I say YES. YOU say NO....Numero Tre! Enjoy!

IllinoisLady

1. "Don't ask yourself what the world needs, ask yourself what makes you come alive. And then go do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive." — Howard Thurman

ruthbru

Sharing for no reason other than I thought it was funny!

IllinoisLady

Count me in as a SUPER fan of Sidney Poitier. I envy greatly anyone who actually got to just be in the same room, let alone be able to question such a highly developed being a Mr. Poitier. I don't doubt that his sterling attributes stood out magnificently in person. They were in my mind's eye, nearly as strong in his acting roles. I seldom let my attention wander or be drawn away because of the magnetism that was such a natural part of him. To Sir With Love, the couple or so when he played the character of Mr. Tibbs, and Guess Who's Coming To Dinner. I'm pretty sure had a copy of several od my favorites but they were on VHS and I've since replaced my player and can only do the smaller Disc movies. Because of my age and having many I would want to replace, I chose NOT to make the long list and just let it go. He was a rare rare jewel.

IllinoisLady

IllinoisLady

Trishyla

The Miss Piggy story is one of favorites.

Back in maybe 2002 or 2003 Jim Henson's son, Brian, was trying to start a new Muppet tv channel. All Muppets, all the time. Eric (DH) was hired to do sound for some promos so they could get financing.

A little background. My husband records live dialogue on tv and movie sets. He watches the actors closely. When they take a breath that means they're getting ready to speak, so he opens their microphone. You don't want more than one mic open at a time because of possible feedback.

The Muppeteers wear a wireless microphone on a headband pointing down toward their mouths. That way they can move around freely while puppeteering. That mic fed directly into my husband's equipment.

He had just finished settling up his gear when Frank Oz walked in. He's the puppeteer who does Miss Piggy, including her voice. Frank walked over to a table and rooted around what looked like some foam and scraps of fabric. He lifted his hand up and it was Miss Piggy. Sassy, vibrant, insouciant Miss Piggy. My husband was mesmerized.

Eric was telling me this story and at this point he started shaking his head and chuckling ruefully. When I asked him what happened he replied "You have to understand, honey, it was Miss Piggy. I've loved Miss Piggy since I was four years old." I just said okay and waited for him to finish the story.

It seems that when Frank picked up those scraps he turned them into a character that was so real to Eric that he found himself watching Miss Piggy's mouth to see when she took a breath so he could open her mic in time. It took him a while to figure out what he was doing and to watch Frank's mouth instead. The least professional thing he's ever done on set and it was all due to the skill of Frank Oz.

I asked him once if he would have left me for Miss Piggy. He paused for a long moment and finally replied: "Maybe".

Trish

JKL2017

What a sweet story, Trish. Both Frank Oz and your DH sound like they were among those lucky people who get to make a living doing something they truly love. If only everyone could live a life filled with wonderful stories! (And I doubt he would have left you for Miss Piggy. Considered it, maybe, but she was very high maintenance!)

ruthbru

That is priceless!

Betrayal

Agreed, loved it and your husband's response.

IllinoisLady

This couldn't have happened to a bigger insurrectionist.

Ted Cruz Faceplants On Fox As Tries To Walk Back Calling 1/6 A Terrorist Attack

The Republican Party has gone to such an extreme that Sen. Ted Cruz has to say that he was misunderstood when he described 1/6 as a terrorist attack.
Read on »

ruthbru

Pathetic.

ChiSandy

Trish, what a wonderful story! (The measure of a ventriloquist/puppeteer's skill is that we pay attention to the dummy or puppet instead of the person). I agree that Miss Piggy would have been way too high-maintenance.

Disgusting how much groveling the Repugnicans have to do to stay in the GOP--especially when they let slip how they really feel and immediately try to walk it back. Carlson likely wrecked Cruz' status with the base by refusing to accept his pathetic apology. Scary how much the base trusts FauxNoise.

IllinoisLady

Perhaps the longest journey is the journey within. - Shirley MacLaine

IllinoisLady

My cousin who spent a lot of time in lower Texas when her husband was training workers across the border to work in a small fuse factory came home with a SharPei ? sp. pupppy. She named her Miss Piggy.They have had two other dogs since but no more SharPei's.

IllinoisLady

We definitely need more Jim Acosta's in media.

Jim Acosta Says What The Rest Of The Media Won't: Trump's Coup Attempt Was A Crime

CNN's Jim Acosta said what the rest of the mainstream media refused to say. Acosta said that it is obvious that crimes were committed at a high level during Trump's coup attempt.
Read on »

IllinoisLady

Spookiesmom

for sure 🤣🤣

IllinoisLady

The moment one definitely commits oneself, the Providence moves, too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never have otherwise occurred. A whole stream of events issue from the commitment, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance which no one could have dreamt would come one's way. Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now. -Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

IllinoisLady

Jaime Raskin on one of the news shows --- but it is in the background while I work here. I heard a piece from Eric Swallwell ? yesterday. Not long ago anyway and he was opining ( and I strongly agree ) that Pres. Biden really gave a VERY strong speech on the 1/6 remembrance. Spelled out pretty much in no un-certain terms. He ( Eric ) felt that Pres. Biden and likely others should be speaking like this a GOOD part of the time.

Part of the really biggest issue for us is that the media still soft soaps much of these things and even though the economy is so good as well as other things --- you'd never know it left up the mainstream media. They know their ratings won't go far if they don't keep alive as much of the chaos and fear and upset as they can. It really is up to the rest of us to make the most of Biden, the Democrats, and the good things that have been of benefit to all since Biden took office. We need to shove it out there on an almost constant basis. We all know what the Reps. would do if the shoe was on the other foot.

Per my usual, I think they are so bad in their transparency to continue to suppress and steal the mid-term as well as the '24 election, that it amazes me. Yet many who may not have been at first, seem to have fallen under the brain-washing spell of what most of them have to say about Trump as their leader etc. And we were not touting much at all what we did right, and what we kneew was wrong and obnoxious on their part.

I do agree that at some point we need to be changing our ways and be in the fight ( to what extent we can ) to either change the narrative to one as favorable to us as can be so as to be highly un-favorable to what they are doing and saying.

Machine and Sinema need to get on board ( even if I have no idea how to put enough pressure to get them there ) and we need to move ahead with as much speed as we can getting our laws ( John Levis/voting rights )in place and at least nullifying the filibuster while we do it. I really would like to see it dumped, but that may be asking too much of the Dino's right now. I hope they might come to their senses -- how could anyone so callously toss out our democracy. If that is their principle's at work, who needs them.

Ok -- rant over.

Elderberry

Haven't been here for some time. I love the Frank Oz story. Grover was my favourite character and i was in my 20's!! Sesame Street was sheer brilliance.

Ted Cruz's grovelling on Mothertucker Carlson's show was revolting and pathetic. Manchin needs to be taken out behind the bus shed.....if you know what I mean.

I do think America is in the beginning of a civil war but how do you know the Blue from the Grey or is that the Red from the Blue? I wish Canada wasn't so close. I'd like to be separated by an ocean. Most Canadians I know are just sad, horrified - name it. It is like watching a beloved sibling committing slow-mo suicide.

I thought I would post a little Canadian humour/politics.

edit to say: It is less a slow-mo suicide then a bizarre cult. However, there is still often suicide with cults.

ChiSandy

My Nova Scotian BFF, who never did apply for US citizenship even though she's lived here over 40 years and married an American (who was born in ON), is seriously thinking of moving back to NS--maybe not her old home in the Annapolis Valley but at least Halifax, where her retired RCMP brother lives. Their son, his wife, and baby son live in Seattle--so close to BC and yet so far. (When we lived in Seattle, we used to drive up to Vancouver on Sundays for dim sum brunch).

The reason Repugnicans are ascendant and radicalized is culture wars--fueled by those terrified that their culture of straight white Christian male advantage is in danger of disappearing. Diversity & equality terrifies them, because even if they haven't got a pot to pee in nor a window to throw it out of, they still have that white (et al) advantage--and until now, they believed it was immutable and nobody could take it from them. At the state & local level, ever since 2009 the GOP--via Project Red Map--have been taking the long view and playing up the culture wars, stoking white (et al) fears & resentments.

IllinoisLady

There is a privacy about it which no other season gives you. . . In spring, summer and fall people sort of have an open season on each other; only in the winter, in the country, can you have longer, quiet stretches when you can savor belonging to yourself. -Ruth Stout

IllinoisLady

Decided I would share this one as on and off it has beenn on my mind. I've been mostly ( with some reservation ) thrilled to have Adam Kinzinger and Liz Cheney on the 1/6 panel. It does make it bi-partisan. I have wondered all along at the sacrifices made by Cheney. She does and has most times, seemed almost completely un-concerned about the rest of her party and how they have reacted to the choices she has made where Trump is concerned. Some time back I read another article that seemed to warn to be skeptical of motives when you have dyed-in-the-wood Republicans coming over to your side.

At this point with so much focus on getting as much information as possible in reliable trustworthy fashion to present to people, I don't think it has been much on people's mind that these two Republican people on the panel are who they are -- Republicans who will likely always be, but share a common enemy with us. If I ever much considered their motive I'm sure it had more to do with the above then thinking much about what a REAL long game might be for them.

I have thought that at some point the Republican party would have to dissolve completely in its present form and come back perhaps with a more stable structure and one that was much more in tune with many of their earlier values from the 50's, 60's, etc.

Anyway -- this piece is certainly something to think about. Talk about an end game.

Opinion: Liz Cheney's End Game Is To Make Republican Authoritarianism Palatable

Liz Cheney does not oppose the authoritarianism and anti-democratic impulses of the Republican Party.
Read on »

Betrayal

Interesting perspective on Liz Cheney and one that bears consideration about her supposed bipartisan actions. Has she really stepped across the aisle to support Biden's initiatives? Has she sought to enlist other Repugnicans to support the current government? Time will tell. P.S. Hated her Dad and still do.

ChiSandy

Interesting perspective, but a huge stretch, not to mention a leap of logic over a yawning chasm.

The author is going all the way back to 2000 (9 years before the creation of Project RedMap) in his contention that the GOP back then was already authoritarian because it was conservative; therefore, any Republican (despite being a never-Trumper) must be anti-democracy. He cites as an example the fact that Liz Cheney supports the system that elected her dad (albeit indispuevil) VP--but before that, the last time anyone won the Electoral College but not the popular vote was the Hayes vs. Tilden election of 1876. (If there's anyone to blame for 2000, both Nader and SCOTUS swing justice Kennedy come to mind). This article is why I don't give much credence to Politicus or the Palmer Report, as they are the left's equivalent of Breitbart, Newsmax and its ilk...only less successful. It makes it much harder for quality liberal media like MSNBC, (parts of) CNN, the NYT, WaPo, Boston Globe, etc. to have their voices heard--and lumps us liberals and classic progressives (e.g., Sanders, Ocasio-Cortez, Warnock) in with the very far left in the eyes of the voters who don't pursue politics as a hobby. Heck, compared to those sites, even Greg Palast sounds like a moderate.

Sorry if I've offended anyone here, but I am a realist. We need to pick our fights wisely. We keep going after the big seats (and funneling all our donations there) while the GOP is tarring and feathering us in the culture wars--motivating and recruiting pollwatchers, volunteers and novice candidates at the state, county, and local levels. Those are the offices where the true sausage is made--and the elections themselves are run. The GOP is addressing issues that matter to the vast majority of voters (who--unlike us--don't follow politics, don't watch network or local news and don't have the time to read newspapers & periodicals but get most of their info via social media & the grapevine): bread & butter stuff that hits them close to home. Building bridges doesn't resonate with them--infrastructure is too abstract and foreign policy too distant for them to care about it. They are receptive to conjured-up accusations such as: we are injecting critical race theory into grade schools and teaching all white kids that they are inherently racist; that equality & diversity is designed to make the current majority irrelevant; that immigrants are stealing their jobs (jobs, BTW, that people are quitting in droves); that a government that hasn't fulfilled all their desires (over the course of only a year) should have no say in their lives, etc.

I'm no fan of Josef Stalin, but one thing he said rings true (hey, even a broken digital clock is right once a day): it's not those who vote who decide elections. it's those who count the votes. (And I'd add those who decide who gets to vote, when, where & how). We are pursuing the forest while the GOP is quietly signing up the individual trees.

IllinoisLady

There comes a time when you have to stand up and shout: This is me damn it! I look the way I look, think the way I think, feel the way I feel, love the way I love! I am a whole complex package. Take me... or leave me. Accept me - or walk away! Do not try to make me feel like less of a person, just because I don't fit your idea of who I should be and don't try to change me to fit your mold. If I need to change, I alone will make that decision. When you are strong enough to love yourself 100%, good and bad--you will be amazed at the opportunities that life presents you.

Stacey Charter

IllinoisLady

Interesting viewpoint Sandy and things there I can add to the consideration pile. I still favor and likely will continue Politicus and Palmer. I do find at times a bit of snark in either but that is not a disqualifier for me. I find in general that there is way more truth and way less conspiracies and total hogwsh on most ( including the above sources ) of the more left wing outlets than the Breibart/Newsmax heavy extremist and great fear mongering rt. wing sources.

I also deeply disliked Cheney as VP. and I wasn't keen or certain before of what daughter Liz may be up to at this point. I am still moved to question why Cheney and to an extent Kinzinger don't seem too greatly concerned over being the ONLY ones who are quite vocally against their former leader. Since other Reps. came out right after 1/6 to actually denounce and basically blame Trump, then shortly thereafter turned back to their old way -- am I to think at the 11th. hr. they might turn again -- with Cheney. So in my mind's eye, the question still remains for me -- why she or anyone would go as far in rejection as to join a committeee like 1/6 whole heartedly when 98 % of her party seem totally un-able, and un-willing, to buck in anyway the orange rock around their necks.

IllinoisLady

So true, so true.

IllinoisLady

I don't think many people get very offended here. Different ideas are presented and thoughts expressed and one can SEE or not. I tend to feel I thrive ( and maybe grow ) more when more information is presented. Left or right -- there is always a slant whether at a max or a minimum, but many things cannot be denied as they are seen by everyone. Like 1/6 -- yet look at the things both sides seem to believe. Being flexible has an appeal because after the last 5 or so yrs. of fear, dread,un-certainties it is hard to grasp anything too close to being written in stone. So many things have taken place that I never would have believed could -- so I will look at many things I really hope with some degree of flexibility, because ideals, morals, alternate realities seem to keep changing places though it appears far more on the right.

ruthbru

Which reminds me of this joke/parable: During a terrible flood, and while the water was rising around his house, a man refused all offers of help with the words, "God will save me." He eventually drowns and is very unhappy when he reached the Pearly Gates. He angrily confronts God, "I trusted you. Why didn't you save me?" God responds, "I sent you a rescue vehicle, a boat, AND a helicopter!"

I was just reading that when the smallpox vaccination was first being administered; the Puritan leaders of Boston banned it there with the argument that it went against God's will (if you got smallpox and died.....that is what God willed). When the British took over Boston during the Revolution, they lifted the ban & Abigail Adams rushed herself and all the kids up to get inoculated. John Adams had already been inoculated (maybe in Philadelphia) as had most of the Founding Fathers. Ben Franklin highly promoted it in his newspaper. Thomas Jefferson rode his horse 500 miles to find an inoculation site. George Washington had a mild case of smallpox as a young man so was immune to it. He made the (very controversial) decision to inoculate the whole army......which kept them on the field and gave them an actual chance of winning that war.