D.C’s LAWMAKERS AND CASH BRIBES
“Lawmakers seek cash during key votes” is the top story of the HuffPo today. A good read, raising again the question of is democracy in the law making process always bought?
Every nation has varying degrees of this story. Food for thought.
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 12.25.10~
THE NEWSMAKERS AND OPINION SHAPERS LIST, USA IN 2010
We are, because others more worthy than us, feed into us so we can be. (more…)
BARBARA STREISAND AND LEADING DEMOCRATS ON OBAMA SIGNING TAX CUTS BILL
“Well, I think it’s unfair but necessary,” Barbara Sreisand said when asked by Larry King about President Obama signing the tax cut deal (a la mode) as per, a Bush President of the past.
Some on the Hollywood left, said “that’s it. I’m through.” People worry that Obama’s devout entertainment supporters will keep their wallets closed as clearly the President is surrounded by sharks. Others say, give the political scene time and Obama will be able to lead as he’s promised his supporters. Patience is urged.
Streisand to King spent her TV time persuading in a supportive vein of the relatively new President, chatting from history’s notebook pages, reminding King’s audience how both George W. Bush and Ronald Reagan showed that “people admire real strength, even though it is misguided.” Forever a believer, Streisand seemed to applaud Obama’s “open heart” and intelligence, rightly noting why more people had not recognized this man’s tremendous accomplishments to date. Her support for him remains strong.
Mike Medavoy seems done unless Republicans back off. A big financial supporter of Obama, Medovy says: “Nobody wants to be held hostage, and no country should have to pay for hostage takers. While I believe in compromise, I don’t believe in compromise with people who put a gun to your head.”
A good point because seeing Obama with so little movement in the House post midterms doesn’t make for good TV either. I mean, this is not a Western, in reverse. Isn’t the leading man supposed to call the shots. Even in the most loved Westerns of old in Texas, yep, by Hollywood accounts of Western genres ‘rules’ of Texan culture, he is.
JULIAN ASSANGE NEWS UPDATES AND WIKILEAKS NEWS UPDATES – 12.16.10
“It’s great to smell fresh air of London again,” Assange, 39, illuminated by a blizzard of photographers’ flashes, said after being released on $312,000 bail. “I continue on with our work. Clearing my name is not the highest task I have. The highest task I have is to continue with my work,” Assange added. Christine Assange, Julian’s mother (pictured below) had flown in from Australia to London to be with her son to “hold him close.” Aussie moms–How sweet.
Julian Assange has had quite a month. He proves that in a month, a dark horse outsider can: take the cover of Time Magazine; be listed as Time‘s no.2 most influential person of the year after a Facebook founder; can have Swedish girls fling themselves at him claiming rape, broken condom rumors–all after consensual sex with a man (go figure); have fame seekers like Michael Moore appear on camera to bail Julian out of jail.
TEN THINGS ON MARK ZUCKERBERG BEING NAMED TIME MAGAZINE’S PERSON OF THE YEAR
Mark Zuckerberg has just been named Time Magazine‘s person of the year, so my Twitter feed tells me, via Time’s twitter feed, via a link to Time’s Stumble Upon account. Boy is Time really working all social media distribution info-sharing services to do a Mark Zuckerberg butter-up job and get in on the Facebook audience bases good books. I kid. Rick Stengel is a good editor for Time, so how can I knock this man.
Here’s ten reason’s based on an essay from Time Magazine’s managing editor Mr. Stengel on why Zuckerberg is tops:
1. Zuckerberg is at the center of connection shifts with people: “The way we connect with one another and with the institutions in our lives is evolving.” Zuckerberg is on it.
2. Many people are wary of politicians due to too many mistakes, that fried the majority. Politicians are seen as greedy sharks, raping the golden goose more often than not these days: “There is an erosion of trust in authority, a decentralizing of power and at the same time, perhaps, a greater faith in one another.” Zuckerberg caught this wave as leaders didn’t catch the trend.
3. Identity and the way identity is shaped and shapes culture has shifted with an acceptance that there is less privacy: “Our sense of identity is more variable, while our sense of privacy is expanding. What was once considered intimate is now shared among millions with a keystroke,” Stengel writes. Zuckerberg made it possible for people to express aspects of personality easier and with an allusion of a certain degree of control. It is an allusion, although the average Facebook user feels ‘safe’ on Facebook’s website, often more safe than what a job situation or politicians are offering them, away from their computers and Facebook accounts. Weird. How much information Facebook sells to governments without people knowing, makes Facebook even more interesting. Zuckerberg at this juncture though is seen as safe by Facebook members.
4. People see him as “The Architect”: “He is both a product of his generation and an architect of it.”–He is leader who gave more to shape his generation than to be shaped by others in it. Or in other words, he went wide and appealed to the little person, to become a cultural hero and leader of the masses he facilitates.
5. Facebook is its ‘own nation’ of 1/10th of the World’s Population a part of it. Zuckerberg its President: “A billion new pieces of content are posted on Facebook daily. (more…)
YAHOO SEARCH ENGINE ON HORIWOOD.COM TRENDING NEWS TOPICS – A SNAP SHOT – 12.2.10
No other search engine digs Horiwood.Com for some weird reason like Yahoo Search Engine. There are more back links to this blog recorded on Yahoo in the 50 nations Horiwood.Com is read in, than any other search engine–according to Quantcast’s analysis of this site.
Yahoo has 15% market share of all American search engine users–which perhaps reflects Yahoo users boycotting google to back underdog competition–and using Yahoo for a diverse opinion–that are more supportive of rising star bloggers than the established milieu. Perhaps they are slightly more democratic by nature then, a good sign? I think so. The truth is though–Yahoo and bing’s spiders glean from google–so that’s a bit of a catch 22 as to the appearance of their total independence as search engine services. It’s like information sharing today (the wikileaks drama at the minute)–search engines like nations all share information. We are all interconnected somehow, even with our online communications.
Here’s Yahoo’s Top Ten Horiwood.Com web stories. Why, I don’t know–but Yahoo readers are allegedly digging these ten topics the most. Let’s share the view:
1. Watching Lady Gaga live in concert when she was once humble – by Horiwood. I have to say, when Gaga gloated asking a great like Cher to “hold her meat purse” when she accepted an award–I kinda went off her for a little bit. Sorry Gaga fans I just thought she’d gone too far. However, Yahoo gives Gaga news no. 1 ranking on this blog.
2. sam cruickshank (horiwood) on Twitter
3. THE HORIWOOD TOP TEN – TUE 11.30.10 on Tree Hugger website
4. Horiwood Top 10 getting glory-stood-on by WordPress each day. Blog capturing.
5. Sports Horiwood — Blogs, Pictures, and more on WordPress
6. Horiwood being gossiped about amongst the Facebook Community – Juicy!
7. Broken Controllers on Hot Political Topics for Horiwood.Com–Thanks for the free-ing
8. Freemasons Website are closely watching Horiwood.Com – Why? I don’t know. But hi!
9. USA Today capturing Gen. Wesley Clark News
10. Michael Jackson News on Horiwood.Com
Alright — Here in America in the land of the brave and free–Thanks Yahoo.Com for the insight. Not one New Zealand news topic rates in the top ten–so I guess, I’m more American than I give myself credit for with Yahoo users. Sweet! I’ll wear that. Thanks Yahoo of California. Loving you back! :)
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 12.2.10~
GIBBS ST “ON” – WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY, ROBERT GIBBS ON “COMPROMISED DIPLOMACY” OVER WIKILEAKS DOCS IRAN SCANDAL
Is there such a thing as a ‘global politicians confessional booth?’ Apparently there is. It’s called WikiLeaks document releases to international press news papers and media outlets.
Reading very Catholic–this method of information distribution, I must say.
Here’s what the White House is reporting via the recent Wikileaks Docs political scandal that sheds much light on international leaders angst, frustration, fear?/ genuine neighborly concern? and anger with their problems and misunderstandings with Iran. I write this in California where many people from Iran live in Beverly Hills, Westwood etc as valued American residents and citizens. I must point out that Iran is not Iraq or Afghanistan, it is Ancient Persia.
Before you read on though, as this is an entertainment and celebrity news blog, click on this case of Gibbston Wine grown and cellared in Queenstown New Zealand that Beyonce was seen sipping on at lunch this weekend in Auckland The Supercity. Apparently the wine is a beauty. Alright, news continues:
According to Bloomberg, the White House fears Diplomacy has been compromised with the Wikileaks distributed secret information of speical documents gleaned from cables, to the world’s press for upcoming publication. Specifically Bloomberg reports:
“Nevertheless, these cables could compromise private discussions with foreign governments and opposition leaders,” according to the statement from the White House Press Secretary, Robert Gibbs. “When the substance of private conversations is printed on the front pages of newspapers across the world, it can deeply impact not only U.S. foreign policy interests, but those of our allies and friends.”
Republicans also condemned the release of the cables, with Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina stating on Fox News Sunday that “the people at WikiLeaks could have blood on their hands.” The top Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen of Florida, called the revelation of the documents “extremely irresponsible.”
The Pentagon’s Response to the leaks that escaped their management is: “The Pentagon announced today that it will take a “series of actions” to prevent future reoccurrences, such as developing procedures to monitor user behavior that is similar to steps taken by credit-card companies to detect fraud. The military will also conduct security oversight inspections at forward bases and remove the ability of classified computers to download information onto removable disks.”
Perhaps you’ll appreciate this case of wine then as a reading companion in the upcoming weeks as you follow the Wikileaks Docs, news stories about to hit the world via Spain, France, Germany, New York, The UK in the next few weeks.
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywod California USA. 11.28.10~
EVERY TIME YOU HAVE THE COURAGE TO SHARE YOUR VIEWS OF THE WORLD
… you live your life.
Thanks for the support today. Love you all.
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 11.28.10~
THE WASHINGTON POST – 11.28.10
Today is my sister, Saloni Ruth‘s 43rd (US) Birthday. She’s a gem in her community as well as being a fine sportswoman. On this day, the front page of The Washington Post here in America, looks like this.
Gizmos & Gadgets for Christmas feature for retailers. Although diversity has never once gone out of fashion, Vogue leads the charge on Diversity is a feature story. War Medics focus on Trauma Transit efforts. Crystal meth in America is pinpointed to be stemming from Mexican Cartels. Oregon was a sight of a suspected bomb plot. Meanwhile many can’t afford housing costs in Washington D.C, the nation’s capitol.
What an interesting front cover today from The Post. There’s a lot going on.
Happy Birthday Sharon. From as far back as I can remember Sharon filled our home with ukelele music. She became an adept songwriter and entertainer playing the guitar–performing in front of audiences at a young age. She is national tennis champ title holder along with her sister Cherry as well as a netball champion, a cup winning athlete and a touch rugby football, team player extraordinaire. In high school she was a decorated beauty queen. She had a special bond with her playful grandfather Graham Edward. Most of all, her spirit has ruled justly and she has lifted the burden of the oppressed where her heart led her. Really, she is like the archetypal “All American girl” but she is proudly Maori and Kiwi. Today she lives in a New Zealand city, where whales are known to swim in schools sometimes in her surrounding shores.
Sharon: I love you on your special day we have always celebrated with joy as your family. You were born on The Island of Vava’u, Tonga where whales swim and play, 43 years ago today in a principality ruled by a Monarchy. Of her Island where Sharon and two of her sisters were born in the beautiful South Pacific, it is written:
“The Vavaíu Island group in the Kingdom of Tonga is a spectacular tropical island paradise in the Pacific Ocean. It has a year-round climate suitable for swimming, snorkeling, diving and sailing. Some islands are ringed by white sand beaches while others have tropical forests, sea-level caves, and dramatic limestone cliffs with breathtaking vistas.
“Remote and truly unspoiled, the waters around Vava’u are crystal clear with visibility exceeding 100 feet. Most of the islands are uninhabited, a few have villages, a few have very small unique resorts with exceptional food. There is abundant sea life with over 100 species of colorful tropical fish, giant clams, manta rays, sea turtles, spinner dolphins, and July-October the Humpback whales!
Truly a paradise with the only Polynesian Monarchy this is a truly remarkable place to explore.”
This year Tonga is having their very first democratic elections. It is a hallmark defining moment of democracy and liberty for the Kingdom of Tonga. In memory of Uncle Sam Sasser, The American footballer who used to visit you in Tonga as a baby, here’s an image of The Washington Red Skins, getting whopped by the Minnesota Vikings. :)
Howard Frendrich writes: LANDOVER, Md. — After scrambling 10 yards on his creaky legs for a key first down, Brett Favre popped up with one of his shoulder pads flapping around and started leaping on teammates for hugs. Moments later, the Minnesota Vikings’ 17-13 victory Sunday over the Washington Redskins complete, Favre went over to new coach Leslie Frazier and handed him the football.” Bret Favre is 41 years old, a grandfather– and still playing football.
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 11.28.10.
MANA ELECTORATE’S BIG DAY – JOHN T AND JOHN KEY ON HEKIA PARATA
In New Zealand, black coal is a visual we associate with trapped miners at Greymouth’s Pike river Kiwi-India joint coal mining venture, mine blast yesterday.
TV commercials and a white chocolate promotion via a Maori schoolgirl, Hinetaapora Short winning a national talent search is also another visual we associate with New Zealand at this time also.
Now, New Zealand’s Prime Minister John Key wants us to think blue, his political party’s colors when voting in the Mana Electorate bi-election today. The videos above shows Mr Key and Willie Jackson son of Dame June Jackson pushing hard for National MP candidate Hekia Parata‘s bid. John Tamihere rather humorously (as John bats for the Labour political party) can’t quite bring himself to give Hekia the big tick. He offers a diverse democratic view to the dazzling, Parata steam roll effect of a valuable Maori politician.
From Hollywood, I on the other hand have no problems saying vote YES! for Hekia Parata. She’s a bright light not only for New Zealand but also on many wider human rights issues in the world as well as key areas of trade and negotiations also, with ensuring that the world has the very best New Zealand products at their tables and in their science labs also. I’ve met her, I like her. She’s fun, colorful, interesting, smart and a honey.
Vote Hekia Parata to see change for good in the world. Let’s go Mana! And go Hekia, with thanks also to John T for offering a different political view from New Zealand as well.
Like New Zealand’s Prime Minister on a global stage, already she’s a star. (I know this, because I have a blog and can check globally voted stats 42% of US voters as the main blog audience group and 18% of voters in India too. Hekia resonates with these voters on this entertainment blog from California). It’s very clear to me each day, that Lady Gardiner fascinates the world.
If you’re a star, why be dimmed? Shine brighter. Turn this star up with your vote. Go Hekia and all good women like her.
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 11.19.10~
MILKYBAR KID FINALISTS NEW ZEALAND
In New Zealand, the fiercest election ever has just occurred.
Here’s the ten finalists to be the next Milkybar Kid cowgirl or cowboy star of Middle Earth. Cute. For having dreams bigger than Texas these Kiwi Kids all stars in this Hollywood book, regardless of who took the most votes.
In no particular order, here’s the the finalists that were shortlisted to the top ten by Nestle, producers of fine creamy white chocolate. Creme de la creme chocolate makers.
1. Hinetaaproa Short of Roto-Vegas
2. Dominic Burrows of Invercargill
3. Astaria Tigerlily Te Aukura of Auckland The Supercity
4. Sam Kirby of Christchurch – The Garden City
5. Eloise Greenwood of Auckland The Supercity
6. Natalie Olson of Wellywood Wellington
7. Madison Hunter of Auckland The Supercity
8. Asher Quin of DunedinThe Scottish-Kiwi City
9. Benjamin Clark of Auckland The Supercity
10. Samyah Powell of Whangarei City, Northland North Auckland 10/10
Kiwi kids – Mauri ‘Ola – Let’s Rock the 2010′s! :)
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 11.18.10~
NOBEL PEACE PRIZE WINNING MYANMAR’S AUNG SAN SUU KYI HAS A WORD
YANGON — Myanmar’s military government freed its arch-rival — democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi — on Saturday after her latest term of detention expired. Several thousand jubilant supporters streamed to her residence.
The Nobel Peace Prize winning freedom fighter had this to say: “If we work in unity, we can achieve our goal. We have a lot of things to do,” she said.
“There is a time for quiet and a time for speaking,” she also said, the U.K.’s Sky News reported.
Can’t argue with that really, Unity is always a winner in my Hollywood book. Unity = constant discussion, trialogue (at a min), patience and then still leading fairly. This woman has the patience of a Saint. For her patient spirit of fabulousness, (for wont of a better known word), she gets my respect as a Maori-Kiwi New Zealander living in Hollywood, California, Brown Bear State USA. I totally dig her!
:)
[From a Maori-Kiwi perspective, this post going up too for China's Liu Xiaobo. Cue system's are often a b*tch but justice has patience. If you're true your cultural fire and authenticity will stand the test of a few seconds in the global kiln. Mauri Ora from Hollywood China. NZ C's U!].
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 11.13.10~
SURVEYING NEW ZEALAND GOVERNMENT WORKERS ON SALARY, VIA TRIBAL AFFILIATION, PLEASE
A leader is anyone who can help, and who is included to help. At best all leaders serve, regardless of rank, the better of everyone–Rangatiratanga 101.
[Image Dame Whina Cooper, a women who marched for all Maori equally. Her efforts started the legal process where Maori were able to get redress. 35 years later, her own tribe, still hasn't received settlement redress. I don't believe Dame Whina would have minded that actually, because her spirit marched for everyone not just her own family, own hapu (subtribe), or, own tribe. She was a true Kiwi who was fair.
From a historical perspective that's a little odd her tribe is still 'hanging out, waiting patiently in the wings of settlement' of the process though, but never mind, moving forward equally and with democratic fairness then--the key to a stronger New Zealand and its fair economic growth opportunities environment. Read the back story to Dame Whina's amazing actions as one of the greatest human rights leaders the world ever knew, here].
A SURVEY PLEASE: It’s a fact of life, that those close to the government machinery, also tend to be closer to Ministers (Politicians) ears. The whiney wheel often gets oiled. Touche. However–
In the interests of democracy concerning the New Zealand government and policy making and implementation fairly across all Maori iwi (tribes), I believe there’s 75 plus Maori tribes– has anyone commissioned a full survey on Maori employees who draw down a tax-payer funded salary? consultants supplying government with knowledge and key leadership services too–and seen what tribal affiliations they all are from.
One picture of a graph based on this statistical data, would be useful for all Maori to get this picture lodged into our collective skulls. It would say a lot and perhaps Maori and Kiwis could benefit by being provided with that picture, democratically.
Or should this not matter? Or is it no one’s business? As in–who cares?!
It would be interesting though to see if Maori Iwi representation is fair and equal in positions within the New Zealand government so that all tribes are represented in the ‘democratic outworking of government processes’ and are funded equally with paychecks to do this–not only for Maori but also Maori economic growth, and ultimately the growth of all New Zealanders.
PRESS BOARD: HILLARY CLINTON AND A KIWI BBQ for MRS HILARY RODHAM CLINTON via SHOWMAN and CHEEKEE MONKEE KIWI POLITICS by JOHN KEY
Wellywood humor to Washington DC, mai Peremia (Prime Minister) is having fun playing a Middle Earth Knight today for a Damsel in Popular Stressful Demand:
This a post brought to US by TV3 News: (allegedly a Canadian independently owned TV station in New Zealand, whose news features Mrs Clinton, looking very Camelot Jackie O with a Sons of Anarchy advertisement that accompanies the independent news story. Don’t Canadians add so much to New Zealand News coverage. I think so anyway.
They give an independent worldview within NZ’s shores… sorta like the new tides of democracy crashing against free beach?, Middle Earth shores. Always a picture of democracy really.
Chess Board: Cheeky Monkey Politics by John Key.
HEADLINE: Key wraps Clinton’s Wellington visit with intimate BBQ - story by Charlotte Tonkin, LOLs! by me.
“Hillary Clinton is arguably the most powerful woman in the world – just four steps down from the presidency itself.
When she travels, she travels with an entourage befitting her status.
Today, in and around the Beehive there was no security measure too small to ensure the Secretary of State’s safety. LOL!
There was pacing, prodding, searching and sniffing.
OBAMA DEFENDER – RESTORE SANITY RALLY
An Obama defender, holds up her “Obama is not the devil, I am” sign proudly, with a smile. Cute.
[Restore Sanity Rally TPM]
Pic 2: In the middle of these signs, symbolizing opposite mentalities , is… a foreigner.
It’s a rough cultural environment to be in. Immigrants can never settle peacefully, always on edge in such conflict.
On a good day, democracy meets in the middle. Usually when the sun’s out and shining bright, I’ve noticed. There’s no ‘devil’ that day.
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California. 11.2.10~
CELINE DION AND RENEE ANGELIL NAME THEIR TWIN BOYS EDDY AND NELSON
Hot is singer Celine Dion’s choice in baby names. Rene Angelil and Celine have named their twin babies Eddy and Nelson. People magazine gives the break down on the the names significance. Here’s that news:
“The name “Eddy” comes from Eddy Marnay, who produced the singer’s first five records. “He was like a father to her,” says Dion’s rep. “Eddy is a major influence in both Céline and René’s lives.”
“Nelson is named after Nelson Mandela, whom Dion met two years ago while kicking off her world tour in South Africa. “René said that in just the few minutes they were able to spend with him, they were impressed by the human being he is,” says the rep.
“Céline and René want their children to be inspired by their names, because they were so inspired by these men.”
This show biz couple are so respectful. Very cool references.
[Image - courtesy of Connect In and Yarra Schools ]
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 10.29.10~
ROVE, GILLESPIE AND TEN POLITICAL HOT SPUD TOPICS – 10.10.10
While casting my eye over political news today in the U.S, the question is being asked is – campaigning spend of politicians,is there anything democratic about it? : “The Democratic National Committee will go up on television with a new ad targeting Karl Rove and Ed Gillespie for their political activity during the midterm elections through groups which don’t need to disclose their donors.
TPM obtained a copy of the ad, which hits the GOP on a point the Democrats have been hammering of late — corporations getting involved in elections thanks to the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision.”
And here’s ten hot political topics, ranking like french fried spuds, on Talking Points Memo blog right now.
That was politics in America today as voted by the collective intelligentsia on TPM. Can’t argue with that.
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 10.10.10~
OBAMA TARGETS BUSH’S ‘WEALTHY’ TAX CUTS PROMISES, AS A SWEETNER TO WIN POPULOUS VOTES IN MIDTERMS
Progress in politics today can be difficult and is like this tee shirt’s message. [On overload] Thinking. Please wait.
The patience of a saint is needed. Washington is very interesting at this nano-second. In the political circus ring today, we have a first term president up against the ropes in recession’s gloom, and a U.S deficit he inherited, that he’s in charge of addressing. What is a man to do, wearing his Rocky boxing gloves, while he takes the microphone, Wednesday?
This was it: “Singling out House GOP leader John Boehner in his home state, Obama delivered a searing attack on Republicans for advocating “the same philosophy that led to this mess in the first place: cut more taxes for millionaires and cut more rules for corporations.”
My thoughts are split on this one:
a) this will appease the struggling majority of people not wealthy, that a sense of ‘justice’ has come their way, under a new President’s lead. A good message to send a majority in a mid term voting strategy that well–acts as a sweetner to most Americans.
b) On the other hand, everything I’ve observed about the ideological values of American, life and culture in any field, while living in it for almost five years–glorifies the wealthy (as signifiers in a system of American ‘success’). It doesn’t seem fair to me, that the concept of ‘The American Dream’ that is held up as the jewel of democracy (even though it’s straight up rooted in capitalism very openly and without any pretension to this fact) that all in America are constantly encouraged to run after, pursue and strive for as an ideal of the Great American Way… well, why should the very people who got there to the allusive finishing line–then have their medals stripped from them? Or worse, downsized when they ordered the McDonald’s super-sized french fries, happy meal, option in the America, they too were promised? Two wrongs, don’t make a right.
Isn’t that flogging your heroes of the system, who paid for it (ie: how political campaigns ‘work’ and how candidate frontrunners are funded in this country), that all in politics serve, if we’re honest?
JOE NBC, ON PEOPLE BREACHING THE FIRST AMENDMENT, WITH ANTI ISLAMIST OVERREACTION
Says Joe Scarborough via JoeNBC, “I am saddened by the words of some who suggest that following the First Amendment is caving into “Islamic extremists.” #readtheconstitution
Joe then tweets: “Keep Calm, Carry On and Read the damn Constitution.”
Word! Read my tweet on the matter of difference between The Middle East and Westerners (just from a time point of view, not even a religious view point), if you want to: “IRAQ IS A PEACE TREE WAITING TO BEAR FRUIT IN DUE TIME: Today, the New York Times, looks…. http://bit.ly/aAv2DF”
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 8.15.10~
FAIRUZ ON BEE-ING A VOICE OF HOPE FOR WORLD PEACE
True fact: Fairouz is Shakira‘s favorite singer. She rocks.
This post, totally ‘borrowed’ from NPR.Org in full, Fairouz/ Fayrouz on being interview-shy but singing her message of redemptive Peace in the World. Let’s all grow up in Love. Courage. :)
“July 12, 2010. You don’t have to be Lebanese to know the voice of Nihad Haddad, better known as Fairuz — Arabic for “turquoise.” The man who discovered her described her voice as a rare gem, capable of working in both Arabic and Western music. Virginia Danielson, an expert on Middle Eastern music at Harvard University, says Fairuz’s voice is delicate yet versatile.
“It’s extremely flexible,”
[Moving Image for Fairouz: Beyonce Knowles and Shakira for Beautiful Lie] (more…)
POETICS: TEN POSTS THAT DEFINE U.S – 6.23.2010
“Then I’ll reach inside and find, and give you all the sweetness that I have”–Tracey Chapman
True democracy is always poetic. Today, you voted ten poems on this blog. Here’s a snapshot of the American soul, in this moment as you expressed yourselves and choices to form this reflection of someone beautiful.
Thank you for being poetic yourselves and lovers of poetry. Here’s how you look, from Aunt E’s abode:
10. with her gorgeous acoustic soul
Gorgeous. :)
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 6.23.2010~
LEONARD COHEN IS DA MAN!
Mr groovy, Leonard Cohen was honored last night alongwith Taylor Swift as both were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame at the Marriott in New York City. Too much!
Recalls Judy Collins ”[Leonard] said, ‘I can’t sing and I can’t play the guitar, and I don’t know if this is a song [before singing Suzanne]. ”I said, ‘Leonard, it’s a song and I’m recording it tomorrow.’”
Thank goodness for onto it woman with good taste in what a song can be. It’s good Collins never watched this boat go by and she recorded him. Leonard Cohen is a genius. A poet from Canada who does the art of cool, calm and uber chill–like no other. Here’s Cohen performing Democracy. Just for my reality TV show watchers. I See You and I love You anyway… too. May the vote of the people always win out, regardless. :)
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 6.18.2010. Source. Poetry follows~
A UK CROWN IS A VISUAL ICON APPEARING IN HOLLYWOOD
As you know, if you read this blog I live in the Russian-Jewish District called Little Russia in West Hollywood, California.
I can’t help but notice how all through West Hollywood the Crown as a symbol is appearing in store front windows. West Hollywood is known for its love of plastic Princess crowns imagery–but this Crown is distinctly a King’s crowd. It is solid and a symbol of hope and just rule. Interesting too is the fact that the crown symbols being displayed are majestically painted, like art of Leonardo da Vinci’s era or something groovy like that. They’re a study. The return of majesty is what people want in a shite economy. An interesting expression of desire.
What do I get from this shift in consciousness in West Hollywood window store front windows? Perhaps it signifies that–
Already the American people await in anticipation the royal wedding of Kate Middleton and Prince William. Their retail hopes all hinge on her and the special ring she’s wearing of an amazing woman America once loved so much.
I know that these are U.K crowns, because one of them has an inscription written in Gaelic of Scotland in glitter paint. I don’t know why, but perhaps because my Kiwi ancestors descend from Grahamstown of Scotland, the image made me shed a tear of joy. Weird.
I’ll try and get a photo of this for you at some point. America is being so warm towards the UK right now, gauging from these artistic expressions in the West Hollywood hood, a trend setting capitol of the US in terms of what’s hot and what’s not-that feeds into Hollywood’s studios’ elite and is emulated by all in the world. In terms of creative IP being used without return or reward shared back by others, West Hollywood is perhaps one of the most exploited cities in the world for IP theft–however, the city continues to lead with what they feel is more fun for the world. No other deep reason (sadly) just more fun. And what’s wrong that? A crown as a symbol of fun times ahead. I can go with that!
“Crowns are US 2011″ is the message increasingly being expressed by the American people.
Kate Middelton has just made Barbara Walters final list of The Ten Most Fascinating People of America for 2010. This image courtesy of Rocco Pop Revolution. We are on the verge of a cultural revolution where the UK and the USA forge tighter bonds and better blending of cultures.
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 11.30.10~
December 1, 2010 | Categories: America, Barbara Walters, California, Culture, Democracy, Economy, Foreign Affairs, Liberty, Life, Scotland, Think Green, Trends, UK, West Hollywood | Tags: America, Barbara Walters, California, Commonwealth, Cross-cultural Narratives, Culture, Democracy, Economic Growth Opportunities, Economy, Foreign Affairs, Forestry, Hollywood Today, Kate Middleton, Liberty, Life, Lingerie, Little Russia, Pop Culture Commentary, Scotland, Signs of the Times, Think Green, Trends, UK, West Hollywood | 1 Comment »