I Did Not Know This Story

There would be no Black Panther without Denzel Washington.

Denzel paid for some Howard University grad students to do a summer acting program at the British Academy of dramatic arts. One of those students was Chadwick Bozeman.

I didn't realize my esteem for Denzel could be higher.

Logging

Film: 21 Bridges

Solid action pic. Not great. Sadly, I couldn't help but think/notice - Bozeman looks a bit gaunt and perhaps unhealthy. Taylor Kitch reduced to 2nd position bad guy getting killed at the midpoint? How the mighty have fallen...

First Order of Business

If I were in charge of foreign affairs, my first order of business would be to develop a strong strategic partnership with India.

We are natural allies with many common adversaries.

I would guarantee military support to Taiwan (perhaps behind closed doors).

I would continue strong relationships with Japan, Philippines, and South Korea, and increase relations and support with Vietnam.

I'd undermine relations between China and Pakistan and China and Russia.

China knows they can't win a two front war - I'd show them the possibility of 4-front war.

NOTE: A problem for many ascendent powers -- patience.

The Powerful and Impotent

Charlotte Kirk takes down two heads of studios.

The most surprising element of being both within and adjacent to Hollywood is how weak the supposedly "powerful" end up being. I blame the corporate structure of these things -- they groom smart sheep whose main skill involves positioning themselves within their own organizations. They are like good Survivor contestants.

NYC

Is it gone for good?

Note: I'd bet against his analysis, but it's nevertheless interesting.

California

Just note we knew the electrical grid wasn't up to snuff in 2001 when we last had rolling blackouts. Since then, the use of electricity has exploded with the amount of time we're on screens and number of screens. AND, critically, California has become perhaps the wealthiest place on earth.

But somehow our politicians/leaders have squandered the last 20 years by not reinvesting in infrastructure, housing, school, and the things that matter. Instead, the notable political accomplishments - as far as I can tell - is charging for plastic and paper bags from grocery stores. Which of course has already proven itself a net-negative public policy when the global pandemic hit.

How do you blame Republicans or Trump for that?

David Chase

From an essay he wrote about the Sopranos.

"What I love most when I'm watching something is a feeling of strangeness, suspense, poetry -- things happening you can't predict."

"In that sense, I hope it's similar to the foreign films I loved as a young adult for their ideas, their mystery, and their ambiguity -- for not having the endings spelled out or telling the audience what to think or feel."

Latinx

Only 3% of hispanics use the term. 75% have never even heard of it.

So by using such terminology, you are really expressing your own privilege. And speaking to white liberals only.

Proof

Kamala Harris, if we all remember, both accused Joe Biden of racism and believed the women who claimed he sexually harassed them. So...what should we take away from that?

Door #1: She didn't believe his accusers and didn't believe he was coddling racists, but simply used those accusations when politically expedient.

Door #2: She does believe the things she said, but will suck up to power to enhance her own ambitions.

Door #3: She believes the things she said, but is a realist and believes Biden, etc, is preferable to Trump.

Door #4: All of the above.

Educator Belongs In Quotes

Educator worries what parents and siblings will think about his online teachings on race / inclusion, etc.

I somewhat sympathize with the looking over the shoulder aspect of online teaching (I'm doing it myself), but maybe from a broader perspective this makes one a better teacher in that there's some additional layer of pressure and accountability?

The problem with the equity/diversity folks is that they aren't trying to educate anyone, they're trying to indoctrinate. And, as all good cult leaders know, the first step is to isolate your new converts to avoid painful questions like - so you're sure ritual suicide to join a space comet is a good idea?

Logging

Films: Avengers Infinity War and Endgame

I prefer Infinity War. But in the end, these films are a strange mix of childish action my 4 year old would enjoy, with super dark concepts rivaling those of the Old Testament.

Goalposts

Corona vaccine may only be 50% effective. "We won't get back to normal until there's a vaccine." I'm not at all convinced we are getting back to normal at all.

Parties

Coronavirus spreading 4x to young folks. Our local expert asks:

But she said, “I do think an equally good question to ask is why so many people are willing to put our entire community at risk during this unprecedented pandemic.”

A few thoughts:

1) Many young people live in LA for the social scene
2) Young people know they probably won't die from the virus and maybe even will get immune if they get it.
3) Young people are generally reckless and stupid - particularly young people in LA
4) Young people don't give two shits about old people because they feel like old people don't really give two shits about them (What evidence do we have they are wrong?)
5) Unclear messaging from "the powers that be" regarding the virus. Basically, zero consensus.
6) General malaise, exhaustion, and economic uncertainty.