Another resolution

Beginning tomorrow, (Tuesday,) I'm going to go directly from my workout to work. That means I'll be showering at Meritcare Cardiac Rehab instead of coming home to do so. That means I'll be using a public shower, (which I'm sure is clean.) Should I wear flip flops? This means too, that I'll have to shave before I go to workout. Or do I bring my shaving kit and do it at the gym? Do I carry a suit bag since I wear a sports jacket, khaki's and dress shirt most days? How about my shoes?
Man, I'm hatin' 2007.

J. Edgar Hoover wore a dress. And was paranoic.

Ruining Your Holiday....Why the FBI Thought "It's A Wonderful Life" was a Subversive Film
Franklin & Marshall Professor uncovers the "dark side" of Capra classic

LANCASTER, Pa. -- "It's A Wonderful Life" is one of the most popular and heartwarming films ever made. Long regarded as the definitive Christmas movie, "It's A Wonderful Life" tells the tale of a man's life that is recognized as wonderful and truly rich after he suffers through many hardships and trials.


Yet in 1947, the FBI had some very different ideas about this holiday classic. In fact, the FBI branded "It's A Wonderful Life" and seven other films, including "The Best Years of Our Lives" as subversive.


To add insult to injury, the film's producer and director, Frank Capra, was reported to have "associated with left-wing groups and, on one other occasion to have made a picture which was decidedly socialist in nature--'Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.'"


"The FBI tried to analyze the content of movies in order to find evidence that Hollywood communists were trying to put propaganda into movies," explained John Noakes, F&M assistant professor of sociology. "They had been keeping Hollywood under surveillance for several years, keeping track of people's affiliations, who ate lunch with whom, and who was sympathetic to communist causes. Their reasoning was that if you were either a communist or known to consort with communists, then you might put communist propaganda into your films."


In searching for subversive frames in Hollywood films, the FBI set up three categories of "common devices that were used to turn non-political pictures into carriers of political propaganda." These devices included smearing values or institutions judged to be particularly American, such as wealth, free enterprise and the profit motive; glorifying values or institutions judged to be particularly anti-American, such as failure or the triumph of the common man; and making casual references to current events that belittled American political institutions.


"According to the FBI, "It's A Wonderful Life" fit into the first two categories," said Noakes.


The casting of Lionel Barrymore as a "scrooge-type" resulted in the loathsome Mr. Potter becoming the most hated person in the film. According to the official FBI report, "this was a common trick used by the communists."


And, the triumph of George Bailey (Jimmy Stewart) represented the triumph of the common man, thus satisfying the second condition.


"What's interesting in the FBI critique is that the Baileys were also bankers," said Noakes. " and what is really going on is a struggle between the big-city banker (Potter) and the small banker (the Baileys). Capra was clearly on side of small capitalism and the FBI was on the the side of big capitalism. The FBI misinterpreted this classic struggle as communist propaganda. I would argue that 'It's a Wonderfil Life' is a poignant movie about the transition in the U.S. between small and big capitalism, with Jimmy Stewart personifying the last hope for a small town. It's a lot like the battle between Home Depot and the mom and pop hardware store."

I found that piece HERE

My Hometown, Firth Idaho

"How Much Fun am I?" Or, "What you Didn't Miss with me Last Night."

I was in the sack at 8:30pm New Year's Eve, 2006! 2007 was rung in by people other than I. I left the ringing to the pro's. Heck...I useta' be a fun person. What became of that guy? I miss him.

I did make a New Year's resolution:
I RESOLVE TO NEVER ASK SOMEONE I'VE CALLED ON THE CELLPHONE, "WHERE ARE YOU?"I hate it when asked, and will no longer questions someone's 10-20.

I had a dream last night. I dreamt that I met Art Bell of "Coast to Coast AM." In the dream I also shook hands with the big-voice guy that does Art's VO work on the all-night show. I remember in my dream being most impressed with the voice guy.

Rambling again

Who is THAT kid?
Saddam as a child. Pre-despot era.

Not that it matters, but, somehow, I feel a bit of sadness at the hanging of Saddam Hussein. I don't think we've discovered the extent of the USA's involvement in the gassing of the Kurds. One of our listeners on The Jack and Sandy Show said that Saddam got the gas from France. Well, who hasn't gotten gas from France? It would be nice to get the truth from someone other than well-known liars like the Bushies. I think he should have been kept alive, forever, in a tiny cell in some two-bit, third-world jail. A lifetime in a 9x7 cell sounds much worse than the momentary horror one would feel as he stepped upon the gallows.
A lifetime of terror has been repaid by a one-second drop with noose?

More important items are on the agenda this morning. I haven't written of my partner Sandy's husband having a medical adventure. He is home, recovering from major surgery. Without being too explicit, it was a typical male-only surgery, involving hard to get at body parts being removed. Cancer was in the mix, and has been completely removed. He is doing well and will recover fully. Doug, or as a few people who dare call him, "Pookie" is a great guy, a mental wizard and a good friend. I'm glad he's doing well.
This whole episode with Pookie has been reminiscent of a similar situation with my "Old Geezer" friend. Both these guys, among my hard-core group of true friends, get the same thing, same treatment and same outcome. I wonder if I'm an allergen? (I tend to think that I'm responsible for ALL THINGS...I'm not though...see: SADDAM HANGING.)

Another thing.

The Forum newspaper published an article about Ed Schultz

returning to KFGO. Many have expressed concern for Sandy and I if Big Ed comes back to the ranch. As with all things in life, there are only two things we can count on for sure....death and age spots. Sandy and I run into Ed about everyday at CC. (His national show is produced upstairs, just down the hall from my office.) He's been very pleasant and confident. We still aren't absolutely positive whether he's the guy that fired us a couple of years ago, or Dick Voight...or was it CC's reaches from the Twin Cities? Don't know. Don't care.
Yesterday is history.
Tomorrow is a mystery.
Today is all we really have.
I'm confident though that the new owner of KFGO is congizant of our contribution to 790's success over the years. However, anything can happen. But, by God, I've got my health and a well-written contract. January 1st I begin my duties as Program Director for KFGO. We expect the FCC will OK the transfer from Clear Channel to local ownership within a month.
In the meantime. a locally maintained message board has been yipping like a toy poodle about Ed, KFGO, and Sandy and I...
HERE'S THE LINK:

To party or not....that is the question. I'd like to toss back a few, get smart, get in a fight, run naked through the streets and drive over lawns. But, will likely stay home and watch the Food Network. Rachel Ray is going to show us how to make delightful snacks from used confetti and and lying excuses for getting home late. (HUH?)