CHARLIE SHEEN-THE NEXT CHAPTER AND FREE SPEECH-IT IS THAT

SHELIA NEVINS*-ARE YOU PAYING ATTENTION?

The Taming of Charlie

      THE PROPOSAL-A NEW REALITY SERIES

              Charlie Sheen is kidnapped by his family and is forced into an

              intervention.  

        The program would feature Martin Sheen, our greatest President in the last 20 years, and Emelio Estevez the other Sheen son, plus old "tiger blood" Charlie himself.

         The series opens as the Sheen clan plans the kidnapping.  Cameras stay with the drama through out.  Charlie is grabbed, probably while he is ranting and raving someplace, taken to a remote location where he is confronted by the family and sent into a detox/rehab/personality transplant therapy.  This series could run weeks as we watch the man change from rocket fuel to decaf.  

         Would America watch?  I think so.  Would CBS recoup on their number 1 comedy, I think so.  Am I being absurd?  I think so.  But could this concept really play? I know so, sadly.

A LONG WAY FROM PERSON TO PERSON HUH?

         What would Ed Murrow say?  For those of you who miss the point of this reference,
the pioneer broadcast journalist had this to say about television


       "This instrument can teach, it can illuminate; yes, and even it can inspire. But it can do so only to the extent that humans are determined to use it to those ends. Otherwise it's nothing but wires and lights in a box." 

Where will it take us?

SPEAKING OF SPEECH

     Many are upset with the Supreme Court's decision upholding the right of the Westboro Baptist Church to protest military funerals. Even the chief justice called the speech at the center of the specific case before the court, "hurtful."

       I consider the Westboro Baptist Church protests  to be awful, perverted, morally reprehensible and frankly nuts.  Still, free speech is free speech and one of the underpinnings of our republic is the first amendment to the Constitution.

          Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting 

          the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or of the

          right of the people to assembly, and to petition the Government for a redress of 

          grievances. 

    In their anger and disgust some loose sight of the fundamental importance and  beauty of Amendment I.  It sets us apart among other nations, and it also says that we are a proud and philosophically "big" enough people to sustain the excesses, even when they are hurtful, inflammatory  and ignorant, as are the words and signs and presumably the people of the Westboro Baptist Church.  

        I find absolutely nothing reflective of my understanding of Christian faith in their 

words and actions.  But then it is not for me to judge.  That is ultimately for their God, who I suspect is more than disgusted at their behavior.  In the meantime our freedoms of 

religion and press offer ample space for people of better conscience to define the Westboro Baptist Church as the cretins they are.  Maybe they could invite Charlie Sheen to the guest pulpit-that is until Sheen is saved from himself.

*Shelia Nevins is the programming executive at HBO who has created such luminary programs as Taxi Cab Confessions.  To be fair, she has also

presided over important and quality programming as well.

See you down the trail.

THE PUBLIC AIRWAVES

A HOT TOPIC

A PLACE FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING

      A friend noted it first.  We were watching the White House Salute to Motown on PBS on the same day that some so called budget cutters on Capitol Hill were taking aim at funding of public broadcasting.

      Public Broadcasting has its enemies.  It has also has its supporters, of which I am one.

Intelligent and thoughtful programming has long been its hallmark.  It can get away with providing a level of quality because it is not subject to the tyranny of pleasing the lowest common denominator, which translates as ratings.  

      There should be a place on the airwaves, though most television is delivered via cable or satellite dish, for all manner of content.  Mass audiences, and the attendant advertising seem to work for millions on commercial networks.  Boundary pushing drama and comedy, some too boundary breaking for the old commercial networks, do exceptionally well on cable networks.  

       Some of the best, and most Emmy winning program comes from Cable, where again artists and programmers can take a chance, and celebrate artistry, creativity and not the "almighty bottom line of ratings=ad revenue."  Cable seems to operate on the premise "build it (excellence of writing, acting, directing) and they will watch." And watch in enough numbers to make money.

       PBS and NPR are even better.  You will not only find even handed journalism, which is hard to find these days, you'll also find documentary, information, intelligent programming, superb drama and musical specials.  The best of the best, actually.  This nation needs a guardian of quality, class, civilization, intelligence and integrity. 

        Some of what does so well on Cable is probably offensive to some.  The offended need not watch and, not being on the public airwaves, there is a kind of insulation.  And while I have watched excellent creative output on Cable, some of it is exceedingly coarse or blue.  I am not prude and not easily offended, but I have wondered what my parents, who were not prudes nor easily offended, might think of some of what passes for television today. The point of this example is America has become a more crass, in your face, less sophisticated, more obvious and I believe in many ways a more obnoxious place.  Television has been one of the piped pipers of this descent.

       Public television on the other has been, can be and should remain, a place where 

standards are higher, where intelligence and smart creativity can find a berth.  

      The battle is not over, but it seems to me that foundations, private funders and corporate underwriters may have to pick up the slack, if those who simply don't "get" the value of Public Broadcasting, prevail in Congress.  I hope the solution will leave us with a structure that allows public television to remain free of commercials.  I have much to say about commercials, but I'll leave that for another day.

LINK HERE FOR A BACKGROUND PIECE ON THE FUNDING BATTLE

See you down the trail.

AN INSPIRATION FOR WALT?

TREES THAT DANCE

     All of those weird and spooky trees in Disney cartoons used to trouble me.  Where did they come from?  In the midwest our trees were tall oaks, maples, sycamores, beech and the like.  Some would  have large branches and limbs, but they were never frenetic like the cartoon trees.

After moving to the Central California coast I began to discover the wild growth patterns of California Live Oaks.

Now these trees can look sinister, like the trees that might grab an unsuspecting cartoon character.

Though I noticed in the early spring, when naked of leaves and pared with clouds and California blue sky, they look like they might just dance.

Since the Disney animators, and those of other studios, lived in California doesn't it make sense the Live Oak might have been the inspiration?

You look at these trees and you see things, right?

Well?

I wonder if Kilmer had a California Live Oak in mind as the inspiration.

"I think that I shall never see

a poem as lovely as a tree..."

See you down the trail.

A LOCAL SHOUT OUT

THIS IS ROCK AND ROLL

WELL DONE!

       I hope this show will travel, because a lot of people should see it.  THIS IS ROCK 'N' ROLL is the current production of the San Luis Obispo Little Theatre and as the DJ's might say, "It's a hit!"

        Directed by Kevin Harris, the multi media mix of live music, videos, dance, and large screen graphic augmentation is a "feel good" history lesson, poignant drama and a rocking good time. Entertaining at its core, the production confronts an ugly history when some music was called "race" music and all the cultural battle that went with it.

        David Vienna has written a brilliant and timely production as he follows the mercurial and flawed Alan Freed who coined the term Rock and Roll and by bravado, ego and  chutzpah fostered a new brand of radio, culture and live shows.  He was also the fall guy for what became known as "Payola."  Vienna is a skilled story teller and weaves strands of popular culture, history and personal story arc into an first rate script.

        Harris and Choreographer Drew Silvaggio draw superb performances from a very talented cast.  This is a group that moves smoothly from song, to dialogue and to dance without missing a beat.  And the beat itself could be worth the price of admission.  The band is the backbone and back beat of rockin story.  Great musicians, playing well had the audience boogieing in the seats.

         I hate to single out individual performance, because the full cast is outstanding.

Chad Stevens in the lead along with John Laird, Kerry Dimaggio, Seth Blackburn, Bill Kirkpatrick, Michelle Hansen, Jenny Beck and Travis Nefores turned in as good a performance as you could expect. Stevens is sensational.  Laird and Dimaggio display great versatility.

        Lana and I were rep company season ticket holders for years, enjoy theatre from New York to London and couldn't tell you how many productions we have seen from experimental to touring companies.  I went expecting a nice, competent little show.  There is nothing little about this SLO Little Theatre production.  It is a top drawer ticket and as I say, I hope other theatre companies will take it on.  This is Rock 'N' Roll is a chart topper! 

FOCUS, STRENGTH, FAITH and then FEATHERS AND COLOR

BOB'S STORY

Going Forward

 Church of the Way farer Carmel California February 2011

         Bob evinces a sense of life that is full of strength, focus, faith and drive.

         The back story-Bob is a friend. He and I worked together as a morning radio team. He was an extraordinary and facile "talent" capable of impression humor in one moment and a thoughtful interview in the next.  Later he teamed with one of America's premiere racing broadcasters and did distinguished work covering hydroplane racing, an exotic blend of water, speed, technology and chance.  He's been a college football radio man and producer.  He is now a combination hawk and fighter pilot, representing an agency and specializing in health care.  He works to establish messages of hope and help to those with grave illness.  That may be his paying job.  What fuels him, and what he does, is centered in his faith.  His faith also girds him in his battle with leukemia.

      With his approval, I'm presenting some of his eloquent sensitivity.

A PRE CHRISTMAS E-MAIL

Sent: Mon, Dec 20, 2010 11:19 pm

Subject: Winter Morning

I look out from the top floor of a hotel near downtown Rochester, MN. A 

Christmas tree softly glows with tiny blue lights in the window of a 

nearby brownstone apartment building. The streets are snow packed and 

treacherous. A solitary figure, dressed in heavy clothing against the 

cold, walks stiff legged down the middle of a side street. He is bent 

forward under the weight of a heavy backpack, as he heads to begin his 

shift at St. Mary's Hospital.  The sky is soft and hazy. Amber street 

lights turn  high thick clouds and snowy ground a pale shade of orange. 

In the distance, a snow plow scrapes, roars and beeps.

This city may be slightly slowed, but seldom stopped. Thousands will 

seek relief today at Mayo's clinic and hospitals. Thousands more will 

fill the tech needs of a nation and world at the massive IBM complex in 

its northern suburb.

Healthcare. Communication. Neither can afford a winter's slumber. Both 

deal in pulses; the human heart; speeding electrons. Both must be 

accessible, regardless of conditions at this crossroads of longitude and 

latitude.

Isn't it interesting how, as we mature, we become more dependent on 

these two?

Foster

A MEDICAL UPDATE

Chemo last week was successful. Leukemia was, again, blasted into 

submission. The heavy steroids and non-toxic treatments effectively 

removed the excess white blood cells and stopped my system from 

producing more. Unfortunately I developed serious dehydration, Sunday 

night into Monday. We'll leave that process to your imagination. Diane 

took me to the local hospital on Monday, where I spent 48 hours 

receiving IV fluids and two blood transfusions. This was not a 

particularly pleasing situation, but nowhere near what some others I 

know are dealing with. Am home now and coping with the steroid flashes, 

disorientation and attitude. Diane has been wonderful, although I am 

sure I try her patience. The goal is to get my head and system clear for 

a business trip next week, then return to Mayo on Wednesday for a 

follow-up.

Living on,

Foster

FORWARD MOTION

Subject: Quick Update

This morning's labs were the best in months. Blood counts rapidly trending positive. Praise Jesus for prayers continually answered. Next steps: 1) getting back my voice; 2) relief from the "stoned" feeling. Getting on an airplane Monday morning. Amazing, simply amazing, considering Diane took me to the ER four days ago.  

Never give up, 

Foster

As you read this, Bob is back at being a road warrior.  Stay tuned.

BIRD BRAINS

     A couple of shots to demonstrate that when bad weather threatens, as it did over the weekend, birds know to flock together.

          For the last 4 years, wild turkeys begin parading through our neighborhood at Thanksgiving time.  They are regular walkers until the end of the rainy season when they disappear to elsewhere.  As our rain and small pellet hail storm fell this weekend, this crowd hung together and loudly.

Others went for the lines,

though no less nosily. 

DAY BOOK

THE BLOOMS CONTINUE TO COME

This small ice plant bloom is just beginning to paint the area with its vitality.

A larger variety of ice plant is also beginning its magic show

The African Daisies seem to love this winter climate.

And compared to all of those mid-west winters of the past

so do we.

See you down the trail.

MARKET DAY IN TEMPLETON

A SATURDAY IN FEBRUARY

       A storm that could bring snow to an area where it is rare loomed out there somewhere as market morning came to Templeton which from Cambria is through Green Valley over the mountain. 

       Brisk, but sunny and better prices than elsewhere.  The market is always a canvas.

       We've shopped most of the farmer's markets in the north county and the Templeton market is the most laid back and easy going.  Being around the town square makes it an immediate family and local event.

       There is a good local produce marketplace nearby and it too, carries the ethos

of the area-local and sustainable.

       Before the day was over, the promised snow fell, but by then we were over the mountain.  Snow fell on the passes, and to the east, but near the cost we got a few hail pebbles.

Within a couple of hours, the sun was out and evidence of the winter storm was gone.

THE WEEKENDER :) FUN-NEAR AND FAR OUT

THIS SHOULD MAKE YOU FEEL GOOD

ONE OF THE REASONS TO LOVE THE CENTRAL COAST-WINE COUNTRY. TAKE A QUICK TRIP BY LINKING HERE


AS MONTY PYTHON USED TO SAY
NOW FOR SOMETHING ENTIRELY DIFFERENT
HUXLEY VS ORWELL-LINK HERE FOR AN ADULT CARTOON FOR READERS-AND MAYBE THINKERS

BE CAREFUL WHERE YOU TREAD
SEE YOU DOWN THE TRAIL