Tommy Hough (of Treehuggers International, FM94.9, and my favorite radio show “Brunch with Bob and Friends“) does the thoughtful research and thinking I should do all the time, and someone whose opinion I pretty much trust without a doubt, based on what I’ve known of him over the past years.  His essays on many of the races and propositions cut to the chase and lay truth out there for all to see, in no uncertain terms. This is one of the things I like best about Tommy, on air and in his writing–his ability to speak to you on just about anything, with a depth of understanding on countless subjects, without making you feel like he comes from a place of higher understanding than you do. He’ll impart his wisdom upon you, leave you with some great key phrases to help make the point, and have you moving right along to share your newfound knowledge with anyone and everyone, whether they want to listen or not. (Pretty much how I operate anyway.)

I urge you to not only take the time to read the voting guide and the essays (snippets below), but to spread the word about them via any social media you can, and the good old-fashioned way: Person to person. Thanks, Tommy!

Regarding Meg Whitman and the race for governor

“We’ve had several moderate friends and colleagues wonder aloud the last few weeks, if someone spends their own money like this, how do you expect them to spend your money? Note to CEOs with money to burn: getting rich doesn’t make you a genius, and you don’t run government like a business because, sheesh, do we have to spell it out? Government is not a business.”

Regarding U.S. Representative, 49th District, Darrell Issa

“Never mind his investigations would center around a lot of Whitewater-style nonsense, it’s designed to tie up members of the Obama administration with lawyers and investigations over their heads, and keep them from focusing on their jobs. Issa has admitted on media outlets from Real Time With Bill Maher to Fox News he is relishing the moment he gets to stick his investigative powers into a White House which has already demonstrated a willing transparency and openness which would have shut off Dick Cheney’s pacemaker. Don’t like the sound of this? Then vote for Howard Katz in the 49th.”

Regarding Prop. 19 (legalizing marijuana)

“Want to get the jump on hemp, which could be a banner renewable industry for California? Make marijuana legal and use hemp for the same purpose it was used for in the U.S. for centuries: clothes and rope. Want to take the thrill out of smoking marijuana? Make pot legal and tax the heck out of it.

For those of you who believe marijuana is a gateway drug, guess again. Alcohol is and always has been the ultimate gateway drug, ruining lives daily as it continues to be blissfully legal. At its worst, pot renders its users hungry, playing video games, and listening to Incubus.”

Regarding Prop. 25 (replace the two-thirds majority to pass state budgets with a simple 51% majority)

“The budget process in California is contentious enough without the two-thirds majority requirement. Prop. 25 would scrap it, enabling a 51% majority to pass a budget or enable a majority, and would also force lawmakers to forfeit pay for every day they fail to produce a budget after June 15th. At first we thought the last bit of the proposition was petty, but then we learned business groups and corporations are financing the opposition to Prop. 25, and apparently they feel they have the most to lose. Yes on Prop. 25.”

Three years ago Candye Kane allowed me to post a great commentary she’d written on what being an American means to her, so I thought I’d share it again for those of you who hadn’t read it, and as a great reread for those who already had. Enjoy!

MUST READ: Candye Kane’s Incredible 4th of July Thoughts on Being an American (7/4/07)

Last night I read an incredible, thought-provoking, straight-from-the-heart blog entry by Candye Kane and just knew I had to share it with all of you this 4th of July. I immediately sent off an email asking for her permission to repost it here and was very pleased when she graciously responded with permission to do so. The thoughts she shares, the feelings she expresses, and the desires she has, are those which I hope speak to as many of you as they did to me. As much as I abhor this current administration and the horrific choices GWB and his right-wing, closed-minded, power-hungry cronies have made, I DO love my country and all that it CAN be. I think Candye has put into words the hopes and dreams we would all like to see come true.

And for those of you who haven’t heard of Candye Kane, tsk-tsk-tsk. Okay, I’ll cut you a little bit of slack since she’s a local talent I’ve had the good fortune of knowing about for some time, but Candye’s reach goes far beyond her SoCal background with worldwide fans of her distinctive, enjoying-the-heck-out-of-life persona and musical abilities. I HIGHLY advise you to click on her MySpace page, hit up her web site, catch her on her current “Guitar’d and Feathered” tour, Google her if you’d like, then hightail it over to iTunes, Amazon.com, or Ruf Records, and buy, buy, BUY all the Candye Kane music you can afford! I’ve got “White Trash Girl” playing on the computer right now and am enjoying the heck out of Candye’s powerful voice, the fun lyrics (track #13…enough said! ), and the energized mood her music puts me in. It’s admittedly hard to actually sit still at the computer to type this out when her music is infusing my body with the desire to get up and dance around!

Candye’s life story is one I think even the most imaginative of authors would have a hard time coming up with, and her music can’t really be pigeonholed into any one category, so check her out for yourself. You can thank me later! Happy and safe 4th of July, everyone!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Here’s her fantastic blog entry, reprinted with her permission. Thanks, Candye!

• Tuesday, July 03, 2007

  Happy no more war, light up the smog free sky w/fireworks 4th!

  Tomorrow is the Fourth of July and I am here in Lincoln, Nebraska. This is corn field country where people actually stop for you when you get a flat tire, drive you through the Mcdonalds on the way to pick up the new tire, pay for lunch and then insist on changing your tire for you on the side of the freeway while the whole band stands aghast, watching. (This actually happened!) This is plain-spoken people country where they look you in the eye, with a firm handshake that they mean, and do what they say they will do. This is the heartland part of the US where young boys and girls go off to war because they really believe in our Grandparents vision of a democratic, honest country that would never condone torture. This is the part of the country where young soldiers go off to war not only because they want to see the world and get a shot at a good education but because they were brought up to respect the flag and the people whose blood spilt for it.

  I am not a real patriot. There are a lot of problems in this great country of ours. We are stuck in the quagmire of this losing war in Iraq; we will leave our huge deficit to our kids and grandkids; The President has an imaginary friend who gives him advice (that, or he hears voices in his head.) Our government seems to virtually ignore global warming and is so gluttonous from the big money they get from oil lobbies that they spend zip on research for new energy resources. They would rather worry about keeping hard working Mexicans out of the USA and worry about whether two men might choose to marry and live in a committed relationship. The health insurance problem is vast, not only because we poor people have to choose between paying our phone bill or getting a check up, but because a woman of my size can be denied health insurance even with low blood pressure and low cholesterol, just based on my weight. Yes, it’s a mess here, my friends.

  Still, I am happy to be an American. Why? Because in my neighborhood growing up, there were black people, Mexicans and white kids. There were Catholics, Jews and Mormons. (I have been all three!) We didn’t all agree about everything and we spent a lot of time fighting with each other but I learned early that people come in all sizes and colors. Here in America, there are mosques and churches of all kinds, synagogues and Krishna temples. There is Eckankar and Paganism, self-realization and even the dreaded scientology. There are women who walk around in cut offs and halter-tops, butches with beards and rings in their noses, women wearing Islamic head coverings and Amish dresses and bonnets at the same rest stop. There are hookers who hang out on my street and sell their wares to men who drive by in their souped up Toyotas with their stereo so loud it makes my I,U.D. vibrate. There are surfer boys, retired Marines, lesbians, Jehovahs witnesses, Rastafarians and Samoan Christians all on the block where I live.

  I love America because my government sucks, but I have the right to write about it and talk about it and write letters to my congressperson and my local paper. I have the right to protest and hold up signs and yell and scream at rallies. I don’t have every right that I should have. I should have the right to marry whomever I want and I should have the right to be treated the same way under the law as any married couple, heterosexual or otherwise. Poor people and regular folks should have the right to run for office and it shouldn’t be about money. But I still believe in an America that will eventually try to right its wrongs. (Not the ones that can’t be righted; we can’t bring back the buffalo or give the Native Americans back all their land. We can’t take back our historic mistakes like slavery, refusing shiploads of Jewish children and women during WW II and Japanese interment camps. Some wrongs are so horrific they cannot be reversed or fixed.)

  However, just like women fought for the right to vote, and people fought in the 60′s for freedom and civil liberties for every American regardless of skin color, I believe someday we will get back to the noble American ideals of our forefathers and mothers. The America that our Grandparents loved and fought for; The America that valued honor and believed diversity made a country stronger just like the statue of liberty inscription said. An America that really does take care of its poor and its meek and huddled masses; An America that doesn’t just fill us with fear while lining their pockets but cares about each citizen, poor and rich, gay and straight and strives to protect each of us. That’s the America that I am reminded of when I am here with the good people of the Midwest.

  There are good and bad people in every city in the world and I am not naïve enough to think otherwise. But I want to be the kind of American who helps my neighbor fix a flat and pays for lunch while doing it. I want to be the American that holds out a hand to someone who is suffering. I want to get my childhood vision back of an America that was good and noble, honest and true. A country where your vote counted and you didn’t just have to vote for the evil guy or the other evil guy. A country where we would never hold people in prisons without due process or overthrow the Geneva Convention as antiquated and out of date. I believe in an America that is compassionate and cares about our planet and all its inhabitants, realizing that we are all one in the great cosmic universe. So, when I sing that National anthem tonight at my show in Lincoln, I will envision that America and these salt of the earth American kids who are dying to defend her. I will envision us all as one human family protecting and caring about each other in a pollution free, peaceful world with polar bears and hybrid cars and health insurance affordable to us all!

  Happy no more war, light up the smog free sky with fireworks 4th of July!

Easy Bean Dip and Oven-Baked Tortilla Chips, from 21-Day Vegan Kickstart, as well as a spinach salad with Trader Joe's Goddess dressing

While I haven’t followed the daily menu from PCRM for the Kickstart, I have been eating foods I either got from their menu last time (when I did the Kickstart in January), most of which are on this Kickstart, too, as well as eating whole wheat pastas, grains, and veggies that I learned to keep stocked in the pantry/fridge via January’s Kickstart. And each workday starts with steel-cut oatmeal with a banana, some almonds, and pure maple syrup or blue agave…YUM!

Here’s today’s message, and oddly enough today’s menu  is pretty much what I’d already been planning on having–especially the Buckwheat Blueberry Pancakes, which were an INSTANT classic/fave for me when I first tried them in January. Love, love, LOVE them!

You’re almost a week into the Kickstart! You must be feeling the results of a cholesterol-free low-fat diet. See what today’s message has in store for you.

	Ironman Triathlete Brendan Brazier shares his knowledge about diet and endurance.
	What’s the deal with vitamin D?
	Watch the Cancer Project’s “Veggie Hunter” public service announcement.
	Learn about protein for athletes.
	Today’s Menu: Breakfast: Blueberry Buckwheat Pancakes and Facon Bacon Lunch: Easy-Bean Dip with Oven-Baked Tortilla Chips and a side salad Dinner: Easy Stir-Fry with Always Great Brown Rice Dessert: Chocolate raspberry mousse

I can’t even imagine what Chelsea’s parents, her brother, and friends are going through, because I know how I’m feeling upon hearing the news. My heart goes out to everyone feeling the loss tonight. Rest in peace, Chelsea.

• 1/2 C vegan mayonnaise (I used Original Veganaise)
• 1/2 C mustard (I just used what was in the fridge, French’s Mustard, but the mustard options out there are endless)
• 1/2 C blue agave (I used Wholesome Sweeteners Organic Blue Agave)

I put all the ingredients in a Good Seasons cruet I have, shook it up good, then popped it in the fridge along with other condiments.  It’s great on my Tofurky sandwiches, tossed some on quinoa, and used it on my Boca burger tonight.  Gotta love a good quickie that packs such a punch. (Yes, you can read into that WHATEVER you’d like! )

PS So much for a quick blog…took about 30 minutes since I included a bunch of links.

Tomorrow we spring into action! Let’s get ready to take control of our health and get empowered. Planning on eating out tonight or sometime soon?Look for a vegan-friendly restaurant in your area on our vegan restaurant guide.

Best regards,

PCRM Nutrition Department

P.S. We have some exciting things planned for you!

I love, love, LOVE the Hoppin’ John Salad! It was the first thing I made on the Kickstart diet in January and I have to admit I was TOTALLY impressed with myself: It tasted good!  Mind you, it’s not like I did anything other than follow directions, but the way all those ingredients worked together to create such a tasty item was incredible.  Okay, so maybe my expectations weren’t through the roof, so just about anything vegan would’ve tasted okay, but when I shared some with others and they liked it, I knew it wasn’t just me.  I actually preferred the salad the next day once the dressing had really settled into all the ingredients. I’ve got a batch of brown jasmine rice steaming right now, so will mix it all up tonight, then add the parsley tomorrow since I totally spaced on picking some up at the store yesterday.

Side benefit of making this salad, was realizing that making up a big batch of brown rice is a good idea, since leftover rice can be reheated for different meals over the next days. Also learned to have cans of beans (especially black beans and black-eyed peas…love ‘em) on hand for the same purpose.  Planning ahead and using ALL I make (not letting anything go to waste!), whether individual ingredients or an entire meal, is one of the best habits I’ve picked up from the Kickstart.

Have a FABULOUS first day on your healthy new adventure, everyone!

When I did the 21-Day Vegan Kickstart in January, I had wished for a more comprehensive list of food items to have in order to be prepared for the program.  They provide a list of ‘staples’ to stock up on, but quite honestly I didn’t find it very helpful or directly related to the first week of meals. They also don’t give you the next week’s menu until a couple days prior which is sort of short notice for those of us who need to plan our grocery shopping trips further ahead.

We just got our first week’s menu today and I like that they have added helpful hints alongside a lot of the recipes. An even better change has been the option to print out the entire week’s recipes as a PDF (last time I had to print each one individually), or you can still click on the recipe link and have NutritionMD (after first registering with the site) create a personalized shopping list for you based on the recipes you add to your shopping list. I LOVE that feature!

While doing the 21-Day Vegan Kickstart in January, I found there were certain items I just HAD to have on hand at all times to be able to whip up something in a minute if I opted to not go with the set menu. I’ve become a HUGE fan of Henry’s (fabulous produce section), and also have been surprised at the options Costco is now offering (tofu, quinoa, blue agave, gluten-free flour). I promised my friend Carla this list a few days back, and I’m sure after I post this I’ll think of more, but here goes, in no particular order.

• tomatoes (10 beefsteak tomatoes at Costco for $6.99)
• onions
• cilantro (I love making Pico de Gallo)
• garlic (cool discovery I made is frozen cubed garlic at Trader Joe’s)
• low sodium soy sauce
• nutritional yeast (bulk at Henry’s for  $7.49 /lb…LOVE IT!)
• whole wheat pasta
• tofu (Costco sells two bundled 19oz firm packages for $2.15)
• bananas (one bunch getting ripe–for banana bread, one bunch not)
• steel cut oatmeal (Coach’s Oats 4 1/2 lb bag at Costco, but don’t remember cost)
• olive oil (Costco sells a 3 pack of: garlic, basil, red pepper flavored olive oils for around $13)
• Smart Balance Organic Buttery Spread
• blueberries (frozen or fresh)
• almonds
• raisins
• soy milk or rice milk (Costco has twelve 32 oz unrefrigerated cartons, which you obviously refrigerate after opening, bundled together for about $12 for soy milk and about $15 for rice milk. It’s way cheaper than buying the refrigerated 1/2 gallons, and so much more convenient to just grab a carton off your  shelf when needed, pop it open, then refrigerate, instead of having to hoof it to the store each time you run out of the 1/2 gallon.)
• Soy Dream Mocha Fudge non-dairy dessert (Okay, I admit it…I am HOOKED on this, and even my meat-eating parents liked it! The chocolate in it is to die for.)

As you can see I do a LOT of my shopping at Costco, which is a money saver since the reality is that going vegan will probably cost you more money, at least in the beginning. I have more thoughts on the financial aspects of going vegan, but I’m pooped out and want to finally get this posted. Yes, Carla, I’m finally doing it.

I took part in the January 1st,  21-Day Vegan Kickstart and will also be taking part in the next one which begins THIS MONDAY, March 1st.  Some might wonder why the first go-round didn’t “work” for me.  After all, if it’s so great, why am I not vegan now? Well, it DID “work” for me, in the sense of getting me to easily learn how to not only shop in a healthy way, but also to actually (sit down for this) COOK!  And even more shocking than the fact I am now cooking (and that no one has died from my creations…in fact they’ve LOVED them), is the fact that I enjoy it!  Yes, it’s true, I actually relish the time I spend chopping onions, cleaning veggies, cooking/baking, and of course, delving into the delicious meals created at my very own hands.  Yup, still getting over the shock of all that…trust me.

I have, though, found that a vegan diet takes more effort and planning than a vegetarian diet did for me. Going veggie just meant NOT eating certain things which I could easily avoid. Going vegan (for me) requires checking more labels (especially for dairy products and by-products which can go by various names) and spending more time planning: Planning the meal, planning the shopping, planning the shelf/fridge life of perishable items and fruits/veggies/herbs.  That being said, it’s something I know I will have no issues with, just as soon as I get a wee bit more time to become accustomed to it, hence going back to being veggie a few days after the last Kickstart ended, and now starting again on Monday. My diet is about 95% vegan already, so going fully vegan is just around the corner. Side benefit to doing the Kickstart has been that I’ve pulled out my library card and checked out some really great vegan cookbooks before plunking down any dinero on them!

I plan on blogging about my experiences last time, as well as experiences this go round. (I’m working on a list, and will post it, of items I would HIGHLY recommend having as staples, since the list provided to you when you sign up just doesn’t cut it.) I was lucky enough to have my buddy, Rachel, join me on the January adventure, and this time she’ll be there again as well as another friend, Carla, and some co-workers she’s invited!  Please feel free to sign up for the 21-Day Vegan Kickstart, then come over here and share YOUR adventures. (Note to self: Remember to get your fanny over here and blog, blog, BLOG!)

Here’s the email from PCRM (Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine):

On March 1, 2010, the 21-Day Vegan Kickstart program will help thousands of people begin a healthy vegan diet. Please sign up now and then forward this message to everyone on your e-mail list, so they can join this monumental, life-changing event, benefiting their health, the animals, and the environment.

Low-fat vegan diets are so popular nowadays because they are the easiest way to trim excess weight, prevent diabetes, cut cholesterol, lower blood pressure, prevent and reverse heart disease, and reduce cancer risk. They even trim our carbon footprint.

The Kickstart is a free, noncommercial program open to all organizations and individuals. Set up by PCRM, the Kickstart program gives participants menus, recipes, nutrition webcasts, and daily encouraging messages from health authorities and Hollywood celebrities.

	»	Encouragement and lifesaving information from Dean Ornish, M.D., Alicia Silverstone, four-time NBA champion John Salley, T. Colin Campbell, Ph.D., Rip Esselstyn, and many more
	»	Daily e-tips that are designed to put you on the path to weight loss, better health, and greater well-being
	»	21-day meal plan with delicious, easy, and satisfying recipes sent every day that will help you break cravings for unhealthy foods
	»	Weekly motivational nutrition webcasts
	»	Social support of other Kickstart participants through a community forum where nutrition professionals answer health and diet questions
	»	An interactive vegan restaurant guide
	»	“Tweet What You Eat!” on Twitter

Register for the Kickstart today at 21DayKickstart.org.

Please place the Kickstart banner on your Web site [right-click the banner image and "Save Picture/Image As" to your computer] and forward this e-mail to your friends and contacts.

Aiming to make the world healthier and more compassionate,

Neal Barnard, M.D.
President

There are some who feel giving Phelps ANY attention is feeding right into the notoriety he so obviously craves, but many of us don’t care to see his hate go unchecked and want to divert attention from him, and toward a more peaceful and positive message.  Which way of responding is the correct one?  Who knows.  All I do know is that I’m sick and tired of seeing hate fill the airwaves, the media, and our lives, and I plan on doing my part to balance it out with positive actions.  If you’d care to join us, just read the information below and sign up.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 3, 2009
Contact:  Ben Cartwright

877-727-5446 x707
ben@sdgln.com

Hale Media, Inc.
Publishers of San Diego Gay & Lesbian News ~ www.sdgln.com
(877) 727-5446
Follow us on Twitter | Become a fan on Facebook

Westboro Baptist Church Announces 30 Protest Sites in San Diego

(SAN DIEGO)  On October 5, the Westboro Baptist Church (WBC) announced it will be protesting a total of 30 sites throughout San Diego County, a drastic increase from the six locations originally announced last weekend.

Founded in 1955 by controversial pastor Fred Phelps, the church is monitored as a hate group. Members of the congregation commonly protest against homosexuality, Judaism and Catholicism.  The group is also anti-Swedish, anti-Irish, and often chastises the United States as being “a sodomite nation of flag-worshiping idolaters”.

Among groups who have been closely monitoring the WBC is the Anti-Defamation League (ADL). Founded in 1913 “to stop the defamation of the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment to all”, the ADL is the nation’s premier civil rights/human relations agency, fighting anti-Semitism and all forms of bigotry. They believe the WBC is carrying on this campaign in the hopes of getting reaction from the Jewish community and to garner media attention.

“The purpose of every one of their events is to manipulate the media,” said ADL Regional Director Morris Casuto. “The WBC normally appears in a location to garner publicity for itself and its grotesque and disgusting message.”

While acknowledging the church’s actions may be offensive, the ADL is asking members of the Jewish community to respond by not responding.

“We are recommending for the Jewish community to pay them no mind.  Give them their 30 minutes of useless disgusting protest and let them go back to their obscurity.”

Members of the gay community are taking a different approach.

“It truly is a sad day when the Phelps bandwagon comes to town,” said San Diego Pride Executive Director Ron de Harte. “San Diego Pride encourages those who want to stand up for love, peace and equality to register at http://nohate.sdgln.com.  Organized counter demonstrations will overshadow this hate group’s message with a message of respect, freedom and equality for all people.”

Community activist Sara Beth Brooks, who has taken an active role in helping organize counter rallies, agrees.

“I think organizing peaceful opposition rallies are really important.” Brooks has taken an active role in helping organize those who have expressed an interest counter rallying the WBC protest at San Diego High School.”

The WBC will be protesting San Diego high school because they “think it’s sooooo cool to be fags”.

“We can’t allow this type of discrimination and hate to exist anywhere. We can’t just look the other way and allow Fred Phelps to come into our community and onto school grounds and tell students that God hates them.”

Brooks, who recognizes Phelps is a known “baiter” that oftentimes tries to get counter protesters to fight back, has been taking advance precautions to ensure that participants on both sides remain equanimus.

“I’ve been in contact with the San Diego Police Department as well as the San Diego Coalition for Peace and Justice. Both police and peace officers will be monitoring the situation to ensure peace is maintained.”

She has also been corresponding with other faith based organizations to let them know their institutions may be targeted.

“What’s ironic is that while most of these institutions regularly disagree with the LGBT community on a lot of things pertaining to marriage equality and faith issues, they have been very receptive and thankful that we have reached out to them to let them know their place of worship is going to be protested.  This has been an opportunity for us to make some inroads within the faith community.”

The main goal of the counter protests, she notes, is peaceful opposition.

“It is our goal to facilitate peaceful, positive protests that promote love and equality.  It is our goal to promote values which are at the core of our community, and to let our message of love and equality to outshine the WBC’s message of hate.”

Free Screenings Tonight of “Capitalism” for the Jobless and Homeless in America’s Hardest Hit Cities (plus local benefit premieres all across the country)

Thursday, October 1st, 2009

Friends,

We’re just one day away from the widest opening I’ve ever had for any of my movies. Tomorrow, Friday, October 2nd, “Capitalism: A Love Story” opens on over a thousand screens across the United States, a record for an independent documentary.

This follows last weekend’s limited opening in New York and L.A. where “Capitalism” set the box office record for the highest per screen average of ANY movie released so far this year. Not just any documentary — any MOVIE! It was, as the studio said, a good indicator of just how well the movie may do when it goes wide this weekend. I sincerely hope they’re right because I believe deeply in this film.

To kick off the national release of “Capitalism: A Love Story,” I’ve asked the studio to offer a number of screenings in the nation’s hardest hit cities — the ones with the highest unemployment rates and highest foreclosure rates — where those who’ve lost their jobs or who are in foreclosure (or have already been evicted) may attend my film free of charge. They’ve agreed, and so tonight (Thursday), the night before our opening day, ten cities will grant you free admission if you have fallen on hard times. The list of theaters and cities is below. You don’t need to bring any “proof” of your situation — just show up — it’s the honor system, no questions asked.

Of course, a free movie ain’t much when what you really need is a job or a place to live. And that’s not going to change until the party that controls both the Congress and the White House wakes up and realizes the American people put them in charge to fix the mess created by the previous administration. For that to happen requires the active involvement of each of us. And, as I show in this movie, it’s going to also require us to challenge some fundamental assumptions about an economic system that currently allows the wealthiest ONE PERCENT in this country to have more financial wealth than the bottom 95% combined. That concentration of money and power in the hands of so few people is, I believe, at the core of so many of our problems.

So, if you’re going through tough times and you live in one of the areas below, please be my guest tonight, on the eve of my new film’s opening. Seating will be on a first come, first served basis.

Also, in another five cities tonight, I have made the film available to local groups to hold benefit screenings to raise money for their local organizations — organizations which are working toward a day when a filmmaker doesn’t have to offer free screenings to people who’ve been put through the wringer. If you live in any of these areas (see below for the list of benefit premieres tonight), please come out and support the good work of these grassroots groups.

So, until tomorrow, thanks for your support, and I’ll see ya at the movies!

Yours,
Michael Moore
MMFlint@aol.com
MichaelMoore.com
Twitter.com/MMFlint
Facebook.com/MMFlint
MySpace.com/MMFlint

“CAPITALISM: A LOVE STORY” FREE SCREENINGS:

Las Vegas, Nevada
Thursday, Oct. 1st, 7:00 p.m.
Cinemark Orleans
4600 W Tropicana Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV 89103

Phoenix, Arizona
Thursday, Oct.1st, 7:00 p.m.
Harkins Christown
1620 W Monte Bello
Phoenix, AZ 85015

Fresno, California
Thursday, Oct. 1st, 7:30 p.m.
Edwards Stadium
250 Paseo Del Centro
Fresno, CA 93720

Saginaw, Michigan
Thursday, Oct. 1st, 7:00 p.m.
Goodrich Saginaw 8 Theater
3250 Kabobel Dr.
Saginaw, MI 48604

Raleigh/Durham, North Carolina
Thursday, Oct. 1st, 7:30 p.m.
Regal North Hills Stadium 14
4150 Main at North Hills St.
Raleigh, NC 27609

Tampa / St. Petersburg, Florida
Thursday, Oct. 1st, 7:30 p.m.
Muvico Starlight
1800 Highwood Preserve Parkway
Tampa, FL 33647

Elkhart, Indiana
Thursday, Oct. 1st, 7:00 p.m.
Carmike Encore Park 14
2701 Cassopolis Street
Elkhart, IN 46514

Baltimore, Maryland
Thursday, October 1st, 7:30 p.m.
The Charles Theatre
1711 North Charles Street
Baltimore, MD 21201

Cleveland, Ohio Thursday, Oct. 1st, 7:30 p.m.
AMC Westwood Town Center
21653 Center Ridge Road
Rocky River, OH 44116

Peoria, Illinois
Thursday, Oct. 1st, 7:00PM
Willow Knolls 14 Theatre
4100 W Willow Knolls Drive
Peoria, IL 61615

“CAPITALISM: A LOVE STORY” BENEFIT SCREENINGS:

Miami, Florida
Thursday, Oct. 1st, 7:30 p.m.
Sunrise Intracoastal
3701 NE 163rd Street
North Miami Beach, FL 33160
Benefiting: Take Back the Land

Madison, Wisconsin
Thursday, October 1st, 7:00 p.m.
Sundance Cinemas 608
430 N. Midvale Blvd.
Madison, WI 53705
Benefiting: Madison Association of Worker Cooperatives / Union Cab / Isthmus Engineering

San Francisco, California
Thursday, Oct. 1st, 7:30 p.m.
Embarcadero Center Cinema
One Embarcadero Center, Promenade
San Francisco, CA 94111
Benefiting: US Federation of Worker Cooperatives

Chicago, Illinois
Thursday, Oct. 1st, 8:00 p.m.
Kerasotes City North
2600 N. Western Ave.
Chicago, IL 60647
Benefiting: United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America

Grass Valley, California
Thursday, Oct. 1st, 7:30 p.m.
Del Oro Theatre
165 Mill Street
Grass Valley, CA 95945
Benefiting: KVMR-FM

Boulder, Colo. (past screening)
Tuesday, Sept. 29th, 8:00 p.m.
Boulder Theater
2032 14th Street.
Boulder, CO 80302
Benefiting: Present Tense Films

I will tell you how thrilled I am (it’s in the air, folks!) that in just a few minutes, my beloved San Diego Chargers will be taking to the field in Oakland, to hopefully beat the pants off of the Oakland Raiders and start the Chargers 50th anniversary season off  with a big win!  Yup, that’s what I’m talking about.  GO CHARGERS!!!!

But here I am, tail tucked between my legs (so to speak), head hanging low while creaking opening up that “new post” room door, shaking loose the cobwebs, and dusting off the mantel to put up a picture of one of the most GLORIOUS SoCal sunsets I’ve ever been witness to. (The brightest spot in the middle is the sun setting on the Pacific Ocean…yes, I’m VERY lucky!) Will also post a very brief video of the sunset, too.  Highly doubt many (if any ) have missed me being over here, but I feel like it’s that loyal friend you take for granted.  Promise not to take you for granted dear WordPress, and will hopefully force myself to get on over here and spend some quality time with you, reliving some good times,  venting about the political topics of the day, sharing some good tunes, and of course, of course, OF COURSE talking Chargers football! See ya.

If you’d like to keep up with all things Chargers, here are a few areas I frequent:

• Chargers website
• Chargers Blog (just launched 8/1 on a good old WordPress platform)
• Chargers Facebook page
• Twitter (note: only “verified” Twitter account is Merriman’s)
  • Chargers
  • Shawne Merriman
  • Luis Castillo
  • Shaun Phillips

Feel free to post any other good Chargers-related locations in comments.

San Diego Pride’s “Activism for Equality” float

Went to my first San Diego Pride parade yesterday and had a great time.  Yes, I admit I went to not only show my support as a straight ally, but to hopefully ogle some hot guys with my buddy Gordon. (Hey, at least I’m honest!)

House Boi float doesn't disappoint

It was a very hot, sunny San Diego day in Hillcrest yesterday, with tons of happy faces (albeit quite sunburned today…well, at least mine is!) and such a POSITIVE vibe amongst the LGBT and straight folks, from some who have been around the block a few times to those barely able to take their first steps–just a great pleasure to be a part of.

The next generation of activists: That's "how they roll"

There was such a wide variety of groups represented, from politicians to roller derby girls, from the bear community to a public charter school, from the ACLU to the USDA, and many more you can see in my online photo album (273 pics!). Being an animal lover, it was fabulous  seeing our 4-footed friends making several appearances, including San Diego Pug Rescue, the Neuter Scooter, Sunset Cliffs Animal Hospital, and the horses from the Wells Fargo contingent.

SNAP Neuter Scooter (mobile spay/neuter clinic)

I have to admit I was floored by how many church and synagogue contingents there were, too! Again, just a VERY good feeling to see so many areas of San Diego County come together in such a positive fashion. (I read somewhere there was a very small group of protesters, but I didn’t run across any…thankfully.)

My FAVORITE sign of the day! Missiongathering Christian Church float

Congregation Beth Israel contingent

On the negative side, though, I do have to say that as a former marching band geek (yes, I admit it!) who has participated in many a parade, I hope that next year parade organizers work on NOT having so many gaps of time between contingents, as was first evidenced early on with at least 10 minutes (really more) of nothing, nada, zip, zilch, between the ‘loud and proud’ (literally) first group, “Dykes on Bikes” and the second group.  Unfortunately there were many more gaps like that throughout the parade. That being said, I can only imagine what goes into trying to organize 8,000 participants in 180 contingents and floats. Organizers might also want to consider more crowd control (estimates of over 150,000 attendees!) since people had no qualms about just moving themselves right out into the street to hang out, not only interfering with parade activity, but also rudely blocking the view of those who’d staked out spots curbside much earlier. There were a couple of times I had to ask folks to move out of the way so a wheelchair bound woman nearby could see the parade.

Proud parents who must have an equally proud daughter

I’ve included a few of my favorite photos I took at the parade, but if you’d like to see more (including Grand Marshals, Cleve Jones and Lady Chablis) the link is below. I haven’t had the time or energy to crop them or add descriptions, yet, and also still have several videos to upload…at some point. San Diego Pride Parade 7/18/09

Thank you, San Diego Pride, for putting this community building, Stonewall remembering, activist motivating event together. See you next year!

I’d been battling with the IRS today which has emotions on a high level already, so opted to get my mind off things by catching up with email, Twitter, etc. Finally decided to truly chill and turn off the computer to relax with the poochie. No sooner had I done so than I get a call from my mom letting me know my “boyfriend” had died. That “boyfriend” being the incredible Walter Cronkite. (My “boyfriends” were the likes of Walter, Charles Kuralt, and Tim Russert. These were men of intelligence, compassion, wit, and humor. Men I had an “intelligence crush” on, not the other type.)

Walter Cronkite was such a huge part of my life, as he was for so many others, with all of us growing up as I did, sitting in front off the TV with his nightly sign off “And that’s the way it is.” This is a man I trusted, a man whose every word I believed, a man who was right up there with my grampa Nick. Yes, I idolized them both. These were men who you felt would protect you, be honest with you, NEVER lie to you, and would always help guide you. While that sounds like something someone would naturally expect from a grandfather, is it something you’d expect someone to feel about a man she only knew from the television?

What was it about Walter that made me trust him so? Is it just that as someone born in 1962, he WAS the man I knew as the purveyor of news, when in those years news equaled truth? When doctors, teachers, and government officials were all people you automatically respected? (Remember I was young then, and didn’t know any better.) Was it the calm, measured, yet heartfelt way in which he shared the news with us that somehow comforted me? And why is it that there is so much from those younger years I don’t necessarily remember in detail, but I do remember the overwhelming feeling of “comfort” and “safety” when Walter was involved? I’m not sure the answers to those questions, although I’m sure someone could psychoanalyze them for me…please don’t. I’ll choose to keep them, since so many of our childhood memories are discarded to the “here’s what the reality was” box as we grow older.

I had the good fortune to actually meet Mr. Cronkite when I lived in Los Angeles, circa 1997, at a book signing for “A Reporter’s Life”. I remember standing in line outside the bookstore and wondering if I’d have enough nerve to actually speak to Mr. Cronkite, or if I’d chicken out. There’s that possibility that someone you look up to so much, might somehow fall short and tumble ever-so-quickly off that pedestal upon which you’ve placed him. And what on earth could I say that countless others hadn’t already said before, time and time again. But that didn’t matter, as I physically got closer and closer to the man. There he was, just around the line and in the actual same breathing space as me. That WAS Walter Cronkite just feet from me. I just about chickened out and opted to just buy the books (one for me and one for my gram in Washington who devoured books like I devour Ben & Jerry’s ice cream) and leave, but next thing you knew it was my turn. Gulp.

Honestly, I don’t remember exactly what I rambled about at first, but what I do vividly recall was eventually telling him how I’d grown up sitting in front of the TV for that evening newscast, not complete until he closed with “And that’s the way it is.” I told him after now having met him, I would be able to retell the story to my friends and family and say “And that’s the way it is (was).”  It was then that this icon, this man with the kindest eyes, the most gentle looking wrinkles in his skin, with the perfect white hair, took my hand in his unbelievably soft hands (I honestly have never forgotten how soft his hands were!), looked right into my eyes and said, “And I’ll remember this as the night I met you.” Walter ‘freaking’ Cronkite said that to ME! Suddenly time stopped, and actually went backward; I became that little girl from my youth, looking into the face of the man on TV, telling me of the happenings of the world. But for that moment, on that particular night, I was the news Walter was talking about and I was “the way it is” for Walter Cronkite and me.

Thank you for that moment, Mr. Cronkite.  For the memory that has never left my heart or my mind, and for the important part you played in my life and the lives of so many others.  For that we are eternally thankful and immensely grateful for having grown up in a time where we  had a man such as yourself,  to guide us as a beacon of truth and integrity; a man who carried on those traits his entire life.   I cannot imagine us ever having such a role model again. RIP Mr. Cronkite.

ADDED: CBS Special News Report

Cronkite: In His Own Words

BBC: US TV News Legend Cronkite Dies
CBS: CBS Legend Walter Cronkite Dies
CNN: Former CBS anchor ‘Uncle Walter’ Cronkite dead at 92
Los Angeles Times: OBITUARIES
Walter Cronkite, longtime CBS anchorman, dies at 92
MSNBC: Former CBS News anchor Walter Cronkite dies
Journalist reported moon landing, assassinations of JFK and MLK
The Daily Beast: Walter Cronkite 1916-2009
The Nation: Walter Cronkite: Definitional Journalist Saw Big Media’s Flaws