Category: 1

Remember This Kid’s Name

Posted By: Peter DavidPosted On:

In Florida, home of Disney World and people who can’t read voting ballots, Springstead High School valedictorian Jem Lugo wrote a valedictorian speech that was submitted to the principal for approval…and was declared unfit, insulting, “appalling.”  (Insert whatever horror-filled adjective you wish.)  The bowdlerized version of the speech she wound up delivering was soporific in comparison…deliberately so, I suspect.  Jem Lugo, with her 3.98 GPA and wicked sense of humor is going places, while the principal is–I would guess–not.

Herewith the entirety of her speech as reprinted in the local newspapers:

Springstead High School’s class of 2009. Look around you. This is it.

No more essays, no more FCAT, no more required reading. We survived 13 grueling years of school, all for this moment, where we get to wear gowns that kind of remind me of a silk version of a Snuggie, and these hats that make every single one of us look absolutely ridiculous. Hate to break it to you, but no one looks good in these hats. Even you, Ben Noury.

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Possible inspiration for “Potato Moon” contributors

Posted By: Peter DavidPosted On:

Tom Galloway sent in this rather bizarre item from the San Francisco Chronicle, noting potato_moonpossibilities for our little project:

“Actress Jennie Garth (Beverly Hills 90210) has an unusual way of spicing up her marriage to “Twilight” actor Peter Facinelli — she makes him pretend to be his vampire character.

Facinelli plays Dr. Cullen, the father of Robert Pattinson’s character, in the original film and in upcoming sequel “New Moon.”

And the actor admits his wife is so fond of the fang-toothed doctor she makes him constantly roleplay to keep their eight-year marriage steamy.

He tells the New York Daily News, “She has me dress up like all the time. She says, ‘Put the doctor’s coat on!’ I’m like, ‘Again?'” “

Even the right wing Republicans must be getting embarrassed…

Posted By: Peter DavidPosted On:

…about the so-called spokesmen for their party.

At a time when Obama is going around the mid-East trying to sow seeds of diplomacy, former VP-Cheney–more visible in the past two months than he was in the entirety of the past two terms–continues to defend torture while trying to rewrite history.  And then there are the horrific criticisms of Sonia Sotomayor that are setting a new low even for the pundits (just when you thought such a thing could not be possible.)   We’ve got Liddy declaring, and I quote:  “Let’s hope that the key conferences aren’t when she’s menstruating or something, or just before she’s going to menstruate. That would really be bad. Lord knows what we would get then.”  I don’t know whether simply to be appalled at the attitude, or fascinated that he didn’t seem to feel this was an issue with Condy Rice as Secretary of State, since one would think that a PMS-ing SoS in a delicate nuclear arms discussion is far more dangerous than a single cramping judge.

And then there’s Limbaugh, jumping on her comment, “I would hope that a wise Latina woman with the richness of her experiences would more often than not reach a better conclusion than a white male who hasn’t lived that life,” and declaring that the sentiment makes her a racist.  I think she could have found better ways to phrase it, but I don’t see that as a racist sentiment so much as it is a commentary on respective social strata and the resultant ability to render judgment on relevant cases, particularly considering the hardscrabble nature of her own upbringing.  I’m not entirely sure I agree, but it’s a point worth discussing rather than just shouting, “Racist!” in an attempt to shut her down and keep her off the bench.  Besides, you should judge a person’s worth by the entirety of their body of work–and Sotomayor’s is incredibly impressive–rather than a couple of comments that others have taken out of context and flogged relentlessly to further their own agenda.

PAD

Lousy Week for Davids

Posted By: Peter DavidPosted On:

This week we lost both David Eddings and David Carradine. One to natural causes and one…less so. Tragic losses in both cases. Carradine in particular, reportedly having hung himself just as he was about to start a new film.

PAD

Calling All Spider-Man Collectors

Posted By: Peter DavidPosted On:

I am in the process of assembling a book on Spider-Man from the same folks who put out the DC and Marvel “Vault” books. The book is going to be heavily illustrated and, quite simply, I’m seeking illustrations.

Specifically, I’m looking for anything that is Spider-Man related and interesting. Memorabilia, toys, unusual illustrations, anything alone those lines.

No money involved, but you get credited in the book.

Anyone who is interested in participating, please write to me immediately at spideybook@gmail.com for details.

Thank you.

PAD

A Doonesbury Icon for Obama

Posted By: Peter DavidPosted On:

For the last few decades, Garry Trudeau has represented each American President with an icon. GWB went through the most, eventually ending up as a floating Roman centurion’s helmet with increasingly tattered plumage as the war dragged on.

Thus far, though, Obama has yet to be assigned an icon.  Today’s strip asserted that Obama, as “a change agent,” is too complex to be reduced to a single visual.

I find that hard to believe. Is he really so impossible to distill to an essence?

What would work?

Perhaps a handful of coins to represent change?  Or one of those old style change dispensers that you wear on your belt, or even a cash register (both of which would represent not only change, but the GOP’s assertion that he’s too ready to dispense money).  A yin and yang symbol to represent balance? Or a pair of scales? Since he is so likened to Mr. Spock, perhaps a logic board (i.e., a computer circuit board). Maybe a basketball because of his preference for shooting hoops.

Any other thoughts?

PAD

A JOSS-LESS BUFFY?

Posted By: Peter DavidPosted On:

Whedon fans are up in arms over the widely reported notion of “Buffy” being rebooted on the big screen sans Whedon.

I could very well be wrong–in fact, wouldn’t be surprised if I was–but I see this as a big negotiating ploy. I think that at some point the producers must have approached Whedon, he had terms they were reluctant to meet (money, creative control, whatever) and so they’ve gone public with the notion that they’re willing to proceed without him in order to gain negotiating leverage.

I would not be the least bit surprised if, should a feature film go forward, Whedon winds up attached to it. Of course, knowing Hollywood, I also wouldn’t be surprised if he wasn’t. Still, it’s worth pointing out that Gene Roddenberry was creatively involved with “Star Trek: The Motion(less) Picture” and actively discouraged fans from seeing “The Wrath of Khan” as being inconsistent with his vision of “Star Trek.” And Gene’s fans were no less rabid than Joss’s. But can anyone deny the relative merits of the two films?

So anything’s possible…

PAD