is now.

The Irregulars by Jennet Conant offers a romantic examination of people and events leading up to the entry of the United States into World War II and its continued involvement. The story she tells is in fact, better than fiction and rivals the likes of Le Carre, Tom Clancy, or Ian Fleming (who is also a principle in this book). The title is a sly reference to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. This reviewer had the good fortune to attend public schools when history was taught in depth, and we spent several weeks on each world war. I thought I was a well informed history buff until I found this book in the Newark airport.

Conant educates her readers with thoroughly researched facts(20 pages of notes and a seven page bibliography) crafted into a suspenseful page turner. She includes enough rumors and gossip to satisfy even the most inquiring minds. Readers of more current generations will be interested in the intrigues, mysteries, and romantic adventures of a wide variety of characters including heads of state, millionaire business types, spies, and a common soldier who became a war hero.

Long familiar with the stories promoted by right wing zealots that FDR knew in advance about Pearl Harbor and allowed it to happen to get the USA into the war, I had no intimate knowledge of the lengths Churchill had gone to in order to get allied support. This is the part that conspiracy theorists will love. From the preface, “...Winston Churchill dispatched William Stephenson, aka Intrepid, to America [in 1940] ...to prod the country into action…by means of sabotage, propaganda, and political subversion.” “Stephenson…managed to create an elaborate clandestine organization whose purpose was to weaken the isolationist forces in America and influence U.S. policy in favor of Britain.”

The soft cover edition contains 391 pages, including sixteen pages of glossy photos which this reader found most helpful. It’s more engaging to have an accurate mental image of some of the colorful personalities being described as you read. The framework of the book is the story of a Shell Oil employee who enlists in the RAF, crashes a fighter plane (not in combat) and becomes a war hero. He is then sent to America as a “voluntary informant” (spy). During his tenure as a spy in Intrepid’s network, he hones his writing skills which he uses after the war to penJames and the Giant Peach and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. He also wrote the screen play for Albert Broccoli’s production of You Only Live Twice.

During the war years Roald Dahl established a diverse and impressive network of contacts. He could be a poster boy for today’s network marketers! He gained the trust and friendship of people in high places, low places, and everywhere in between. His list of contacts is a name-dropper’s delight: Walt Disney, Charles E. Marsh (Texas newspaper magnate and inspiration for the television series, The Millionaire), Walter Winchell, Clare Boothe Luce, Ernest Hemingway, V.P. Henry Wallace, and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. There were many others but none more important than Marsh. Dahl became Marsh’s protégé and used their friendship as an entrée to establish many of his other contacts.

Just as Dahl used Marsh and Marsh’s contacts to establish his own network, Conant uses Dahl’s story to connect the many personalities and the role each played in Britain’s desperate gamble. It’s still difficult for me to favorably compare Dahl’s mission (cultivating the friendship and trust of influential men in America while sleeping with their wives) with that of the infantry soldier crawling through hedge rows and dying in fox holes. Perhaps Machiavelli was right when he said, “He who overcomes an enemy by fraud is as much to be praised as he who does so by force.”

Suzanne de Cornelia: JFK, Jackie & Peonies

2009-11-22T09:32:00.000-05:00

Suzanne de Cornelia: JFK, Jackie & Peonies

The older I become,

The more I miss Camelot.

Multilingual Approach

2009-11-21T08:21:00.004-05:00

One of my friends over on RedBubble came up with this idea and suggested I try it, so here goes!

Thank you "Midzing"!

One day I will be a famous photographer, so buy my artwork NOW!!

有一天，我將是一個著名的攝影師，所以現在買我的作品！

i ġurnata waħda se jkun hemm fotografu famuż, hekk jixtru arti tiegħi ISSA!

ط يوم واحد سيكون المصور الشهير ، بحيث يشتري بلدي الفني الآن!

Jednoho dne jsem se slavný fotograf, takže koupit mé kresby TEĎ!

един ден ще бъде известен фотограф, за да купуват произведения на изкуството си СЕГА!

celle que je journée sera un célèbre photographe, alors achetez mon oeuvre d’art maintenant!

Я одного дня буде відомий фотограф, щоб купити мою Картина NOW!

Ooit zal ik een beroemd fotograaf zijn, dus koop mijn kunstwerken nu!

"He's a jackass."

2009-11-14T17:17:00.005-05:00

My wife and I were discussing Saturday Night Live the other night over dinner. Regular readers of this blog know that there is no news for me, only history. She was telling me about the recent guest host having been a currently popular singer. It seems this young singer had used the opening monologue to address several events that had happened in her life that had become commonly known situations to those who follow current events.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8oRmPMOZX3w&feature=related

It reminded me of the three-way debate between Bush, Clinton, and Perot. Remember when a woman in the audience asked the three candidates if they preferred boxers or briefs? The sitting president declined to answer and I thought that was a good decision considering the dignity of the office. The one who answered ended his term of office bringing further shame to the highest office of the United States with impeachment hearings.

Now we have at our fingertips an audio clip on Youtube of the President of the United States calling a phenomenally popular recording artist “a jackass”. So, in the spirit of good humor and comedy along with a smidgen of satire thrown in, my wife and I dreamed up a list of others whom our Commander-in-Chief might also consider similarly.

[Disclaimer: We have no idea if the President has referred to the following people as jackasses. If he has, we are not aware of it and it has neither made headlines nor appeared on Youtube.]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghArYB_oxHg

CHIP AND BOB’S TOP TEN LIST OF PEOPLE THAT OBAMA

HAS NOT LABELED “JACKASS”:

10)G. Gordon Liddy

9) Bill Clinton

8) George W. Bush

7) Sarah Palin

6) Dick Chaney

5) Arianna Huffington

4) Oliver North

3) Glen Beck

2) Rush Limbaugh

1) Hillary Clinton

2009 Holiday DISCOUNT !!!

2009-11-03T13:04:00.004-05:00

Take advantage of our 2009 holiday SPECIAL!

For the 2009 holiday season we are offering FREE SHIPPING in the continental USA and a 20% DISCOUNT on any size Etier Print.

To get these special prices, you MUST order before Thanksgiving via e-mail to this address:

chip@etierphotography.com

View the prints here: www.royalflamingoworks.com

See ten galleries of 15 to 20 prints each.

Most prints available in three sizes: 8 X 10, 13 X 19 and the most popular, 16 X 20 (all sizes in inches).

Prices include mat.

BOOK REVIEW: "Split Second Choice: The Power of Attitude

2009-10-27T22:47:00.002-04:00

Much of the everyday fabric of our lives contains patterns and connections. In this, his first book, Jim Winner (yes, that’s his real name) identifies significant patterns that influence every aspect of our lives. These patterns eventually become habits for us and often are followed with no conscious thought. They are interwoven into our daily routines and our personalities. Winner, a professional trainer for over thirty years, helps us to become aware of these patterns, take control of the behavior they cause, and find connections to the solutions that make these patterns work for us instead of against us. Winner is a man of dreams and goals, someone who has learned to deal with fear, and a mentor whose career is convincing evidence that what he offers in this book is effective.

Philosopher William James proposed that when we see a bear approaching, we run. He says (and this is simplified) that we feel fear because we run, not just because we saw a bear. Winner builds his success pattern on a derivative of James’ bear theory – we can alter our lives by altering our attitudes of mind. Winner writes, “Many authors have written about how attitude makes the difference…” but that “…they leave us on our own for the most difficult part…” and “…they don’t really tell us how to control our attitude.” This book explores the power of attitude and our personal obligation to control our own emotions. Winner encourages us to learn how to identify the decision point, make the right choice, and be successful in all our endeavors; then make a habit of the process.

Ninety-six pages long, written in workbook format, Split Second Choice takes barely more than an hour to read. It could be a reference that you consult for years to come which is why I wish it was available in hard cover. My own experiences in the self-help field have taught me that you cannot learn to ride a bicycle by reading a book, listening to a tape, or watching a video online. You learn to do by doing and this book is the recipe. The book, filled with flow charts, diagrams, and inspirational stories concludes with an indispensable chapter on dealing with frustration, something Winner says is as inevitable as ants at a picnic.

http://www.amazon.com/Split-second-choice-power-attitude

Find Out What It Means to Me

2009-10-25T16:33:00.003-04:00

A seven-year-old holds up his cell phone with his finger on a pre-set number and threatens to call social services in response to his grandparent’s attempt at discipline.

A pharmacist tells his supervisor, “If my vacation is not approved, I’ll call in sick!”

An arrogant senior citizen ignores the queue and steps to the front, with no regard for those who have patiently waited in line.

A college football player runs to the sideline, rips off his helmet and gets in his coach’s face, screaming.

A teen announces to the waiter that he won’t be eating because the restaurant he preferred wasn’t chosen.

A speeding driver passes in a school zone – in a curve with double yellow lines.

A football official begins the game with an arrogant attitude towards the coach.

We’ve all been victims.

When children are not taught to be respectful of others, as they should be at an early age, they are disrespectful to teachers in school, other people who might be able to help them, and children they might like to have as friends. Because so many children are not taught the value of respect, schools become anarchic. And when the parents are brought in, their response? "Not my child." “We’ll put him in another school.” Or better, "I'll sue." There is no respect for authority, institutions or others. Parents who don't teach their children self-respect, raise children who respect nothing. They do their children a great disservice.

Many of the baby boomer generation may feel that they were raised in too strict an environment and thus the rebellion of the sixtes. In our family, it was considered disrespectful to simply disagree with my parents. Respect was an important facet of our social relationships. When respect is no longer valued, negative behaviors are the result. Respectful people do not use obscene or other objectionable language in hearing range of others. People who respect no one, nothing, not even themselves are not on the top of the list of potential job candidates. Actually, they are not choice anything.

A person suddenly thrust into a management position in our culture feels that the position itself brings a certain amount of respect. The honeymoon for that attitude is usually short-lived. A good leader will work hard to earn the respect of the team, to build on the “position respect” with “personal respect”. It's not that there are no longer people who appreciate the value of being respectful, it's that disrespect is just so flagrant. Remember the old saying, "familiarity breeds contempt"? Well, it certainly breeds contemptible people. As the boundaries between each of us fade, people become overfamiliar, often with the result that they think that they can say or do anything in front of others (perhaps a select group of others, perhaps all others). They lose respect for others' boundaries, and with it, respect for others (if indeed they had either).

Jesus, Buddha, Mohammed, the Dalai Lama, all the world’s great minds have advocated a similar philosophy. Love one another. Treat others as you wish to be treated. If we followed this directive we would treat everyone with respect, because that is how we wish to be treated. We should treat every person as we would want someone we loved to be treated.

[The author thanks Bob Etier, dear friend and muse for her contributions. Image is copyrighted by RFWLLC and may be purchased here: http://www.royalflamingoworks.com ]