Doug's Views: Culture Archives

January 25, 2008

Blizzard of '78 - 30th Anniversary

I was 10 years old at the time. The previous evening ended with 44 degrees, rain, and some thunder and in less than 12 hours we had 60 mile an hour winds and 20 inches of snow and 30 to 40 below zero wind chills. The low pressure system causing the storm recorded the lowest pressure at Cleveland in history - even lower than a Hurricane. The weather people called it a Severe Blizzard - something that hadn't happened in decades.

Continue reading "Blizzard of '78 - 30th Anniversary" »

December 11, 2007

Tom Brokaw on the Charlie Rose Show

watched a bit of Tom Brokaw on the Charlie Rose show tonight talking about his book "The Sixites" and the History Channel documentry on 1968 specifically (which was a good show - nothing about UFOs thank goodness). Here is a quote from that interview that sums up my personal philosophy.

Continue reading "Tom Brokaw on the Charlie Rose Show" »

November 17, 2007

A milestone: 1024x768

A big change took place when I finally changed my computer screen resolution from my old standby of 880x600 to 1024x768

Continue reading "A milestone: 1024x768" »

November 13, 2007

Supporting the striking writers of the WGA

On November 13th, this blog and the blogs listed below will be on strike for the day in solidarity with the Writers Guild of America. As fellow writers and as TV fans, we are coming together to express our strong support for the writers and their goals. We believe that when a writer's work makes money for a company, that writer deserves to be paid.

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November 12, 2007

To our Veterans

We observe Veteran's Day today November 12th. To all those veterans, past and present, and those risking their lives today, thank you!

Continue reading "To our Veterans" »

Posted by Doug at 5:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)
Posted to Culture | Life

November 5, 2007

Revenge driving justice system

There seems to be a perception that we coddle criminals, that they sit on their asses in jail and watch TV all the time, while the victims of crime have their life ruined by whatever degree of the crime that happened to them. People who have that perception are the one's who want the utopia and want revenge on the criminal. There is a disturbing trend to make people pay for their crimes for the rest of their lives even after serving a jail sentence.

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October 28, 2007

It's Xanadu

Broadway adapts cult classic film "Xanadu" for the stage and while they play up the "plot" of the film they didn't touch the excellent music. That's good.

Continue reading "It's Xanadu" »

October 24, 2007

Some Ohio college students want to carry guns on campus

The Columbus Dispatch had a story on Tuesday 10/23 about a protest from some students who want to be able to have concealed weapons on campus. When Ohio adopted a concealed carry law they exempted university and college campuses. Students who feel such a prohibition is wrong, protested by wearing empty gun holster around campus. It just seems a bit childish as if carrying a gun is like some kind of gage of manliness or something. It would be better to just get a tattoo.

Continue reading "Some Ohio college students want to carry guns on campus" »

October 17, 2007

Ellen DeGeneres is in a dog fight

Sometimes one has to take a break and look at something that looks sad and funny at the same time. Recently talk show host Ellen DeGeneres and her partner Portia de Rossi adopted a small dog from the animal rescue organization "Mutts and Moms". It seems that the dog didn't get along with Ellen and Portia's cats so Ellen gave the dog to her hairstylist. When "Mutts and Moms" stopped by to check on the dog and found out that DeGeneres gave the dog away, they went to the hairstylist and took the dog back. They claim that DeGeneres violated the terms of the adoption when she didn't tell them she had given the dog away.

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September 29, 2007

Become a banker through Kiva

Microfinance is where people are looking for financing for their ideas and businesses but the amount needed isn't the amount a typical bank would loan, if they would qualify, but if they could get it, it would make a huge difference in their lives. A new website Kiva.org lets all us get involved.

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September 23, 2007

Some thoughts on the Jena 6 protests

Protest the justice system and fight to get them all a fair hearing and see what happens.

Continue reading "Some thoughts on the Jena 6 protests" »

Posted by Doug at 2:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Posted to Culture | Life | Media

September 13, 2007

Protecting "our" children from books whether you like it or not

I was watching the local news on Wednesday when I came across a story about a book controversy in a local school district. It seems some parents complained about The Chocolate War an assigned book that they thought to be offensive. What is ironic is that one of the book and film's main theme is "conformity" - where the majority imposes orthodoxy in thoughts and belief. That is what censorship does. It imposes an orthodoxy in thoughts and beliefs by suppressing any that are contrary.

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September 4, 2007

Diane Lane Tribute Page

To prove once again, how pale and friendless I am, I finally finished my long awaited tribute page to actor Diane Lane.

Continue reading "Diane Lane Tribute Page" »

August 25, 2007

Bush wants to compare Iraq to Vietnam

Before we got into Iraq, Bush and his cronies strongly claimed that it would not be another Vietnam. Now Bush wants us to believe it will be and it will be, just not the way he thinks.

Continue reading "Bush wants to compare Iraq to Vietnam" »

Posted by Doug at 9:35 PM | Permalink
Posted to Culture | Life | Politics

August 14, 2007

Tooting my own horn

Announcing makeovers of two of my blogs. Proving once again I have no life and am quite pale.

Continue reading "Tooting my own horn" »

August 7, 2007

Dems bend over for a lame duck President - again

In an about face, some Dems broke ranks and voted to approve Senate Bill 1927 that now makes Bush's wiretapping program "legal". 59 Democrats decided that their reelection was FAR more important than my civil rights. *Sigh*

Continue reading "Dems bend over for a lame duck President - again" »

Posted by Doug at 12:53 AM | Permalink
Posted to Culture | Humanism | Politics

August 3, 2007

I've won a prize

A few months back I entered the Humanist Vision contest sponsored by the American Humanist Association. The challenge was to create a "commercial" about Humanism and post it on YouTube. There was prize money involved and the goodwill of the Humanist movement. See my entry here.

Continue reading "I've won a prize" »

July 22, 2007

Goodbye Sports Arena

The Toledo Blade had an article today giving an obituary for the Sports Arena. Toledo is going to build a new 8,000 seat arena downtown and the owners of the Sports Arena sold it to the city and it is due to be torn down in the next few months. It played a part in my life growing up.

Continue reading "Goodbye Sports Arena" »

Posted by Doug at 10:16 PM | Permalink
Posted to Culture | Life

July 12, 2007

Sicko makes the point

I heard today about the throwdown on CNN between Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN's resident medical expert, and filmmaker Michael Moore over the "facts" in Moore's documentary "Sicko". The film is an indictment of the US health care system. Like Moore, I support moving to a single-payer health care system. It preserves choice and allows for people to get the treatment they need.

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June 30, 2007

Courier editorial is wrong about Fairness Doctrine

I normally ignore Courier editorials because it is simply the paper's view of some issue and I usually don't care what their view is. This time I was compelled to respond. The editorial titled "Talk Radio" echoed the same conservative "talk" that passes for programing on radio stations like WFIN.

Continue reading "Courier editorial is wrong about Fairness Doctrine" »

Posted by Doug at 8:30 PM | Permalink
Posted to Culture | Findlay | Media | Politics

May 25, 2007

On Star Wars - 30 years later

I remember it well. The film had been in theaters almost a year when I finally was able to see it. It was the talk of my school and several kids already had the action figures and other merchandise. We were too poor to see a movie all the time so I had to basically wait until my Mom got her tax refund. But there I sat in my seat at the old Cinema World theater just outside the Fort Findlay Mall.

Continue reading "On Star Wars - 30 years later" »

Posted by Doug at 1:16 AM | Permalink
Posted to Culture | Findlay | Media | Movies

March 23, 2007

If you think the Walter Reed scandal was bad

I read an article in the Nation tonight that talks about the rash of military discharges of wounded Iraq war veterans, in order, it seems to save the VA money on benefits. The article, "How Specialist Town Lost His Benefits", by Joshua Kors, highlights a previously unreported practice of discharging wounded soldiers as having a personality disorder, which happens to be one of the ways a soldier can be discharged and not be eligible for any future benefits.

Continue reading "If you think the Walter Reed scandal was bad" »

March 13, 2007

No, I don't listen to Glenn Beck

I discovered that this site was mentioned on the listener forum for conservative radio host Glenn Beck. So I checked it out. Here are some answers to the questions posed by the readers there:

Continue reading "No, I don't listen to Glenn Beck" »

February 11, 2007

Give up religion for Lent

My idea is for religious people to give up religion for Lent. Try to see how it is to live without superstition and outdated thinking - like observing Lent.

Continue reading "Give up religion for Lent" »

January 15, 2007

Fantasy football leaves me unfulfilled

Five years of playing has shown I am the unluckiest player in the world. I have never finished higher than 4th in any of the leagues I have been in and this past season I finished last or near the bottom of the three leagues I joined. My records were 3-11, 5-9, and 4-10 and each team finished the season by losing 5 games in a row.

Continue reading "Fantasy football leaves me unfulfilled" »

Posted by Doug at 11:43 PM | Permalink
Posted to Culture | Football | Life | Sports

November 23, 2006

Holiday Homily from Le Buche de Humanist

Here are some random thoughts on Thanksgiving

Continue reading "Holiday Homily from Le Buche de Humanist" »

Posted by Doug at 10:21 AM | Permalink
Posted to Culture | Life | Writing

November 13, 2006

Louise Brooks an Icon

November 14th marks the 100th birthday of one of the most iconic actresses of the silent era. Louise Brooks was only active in films for a few years but she left an incredible mark that influences culture even today. To mark her birthday I created a tribute page on Brooks and why I like her.

Continue reading "Louise Brooks an Icon" »

November 8, 2006

Yes, I will gloat in the Democrat victory

The national victory for the Democrats is a HUGE rebuke to President Bush, the GOP, and their neocon cronies. They were ones who squandered the budget surplus, got us into a protracted war in Iraq on fabricated evidence, and ruined our reputation in the world community.

Continue reading "Yes, I will gloat in the Democrat victory" »

Posted by Doug at 1:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Posted to Culture | Life | Politics

November 7, 2006

I voted today

I voted today and there were a lot of judges on the ballot.

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Posted by Doug at 6:59 PM | Permalink
Posted to Culture | Life | Politics

November 4, 2006

Late info on Republican candidates

Just some info the various Republican candidates in the 2006 elections

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Posted by Doug at 3:08 PM | Permalink
Posted to Culture | Politics

October 21, 2006

Project Runway at this Old House

Nifty title, no? I just wanted to comment on 2 TV shows I watched this week in the same post. So, sue me. Project Runway and This Old House offer some entertainment.

Continue reading "Project Runway at this Old House" »

Posted by Doug at 2:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Posted to Culture | Life | Television

September 11, 2006

9/11 still powerful after 5 years

I still vividly remember what I was doing that morning in 2001 when the first reports came in, I was noodling on the computer. I had just come home from my night job and I had the "Today" show on in the background while I decompressed before going to bed. After seeing the 2nd plane hit the tower I didn't go to bed until around Midnight the next day.

Continue reading "9/11 still powerful after 5 years" »

August 31, 2006

Cowtown Qube

Qube was the first try at interactive television and debuted in Columbus in 1977. It was a demonstration project from Warner Cable (now Time-Warner Cable).

Continue reading "Cowtown Qube" »

Posted by Doug at 10:35 AM | Permalink
Posted to Columbus | Culture | Media

August 23, 2006

Madigan says we should be lucky to have Wal-Mart

Charles M. Madigan wrote an op/ed piece in the Chicago Tribune Tuesday complaining about Democrats deciding to take on retailer Wal-Mart. He starts out telling us about a couple of jobs he had that paid little for the amount work he did and the other negatives that came with it. Then he gives us an unemotional look a retail economics.

Continue reading "Madigan says we should be lucky to have Wal-Mart" »

Posted by Doug at 1:33 AM | Permalink
Posted to Culture | Life | Politics

August 19, 2006

Who cares about the murder of JonBenet?

It must be August - the dog days of summer - when our supposed mainstream media have nothing to report so we get stories right out of the old "True Crime" magazine. Just like the obsession on the Scott Peterson case, or the missing co-end in Aruba, the media seem to obsess about scandalous stuff.

Continue reading "Who cares about the murder of JonBenet?" »

Posted by Doug at 12:59 AM | Permalink
Posted to Culture | Life | Media

August 10, 2006

Where have you gone Dexter Fletcher?

I was watching the TV last night as the History Channel was playing - yet again - the series "Band of Brothers". It is the 10 episode series about the men of Easy Company of the 101st Airborne during World War II, that was first shown on HBO in 2001. It is produced my Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks. So while watching it I was surfing the IMDB and Wikipedia looking at info on the series. Looking at the bios of the cast I came onto the guy who played SSgt. John Martin in the series. The name of the guy was Dexter Fletcher. The name sounded familiar so I looked at his filmography and my jaw dropped.

Continue reading "Where have you gone Dexter Fletcher?" »

Posted by Doug at 6:33 AM | Permalink
Posted to Columbus | Culture | Movies

July 31, 2006

History of MTV

At 12:01 am on August 1st 1981 Music Television - MTV for short - signed on the air. The cable channel changed the cultural landscape in many ways - not all of them positive. Here is a list of the videos played in the first hour back in 1981

Continue reading "History of MTV" »

July 7, 2006

Religious Right lies about Mt. Soledad Cross

The US Supreme Court, more specifically Justice Anthony Kennedy, issued a stay of a lower federal court ruling that said the Mt. Soledad Easter Cross is unconstitutional and it needed to be removed from the city of San Diego's property by August 2nd or the city would be fined $5,000 a day. The religious right and the pandering city officials who keep this case alive follow the same pattern the so-called Christians seem to follow - lying, name calling, character assassination, fraud, delays, and contempt of court.

Continue reading "Religious Right lies about Mt. Soledad Cross" »

Posted by Doug at 11:28 PM | Permalink
Posted to Culture | Humanism | Politics | Religion

May 29, 2006

Some sad news - "Breakfast Club" principal dies

The guy who played the principal in the movie "The Breakfast Club" died on Saturday. Now waiting to see which two other celebrities will pass away to complete the triad one usually sees.

Continue reading "Some sad news - "Breakfast Club" principal dies" »

Posted by Doug at 3:13 AM | Permalink
Posted to Culture | Movies

March 21, 2006

Atheist sells self on Ebay

Hemant Mehta, chair of the board of the Secular Student Alliance, offered himself on Ebay. Well not himself, per se, but his beliefs. He had an auction offering to the highest bidder, Mehta's time to visit a church of the winner's choice. Mehta is an Atheist and he found out that there are many Christians looking to convert anyone who offers them a chance. The winning bid was $504 and led Mehta to visit several churches in the Chicago area. The money bid went to the SSA as a donation.

Continue reading "Atheist sells self on Ebay" »

Posted by Doug at 2:10 AM | Permalink
Posted to Culture | Life | Religion

December 19, 2005

A Bit of Local News

The big news is that FHS Head Football coach Cliff Hite stepped down as FHS coach on 12/1/2005. Actor David Cryer, Findlay High '54, who has been with the touring company of the musical "Phantom of the Opera" for the past 13 years, will be playing "Monsieur Firmin" in the Broadway production starting in January.

Continue reading "A Bit of Local News" »

October 12, 2005

Thank You Kevin Smith

Life led me in another direction and while I continued to write my short stories and enjoy watching films and the process of filmmaking, I didn't think I would get the bug again. That was until I met director Kevin Smith - again.

Continue reading "Thank You Kevin Smith" »

Posted by Doug at 3:29 AM | Permalink
Posted to Culture | Life | Movies | Writing

August 8, 2005

Peter Jennings 1938-2005

The "face" of ABC News died today and I really miss him. I was a Cronkite kid, growing up with Uncle Walter who I trusted as much as my mom. Then when he retired and Dan Rather took over I was a bit lost. For some reason I just never cared for Dan.

Continue reading "Peter Jennings 1938-2005" »

May 27, 2005

Cell phones in Findlay High School causing trouble

It seems that FHS as a zero tolerance for cell phones on campus and if found they are confiscated and returned at the end of the day. If the same person is found with one again then a parent or guardian has to come to school to pick it up. It seems that the administration is searching the phones they confiscate and punishing any rule violations contained on them like bad language in text messages and pictures showing underage drinking.

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Posted by Doug at 7:00 AM | Permalink
Posted to Culture | Findlay | Hancock County | Life

May 20, 2005

A Couple of Funnies

If you enjoy life then you like to laugh at the absurd. I got a couple for you today from the past week.

Continue reading "A Couple of Funnies" »

Posted by Doug at 10:59 AM | Permalink
Posted to Culture | Media | Television

November 9, 2004

"Moral Values" cause ignorance

Here is a look at "moral values" that some continue to insist decided the 2004 Presidential Election. The first view is from the Red area with a rebuttal from a Blue state supporter.

Continue reading ""Moral Values" cause ignorance" »

Posted by Doug at 1:04 AM | Permalink
Posted to Culture | Politics | Religion

July 13, 2004

Stewart zings Blitzer - film at 11

I was watching The Daily Show tonight and Jon Stewart had on Wolf Blitzer from CNN. Stewart just hammered Blitzer about the 9/11 Senate Report released today.

Continue reading "Stewart zings Blitzer - film at 11" »

Posted by Doug at 2:58 AM | Permalink
Posted to Culture | Life | Media | Television

July 12, 2004

Wonder Woman on DVD

At last now I can die (not really but close). Wonder Woman with the sexy Lynda Carter was one of my favorite shows in the mid 70's. Seeing her transform into her super hero outfit each episode made me feel all warm and tingly (if you know what I mean).

Continue reading "Wonder Woman on DVD" »

Posted by Doug at 11:14 AM | Permalink
Posted to Culture | Television | Women

February 5, 2004

Do you believe in Miracles?

Most Americans will remember that famous line uttered by sportscaster Al Michaels as he called the final seconds in the 1980 Olymic Hockey tournament semi-finals pitting the US team versus the powerful Soviet team. The US had won 4-3 and the next day beat Finland to win its first Gold medal in hockey since 1960. A major motion picture called "Miracle" debuts on February 6th which tells the story of the 1980 team and its coach Herb Brooks who did the impossible.

Continue reading "Do you believe in Miracles?" »

Posted by Doug at 5:56 PM | Permalink
Posted to Culture | Media | Movies | Sports

January 31, 2004

When did religion become a test for elected office?

Most people should know that the US Constitution contains a clause that prohibits religious test as a qualification to hold elective office. In case you don't know it is Article 6: "but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States." Why then is there a trend of city and town councils falling over themselves to proclaim they not only believe in god but that their power to govern is ordained by that deity.

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Posted by Doug at 1:50 PM | Permalink
Posted to Culture | Politics | Religion

May 21, 2003

Law & Order just broadcast

Law & Order just broadcast their 300th episode. Who'd thunk it?

Continue reading "Law & Order just broadcast" »

Posted by Doug at 11:21 PM | Permalink
Posted to Culture | Life | Media

Doug's Views

A unique look at my world. Includes my interests and complaints