Q&A with Josh Lanyon discussion

Plainbrownwrapper wrote: "It's very odd to hear myself say this, but if this election were JUST for the president I might not go to vote this time. Not because I'm undecided -- I'm not -- but because my vote will mean absol..."

It is really complicated now, I agree.

I also agree that choosing local representatives is crucial. I admit to being sort of careless about that in a few elections. But now when all across the country you see jaw-dropping political coups taking place -- things that you would think could only happen in Third World Countries -- it does make you reconsider the importance of all those local representatives. Because the overthrow of Democracy does usually begin at the grass roots level and in the most inocuous of ways.

robert wrote: "this discussion about politics
gives me hope
there are some savvy people writing here
thank you
thank you
thank you!
i'm an old white guy who likes Obama
and i don't want the oval office taking ord..."

Hey there, Robert. One thing that maybe gives me hope -- or maybe it should just frighten the hell out of me -- is the increasing role of social media in politics. Meaning there are so many more ways to get the word out, to inform yourself, to study the candidates and the issues.

On the other hand, social media can be manipulated (fake reviews, etc -- why would this be any different for politics than any other "product"?) so maybe it's all adding to the white noise?

But when you think that most people now carry cameras and recording devices...well, it does add a certain interesting dimension to the game.

Josh wrote: "robert wrote: "this discussion about politics
gives me hope
there are some savvy people writing here
thank you
thank you
thank you!
i'm an old white guy who likes Obama
and i don't want the oval of..."

...as evidenced by the whole "47 percent" debacle...

Elizabetta wrote: "...as evidenced by the whole "47 percent" debacle... "

Speaking of which, I'm confused and dismayed by what appears to be Romney's bounce-back. How can the electorate be fickle enough to not to keep those statements in mind? I sure can't forget 'em.

Josh wrote: "I also agree that choosing local representatives is crucial. I admit to being sort of careless about that in a few elections."

West Virginians cast thousands of votes for a TX inmate that got his name put on the ballot in the last primary. THOUSANDS of votes.

Eep.

K.Z. wrote: "Elizabetta wrote: "...as evidenced by the whole "47 percent" debacle... "

Speaking of which, I'm confused and dismayed by what appears to be Romney's bounce-back. How can the electorate be fickle ..."

I think -- and this is probably true of both sides -- that people believe what they want to believe. I never realized exactly how true that statement was until this last presidential campaign where the abundance of evidence to the contrary doesn't stop people from lining up according to their natural party inclinations.

They would rather give the guy batting for their own team the benefit of the doubt. It's just easier that way.

And maybe that has something to do with the fact that our political affiliations, if we have them at all, aren't just casual opinions like vanilla versus strawberry, they're linked with our whole world view. Our philosophical take on life. Very often our spiritual and religious views are tied into our political opinions.

An "independent" is a pretty rare bird, and I think these are people whose social values don't line up with their economic views, so they're not a comfortable fit in either party and how they vote depends on what seems the more currently pressing issue to them.

Josh wrote: "I think -- and this is probably true of both sides -- that people believe what they want to believe."

No joke. Just a coupla months ago -- nearly four years after the last election! -- a national Pew poll showed that 17% of voters still believe that Obama is MUSLIM, fercrissake. And less than half knew that he's Christian. If they can't even get that straight, how can we expect em to understand the really important stuff?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07...

Plainbrownwrapper wrote: "Josh wrote: "I think -- and this is probably true of both sides -- that people believe what they want to believe."

No joke. Just a coupla months ago -- nearly four years after the last election! -..."

Well, you know, you're only as informed as you are willing to learn and explore. My dad has always said people would rather die than think and I believe that to be true. And not just in times of crisis.

If you're only getting your information from one source, and that source is not terribly reliable, you're not going to have much perspective on anything that matters.

I made a commitment not to watch any more political news commentary this week as it is making me insane, but when I woke up this morning I remembered the final presidential debate is tonight. :-P

Josh wrote: "I made a commitment not to watch any more political news commentary this week as it is making me insane, but when I woke up this morning I remembered the final presidential debate is tonight. :-P"

I wish you the best of luck, Americans!!

Josh wrote: "I made a commitment not to watch any more political news commentary this week as it is making me insane, but when I woke up this morning I remembered the final presidential debate is tonight. :-P"

I haven't been watching political commentary at all and as little TV as possible to avoid the ads. I do watch the debates, though. I've already decided, but provides talking points of discussion with my sons, who are at an age to begin forming their own beliefs. (If I teach them how to assess candidates, parties, and platforms now, they're more likely to be active voters later.)

Otherwise, I invested in several DVDs, including both seasons of The Walking Dead...which is why I'm VOTING RICK GRIMES FOR PRESIDENT! \o/

Kari wrote: "Josh wrote: "I made a commitment not to watch any more political news commentary this week as it is making me insane, but when I woke up this morning I remembered the final presidential debate is t..."

:-D

I voted last week so this is purely academic interest.

Josh wrote: "I voted last week so this is purely academic interest. "

I think early voting is great, but for myself I gotta vote on election day or it just doesn't feel right. It's the tradition of the thing, for me.

Josh wrote: "I voted last week so this is purely academic interest."

When zombies are dismantling your home to get to the buffet (you), you'll regret not voting for Rick. Mark my words.

;-p

Plainbrownwrapper wrote: "Josh wrote: "I voted last week so this is purely academic interest. "

I think early voting is great, but for myself I gotta vote on election day or it just doesn't feel right. It's the tradition o..."

:-D

Traditions are good!

Kari wrote: "Josh wrote: "I voted last week so this is purely academic interest."

When zombies are dismantling your home to get to the buffet (you), you'll regret not voting for Rick. Mark my words.

;-p"

And the last words I hear before a zombie bites my nose off will be I TOLD YOU SO!!!

Josh wrote: "And the last words I hear before a zombie bites my nose off will be I TOLD YOU SO!!!"

>:D

Josh wrote: "Plainbrownwrapper wrote: "Josh wrote: "I voted last week so this is purely academic interest. "

I think early voting is great, but for myself I gotta vote on election day or it just doesn't feel r..."

I used to feel that way about voting on election day — back in the day when early voting (except for absentee voting) wasn't an option, and everyone in my wider neighborhood was lined up at our local mid-school where my mom and my friends' parents were poll workers, and you ran into old school chums who'd moved away but hadn't yet changed their registration. So there was a sense of community and tradition, and a respect for others regardless of party affiliations, because we were there together exercising our rights and responsibilities.

And now, this reads like It's a Wonderful Life — nostalgia for times that never were exactly that way, or more accurately were, but with less visible (ignored or suppressed) dark sides. My husband and I will pick a time to go to a nearby early voting site (you may vote at any poll site in the city), and maybe run into my sister and brother-in-law who live three minutes from us and recently were placed in a different precinct (after decades). So maybe this is our new tradition.

Getting together to watch a scary movie at my parents' after the kids have returned from trick or treating has become one of our grown up holiday traditions.

So anyone care to name three favorite scary/Halloween movies?

I usually have something on between answering the door for trick or treaters. (I don't do terror/slasher films.) There're so many others to choose from including Young Frankenstein, most of Jacques Tourneur's films, Guillermo de Torro's Cronos and The Devil's Backbone, and several of the Hammer films — Curse/Night of the Demon, etc.

Three particular favorites over the years:

Murnau's 1921(?) Nosferatu. Max Schreck is the most chilling Dracula, particularly in shadow.

Universal Studio's Spanish version of Dracula with Lupita Tovar as "Eva Seward" (Mina), and Dracula acted by Carlos Villarias, whose only major flaw was not having Bela Lugosi's long elegant fingers. Filmed in 1931, alongside the Lugosi version, using many of the same sets.

Hammer's Horror of Dracula (1958) with Christopher Lee as Dracula and Peter Cushing as Van Helsing. There are the usual gorgeous Hammer Film saturated colors and familiar kitsch bits and recycled sets. Above all, there are those special Hammer moments — Mina's (Melissa Stribling) sly, complicit smile as her clueless champions argue amongst themselves, and Cushing's dash across the tabletop.

Our alternative movie theater inaugurated a series of movies to celebrate 100 years of African National Congress inviting the South African ambassador in Switzerland for an interview before showing ''Goodbye Bafana'' http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0438859/.

The Ambassador spoke very honestly about the situation in South Africa, and added some anecdotes. For ex. that he was sitting near Mandela and Morgan Freeman when the movie ''Invictus'' was first shown and when they went for a coffee Mandela told Freeman: ''I enjoyed you playing me'' and Freeman answered: ''I enjoyed playing you''.

The movie ''Goodbye Bafana'' wasn't maybe a masterpiece, but I think it can be a good history tool to tell young people about apartheid.

I really want to watch Skyfall because apparently Javier Bardem is going to feel up Daniel Craig. SIGN ME UP.

Oh my Aleks. That might make me see my first James Bond movie ever.

Aleksandr wrote: "I really want to watch Skyfall because apparently Javier Bardem is going to feel up Daniel Craig. SIGN ME UP."

There isn't a higher recommendation for the movie than the words "Javier Bardem is going to feel up Daniel Craig". XD

OT: Watched all 6.5 seasons of NuWho. Weeeell... Withdrawal is bitch. :P

Started watching Arrow. It's not groundbreaking television but it's fun and Green Arrow is hot. I'm not greedy - that's all I'm asking from my entertainment. ^^

Yep. I'll definitely see it very soon. I'll even bear with the sticky carpets, stupid prices, loud teenagers and assorted nuisances in cinemas these days.

I would watch Daniel Craig do anything, with or without being felt up.

And I agree about the Green Arrow guy -- have you SEEN him in the workout scenes??

Lady*M wrote: "Aleksandr wrote: "I really want to watch Skyfall because apparently Javier Bardem is going to feel up Daniel Craig. SIGN ME UP."

There isn't a higher recommendation for the movie than the words 'Javier Bardem is going to feel up Daniel Craig'. XD"

I was going to watch it anyway, but this just made me want to attend the first showing. Which I did. And enjoyed it immensely.

"Lady*M wrote: "There isn't a higher recommendation for the movie than the words 'Javier Bardem is going to feel up Daniel Craig'. XD"
"

No, there really isn't. ;)

Hambel wrote: "I was going to watch it anyway, but this just made me want to attend the first showing. Which I did. And enjoyed it immensely. "

So, does the enjoyment come from the um... promised groping? :D

Edina wrote: "I watched Skyfall yesterday night and I squealed! Bond hinting that he may have already had gay sex? [spoilers removed]. When Craig and Bardem are asked about the gay subtext they don't firmly say ..."

*fans self* I'm not sure I'm going to survive watching that.

Cleon wrote: "So, does the enjoyment come from the um... promised groping? :D"

That may have been the best part, it's definitely in my top three memorable moments. :D But honestly, the whole film was good. I took no. 2 son with me. He likes watching the action scenes - guns and car chases - while I like watching Daniel Craig.

I think Skyfall just climbed to the very top of my to-watch list. XD

OT: For the past month, I've been watching and enjoying Comedy World Cup. Let me put it this way: David Tennant + British comedians = eye candy AND many laughs. Perfect.

The Weather Channel. I'm completely obsessed.

Kari wrote: "The Weather Channel. I'm completely obsessed."

I bet.

I'm watching the weather forecast for Sandy. And frankly, I'm quite horrified. Please take care of yourselves there on the other side of the Atlantic!

I finally got to see the "Reichenbach Fall" episode of Sherlock last night. Thought it was great. Those guys are really hitting the bromance aspect hard -- which is fine and dandy with me! :-)

Oh, and did anyone else notice Watson nearly quoting from Star Trek at the end there? ;-)

Today we went to the movies with friends and had a nice dinner with them afterwards (and the food and wine were heavenly!). The movie was Skyfall, which we all enjoyed a lot. It was very entertaining, probably the best Bond movie for a long time. I'm slowly but surely getting used to Daniel Craig too... ;)

Oh, and new Q was cute!!!

And after the dinner I had a cocktail that had Gold Strike, Sour Apple liqueur and vodka in it. Jeez, it was delicious! This is something I'm definitely going to be drinking on Christmas (because of the cinnamon taste!). The gold snippets floating in the glass also reminded me to re-read The Dickens With Love as soon as possible! ;)

Johanna wrote: "Today we went to the movies with friends and had a nice dinner with them afterwards (and the food and wine were heavenly!). The movie was Skyfall, which we all enjoyed a lot. It was very entertaini..."

Sounds like a lovely evening, Johanna. The Dickens With Love was the first or second JL book I read. I have re-read it a number of times, it's one of my favorites. Sedge's "enthusiasm" and James' redemption just make me smile.

We went out to lunch and a movie yesterday. We saw FLIGHT which was pretty much an incoherent mess -- although the audience seemed touched by the heavy-handed message.

Josh wrote: "We went out to lunch and a movie yesterday. We saw FLIGHT which was pretty much an incoherent mess -- although the audience seemed touched by the heavy-handed message."

I LOVE IT when Josh comments on story lines of Hollywood movies and exposes their inane writing and set up. He is amazing, isn't he? :D

I think it's the crucial lack of focus that messes this one up -- the fact that it's obvious the director didn't know which story he wanted to tell.

But the acting is excellent and the plane crash is WOW. It's a well-crafted movie. The flaw is all in the writing.

But I'm guessing almost no one has seen it at this point so I'll wait to rip it apart till I get back.

Any other (non US) chicken who lacks the courage to look at the election news before the definitive result is known?

We could hang around here and talk about the weather ;-)...

It's a scary thing for ROW (Rest Of World), but I'd be gnawing my fingers off if I were living in the US.

Aleksandr wrote: "It's a scary thing for ROW (Rest Of World), but I'd be gnawing my fingers off if I were living in the US."

Yeah. We wish you the best of luck, America!

Cleon wrote: "Aleksandr wrote: "It's a scary thing for ROW (Rest Of World), but I'd be gnawing my fingers off if I were living in the US."

Yeah. We wish you the best of luck, America!"

Good luck with the voting! Fingers crossed.

Oh, I'll be watching. At my house, election day is a holiday. First, we take the kids with us when we vote. (Though they can't come into the voting booth with us, it familiarizes them with the process so they aren't intimidated when they become old enough to vote too.) Then, we celebrate the end of campaign advertising while waiting for election results to stream in. ;-)

But yeah, definite a nail biter. Not just about the presidential election. Maryland is voting on Question 6 today, the referendum on gay marriage. 4 states have s/s marriage on the ballot, but we live on the state line & do 99.9% of our business in MD. Sooooooooooooooo invested in that vote. There's a slim chance MD may become the first state to pass s/s marriage by popular vote and I'm praying to God it happens. After all the hideousness of the past six months, the signs, the slogans, the Save Marriage rallies, evil commercials and people with more mouth than sense (or basic manners)...would restore a bit of my extremely battered faith in humanity.

Kari wrote. "There's a slim chance MD may become the first state to pass s/s marriage by popular vote and I'm praying to God it happens."

Keeping my fingers crossed for that to happen, Kari! Let us know how it all turned out, when you'll get the results!

Lou wrote: "Once I'm done with this editing, I'll give myself a reward and go see Skyfall."

Sounds like an appropriate reward. Enjoy! :)

Huge breath of relief! Couldn't watch TV earlier, so went out for margaritas with a visiting friend (Scottish ex-pat who lives in Argentina) and let her read early results to me from the screen across the barroom. I responded "no surprise" as the red states rolled in. Later, Facebooked as the tide turned. New Mexico stands blue and tall with Colorado, a peninsula surrounded by a sea of red. The West Coast holds with the North.

Happy news from Maine and Maryland on marriage equality... waiting for the final tally from Washington state.

I just woke up and heard the news. Congrats on your new president, US!

Karen wrote: "Happy news from Maine and Maryland on marriage equality... waiting for the final tally from Washington state.

That's wonderful too!

Yes, MD passed Question 6. By popular vote. Maine and Maryland both and Washington, last I heard, was hanging in there with the yes with 50% of precincts reporting in (or thereabouts).

It's been a very emotional night, to say the least. I'll be coherent tomorrow.