Keith Olbermann- 21,000 more troops

Keith Olbeman on a special comment about the recent launch of a new Campaign in the middle east. Again, I'll let Keith do all the talking.

Olbermann's Special Comment on Bush and "Sacrifice" (Jan. 2, 2007)

"Atone. Sacrifice, Mr. Bush? No, sir, this is not "sacrifice." This has now become "human sacrifice." And it must stop. And you can stop it. Next week, make us all look wrong. Our meaningless sacrifice in Iraq must stop. And you must stop it." Olbermann speaks so very eloquently, so I won't dilute his words with mine

One ring to rule them, One director to make them all

New Line chief blacklists director.

January 10, 2007 - New Line Cinema honcho Bob Shaye has gone on record blasting Oscar-winning director Peter Jackson and banning the Lord of The Rings helmer from ever working at New Line again, which includes directing The Hobbit.

Jackson has an outstanding lawsuit against New Line over its accounting practices, with the director believing he is owed millions more from the blockbuster franchise. "I do not want to make a movie with somebody who is suing me," Shaye declared to SciFi.com. "It will never happen during my watch."

Shaye continued, "He got a quarter of a billion dollars paid to him so far, justifiably, according to contract, completely right, and this guy, who already has received a quarter of a billion dollars, turns around without wanting to have a discussion with us and sues us and refuses to discuss it unless we just give in to his plan. I don't want to work with that guy anymore. Why would I? So the answer is he will never make any movie with New Line Cinema again while I'm still working for the company."

Source: IGN (Complete Article)

Shaye's reasoning is pretty specious here. Jackson has received a quarter of a billion dollars and he should bloody well be happy with it, despite the fact that he may be owed more. Just because PJ's received a fair chunk of change doesn't mean that Shaye can decide that's all PJ deserves. If Jackson is indeed owed more then he should have what he is contracted to get.

Doesn't Shaye realise that for over a three years straight, Jackson has brought in insane amounts of money to New Line as well numerous awards? Quibbling over a few million at the expense of hundreds of millions, not only seems petty but very short sighted and egotistical. It seems Shaye is taking his ball and going home.

If Shaye sticks to his guns, he may as well throw the baby out with the bathwater. By losing Jackson he also loses the resources PJ brings to the project, such as screenwriters Fran Walsh and Phillipa Boyens as well as WETA Digital. These are people who have devoted at least seven years of their lives to the subject matter and now New Line will have to find decent writers and a director who can put their hearts and souls into the project. PJ et al have set the bar very high with their vision of Lord of the Rings, and personally, I don't think anyone but them will be able to clear it.

Finally, GANDALF!!! Ian McKellen said already said that he would be overjoyed to reprise the role of Gandalf the Grey and would not hesitate at the opportunity with Peter Jackson at the helm.

Come on Shaye, put your ego away, be a professional, do not take Peter Jackson's lawsuit personally, think of the big picture, think of the fans and moviesgoers, and finally, in parlance that even you can understand, think of the money.

Justice Denied? You're kidding right?

Saddam's execution could have been more 'dignified': Bush

U.S. President George W. Bush said Thursday he wished the execution of Saddam Hussein "had gone in a more dignified way."

But Bush said the former Iraqi dictator was given justice, unlike the victims of his regime.

"My personal reaction is that Saddam Hussein was given a trial that he was unwilling to give the thousands of people he killed," Bush told reporters Thursday at a news conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

"He was given a fair trial — something he was unwilling to give thousands of Iraqi citizens who he brutalized."

Source: CBC News (Full Article)

George W. Bush talking dignity and denied justice is the most laughable thing I’ve heard in a long time. Thanks George, I’d been feeling a little down lately… needed a good chuckle.

First of all, I believe there is no dignity to be found in public executions. But different cultures may view things differently, and since the execution did take place in a different country and culture, to them I must defer. I do not subscribe to measuring other country's cultures, values and norms by the standards of the country I live in.

However, the words of "justice denied" coming from Bush, a few short months after the signing of the Military Commissions Act which pretty much denies justice to anyone he sees fit seeps with irony. The MCA which empowers the authorities to hold anyone they consider an "enemy combatant" without charges, without legal representation and without trial for an indefinite time does not seem all that different from Saddam's regime. I guess Bush just had a better marketing team on his side. Note to future totalitarian regimes: It's okay to suspend Habeas Corpus and inflict torture as long as it is legislated.

Additional note (added Jan 14) pilfered from Eric K.

How does one make an execution dignified? Give the victim a smoking pipe and a monocle?

A little late - But Craig is no Bond.

Before I go on, I should probably preface that I'm quite the fan of James Bond - the movies and the books - some might even say (and they have) that I'm a bit of an elitist. 2007 being the year of Bond, I thought I might address the latest addition to the Bond franchise. Six weeks too late? Probably. Still valid? Hope so.

When Daniel Craig (a fine thespian by the way) was first cast in the iconic role of the suave super-agent, I have to say that, to put it mildly, I was aghast. And yes, some might argue that it was for purely superficial reasons, but then again, I am a bit of a purist.

I was pretty much in line with most of his most vehement critics. He's blonde (something easy to remedy but wasn't), and to be perfectly honest not that attractive (something not so easy to remedy). Does that mean I hated the movie? No. Does it mean he didn't do the role justice? No. It just means he wasn't Bond, and if he wasn't Bond, then it wasn't a Bond movie.

Look, I've heard many converted critics say he played the role very well, and yes he did. But he didn't look like James Bond. Danny Devito is a fine actor and IF he could pull off the role of James Bond, would critics still be as forgiving? What's next? An Indian James Bond? A Mexican? An African? A Midget? A Woman? Bond is about more than just his character. There's a certain look and presence required to execute the role of 007, which Mr. Daniel Craig just does not have. Sorry.

About Thoughts from the head

This is my first entry and I'm a little bit nervous. I visit a fair amount of blogs and it wasn't until this moment that I realised it takes a fair bit of courage to open yourself to the verbal shooting gallery of the blogosphere.

Why start a blog? Well, I don't know if you know this, but I was recently awarded Time's Man of the Year for my impact in the blogosphere, so I thought I'd start a blog and earn that award. Is there a cash prize?

When I was considering the nature of this blog, I didn't want to pigeon hole the content. So I thought I'd just let it become what it becomes. Initially I expect it to be organic until it finds its own identity.

Subjects I may cover might include my thoughts on movie news and information, world events, politics, and whatever else tickles my fancy. I will make a concerted effort not to exploit celebrities or personalities. Celebrity X caught without her knickers or with their fly down is neither newsworthy nor important.

Basically, I think it will be what the name implies - Thoughts from the head - after all that is where most of us do our best thinking. Something about being near a body of water I imagine.

Comments, suggestions and constructive critisism always welcome. Is there anything that someone new to all this should be aware, please let me know. Please and thanks.

Wish me luck!