Chuck Ramirez

I think Chuck Ramirez would have been tickled to see Blue Star last night.  It was awash in a vivid blue, purple, white and reds.  There were candles, tents filled with food, and music.  The seats were filled with friends and family.  When his family spoke they could not have been more poignant.  His friends speeches brought tears to those in the audience as did the song a friend wrote in his honor.  Inside was just as tasteful with red glassed candles glowing around quotes associated with Chuck pastd onto he concrete floor.  Framed by the candles arrangement an art film was projected onto the wall.  This was an interview of Chuck as if you were talking over his shoulder as he sat on a couch.  Speech bubbles appeared with thoughts (either his or the viewers) like a sunday comic strip.  His photographs were on display in the back gallery inside the main gallery at Blue Star Art Complex.  In the small gallery played a video of a speech he gave at SAMA not too long ago.  And in a quiet space just off the main gallery was the ofrenda for Chuck.  There were candles, artwork, letters, pictures and tons of flowers to a great artist but more importantly to a great person.  I can not say it any better than was said last night, "to a man who took on many challenges, Chuck was an example"(paraphrase).  He took them on with sincerity, passion and a truthfulness to his own aesthetic.  He is someone that you would remember having met.  His passion and his zest for life.  Love ya Chuck.

Epic Bill Maher

Not sure if anyone caught the Bill Maher Show on HBO tonight but it was epic.  Not only did Bill have two conservatives on the show but he also hadZach Galifianakis.  What did we learn tonight?  Well Zach's great uncle(Nick Galifianakis) ran for office against Jesse Helms and provided America with one of the pioneering campaigns.  Because in the last two weeks Jesse Helm pronounced himself "Jesse Helms just one of us" against a man with the last name Galifianakis.  Obviously if you voted and you truly cared about the issues then this man being one of us or not does not address the issues and is merely window dressing for those wishing to divide us.  Regardless Galifianakis had an interesting take in which he proclaimed California's current ballot issue of Proposition 19 a tricky(my emphasis)issue but then proceeded to "spark up".  Needless to say everyone was caught off-guard.  Epic.

PS:  HIs interview with former President Jimmy Carter was also a great watch!

Here is the link if anyone interested:
http://www.hbo.com/real-time-with-bill-maher/index.html

Joshua

Trouble in Houston

It would appear that there are some overzealous americans out there who are intent on giving minority polling stations a problem as well as sending out racist and offensive emails to an organization trying to encourage voting.

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/10/voter_registration_group_targeted_by_tx_tea_party_group_recieved_threats.php?ref=fpa

I guess with all the rhetoric out there since Obama got elected, frankly even during the campaign, this should be judged as par for the course, huh?  Of course I grew up in Harris county and was oblivious to these type of events as youth.  Of course that doesn't belittle the fact that these events are shameful and embarrassing.  Am I surprised?  No.

At least the DOJ is getting involved.

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/10/the_texas_democratic_party_expanded.php

And here is another great ad that holds no punches and just tells latinos that they shouldn't vote.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/10/19/latinos-for-reform-vote-nevada_n_767991.html

At least Sharon Angle came out against this ad

Peace out and remember to go out and vote.

Today's Sh^t

I just came across this today.  It's a fantastic mash-up of Donald Duck coming across the current political provocateur Glenn Beck.  First time I have come across this group and I am glad I did.  It gives me hope that not all is lost for this nation or the world for that matter.

http://www.rebelliouspixels.com/

Spot on, my friends! Spot on!

I usually check in a texas blog out of Austin, burnt orange report, to see what's bubbling in texas politics.  With election time coming up, I find that they give great coverage to local issues balanced with some post about national issues.  Obviously it may lean a little on the progressive side of the tent but that shouldn't keep anyone from seeing this highlight from Ft Worth City Councilman Joel Burns laying down the passion for Garnet Coleman's Dignity for All Students Act (anti-bullying law, my emphasis).

http://www.burntorangereport.com/diary/10863/fort-worth-city-councilman-joel-burns-tells-gay-teens-it-gets-better

What a speech huh?  And who supports bullying?  I understand that one or two incidents between students/kids should not fall under this act's reach but the cases cited by this councilman and others reported over the past couple years show repeated almost chronic abuse being ignored by school officials and those in our law enforcement community.

I also have to give a shout to this glorious and informative article about our current Texas culture.

http://www.burntorangereport.com/diary/10852/rick-perrys-natural-advantage

How many times since Molly Ivins left us m have I heard her name called.  I wish we still had her voice. Karl is right on with how he sees things, frankly it makes sense.  Of course that doesn't make it any easier to swallow.  It will be a sad day when Rick Perry gets re-elected by a popular majority who seemingly believes in limited government, less regulation and fiscal responsibility because Rick Perry has done none of those things for this state.

PS: My next post will include some pictures I have been taking around town.  And here is a picture of our cat.  She's 20, blind and deadly serious.