I am a graphic designer. So the typo hits me a but harder than some. HOWEVER, can we talk about the OTHER problems with this tacky invitation? Firstly, the House of Representatives has a SEAL. There's scarcely a reason to add a goofy, hyper-stylized "House of Representatives wordmark on this design. Next, we have the horrible text placement. This is a common problem with pre-printed tickets (note the gold foil) that are sent through a laser printer for personalization. See ho w the 9:00 PM time is sitting RIGHT ON THAT GOLD EDGE? Next time try something other than MS Word, mail merge, homey. But that's just the beginning of the layout issues. Given that there's a fair amount of info to tackle in this space, it's reasonable to divide the card into separate zones. What's less clear is why they didn't center the text in the right side of the card in the horizontal space allocated for it. It's MADNESS. And can we talk about the font salad for a mo...

The MoCA test features questions any grade school child could answer. This SINGLE PAGE of questions... is what 45's physician praised as the LONGER, MORE DIFFICULT test. I'm sure it is a solid evaluative tool for certain sufferers of certain kinds of mental decline. But it wouldn't catch narcissism... or magical thinking... or delusions of grandeur... or pathological lying... or sexual perversion. Neither does it measure intellect. Think about that. The sitting President of the United States BEAMED on Twitter about his high score on THIS. EFFING. TEST. With pictures of zoo animals and a box that measures the ability to track the letters A-E and 1-5. LITERALLY. No praise, however faint, is worth passing up. This is Stephen King-level scary.

45's comments show just how insidious racism is. He makes a despicable statement... in a room full of white people (mostly men). He disparagingly compares people of color to the most Aryan folks on the planet in a nakedly racist comment... AND FULLY EXPECTS that everyone will agree. Then it gets reported. His Press Secretary LIES YET AGAIN, disputing the comments made in a ROOM FULL OF PEOPLE. His POC flak COSIGNS the statement and attempts to deflect while NEVER DENYING THE  COMMENT. THEN, he finally tweets a non-denial denial... IMPLYING that he didn't make the remark, but never mentioning the specific remark... and you know what? The Republican enablers in the room remain silent. And that's because they, and many of their constituents at home HOLD EXACTLY THE SAME racist view. It's even worse for those few CRAVEN jerks who KNOW the statement was despicable, but withhold comment for fear that it may damage an already tenuous mid-term cycle. "Can't o...

Were you as shocked as I to see that monument knocked down in Durham, NC? Some are arguing that this "erases history." Have a seat... How many monuments to Benedict Arnold and Cornwallis do we have on American soil? Were they not part of history? These Confederate statues memorialize TRAITORS that seceded and attempted to overthrow the federal government for the express purpose of continuing slavery. Let's remember history... These statues were NOT funded by the government of  the treacherous Confederacy. They were funded by governments of states and cities... active parts of the Union of the UNITED STATES. Governments do not memorialize traitors. Governments do not memorialize villains. If citizens want to commission statues of persons, they are more than free to. HOWEVER, to expend GOVERNMENT money (that is to say money contributed by Black citizens too) to maintain statues and parks named for people who tried to defeat that government and continue to enslave th...

I've posted a fair amount of schadenfreude-laced facebook barbs about McConnell's trifecta of FAIL in the recent round of health care votes. Scorn turned to glee about John McCain... Delight in Trump's continuing tally of (not)WIN... and, of course, a blessed moment's reprieve from concern about the destruction of health care for those who need it the most. My ACA coverage isn't cheap. We make too much money for a subsidy and we live in California. It costs almost $800 a month. Every month. That's a lot. More than some folks' mortgages in other parts of the country. It's the single highest monthly bill I have (after my own mortgage). However, Kathy got sick last year. Took her to the ER. Gall bladder had to go. Come to find out, the hospital we went to wasn't "in plan." They wanted us to sign a statement of responsibility for the uncovered portion... of a $192,000 bill. STOP. $192,000. $192,000 / $751 = 255 months. That's 21 years of ...

Taraji was snubbed, and cramming three Black actresses into Supporting (though deserved) has me concerned. This is probably Viola's year for an Oscar, though Naomie was really solid. Octavia's performance was too close to the space of "The Help" to earn another trophy. I would have MUCH rather seen Janelle on the list OR seen a slot made available for Taraji in the Best Actress category. No shade to Meryl Streep, but did we REALLY need another nomination for a movie that nobod y even cared to see? Good to see the representation for Hidden Figures and Moonlight... but I hate that 13th and I am Not Your Negro are facing off (against the OJ documentary no less). Le Sigh. Supporting Actor is jammed with great performances. Pulling for Ali, but Bridges was AMAZING in "Hell or High Water," I'm not a fan of "Nocturnal Animals" but Michael Shannon inhabited his character fully. I guess "Manchester" is the "La La Land" of drama...

I'm getting a little bothered by people who keep insisting that Hillary "didn't reach out to them." Be honest. You were NEVER going to vote for her. She reached out by adopting Bernie's platform issues (he admitted this during the convention). She reached out by reversing herself on TPP (which she took no shortage of shit for in the debates). She reached out by being a sane, rational actor in the race. Bernie reached out by cautioning you ad nauseum about the dangers of a Tru mp presidency. Folks complained about fear tactics. They were reality tactics. One person was offering unity. The other was preaching divisiveness and fanning the flames of racist identity politics, climate change denial, fossil fuel praise, slashing government spending, deporting undocumented immigrants, and building a wall. We live in a two-party system. Protest votes didn't change that in 92. They didn't change it in 2000. They didn't change it in 2016. Stop talki...

Bright points: Joe Arpaio was finally defeated. Prop 64 will have an outsize impact on marijuana "offenders", while legalized weed in Nevada, Massachusetts, and medical use in Florida, North Dakota, and Arkansas expand the map on common sense reform. Fingers crossed that Obama pushes the FDA to move the drug from Schedule 1 in the twilight of his administration. Lower points: Where's the Democratic bench for POTUS? Clinton is done, so who will face off against Trump in 2020?  We have nothing to lose in the Senate, but I'm not sure Warren can get it done (even with Sanders). Trump will select Scalia's replacement... And probably Ginsburg... and Kennedy... and maybe Thomas (if he's looking to bounce). Public option is done for a decade at least. ACA is probably toast. Good luck on holding your insurance if you've had to use it. Glimmers of hope: There will be no wall. That will be the biggest promise Trump will break. There's a slim chance ...

Yes. Clinton can lose. Yes. Trump can win. Here's what you can do... 1. Go ahead and vote. I usually like to wait until Election Day, AND I'm in California, so we're going for Hillary anyway, but if you can vote in advance... go ahead and do it. 2. Stop wringing your hands and start ringing some phones. Call banks can use you for Get Out the Vote efforts. Turn out is CRITICAL this year... especially in North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Nevada, Colorado, Michigan, Florida...  Your call can make the difference in getting our voters to the polls. 3. MAKE NO MISTAKE, Trump is COUNTING on Black people to stay at home. He doesn't want (or expect) YOUR vote. He wants you to NOT vote against him. Side note: The KKK has OFFICIALLY ENDORSED Donald Trump. They didn't do that because they believe he's actually interested in helping People of Color. Don't let a cult of personality tell you that your vote doesn't count. If the country explodes, Black people ...

So I finally paid to watch BOAN. I can now offer my commentary without being a hypocrite. Full disclosure... After watching the movie, I reread the ACTUAL "Confessions of Nat Turner" (not the Styron novel) to make sure I wasn't trippin'. Before you comment on anything I have to say, please confirm that you have done the same. This movie was over-hyped. It was a ambitious effort at telling an overlooked story. It did have some compelling moments. However, the idea that this is an important film because it tells the ACCURATE story of Turner's revolt is diminished by the innumerable instances of artistic license and outright misrepresentation of facts. A "Based on a true story" title card doesn't mean you get to play Law & Order SVU with the historical record to the extent that you actually twist Turner into something he wasn't. To be clear, there is precious little in the historical record of Turner's life. Consequently, one might argu...

About that Melania "interview" with Anderson Cooper. I know the Trump campaign has positioned her as a polyglot, but the only language that matters in 'Murica is ANGLISH! And her Anglish is what we might gently call "flicted." Side note: Being able to thank a server in four languages doesn't count as fluency. Side note, part deux: In 'Murican Anglish, one does not "hear a lot of STUFFS." Side note, parte tres: Gerontologically speaking, a 59-year old man does not engage in "boy's talk." Side note, tiel vier: Sumner Redstone remarried at 79... Time to pull out that prenup?

You want to build a legit third party for 2020? Convince Bernie Sanders to officially declare as a Reform Party candidate and build a state by state coalition of Bernie Sanders-affiliated candidates in State and local races. The Greens are done. The Reform Party actually placed Jesse Ventura in the Minnesota Governor's mansion AND earned the most third party votes since McGovern. There is NO 2024 bench for the Dems. The GOP is struggling too. If you want to break the duopoly,  you'll need a legit 3rd-partier with media presence, charisma, and real political talent. That can't happen overnight, but the unrest in the country is real. You can't beat the system this year, but if you can find the money, you can get candidates into the game. You need someone like Colin Powell to be a standard bearer. Not for POTUS. He'll be too old after this cycle. OTOH, he's got the chops, he's got the respect and combined with Sanders, you could create a home for people...

It's early. Very early. On Friday, tapes came to light in which the Republican nominee for President of the United States, Donald Trump, describes a penchant for SERIAL SEXUAL ASSAULT. To be unequivocal: Grabbing women's genitals is assault. Forcing kisses on women because one can't "control" oneself isn't boyhood precociousness, it's assault. Insisting that one's celebrity is a de facto blanket consent to sexual assault is the mark of a predator. After an earlier de rigeur Trump non-apology, the candidate issued a campaign-mandated, teleprompter-scripted mea culpa during which his barely contained rage could literally be seen swirling beneath his blotchy complexion. Mental health professionals have likely been busy glancing over copies of the Hare Psychopathy Checklist. This is not ONLY an egomaniacal narcissist. This is not ONLY a pathological liar. This is not ONLY a fraud, and a con man. This is not ONLY a person with a delusional s...

At the airport, waiting for my flight. It's been a fulfilling (albeit exhausting) experience. Loved spending time with Mom, Dad, Curt and Toni. Can't believe all the amazing art, architecture, culture, and spiritual energy during the trip. Looking forward to coming back with Kathy and the kids one day. Rome is truly the eternal city. We stayed in a hotel that once housed Michelangelo himself as he created the masterful Sistine Chapel. I'm convinced he slept in our suite, but  don't quote me on that. If you haven't been, the treasures here are OVERWHELMING. The Vatican Museum is a labyrinth of priceless art, cultural preservation and awe-inspiring wonders... and it all leads to the Sistine Chapel (which amusingly advises silence by bellowing commands over a loud speaker). They also prohibit pictures... which is why I only took 40 or so. Hint: No flash and silent shutter are your friends. All the piazzas... all the churches... all the history... all the gelato...

You know that a lot of these hashtag haters tossing the n-word in the direction of good brother Kaepernick for his silent protest of the national anthem and flag ALSO fly the CONFEDERATE FLAG in their homes, trucks, on belt buckles and tee shirts... completely unironically. This is the same flag of folks that seceded from the Union, attempting to shatter the country they claim to hold so dear. He took this stand FULLY AWARE of the possible repercussions. He has announced that  he's NOT BACKING DOWN. He has expanded the dialogue about what it means to be a person of color (especially a high profile person of color) in this country. Some of these vile racists are pretending that Colin was just handed a big check for being Black. NOPE. He busted his ass, proved his skill, and was rewarded by the market for it. I'm not a football fan like that (except for my beloved Rattlers). The 49ers wouldn't be my team even if I were... But that XXL Kaepernick jersey just got ordered ...

Hateful 8 is EPIC Tarantino. Just marvelous. My sister,  Toni Lynelle , compared it to the infamous basement bar scene from Inglorious Basterds stretched out to a feature length. It has that claustrophobic quality, but Hateful is also a mystery. The story unspools by revealing tidbits in Tarantino's trademark chapters. There's gore, amazing dialog (peppered with somewhat gratuitous, albeit historically accurate n-words), and a HEAPING dose of Samuel L. Jackson badassery. Oh my,  Mr. Jackson... His monologue directed at Bruce Dern's character is simply jaw-dropping. I can't say I've enjoyed any of the other holiday season movies more (Force Awakens included). This is a film filled with surprises (as opposed to entertaining nostalgic nods to the Original Triology). Tarantino hasn't misfired yet, and this is one of his best. It's a clever, funny, bloody opera of a tale set in the old West. Tarantino fans will be thrilled. Jackson fans will be gleeful ...

Cut Harvey some slack on the Miss Universe pageant flub. Steve has been on the wrong side of history for DECADES...

Finally saw " # Creed ," and I have to say the hype is real. Off top, Stallone is better than he has been in decades, basically because the slurring, stumbling boxer from Philly with the heart of a lion has always been his most honest character. Then there's Michael B. Jordan... delivering a performance that erases the Fantastic Four from the public consciousness. He's ferocious here, battling the demons of his troubled childhood and completely absent father. Creed's widow, play ed with quiet dignity by Phylicia Rashad, plucks Adonis Johnson from the foster care system and raises him in all the wealth and privilege that her late husband could afford. I'm betting that it was screenwriter/director Coogler's idea to have Creed's widow balling out. Compared to Rocky's life, the difference in material comfort is significant. Yet, this pampered life is not for him. As a youth, "Donnie" had a hair-trigger and solid hands in fights. Even as...

Sooooo, about that Babyface tribute. Tevin Campbell looks OLD. I mean, the brown velvet jacket ain't help, and his vocals were twitchy, but DAYUM, his Black cracked all over the place. Brandy moved well (in her flats) but what's with the Miley-crazy hair. Side note, the audio guys should have been fired for what they did to her AND Tevin. Shum-one needsh to tell Fantashia how to pronounce the letter ESH. Side eye... I get the SHoop SHoop Whitney tribute (after all, SHHHHoop), but Superwoman? I saw Karyn White's video response (she had NO hate for Fanny, just confusion about the dis). Karyn looks GUUUUUUD. I don't know what supplements she's taking, but Tevin needs to get into it, because at FIFTY, Ms. White is fine as HAYL. Why did they let Fanny's drunk cousin on stage to sing Tenderoni? Wait, that was Bobby Brown in that fake Coogi sweater, too tight pants with torn out knees and vintage Members Only jacket? Bruh, did you smoke ALL THE WEED before th...

I will not link to the Gods of "Egypt" trailer because... foolishness. But here's a free tip from me to Ridley Scott, Alex Proyas and any other person who wants to crap all over real, established, existing history of humans on this planet to make their silly movies. Narnia. or. Xanth. or Westoros. or Any other fantasy world you want to create. This is especially true of Proyas' soon to be flop which stars two male leads that haven't been financially successful in opening a movie since 300 (Butler) and... well, never (the Game of Thrones dude). When your movie features effects-laden flying people in armor and 300-foot-long demon cobras, you might as well take the next step and just invent a magical land where you don't have to face backlash about casting people who LITERALLY would not be white. Egypt is in AFRICA. The cradle of civilization. They knew about people of different races, BUT THEIR GODS HAD SKIN LIKE THEIRS... which was (and is) not white....