recent observations -- tragedy, shame and beauty
The random notes piled up over the past weeks, while I was focused on other things. And today’s paper and the events of the last few days just added to it. So here’s a quick (?) rundown:
-Which East Coast independent darling of the silver screen recently showed up in the papers with Hep-C, a collapsed lung and a crack team of intravenous drug users for a support group? That would be
A. Vincent Gallo
B. Natasha Lyonne
C. Lili Taylor
Apparently back when she was filming The Grey Zone in 2000, Natasha Lyonne rubbed up against David Arquette or some such nonsense and got Hepatitis-C, then got involved with the wrong crowd, and perhaps because she starred in Blade III, ended up in a seriously bad condition. While I hope she gets better, maybe this will make her think twice about starring in any more films with Michael Rappaport.
-While I appreciate the Dallas Morning News filling me in on all the heaviest fashion magazines, it ultimately seems like a waste of space. Who really has any practical use for a $98,000 bracelet or the sage commentary of Kirsten Dunst?
-I’m sure there were some cultural events they could have promoted, or maybe given more space to some world event. Maybe the story of the more than 950 people killed in a frenzied stampede on a Baghdad bridge yesterday could have warranted more coverage. Do you see that number? 950. On a bridge. After rumors of suicide bomber spread throughout the crowd that gathered for a religious ceremony, hundreds rushed ahead to escape. The ensuing crush caused deaths by trampling, asphyxiation, drowning, all because of a rumor, not even an actual attack. It’s a horrific tragedy not unlike our own situation in Louisana and Mississippi. Of course, I didn’t see any reports of people in Baghdad shooting at the authorities attempting to help them.
-This one galls me. Helicopters sent into the Lousiana area to pick up stranded residents were shot at by locals with weapons, requiring the state to send in armored helicopters to do the job. The only reasons you would fire a weapon at someone coming to save you after a horrific tragedy are:
A. You are hiding something that would otherwise
get you into trouble
B. You are crazy and need to be strapped down
C. You are a mean, unthinking bastard and probably cause trouble
even when it’s sunny outside
I hope all the law-abiding citizens of Louisiana can get their lives back in order and re-build their cities. As for the rest of them…I hope the authorities can manage with minimal injury.
-To the Atlanta Amoco gas station that had $5.87 to $6.07 per gallon fuel prices posted the day after Katrina hit, all I can say is I hope they revoke your ability to sell lottery tickets, you loathsome, greedy prick.
-Speaking of loathsome, greedy pricks: last week thieves stole gasoline from a church charity’s van, causing hundreds of dollars in damages and the need for the charity to find a replacement truck to pick up supplies for their food drives. What is wrong with people?
-Lastly, Slate has a story about the troubles facing New Orleans entitled “Jazz Funeral”. While, again, the damage to the area is sad and very troubling, I have to say that the photo Slate uses is gorgeous…how do you find beauty in a tragic event? It’s a very fine line, saying this. Maybe beauty is important at a time like this. All I can say is I was taken aback at the crisp, dark image of a water-logged street, people wandering about, cars and buildings now landscape rather than objects. If this offends you, I apologize. I can’t help my reaction.
-I also have a new-found respect for rappers “Diddy” and Jay-Z, each of whom donated a million dollars to the Red Cross. Bravo, gentlemen. I wish we could all do the same. You are honorable standouts in the community that has too much insincere celebrity.
I got 99 problems; the Red Cross ain’t one
-Which East Coast independent darling of the silver screen recently showed up in the papers with Hep-C, a collapsed lung and a crack team of intravenous drug users for a support group? That would be
A. Vincent Gallo
B. Natasha Lyonne
C. Lili Taylor
Apparently back when she was filming The Grey Zone in 2000, Natasha Lyonne rubbed up against David Arquette or some such nonsense and got Hepatitis-C, then got involved with the wrong crowd, and perhaps because she starred in Blade III, ended up in a seriously bad condition. While I hope she gets better, maybe this will make her think twice about starring in any more films with Michael Rappaport.
-While I appreciate the Dallas Morning News filling me in on all the heaviest fashion magazines, it ultimately seems like a waste of space. Who really has any practical use for a $98,000 bracelet or the sage commentary of Kirsten Dunst?
-I’m sure there were some cultural events they could have promoted, or maybe given more space to some world event. Maybe the story of the more than 950 people killed in a frenzied stampede on a Baghdad bridge yesterday could have warranted more coverage. Do you see that number? 950. On a bridge. After rumors of suicide bomber spread throughout the crowd that gathered for a religious ceremony, hundreds rushed ahead to escape. The ensuing crush caused deaths by trampling, asphyxiation, drowning, all because of a rumor, not even an actual attack. It’s a horrific tragedy not unlike our own situation in Louisana and Mississippi. Of course, I didn’t see any reports of people in Baghdad shooting at the authorities attempting to help them.
-This one galls me. Helicopters sent into the Lousiana area to pick up stranded residents were shot at by locals with weapons, requiring the state to send in armored helicopters to do the job. The only reasons you would fire a weapon at someone coming to save you after a horrific tragedy are:
A. You are hiding something that would otherwise
get you into trouble
B. You are crazy and need to be strapped down
C. You are a mean, unthinking bastard and probably cause trouble
even when it’s sunny outside
I hope all the law-abiding citizens of Louisiana can get their lives back in order and re-build their cities. As for the rest of them…I hope the authorities can manage with minimal injury.
-To the Atlanta Amoco gas station that had $5.87 to $6.07 per gallon fuel prices posted the day after Katrina hit, all I can say is I hope they revoke your ability to sell lottery tickets, you loathsome, greedy prick.
-Speaking of loathsome, greedy pricks: last week thieves stole gasoline from a church charity’s van, causing hundreds of dollars in damages and the need for the charity to find a replacement truck to pick up supplies for their food drives. What is wrong with people?
-Lastly, Slate has a story about the troubles facing New Orleans entitled “Jazz Funeral”. While, again, the damage to the area is sad and very troubling, I have to say that the photo Slate uses is gorgeous…how do you find beauty in a tragic event? It’s a very fine line, saying this. Maybe beauty is important at a time like this. All I can say is I was taken aback at the crisp, dark image of a water-logged street, people wandering about, cars and buildings now landscape rather than objects. If this offends you, I apologize. I can’t help my reaction.
-I also have a new-found respect for rappers “Diddy” and Jay-Z, each of whom donated a million dollars to the Red Cross. Bravo, gentlemen. I wish we could all do the same. You are honorable standouts in the community that has too much insincere celebrity.
I got 99 problems; the Red Cross ain’t one
posted by scn at 9:35 PM
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