Sand Art with a Heart

Ukraine's "Got Talent" provided a welcome winner free of crass cheap thrills.

Please check this out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOhf3OvRXKg

Capitalism: A Love Story

Michael Moore is back and is declaring war on Capitalism. Last night I had the good fortune of attending one of the first screenings of his new film Capitalism: A Love Story.

Over the last twelve months countless articles and news stories have been devoted to the economic crisis which has affected everyone, well almost everyone. Some have been spot on in their portrayal of the complex events that unfolded. However there is nothing quite like film and Moore in particular to ram home a painful realization that things have to drastically change.
Moving images are truly moving.

We know the story but it is brought into focus by a potent lens.

Moore still relies on his hokey demeanor to drive the story of outrage and despair to maximum effect.
To see footage of people being evicted from their homes and work place as a result of corporate greed is distressing, a sobering reminder of the 1% taking control.

To see senior Politian’s on all sides of the aisle being bought off by corporate executives while pontificating in Congress that we must clean up Wall Street is particularly galling.

This film makes the case that there is plenty of blame on both sides of the political spectrum. But premise of the film vehemently states that capitalism is evil and does its best to illustrate this claim. While there is much wrong with capitalism and this film demonstrates forcefully the pitfalls, it doesn’t offer a suitable alternative. Would socialism would be the better option? Mr. Moore steadfastly avoids that notion.

In the Q & A afterwards he got testy with a questioner who asked, which was better Capitalism or Socialism? His reply was that democracy was in peril.
Interestingly Mr. Moore introduces religion into the conversation, something he has rarely done in previous films. Asking a priest and a Bishop the same question, Is Capitalism evil? He was met with a resounding yes.

Well that’s it then, all settled. God knows all.

Gimme that microphone !

Last night’s MTV Video Music Awards proved to be a calculated exercise in cynical cabalism. It had to do something to compete with a fiery Tennis US Open, a new NFL season and another bloody Vampire ending.

So Kanye West’s microphone grab from a teen country star was perfect to draw attention to a show that is now Broadway for the Hood.
For those who need some background? Kanye West a man of immense insecurities leaps on stage during Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech of Best Female Video to declare Beyonce’s video the one of the best ever made.
Camera pans to a bemused Beyonce .Teen Taylor looks crestfallen and the audience finally has something to get excited about, raise to their collect feet and begin to applaud.

A YouTube moment!

And would you believe it, later in the evening when Beyonce is accepting her win for Best Video of the Year she brings out costume changed Taylor for chance to say thank you.

Everybody wins; Taylor Swift, the meek victim from the country. Beyonce, the gracious gem, impervious to scandal. Kanye West, who maintains his bad boy image and considerable ego, Hennessy, which provided liquid courage, and MTV VMA for furnishing the world a whiff of attitude.

Oh by the way, Kanye West's new Country album set for release around Thanksgiving.

Down but not out...

So Sarah Palin capitulates and the comedians and cartoonists pick up their microphones, pencils and rejoice.
Tiny Fey is drafted back once again to SNL.Late night talk shows rebound, who cares about the recession? Laughter is back.

Yep its political suicide, ample fodder for detractors to ridicule.

But maybe we are missing something; her popularity among the conservative base, alarming as that may sound is growing. We have just been on the receiving end of eight years of disbelief.

Mark Twain once said “Never the underestimate the stupidity of the American people. Or put in a more contemporary way, Greens Days album “American Idiot” might be more suitable.

The GOP has a remarkable knack of getting clown like figures to head the country while the criminals run it. Recall history for proof ; Ronald Reagan, George Bush Sr and of course Dubya.
It is not inconceivable that Sarah Palin could occupy the White House despite her lack of geographical knowledge.

Shudder to think, she might get the last laugh…

Another One Bites the Dust

Michael Jackson is dead, give me back my mascara !!!

Much has been said about the king of Pop, a lot of it valid, some not so.

Time will tell if his unsavory off stage behavior will eclipse his shining light.

The focus here is the music and excitement he created for all of us to enjoy.

In the words of another great pop act ABBA “Thank You for the Music”

Crusin Susan

Summer is finally here peeps and the Tree house is brimming with activity. Doing his bit for the recession Lousy Latte has opted out of fancy hotels and has crashed landed at chez moi. There is ample room for scallywags and recovering mentalists, yes it’s true Lousy Latte has been joined at the foot of the bed by singing sensation Susan Boyle.

"Reports in the British press that SuBo, (as she’s known there), is rooming at the celeb rehab The Priory, due to a breakdown on hearing about British MP’s expenses are completely baseless" says Lousy Latte.
“The politicians have been eager to capitalize on this poor woman” Lousy Latte added “just look what the Conservatives are saying”
“All this ink about SuBo telling the Prime Minister Gordon Brown to F*$K Off is completely true” says David Cameron leader of the opposition “we have now a chance at taking back Scotland due to the help of songstress Susan”

While the British tabloids go berserk on whether to lead with the latest Amy Winehouse tattoo or Subo’s off color Tourette’s the real story lies in Central Park, New York.

Due to his skill in Haberdashery Lousy Latte has been gainfully employed to groom and launch Miss Boyle’s career in the biggest market possible…Detroit.

With the collapse of the motor industry it would only seem gracious for SuBo to cheer up the good unemployed folk of Motor City to endless renditions of Andrew Lloyd Weber. “If this won’t get the engines running again nothing will,” cities Lousy Latte.

As one who never misses an opportunity he said of Lousy latte “He has our complete support and backing “beamed Mayor Mike Bloomberg.

“We know his talents as a gifted hairdresser and marketing mench will reap rewards for Detroit’s tax base.”

” We are confident at the end of the day we will have an Authentic product.”

The Show must NOT go on !!!

Oh golly gum drops just when you thought there were an ease in the recession and American Idol was finished for another season, along comes The Eurovision Song contest.

How and why is this show still on?
Along with Guantanamo Bay shouldn’t this be classed as a human rights violation?

Being of European Extraction I grew up with this bizarre mess of a show and thus began my unapologetic snobbery towards my fellow Euros. It must be said without any hesitation of bias that the Brits have and still produce the best Rock and Pop music, and not since the days of Mozart and Chopin and somewhat recently U2 has our European neighbors have come anywhere near a decent song.

Perhaps it is written in the Constitution of the European Continent that anyone caught writing a song remotely good will be served the same fate as Napoleon, and carted off to St.Helena in the mid Atlantic ocean, sandwiched between the greats of contemporary music America and Great Britain.

However, in 1974 a Swedish band named ABBA won and proved to be the exception and like their cars rode on to enormous success.

It is the European Championship of Pop music minus the talent and all under the fever of jingoist pride. Each country votes on every other country but their own, and takes great relish in serving zero points to countries more embarrassing than their song.

This year the host country is Russia. Now last I heard Russia was not a European country, but then again nor is Israel. Now one would think that their respective reps would spare the non Euro’s the agony of such a spectacle, alas not the case, on this night everyone wants to be a crowned a European clown.

Last night’s show declared Norway the winner with a performance from a young fluffy haired fiddling Ashton Kutcher lookalike. While is it unnerving to watch someone sing and play the violin at the same time, the leftovers of humanity will be rewarded by his swift disappearance as the EU breaks up and becomes giddy with the prospect of autonomy.

Broadcasted from Ojai, which may sound like a place in Europe but isn’t, commiserations must go to Ireland’s song “Hickory Tits and Fiddlesticks” sung by Mac Giggles Mac Mullen which was voted…Ahem last.

Next year the host country will be Botswana…I wonder if anyone will notice it is in continental Africa ?