I've been going through a second go round on the Firefly DVD, to get the wife interested as well as stoking my interest in the upcoming movie Serenity, coming out September 30th. I had received word this morning that an early screening of the film was taking place next Thursday May 5th. But by the time I got there, it was sold out. As I remarked there and elsewhere, if I wanted a high level of frustration with nothing to show for it, I would've went to Star Wars Celebration III last weekend. But I did sign up at the fan site for the movie anyway. Go check it out. If you like it, let me know so I can send you an invite to join and I can get 50 points ^_^.

Will Ferrell, who played federal wildlife Marshall Willenholly in Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back is going back to well, sorta. He is starring in a big screen remake of Land of the Lost. And, yes, it's a comedy.
From Progressive Ruin.

Last Saturday, I received an e-mail from Michael Moore's mailing list:
"Friends,
How's it going? Ready for the next step?
Let me know what you've been up to and any ideas you have about what our next move should be (write me at the addresses below). "

I thought about it for awhile, and here's what I came up with:

"Mr. Moore:
I have been pondering your question for awhile. This morning I was thinking about the recent bankruptcy bill that passed in the house that was written at the behest of the credit card companies to ensure anyone with credit card debt will stay in debt to them forever. I had read some Democrats had voted for the bill, and thought we should work to defeat them for re-election. First, I thought who would we replace them with? Republicans? Please. Another Democrat? How hard is it to defeat an incumbent in their own party?
Then it hit me: our next step should be forming a new politcal party and have some candidates run in the mid-term elections in 2006. Think about it: in many ways the Democrats are as bad as the Republicans. Even Bill Clinton, the holy symbol of the Democrats, has signed some Republican-type bills into law (as you pointed out in one of your books). Also, many people are disgusted with the system and don't vote. As you said, if a restaurant doesn't have what you want, you don't eat there. In addition, most of the politicians are white males. Minorites and women (51% of the population, making this American Aparteid, as you put it) are vastly underrepresented. And what about the working person? They are definitely underrepresented, as our elected officials vote for legislation that supports businesses and corporations that contribute to their campaigns. Often, these officials run unopposed for re-election. Hey, Mike, instead of running a ficus, how about running somebody that actually do something?
Although we don't have the experience, we have a lot going for us: a fed up electorate, the internet to spread the word inexpensively, and even though we didn't win last time, there was a lot of money and energy expended on that effort we can tap into.
I know it will be difficult. The system is set up to favor Democrat and Republican. In most states, you have to declare a party affiliation to vote. Other parties have to jump through hurdles and obstacles set up to keep them away. But with the will and power behind the common person, we can do it.
Corporations may be considered as a separate person in the eyes of the law, but although they can contribute money, they cannot cast a vote. People cast the vote. We have the ultimate power, we should tap into that.
I think this new party should emphasize the common working person and the problems they face. Health costs, housing, greedy CEOs, jobs, things like that. At first, we should steer clear of the distraction issues that the Republicans use to stay in power and emphasize the important things that need to be done. Use the "rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic" analogy, or something similar.
Second, we should address the system set up to keep those in power in power. Gerrymandering, for instance. A while back, I looked at a districting map of my state Indiana to try to find out who my state representative was. The way it was drawn, I couldn't determine what district I was in to save my life. I finally had to enter my 9 digit zip to find my district. Also, there's all the shenannigans that the Republicans are pulling to keep their power.
Third, we should set up a think-tank or lifeline for our candidates to plan counter-attacks against anything those who oppose up come up with, as well as help those elected navigate the system to better help them get things done.
Fourth, I think that we shouldn't offer a candidate for President until 1) we have a candidate that like love, we'll know it when we see it, or 2) we can change from the Electoral College to a popular vote.
Plus, there are probably some elected officials that are either disenfranchised with the system they're in, or do want to do some good. Maybe retired politicians. Perhaps we can lure them to us, utilize their experience. Hey, if the Republicans got Zell Miller...
I know that you have an image problem in some quarters, but I think if we can get the word out that you're fighting for what a lot of people want, we can overcome it.
We need to fight the lie being repeated until people accept it as truth. A lot of people are fed up with the system, even with the record voter turn out, there's still a lot of people either not participating and disenfranchised; and the system getting set up more and more to keep people in power. It's time to change that.
I know this is long, but hey, you asked...

Sincerely,
Tony Collett"

I think this is something that has merit. Spread the word, put your own ideas on the table, something needs to be done. As I alluded to above, a lot of people are against Michael Moore, but some of the ideas he believes in for the working person are ones a lot of us would agree on.

I added some new links on the right: Cepha's World, that I linked to something earlier.
And in strips: I Drew This, that says a lot of things I think. It's worth it to go back and read the previous strips. Some favorites are this one, and this one, and this one (so far).
Boy, you don't hear for me for a long time, then you can't shut me up.

You are Mr. Tizcik,the Headcrusher! There is
nothing that pleases you more than a good
headcrushing in the morning, afternoon, and
evening. You are always out to get someone, and
you know just where it hurts the most; however,
you have pissed off more than one person with
your metaphoric skull-fracturing antics, and it
has resulted in your own painful crushing. But
when it comes to the popping of heads, you are
a force to be reckoned with! Headpinchers,
beware! Never go up against a professional
Headcrusher! Amateur!


Which Kids in the Hall Character Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla


Courtesy of Blog THIS, Pal!

Paul Harris wrote a column about the overstated obesity crisis, particularly that the Center for Disease Control just admitted their figures were 14 times higher than what they were, that death by obesity is 7th on the list, behind car crashes and guns.

Adam Cohen wrote an opinion column that says conservative judges are just as activist as liberal ones.
Or, that Jon Stewart's definition of an activist judge is correct: It's a judge that makes a decision I don't like.

Hey, gang, turns out gas isn't getting more expensive because we're running out of dinosaur fossils, it's because of some greedy sumbiches.