ColorBlindDJ's "MAD WORLD"

Lets E-Bay It!

2009-09-10T14:53:00.000-07:00

In my attempt to raise money to pay for my next year (dorm room, food, etc) of college, I am listing some of my more useless items on e-bay. If you are a collector of obscure video games and books, this may be your lucky day! Keep an eye out!

First up: a lot of three mint, and boxed,
Gameboy Advance Games! Snazzy!
And the Atari 2600 classic DOUBLE DRAGON!

"High Energy"

2009-08-11T21:46:00.000-07:00

Another great dance song.

Lovin' is Really My Game

2009-07-23T11:56:00.000-07:00

The fabulous Sylvester James does it again! "Lovin' is Really my Game," a single made famous by Brainstorm, but perfected by Sylvester.

Remember Down the Street?

2009-07-21T14:13:00.000-07:00

The City of Asbury Park, located in seaside New Jersey, will forever be associated with Bruce Springsteen, Jon Bon Jovi, and other quintessentially heterosexuals rockers. While the town was a famous family resort at the turn-of-the-century, today it is a great deal different than it was in previous decades. Indeed, Asbury Park has been through a great deal in the past thirty years: race riots obliterated downtown businesses, the crack epidemic successfully destroyed the residential sector, and corruption annihilated the tourism industry.

For more than a decade, Asbury Park was a hypothetical no man's land, a place where nobody wanted to be seen. It was too seedy, too disgusting, and too dangerous. In the 1990s, it was a city of abandoned buildings and strip clubs. It rapidly deteriorated into dystopia run under the watchful eyes of drug dealers.

Today, Asbury Park is a different place.

A vibrant community of artists and homosexuals helped refurbish the once feared city, restoring the state's faith in Asbury Park. Today, the city is a popular destination with gay travelers from New York and Philadelphia. Most visit chic clubs like Paradise, owned by Shep Pettibone, or Asbury Lanes, where “gay bowling” night always draws a crowd.

What few of these gay vacationers realize is that this LGBT revolution had to start somewhere, and that somewhere was Cookman Avenue. The survival of Asbury Park's gay community is, in large part, owed to a little club called Down the Street. Located two blocks from the ocean at 230 Cookman Avenue, Down the Street was among the only legitimate businesses in the area. When Asbury Park was at its worst, the club had faith in the city, and made sure that its then-struggling gay community had a safe-haven.

And now, only ten years after it closed its doors for the last time, Down the Street is widely forgotten.

A Google search for the club returns a single website, Drakkar91.com. The site is run by my friend Christopher Clay, a VJ from Minnesota who frequented the club in the late 1980s. He remembers the unique environment at the club, as well as how it earned its name:

“Everyone called it 'the place down the street' from The Odyssey [another gay club],” said Clay. “It was a simple place, common in the 1980’s. Nothing high-end like we see today. But it was a neighborhood place, friendly [and] easy-going. It was a casual gathering place to meet with friends for a few drinks, dancing, [or] volleyball.”

The interior housed a dance floor and live dancers, while the outside housed a volleyball court and sundeck. By the early 1990s, The Odyssey had closed, leaving Down the Street the sole responsibility of catering to the gay community. As Asbury Park's gay community gained strength, the city began to host events like Jersey Pride and the Miss Gay New Jersey pageant.

The club remained in operation until 1999. That was the year that world famous remixer Shep Pettibone came to town. The music mogul purchased the abandoned Empress Hotel, and established Paradise Nightclub in its basement. Paradise was a world-class venue, featuring state-of-the-art lighting and sound. It quickly became the number one gay club south of Fire Island. Down the Street couldn't compete, and after so many years of service, the club shut its doors.

Most agree that the establishment of Paradise Nightclub and the adjoining gay hotel (The Empress) was responsible for Down the Street's demise.

By 2004, the Empress Hotel had reopened as a full-time, oceanfront, luxury resort. Three other gay clubs opened in the city, a n annual “gay road trip weekend” was established, and the city performed the state's first gay marriage.

Asbury Park had become a budget version of Fire Island, an accomplishment which would likely never have happened if not for the steadfast service of Down the Street. For a time, a portion of the old building on Cookman Avenue housed a smaller gay bar called Anybody's, but the venue was seized, via Eminent Domain, by the city and razed.

Today, there are no physical remains to remind visitors of Down the Street. Only its spirit remains.

Club Tribute: Xanadu

2009-07-20T07:01:00.000-07:00

Asbury Park is, today, the gay capital of the Jersey Shore. Every weekend LGBT vacationers from New York, Philadelphia, and beyond, flock to the small city to enjoy the beaches, clubs, and restaurants that have gained it notoriety. But during the 1980s, the city was a very different place. At the time, Asbury Park was a resort without a future, a city struggling to survive. The families had moved elsewhere, frightened away by race riots in the late 1970s. The gangs and drug-dealers had arrived to fill in the void they had created. What followed was a decade of escalating crime and violence. The hotels closed and the boardwalk slowly reverted to splinters.

By 1986, the only thing keeping Asbury Park alive was the counter-culture. Musicians, artists, and homosexuals were moving in, and with them came their unique cultures. Down the Street and The Odyssey, two popular clubs on Cookman Avenue, catered to gay visitors. Mrs. Jay's Beer Garden and the Stone Pony entertained the rockers. But Club Xanadu, located only a block from the beach, was a place meant for everybody. It helped keep the city alive for just a little bit longer, and brought music enthusiasts together for some great parties.

Steve DeVito, a native of nearby Long Branch, was in the popular punk band The Secret Syde. The group had just released their debut album, “Hidden Secrets,” and was busy promoting its release. DeVito and his fellow musicians frequented Xanadu, and he vividly recalls the unique blend of clientele that made the club so memorable:

“Xanadu was an entirely different crowd [from the rock clubs],” recalls DeVito. “Some nights, the place was loaded with people in Izod shirts, drinking 'proper' drinks, the ones that have those umbrella sticks in them. Other times, just people out to have a good time and dance...big dance club scene there, all kinds of people trying to make it into [their own] Studio 54.”

The similarities to Studio 54 didn't end at the door, as celebrities were known to occasionally appear at the club.

“I remember seeing Peter Tork from The Monkees there. I met him after the show, and hung out for a while with him as he was waiting for the tour bus. That night was pretty special. People were lined up all the way down Kingsley Street just to get in!”

Peter Tork wasn’t the only person from the music industry that stopped in that night.

“Marc Goodman and some blond haired lady from MTV were there to host the evening,” DeVito recalls. “Mainly by being dropped off by a limo in front of the place, saying 'hello' to everyone in the club, and then leaving!”

While the larger portion of Xanadu housed a huge dance-floor, celebrities, and hardcore house music enthusiasts, the club cordoned off a special area for the locals to relax, socialize, and promote their music.

“Xanadu had this separate area called 'Bar Five,' where we local bands could go and put on a show,” DeVito explains. “It had its own entrance, was long and narrow, and had a great sound system, and the only house light system that actually worked. The Secret Syde played there a few times too. We opened for the record release party of a band called Shrapnel, which included Dave Wyndorf and Phil Cavano, who later went on to form Monster Magnet. Shrapnel's guitar player was Danny Rey, who has produced for the Ramones and other bands, as well as the “American Pie 2” Soundtrack, and some stuff for VH-1. ”

The club was memorable, entertaining, and unique. These attributes may have made it a popular venue at the time, but ultimately, they couldn't save it. A failed redevelopment project left Asbury Park in ruins. The city's economy collapsed. The crack epidemic swept over the city like the plague, and before long, the party at Xanadu came to an end. For several years a strip-club called Zipper's was housed in the old building, but even that couldn't survive in Asbury Park's dismal state.

The venue remained abandoned for several years. By 2004, Asbury Park was fast becoming a hip gay resort. With gay travelers visiting gay themed The Empress Hotel, its adjoining nightclub, and the numerous other bars that were sprouting up across the oceanfront, a portion of the old Xanadu building came to house a gay club called Cruisin'. On Friday, May 23^rd, 2005, The Circuit (another gay bar) opened in the remaining space.

Ultimately, both clubs were closed by Labor Day weekend in 2008. While the neighboring gay club, Paradise, continues to thrive, the old Xanadu building sits vacant. As Asbury Park's renaissance continues, the likelihood that the building will again be salvaged seems increasingly likely. The venue is currently for sale, and one can only hope that whoever purchases it will recognize its true potential.

Do You Wanna Spend the Night with the Village People?

2009-07-19T19:52:00.000-07:00

I am not ashamed to admit I am a fan of the Village People. While I am aware of the criticism that they are phony and “manufactured,” I thoroughly enjoy their music. I think their songs have held up extremely well against the test of time, and their performances are just too darn enjoyable to hate. I still think “Go West” is one of the greatest dance tracks ever. I must confess, I also own a copy of their movie (“Can't Stop the Music!”) on DVD.

At this point, most readers will probably pretend to be utterly disgusted with my musical taste, even though they themselves are secretly Village People fans. Sure, maybe not as big of a fan as I am, but casual fans. I have a theory that there isn't a person alive who doesn't like the Village People. Right now it is only a theory, but I plan on applying for a grant so I can conduct proper scientific studies to prove that it is impossible to hate the Village People. If anyone is interested in funding my research, please contact me.

Now that we have established that (like everyone else on this planet) I am a fan of the Village People, I can proceed with my review. While we all know classic Village People songs like “YMCA,” “In the Navy,” and “Macho Man,” few people realize that the Village People continued releasing albums through the 1990s. Indeed, as late as 1994 the band was releasing new singles. In 1981 they released “Renaissance,” the black sheep album in the band's catalog. So, lets have a look at the music video for the album's single “Do You Wanna Spend the Night.”

[Dinner at the Village People's house]

The video begins by showing us the Village People, seated around a large table, in an old castle. Now, you were almost certainly expecting the Village People we all know and love: a cop, a soldier, a cowboy, a Native American, a biker, and a construction worker. But thats not what you are going to get. As I said before, this was during the Village People's “Renaissance” period! They ditched their gimmicky outfits and became more “sophisticated.” It was, after all, the band's renaissance. In actuality, it was simply their attempt to blend in with the New Romantics who were all the rage at the time. But its more fun if we pretend their was a deep philosophical reason for the change of image.

And so, we get the Medieval Village People. Thats right, the guys are clad in fourteenth-century attire, and flirting with medieval maidens. Now, you might notice that one Village Person is inexplicably absent from this merry feast. Randy Jones (aka “the cowboy”) left the band prior to this album's release. He felt that ditching the band's image would betray the fans. So he left to embark on a solo career. His solo material is very good and his CD “Ticket to the World” was a fun album. But Jones doesn't release that CD until 2007, and in this music video it is the 1400s! Thus, Jones technically wasn't even born yet.

[The Village People are out for blood]

Anyway, as the video progresses, we see stills of the guys posing with swords. Now, whether the swords are meant to be innuendo, or are seriously intended to establish the Village People as swashbuckling brutes is never made clear. What is dreadfully obvious, however, is that the guys are wearing way too much makeup, and that their shoulder-pads are even bigger than the ones Melanie Griffith wore in “Working Girl” (which, I might add, is a fantastic movie).

It should be added that the only one who looks cool in his new outfit is Glenn Hughes (“the biker”), although, I still think that he should have been depicted as a jouster, this way it could be implied he is a horse-riding enthusiast, as opposed to a motorcycle aficionado.

[Randy Jones left the band because he got tired of "ye olde cop" standing in his food]

So, the lead singer (who shall from this point forward be known as “ye olde cop”) wins over the maiden's heart by standing on the table and shouting at her. I have learned that nothing attracts the ladies like standing in their food. They just cant resist it. The video then shows the guys running through the castle, attempting to solicit the opposite gender. Apparently, when one of the other Village People hooks up, the other five need to follow suit. As we learned in their movie “Cant Stop the Music,” they all bathe together, so why not do everything else together, too?

Apparently, however, the other Village People don't have any luck in the love department. Seems the ladies in this castle aren't attracted to men who wear shoulder-pads, leather pants, and white shoes. So, they decide to just kill their friend and steal his girl. At least, thats what I assume is happening, because while “ye olde cop” is busy wooing his lady, the other five Village People sneak up on him, swords in hand, ready for a fight. No wonder Randy Jones left this band! These guys are ruthless! Between “ye olde cop's'” awful table manners and the other guy's violent outbursts, his life was in danger!

[Having a sword fight on the stairs is a bad idea]

Luckily, “ye olde cop” is prepared! He battles all five of them, at once nonetheless, and with a swift kick, sends them on their way. This is not proof that “ye olde cop” is a master swordsman, but it is evidence of how truly pathetic the other five Village People are when it comes to armed combat.

Apparently, “ye olde cop” is the most forgiving person on the planet, because moments later he, his girl, and the other five Village People are hanging out on the roof together. It doesn't seem to phase him that these guys just tried to kill him with swords. The screen pans back, and it is revealed that all the guys now have maidens! What a happy ending!

[The Village People's neighbors hate how they sit on the rood every night and sing]

Now, I am going to be very honest. I wanted to hate the “Renaissance” album. I really did. Village People fans unanimously agree it is blasphemous, and that it is among the band's worst material. But I disagree...the video is goofy, but the song is so catchy! While I am sure that nobody else feels this way, I would actually classify it as among the band's best songs. The video, however, is all over the place. Sword fights? Eating? Castles? And women (the most unbelievable aspect of the video)! It really doesn't make any sense.

The production was about average for the time. The camera's light, however, can be seen reflecting in one of the castle windows towards the end of the video. Rather odd given that electrical appliances didn't exist in medieval times. But then again, neither did white sneakers.

None of this matters, however, because the band has since disowned this part of their history. The guys put their costumes back on, and today the Village People we all know and love tour clubs, theaters, and gay bars across the world! Thank goodness things are back the way they should be!

RIP Glenn Hughes: Riding his motorcycle in Heaven. :)

Studio 54

2009-07-15T21:08:00.001-07:00

The Great Endorsement Swindle

2009-07-11T20:25:00.001-07:00

The following originally appeared in my column in the Atlantic Highlands Herald.

By Dennis “DJ” Mikolay

I have seen a great many performers at Holmdels' PNC Bank Arts Center. I was shocked, however, when I learned that the greatest showman of our time will soon be taking the stage! Yes, cultural phenomena Barack Obama, who also happens to be president, will make an appearance to endorse incumbent Governor Jon Corzine in his bid for re-election.
Its a clever campaign strategy: while most New Jersey residents are disillusioned with Corzine's flawed policies, “Obama fever” has yet to completely die down.

Many Americans still view our president as a semi-divine figure. Every boardwalk in the state is lined with T-shirt shops filled to capacity with Obama apparel and figurines. Indeed, his cult of personality is widespread, and at times impenetrable. So who better to instill much needed life into Governor Corzine's re-election campaign?

Uninformed voters will support Corzine simply because their beloved president does. After all, if that smiling face in the Oval Office says you should vote for Corzine, then you better well do just that! What they might not realize is that this is not the first time Obama has endorsed Corzine. In 2005, then-Senator Obama appeared at Monmouth University with an urgent message: vote for Jon Corzine. That worked out well, didnt it?

Now, perhaps President Obama really cares about New Jersey, and genuinely feels that Corzine is our state's night in shining armor. I have a feeling, however, that even if voting for Corzine wasn't in the public's best interest, President Obama would recommend voting for him anyway. People need to realize politics is a game, and Obama is currently a key player. He is simply preparing his party for round two. Not to mention that Governor Corzine is extremely wealthy, and if Obama seeks re-election in 2012, he will need campaign contributions.

Partisan politics is nothing new, and many would argue that it's acceptable since almost all politicians engage in such behavior. That, however, doesn't make it right. If Obama was truly in favor of the “change” he so frequently boasted during his campaign, wouldn't he set a new standard, and throw partisan political schemes into the trash, where they belong?

The hypothetical perfect politician, one who is truly looking out for the interests of the public, would spend his time working behind the scenes, doing what is best for the people. He wouldn't waste his time running around the country, throwing his endorsement to his fellow party members.

If we forgot, there is a recession, a war, and global unrest at hand. These are the pertinent issues, which Obama should focus exclusively on. He should be working to bring all parties together in the interest of the general public, not party leadership or fat-cat corporate puppet-masters. Obama should set a new standard. He must do the right thing, and politely decline the governor's invitation to appear at the PNC Arts Center. I am sure Obama has better things to do anyway. Pandering to corporations is very time consuming!

Classics of the Olden Days (aka Atari 7800)

2009-07-10T11:20:00.000-07:00

Atari 7800 games had some pretty sick box art. The problem is, it rarely had anything to do with the actual game, and was almost never an accurate depiction of what these games were like. Here, I dust off some of my favorite 7800 box art, and my friend Steve (on the forum under username Moja$Lamp), write summaries as to what the games would be like if the box art was actually an accurate representation!

Steve says: "Mario stole my painting?! That's right folks! Judging by his depiction, Mario has become a world-famous French art thief, and is after your pictures!! He and his army of robotic, blue, alligators have trapped the furry Donkey Kong, and its up to you, his really immature son, to save him! But notice how happy Donkey Kong looks...he has hope!"

Steve: "Well, it all began when 'your best girl was kidnapped!?' Its up to you, muscular, buff, Chuck Norris-look-alike, and his partner, Johnny Redhead, to save the world! They are the only ones who can tap into the mystical power known as the Double Dragon. But whose that guy in the moon's shadow!?"

Dennis: "Ms. Pac-Man is a hooker."

Steve: "Mario fell in the stupid machine, and now he looks disfigured. King...er...Donkey Kong has kindapped your girlfriend, and its up to this Italian guy to save the girl! The only thing that stands between him and some lovin' is a monkey. I think this game was originally called 'Barrel of Love.'"

Steve: "Your mother and little brother have been kindapped by the evil Robotrons. No wait, we should start out: the year is 2084, and all was peaceful until they arrived (notice that "they" is italicized). Your loving mother, and less likable little brother, have been kidnapped by King lobster Robotron and his generic looking robot army. There is only one thing to do...the unthinkable. Starring Johnny Reckless."

Dennis & Steve: "You are Gus Allen, digging for the world's treasure. Only one thing stands in your way! Pookas...and the other things. Stick your umbilical cord in them, and blow them up! Pump! Pump! Pump! That treasure is yours, you just have to...use...your...uh...pump?

PS: Thanks, AtariAge, for letting me borrow the box scans.

Attack of the Killer...Pimentos!?

2009-07-09T11:22:00.001-07:00

The 1990s were an innocent time for American cartoons. It was right before our airwaves were overtaken by Japanese anime, a time when animators still thrived to make their animation's movements look at least-semi realistic. It was the golden age of Fox Kids; at the time, they really must have had the best programming director in the history of children's entertainment. Fox Kids had the best lineup of any network on television. Ultimately, the Power Rangers would become the network's flagship, leading many viewers to forget some of the other unique, entertaining, and ultimately timeless series that the network offered.

One of these series was "Attack of the Killer Tomatoes," a cartoon based off the movie series of the same name. The series was (very loosely) inspired by the second installment in the series, "Return of the Killer Tomatoes," which starred George Clooney. Yes, you read that correctly. Clean the screen all you want, your eyes are not deceiving you: George Clooney was in a "Killer Tomatoes" movie.

Anyway, I never really paid much attention to the show when I was a kid. It was too...strange for my tastes. Ultimately, the show was cancelled after a mere two seasons. I remember that when Fox bought the Family Channel, giving birth to the Fox Family Channel, whose creative name was out-shined only by its great lineup of nostalgic children's shows, the series was brought back for a brief time.

Again, I really didn't watch it much. I remember a scant episode or two. The show really never captured my interest. Fast-forward, and later in life I have become a huge fan of the "Killer Tomatoes" movies. They really are ingenious social satire. Recognizing the brilliance of these movies requires a warped sense of humor, one that I am sure Fox Kids would never have tried to appeal to. So, without further delay, I will review the "Killer Tomatoes" cartoon. We will decide whether or not the cartoon was able to mirror the movie's brilliance, or if it is even watchable at that.

After listening to the single most catchy theme song in the history of pop-culture, we join the main villain, Doctor Gangrene, in his lab. Viewers will immediately notice two things about the gangrenous fiend: he is literally green, and he is voiced by John Astin. If this were only a decade later, I would say that perhaps he is green with envy because his son (Sean Astin) got to star in "Lord of the Rings," while John wound up voicing the villain on a children's show about homicidal food. Anyway, Gangrene is busy trying to cook up a new scheme to annihilate the world. He wanders around his home, talking aloud, and opening various closet doors, each of which contain an army of blood-thirsty tomatoes.

Isn't it sad that as late as the 1990s so many tomatoes were still forced to be in the closet by overprotective mad scientists? Perhaps they aren't killers, per sey, but rather wounded children who reflect their angst upon cruel humanity, which despises them so?

I digress.

We soon catch a glimpse of Gangrene's newest plot: killer pimentos. We also learn that he graduated from the University of Wisconsin. I find it is always good to know the alumni status of your antagonist. After all, keep your friends close, but your enemies closer.

We join the shows three protagonists (Tara, F.T. and Chad) at the beach. Why are they at the beach? For hilarious hijinks, of course! It must be understood that Tara is a tomato disguised as a human, and that whenever she comes in contact with salt, she returns into her true form. As everyone on the planet (except Chad and Tara) seem to know, there is salt in sea-water...oh, hilarity.

Anyway, the real scene stealer is F.T. (Fuzzy Tomato), Chad's pet. He is just so adorable, there is no way that you won't fall in love with him. When you think about it, how sad is it that Chad's only two friends are tomatoes? Well, because apparently everyone in the city is a moron, they are under the impression F.T. is actually the world's ugliest dog. So to the untrained eye, it would seem Chad has it all! With his girlfriend and a dog, he is living the high life! But the truth is that Chad is a lonely loser whose only friends were purchased in the produce aisle of his local Pathmark.

Soon, the trio leaves the beach to go to Uncle Wilbur's pizza joint. Further hilarity ensues while Tara drives, mistaking the accelerator for the break, spilling pizzas all over the road! I am sure you were wondering why were there dozes of pizzas in the back of their van anyway? Didn't anyone ever tell you not to ask so many questions?

At Uncle Wilbur's pizza place, we see that Wilbur is trying to find an ingredient to replace tomatoes on his pizza. Igor, Dr. Gangrene's right-hand-man, enters (incognito, of course) to try and sell some pimentos to the gang. Now, Igor is one of the show's primary villains, but apparently nobody recognizes him because he is wearing sunglasses. He even says his name. But the gang must think its a different Igor, because this one is wearing sunglasses. Anyway, Wilbur sees the opportunity to boost pizza sales, and buys all Igor's pimentos.

Well, wouldn't ya know, these pizzas harbor evil killer pimentos, who are ready to eat the city, and everyone in it! Well, since apparently everyone in the city, perhaps even the world, buys their pizza from Wilbur, the pimento pandemic is widespread, leading to chaos in the streets!

But, Tara and Chad are oblivious. They are too busy watching "Invader Broccoli from Mars" to notice that pimento Armageddon is raining down from the heavens. But all is not well: there is a pizza in the backseat. And where there is pizza...there is pimento. To make a long story short, the pimento attacks! This leads to what may actually be the most hilarious moment in cartoon history: a slow motion segment during which F.T. drops his bag of popcorn, and Chad (reaching out for it) shouts, in a guttural slow-motion voice: "The popcorn!"

Maybe this is why Chad doesn't have any real friends; when their lives are in danger, all he cares about his popcorn. Greedy kid. But, in actuality, Chad's concern stemmed (get it?) from a love of Tara. The popcorn is salted, and she morphs into a tomato!

Now the episode's "plot starts to move along a little too quickly. Maybe the writers forgot they only had twenty-two minutes to tell their tale, because the first eighteen are spent building the plot, and the last four exist to tear it down.

So, buckle your seat belt, every dilemma is about to be solved in the next two paragraphs! F.T. drives off, and we finally notice the degree of pimento terror. The city is in ruins! All the citizens rush to the mall, which is a "Safe haven," but Gangrene arrives in his Tomato-copter to make sure nobody escapes! Wilbur, meanwhile, looks outside his window and finally notices that the world is aflame. This leads to another amazing line: "They said it couldn't happen again...they were wrong!" Wilbur dons his famous paratrooper outfit from the movies, and readies himself for battle.

F.T. saves Tara by driving through a pepper-warehouse, and Chad saves humanity by encouraging the refugees to feed the tomatoes mall items, lest they become the main course. Wilbur charges the pimento forces, and all the creatures are beaten in about thirty seconds. The End.

While "Attack of the Killer Tomatoes" is certainly not the best cartoon ever, it is certainly an enjoyable watch. The animation is superb, and the writing is clever. It doesn't match the irreverent social satire of the film series, but the producers did the best they could for their target audience. It was a clever trip down suppressed-memory lane. The cartoon adapts as many characters from the film as it can, and makes several clever nods to the series. It is certainly better than the garbage kids watch today, though. I don't think anyone would debate that! And I thought the NES game was fun, too. Although, everyone would debate that!

The Fabulous Sylvester James

2009-07-08T09:30:00.000-07:00

Sylvester - You Make Me Feel 1970
by PeteRock

Sylvester James is one of my favorite artists of the 1970s.
I just thought I would post this classic video to lighten your day.
RIP Sylvester, you are missed, bro.

A New Jersey First

2009-07-07T17:20:00.000-07:00

Oh, New Jersey politics. To say the great Garden State's politicians are lacking in moral character would be a drastic understatement. It seems that everyone who rises to prominence in state politics is indebted to big business and their party. While incumbent Jon Corzine may have had good intentions when he ran in 2005, the state has fallen apart during his term.

Chris Christie, the Republican gubernatorial candidate, seemed appealing to many, but his confrontation with NJ 101.5FM's Casey Bartholomew left a sour taste in the mouths of listeners. To sum up the confrontation, Bartholomew called Christie out: the former United States attorney claims he opposes abuse of the bloated pension system, yet refuses to fire campaign employees who engage in such activity.

Bartholomew caught Christie in his lie, and slammed him for it before thousands of listeners.

This is Chris Daggett,
who may very well be New Jersey's
first independent governor!
Photo courtesy the Daggett campaign.

So who will Jersey's undecided voters cast their ballot for?

Enter former environmental commissioner Chris Daggett, a likable chap running as an independent. Now, being a third-party candidate in Jersey is no easy task, and being an independent who blasts the two-party duopoly is regarded as political suicide.

Daggett's independent message has, apparently, caught on. Daggett is campaigning among the people, something neither of his opponents have dared to do. From the boardwalk in Asbury Park to the streets of Red Bank, he has spent the summer chatting it up with Jersey voters about what they (and not special interest groups or party officials) want to see in Trenton.

His tactic seems to be working very well. Earlier today, Dagget announced that he reached the $35,000 mark, thus qualifying his campaign for matching funds. This is unheard of in Jersey politics, and what many may not realize, is that this afternoon, the gubernatorial campaign became a three-way race.

Why?

Daggett is the first independent in the state's history to reach $35,000. Now he is officially guaranteed a spot in the televised debates, and is unofficially regarded as a "viable" candidate. Now Christie and Corzine will have to face off against Daggett first hand, and his message of independent politics will leave the "underground" and, via television, enter the mainstream.

To put this into perspective: former Governor (of Minnesota) Jesse Ventura, who ran as a third-party candidate, has long boasted that his poll numbers jumped, resulting in his victory, because he was allowed in the debates. During a 2008 speech, Ventura explained his reasoning:

"The reason it is so difficult for [third parties] to gain that access...you're looking at it! I proved you could win if you are allowed to debate! If you are allowed into the debates, the candidate nobody gives a chance to...can win! Its happened! I did it! I was polling, at the primary, a mere ten percent. But I was allowed to debate...by the time the last debate took place...I was polling 27%."

Activist Matt Gonzalez mirrored Ventura's statement in an article titled "The Trail of Broken Promises" when he said:

"Ross Perot got in the debates in 1992 even though he was polling below 10 percent. Perot went on to win 19 percent of the vote, and his warnings about NAFTA and deficit spending influenced Clinton policy and proved prescient."

History is on Daggett's side; third party candidates who are allowed to debate can win. So, if you are as fed up with corporate politics as I am, why not volunteer for Chris Daggett, the independent who is proving that a strong will and a noble message can go just as far as a dollar bill. And he didn't even have to sell out!

NES Peter Pan & the Pirates

2009-07-05T16:06:00.000-07:00

As a tribute to the late Michael Jackson, I have decided to do something a bit different. His fascination with Peter Pan is well-known, and thus in his memory I am going to do something I have never done before: review a video game!

That's right, I am going to review Peter Pan & the Pirates for NES. Now, I have never reviewed a game before in my life, so I ask that you cut me a little slack and not judge my review too harshly.

To begin, one must understand that the game is not actually based on the Disney movie, but is an adaptation of the cartoon which aired on FOX KIDS in the early 1990s. As a child, and loved this series, which was directly inspired by the Peter & Wendy books. It was one of those shows that made FOX KIDS the definitive children's network! To be honest, as a child, and likely still today, I prefer FOX's version of Peter Pan to Disney's. It has a more adventurous quality to it, and while I haven't read the book in years, I recall this TV series as being the more loyal adaptation. Thats what made FOX KIDS shows so great in the 1990s: from "Attack of the Killer Tomatoes" to "Creepy Crawlers," the cartoons were well-written, unique, and fun.

One interesting thing about the series was that (as you can see to the left), Captain Hook wasn't the main villain...President George Washington was! The only thing Washington hates more than a loyalist is Peter Pan! Okay, that's not true...but I always thought that Hook looked like President Washington in this series. He was also voiced by Tim Curry. He was perfectly cast, and helped make each episode seem epic. In retrospect, Peter Pan & the Pirates was an amazing cartoon that has withstood the test of time.

Can the NES game live up to the TV show's quality?

Well, I had long wanted to play the NES game. As a child, I remember calling FUNCOLAND and asking if they had the game in stock.

I remember the voice on the other end of the line:

"Hold on one minute and we will check."

I was put on hold. All you readers from the "Gamestop generation" probably can't relate, but this was the routine when you called FUNCOLAND. You asked for a game, and they told you they were going to check to see if it was in stock. I am sure they never wandered far from the phone. Actually, I doubt they even looked. They were probably too busy laughing at the kid who called looking for a NES game in the era of the Nintendo 64.

I admit, I liked to think they were vigorously searching the shelves for a copy of the game, but in the back of my mind, I knew they didn't really break a sweat looking. They never had the games I was looking for anyway. Sure, they had eighty copies of "Duck Hunt," but if you came in looking for "Back to the Future III," they looked at you like you were cross-eyed.

Well, it took over ten years, but I finally got myself a copy of the game on e-bay for about a dollar. My friend Steve assured me that despite the game's cheap pricetag, it couldn't be a bad game.

"How could a Peter Pan game be bad? Its Peter Pan!"

He did have a point: Peter Pan is awesome, and one would have to try very hard to rob him of his cool factor.

Well, a week after I won the auction, my game arrived. Steve came over, and we

revved up the Nintendo Entertainment System. After roughly a dozen title screens, we were ready to rid Never-Land of Hook's dastardly henchmen. The game's introduction assured us: "its a duel to the death for Never-Land!"

Bring it on, Hook!

I was ready, and willing, to shed blood for the Lost Boys!

I put on my green tights, grabbed my controller, and yelled:

"Call on the crocodiles, Hook is going down!"

Okay, I didn't get that into it, but you get the idea. I wanted to play this game!

We passed the controller back and fourth to see who was the better player, but it didn't take long for us to realize it made little difference...we both were equally bad players. The game is very basic: you control Peter Pan. He can run, jump, and stab pirates (with what appears to be a boyscout knife). Of course, the usual woodland creatures are out to stop you: spiders, bats, and pterodactyls.

Yes, pterodactyls.

I am not joking.

A nonchalant Peter Pan takes on dinosaurs like its child's play.

It wouldn't be so hard to take these enemies out, but the blade has absolutely no range. You have to get right up in the face of anything you want to stab. Now, stabbing a pirate is one thing, but

I don't know anyone who is brave enough to charge a pterodactyl!

Its near impossible to fly in a straight line; Pan takes off at odd angles at any given moment. This makes it difficult to dodge enemies, grab tinker-bell, or talk to Wendy. This wouldn't be so bad...but we made one mistake. We were under the impression that the goal was to simply clear each level. Upon reaching the end of the first stage, we learned (from a rather obnoxious Wendy) that the goal was actually to kill every pirate. This is the goal of each stage...kill pirates.

Your in the woods: kill pirates.

Your in a cave: kill pirates.

Your in an ice cave: kill pirates.

Your in the woods at night: kill pirates.

Your in the cave at night: kill pirates.

Your on the pirate ship: kill pirates.

Its rather redundant, but oddly addicting.

At the end of each level Captain Hook (who looks nothing like his cartoon counterpart) escapes...leaving Peter to chase him to the next stage.

Each stage also has weird bonus levels, which are launched when Peter falls for a "grown-up trap." The bonus stages are too hard, and you have to fly from platform to platform within a specified amount of time. In a testament to the game's rather odd graphics, Steve swore there was a "guy" on one of the platforms...but it was actually a music note.

Well, despite its flaws, this is a fun game. Every review I have read has ripped the game to shreds, declaring it to be an unholy abomination. While its certainly not the best game ever, but it is the only playable game THQ ever manufactured. Its fun, and offered me a quick trip down memory lane....

And its better than "Hook" for NES, thats for sure!

If nothing else, it made me want to dust off those old VHS tapes I recorded FOX KIDS on back in the 1990s, and take a trip to the past. And isn't that what video games are mean to do?

RIP

MICHAEL JACKSON

Nun Shall Live

2009-07-01T20:36:00.000-07:00

Here is one of the coolest videos I have ever seen on YouTube (yes, even cooler than "Tanuk Tanuk Tun"). Aside from having a neat soundtrack, it features some amazing footage of Essex Mountain Sanitarium that was taken at some point in the 1980s. I hope to contact the fellow who made this video, and maybe snag an interview with him about EMS?

The Green Party Withers

2009-06-27T12:24:00.000-07:00

I don't like to speak (or for that matter write) ill of people. Whether they are politicians or not is beside the point. The following article should not be viewed as an attack against Cynthia McKinney, nor any other member of the Green Party. That is not my intent; I am trying to make a detailed, logical, and intelligent point about the future of my beloved Green Party. I have waited several months for someone to say this, and if nobody else will, then it is up to me.

When the Green Party of the United States first emerged on the national scene during the 1996 presidential election, few people paid attention. Consumer advocate Ralph Nader was nominated as our candidate, with activist Winona LaDuke as his running-mate. The duo made few waves in the political pool, and their candidacy went widely unnoticed, albeit for a few regional news broadcasts and newspaper right-ups.

The 2000 election, however, was a different story. Nader was back with a vengence. Despite being shunned by the media, the consumer advocate/activist managed to promote himself on the national scale, creating a whirlwind of political frenzy. According to wikipedia, Nader received about 2.7% of the popular vote, despite being barred from the televised debates. That's pretty darn good.

Fast forward to 2008. Nader is running as an independent, and the Greens nominate Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney as their presidential candidate. Ralph Nader championed automobile safety (thanks for the seat-belts and airbags!), clean air, unpolluted water, worker's rights, and a bevy of other accomplishments. What was Ms. McKinney claim to fame? She demanded that the United States create a "Tupac Shakur Records Collection," to investigate his death. Now, I don't mean to belittle Ms. McKinney's work. The death of Shakur was a tragedy, and a killer should, and hopefully will, be brought to justice someday. Her work at rousing public support to investigate the murder of the young rapper is admirable, and I commend her for her selfless acts.

That being said, it does not qualify her to be president.

McKinney also stands in opposition to some the Green Party's 10 Key Values. The Green Party stands for non-violence. Period. There can be no other statement after this. Ms. McKinney, however, assaulted a police officer who prevented her from entering Congress. Now, you may be wondering why a police officer wouldn't let a Congresswoman enter Congress. Well, she wasn't wearing her ID badge. She did apologize later, and again I praise her for admitting she was wrong, but if her first reaction to a "crisis" is violence instead of reason, she has no place on the Green Party ticket. What if the president responded to every confrontation with another country by bombing them, and then apologized later? The damage is done.

The Green Party's 10 Key Values don't advocate non-violence "unless you forget to wear your ID" or "unless a cop annoys you."

Its non-violence.

Period.

I don't want my party to be associated with anti-police sentiments. I am sure that many in the party fear a "police state," but you can't go around assaulting every uniformed officer you get in a scuffle with.

She was also caught on camera saying: "Oh crap, now you know what...they lied to Coz and Coz is a fool!"

I am sure, had McKinney been elected, that moment would go down in history as one of the all-time great presidential quotes, right alongside John F. Kennedy's "I am a jelly-donut."

Thats strike two.

Strike three will be her conspiracy theories, including her now infamous claim that the United States government executed and then dumped 5,000 bodied in the water, and blamed it on Hurricane Katrina.

This is not the direction I want the green Party to go in. While Nader brought a respectability to the party, McKinney has made it a refuge for extremists and conspiracy theorists. How will the Greens ever gain national respect when our presidential candidates run about slapping cops, literally shouting "crap," and weaving unsubstantiated revisions of history? We wont.

I fear the party's continued support of fringe candidates will undoubtedly mirror that of the Reform Party, which has been in turmoil since they nominated ultra-conservative Pat Buchanan in 2000, causing all the supporters of Jesse Ventura and Ross Perot to run in opposite directions.

In 2004, and again in 2008, most of Nader's supporters fled the Green Party in favor of Nader's ticket. In 2000 Nader scored the Greens 2,882,955 votes.

In 2008 McKinney received 161,603.

Obviously, we can't nominate Nader for every position, in every election, in every state. But we have to stop associating with fringe candidates, or we will lose all our credibility, and all our party members.

Oh, and McKinney used to be a Democrat.

That's strike four, in case you lost count.

Ross (Shoulda Been President) Perot in 1992

2009-06-22T11:12:00.000-07:00

I hope I someday have the honor of meeting Mr. Perot. He is a true American hero, and in my opinion, would have been a fantastic president. We must strive to keep his message alive, even as his Reform Party falters.

My Gubernatorial Endorsement

2009-06-15T18:31:00.000-07:00

THE FOLLOWING LETTER WAS SENT TO THE NJ GREEN PARTY ON JUNE 15, 2009.

PLEASE E-MAIL THEM AT CHAIR@GPNJ.ORG AND URGE THEM TO "OFFICIALLY" ENDORSE DAGGETT.

My fellow Greens,

The upcoming gubernatorial election is of vital importance to all residents of the great Garden State. It also marks a turning point in our beloved Green Party's existence. According to many Greens, we will not be running a gubernatorial candidate. Our party has instead decided to focus its attention on winning local elections. This is a good tactic, but I fear that without an "official" Green candidate, many in our party will vote for Democratic incumbent Jon Corzine, believing the Democrat to be the lesser of two evils.

This scenario stands in stark opposition to every principle our party stands on. It would be a desecration of our Ten Key Values, the social and moral platform we Greens proudly stand upon.

As a Green, I am throwing my support behind independent candidate Chris Daggett, formerly a Regional Administrator for the Environmental Protection Agency. Click here to read about his environmental activism. Greens can rest assured that Daggett is a friend of the environment; his platform is largely compatible with our Ten Key Values.

Some issues addressed by Daggett's campaign include:

"We need to convene an affordable housing task force, led by the governor and including legislative representatives, housing advocates, builders and any other appropriate interest groups, over a specified timeframe to work through the various issues to reach an agreement."

His environmental platform is astonishing:

"We need to control development in the Highlands and the Pinelands to protect our water supply, and we must live up to the promises made to those whose land value has been significantly reduced as a result. The State Plan makes sense and should be finalized and implemented. It also makes sense to re-think the mandates of COAH that have pushed thousands of units of “builder’s remedy” housing into suburbs without achieving the Supreme Court’s original goals, and we must start building affordable housing in our mass transit served cities and towns where jobs are located."

These are in keeping with our Ten Key Values:

Social Justice

Community-Based Economics

Nonviolence

Decentralisation

Future Focus/Sustainability

Feminism

Personal and Global Responsibility

Respect for Diversity

Grassroots Democracy

Ecological Wisdom

Greens must unite, and I urge them to do so behind Daggett. Our voices will never be heard in Trenton if Jon Corzine's re-election campaign is successful, and as a Republican, Chris Christie's indebtedness to his corporate controlled party would prevent him from truly serving the people of New Jersey.

Come November, I will cast my vote for Chris Daggett, and I urge all Greens to do the same. I have formed a Facebook group, "Greens for Chris Daggett," which I hope all my fellow Greens will utilize as a means of discussion regarding the preservation of our values, and the advancement of the Daggett campaign.

-DENNIS "DJ" MIKOLAY

True in 2000, true today.

2009-06-13T11:09:00.000-07:00

I really don't have much to say today, but I found this campaign ad for Reform Party presidential candidate Pat Buchanan. It is from 2000, and while I don't agree with Mr. Buchanan on many issues...he nailed this one dead on.

NIN/JA 2009 (June 6th 2009) in Holmdel NJ

2009-06-12T14:52:00.000-07:00

Nine Inch Nails is the definitive industrial band, and frontman (and technically sole member) Trent Reznor is as influential today as he was when he first entered the national scene in 1989. When you say "goth," two images come to mind: Marilyn Manson and Trent Reznor.

Now, twenty years after the first Nine Inch Nails album, "Pretty Hate Machine" established Trent Reznor as a rock-star, the band is calling it quits.

The "Wave Goodbye Tour" is Nine Inch Nails final tour (for a while, at least), and they have brought Jane's Addiction and Street Sweeper Social Club along for the ride (it should be noted, at this point, that this is not a band, it is a social club...the lead singer went out of his way to remind us of this about forty times during his set).

Nine Inch Nails is one of my favorite bands of all time. Their "Lights in the Sky Tour 2008" was the definition of an epic concert: the set, the lights, the band, the energy. It had everything a great concert needs, and will forever be remembered as being among the band's best tours. The "Wave Goodbye Tour" is somewhat different. This time, it wasn't about the visuals so much as it was about the music. Its just Trent and the guys on the stage. There are no fancy screens and no odd projections. Trent's voice carried the show, and classics like "Wish," "March of the Pigs," and "Head Like a Hole" had the audience roaring, while "La Mer" and "Hurt" brought tears to the eyes of ever NIN fan. The only song that was missing was "Closer," but its absence is excusable considering "Mr. Self Destruct," a rarer track, was performed.

I don't think anybody really realized, until the show started, that this may be the end. After twenty years of paving the way for goths everywhere, Nine Inch Nails isn't going to be there anymore. Trent is getting married, and the band is calling it quits. That being said, its been a good run, and if any musician deserves a break it is Trent Reznor. In the last decade he has kicked a heroin addiction, left his record label, and began giving away all his music free. He has single-handedly reinvented the music world, and if he says that the rides over, then we should all just get off the musical bus.

Jane's Addiction was enjoyable as well...but I came for Nine Inch Nails, and will miss them now that they are gone.

I leave you with this video I took:

Corzine. Democrats. Failures.

2009-06-08T18:55:00.000-07:00

One thing really annoyed me during yesterday's PRIDE celebration in Asbury Park: the rash of unwarranted support for the Democratic Party. If there was one way to rain on an otherwise fantastic parade, it was to bring partisian politics into the mix. Jon Corzine took the stage to grovel for votes. Of course, he exaggerated his admiration and support of the gay community.

While I would hope that most voters wouldn't believe his lies, it would appear that many in the LGBT community are under the false impression that the Democratic Party is pioneering marriage equality.

Nothing could be farther from the truth!

Those who decided to wear Obama t-shirts and carry Corzine rally signs seem to overlook the fact that the Democratic Party isn't doing much in the way of championing LGBT rights. It should be noted that only independents, the GREEN PARTY and the PEACE & FREEDOM PARTY support unconditional equal rights for gay couples. The Democrats, however, have advanced the "domestic partnerships" and other half-assed legislature.

Lets compare, for example, Ralph Nader's (the Green Party's candidate for president in 2000) views of gay marriage with that of our current President, Barack Obama.

Nader supports equal rights for LGBT couples:

"We've got to get rid of this discrimination, this chilling, this bigotry toward gays and lesbians that are reflected in literally hundreds and hundreds of statutes and regulations in this country."

Sounds good.

Now lets see what Obama has to say:

"I believe that marriage is the union between a man and a woman. Now, for me as a Christian, it's also a sacred union. You know, God's in the mix!"

Ouch!

Obama's argument implies that Christianity and homosexuality are somehow incomptable. It also sounds that he believed the "sacred" institution of marriage would be somehow tainted if homosexuals were to partake. These are the views of a bigot, not of a progressive. As a matter-of-fact, the above quote sounds like something George W. Bush would have said!

That might be because he did.

In 2006 President George W. Bush announced:

"I believe marriage is a union between a man and a woman. I believe it's a sacred institution that is critical to the health of our society and the well-being of families, and it must be defended."

So, both Barack Obama and George W. Bush define marriage the exact same way!

Of course, Bush was also open about his anti-gay policies, while Obama didn't announce his views until the eve of the election; most voters wouldn't hear it until it was too late. They would go to the polls under the misimpression that Obama actually supported civil rights!

The White House website also states:

"President Obama supports full civil unions that give same-sex couples legal rights and privileges equal to those of married couples. Obama also believes we need to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act and enact legislation that would ensure that the 1,100+ federal legal rights and benefits currently provided on the basis of marital status are extended to same-sex couples in civil unions and other legally-recognized unions. These rights and benefits include the right to assist a loved one in times of emergency, the right to equal health insurance and other employment benefits, and property rights."

Why, if I didn't know any better, I would say Obama's stance on gay marriage is only slightly less ignorant than former President George W. Bush's was. The Democratic Party needs to stop using the gay community, buying their votes with lies and empty promises.

New Jersey's gay community should remember, especially when the gubernatorial election comes in November, which politicians have proven themselves friends, and which are just wolves in sheep's clothing. Otherwise, all that "hope" for "change we can believe in" will go to waste in our home state, just like it did last November on a national scale.

[Ben Domenech has written a nice article about how the gay community is finally beginning to feel betrayed by Obama.]

Greetings from the Jersey "Meat Rack"

2009-06-07T12:56:00.001-07:00

In today's world where shows like "Will & Grace" and films like "Chuck and Larry" are staples of mainstream pop culture, the mainland homophobia which gave rise to Fire Island, New York, is uncalled for.

Gone are the days where gay, lesbian, and bisexual vacationers had to flee to an isolated resort like Cherry Grove or the Fire Island Pines. These legendary resorts are now regarded as almost seedy, notorious for their wild parties, carefree sex, and of course, the "meat rack," where public sex is the norm. Indeed, Fire Island doesn't sound like a resort for older homosexuals, and certainly not for gay families.

The Empress Hotel is New Jersey's only gay hotel.

Meet Asbury Park, New Jersey! Chic, classy, and affordable, Asbury Park is a mainstream alternative to the gay resorts of days long past. In today's economic crisis, spending a day at the beach without braking the bank is certainly appealing, and Asbury Park is easily accessible, only sixty minutes from New York City. The city is known for its wide beaches, boardwalk, and downtown shopping. While the boardwalk may not have any amusements, it has food, shopping, and mini-golf.

Decades ago, Asbury Park was among New Jersey's most popular family resorts. By the 1970s, however, the golden age had ended. By 1988 the boardwalk was left for ruin. Throughout the 1990s, however, a growing gay community started the city's restoration. Small gay bars like Down the Street soon gave rise to large-scale dance clubs like Paradise, which in turn became an entire gay hotel, The Empress Hotel. Now the city hosts PRIDE, a gay Roadtrip weekend, the Miss Gay New Jersey pageant, and numerous other events.

Downtown there are several fantastic restaurants (like Plan B) and interesting little shoppes, many of which are gay owned and operated. The boardwalk, for year void of life, is now alive and hopping with gay travelers! Why not have an Italian Ice before hitting the waves? Visit the Salt Water Beach Cafe and you can enjoy fine meals with an ocean view!

Asbury Park is also within walking distance from Ocean Grove, a Victorian town known for its shopping and historic architecture.

While Asbury Park isn't entirely gay, it has numerous gay clubs, events, and an open environment. Today was Asbury Park's annual Pride festival, the kick-off of the city's gay summer season. Thousands of gay travelers visit the community every year for the celebration.

If you are looking for a family-friendly, and affordable, alternative to Fire Island, Asbury Park has all you need.

A Letter to Chris Christie

2009-06-05T11:33:00.000-07:00

Dear Mr. Christie,

I would like to congratulate you on receiving the Republican Party's nomination. You clearly earned the respect of your fellow Republicans, and are widely viewed as a beacon of hope for the State of New Jersey. The real challenge, however, still lies ahead. You must now earn the votes of the independents, the Lonegan-Republicans, Democrats, and of course, the undecided. Your uphill battle starts now.

Given your zeal for campaigning, and the widespread disdain of the Corzine administration, I am confident that your conservative message will be well received across our great garden state. We need a Governor like Woodrow Wilson, who will sniff out and fight corruption and abuse. As a man who prides himself on upholding conservative American values, your political ideology is far further to the right than my own. That being said, I do hope there is one thing we can both agree is explicitly anti-American.

That would be the practice of Eminent Domain abuse.

Mr. Christie, there is a war being waged at the Jersey Shore. Homeowners in Long Branch and Asbury Park have lost their homes and businesses so that condominiums may rise in their place. Taking the property of an individual (tax-payers, I might add), to cater to the upper-class is offensive and stands in blatant opposition to the values our forefathers cherised when they founded our great nation.

The people of New Jersey need a governor who will lay down the law, someone who will end the corruption. As District Attourney, you did just that. Your commercials and radio ads make this very clear, and you have earned my admiration for your actions to counteract the political cronies we all despise.

Please use your proven-effective leadership skills to fight Eminent Domain, and show the people of the Jersey Shore you are on their side, and not in league with the corrupt corporate developers who are raping our lower and middle-class citizens.

Once again, I congratulate you on winning the primary, and wish you luck in November. The State of New Jersey needs change, and if you can prove that you are looking out for the people, and not just "another politician," I am sure you will make many enemies in Trenton, but many friends among the people.

And thats what matters.

Good luck.
-DENNIS "DJ" MIKOLAY

Tomorrow is the Republican Primary

2009-06-01T10:59:00.000-07:00

Ah, the 2009 Gubernatorial Election. The sacred event during which New Jersey residents will pick their next governor. Well, before voters can cast their ballot for governor, they must first choose a candidate. While it is one of America's most idiotic practices, the tradition of the "primary election" has held strong for decades, and tomorrow the Republicans will choose their candidate.

But who will it be?

The two forerunners are Chris Christie and (Libertarian leaning) Steve Lonegan, both of whom I find to be likable fellows. The problem, however, is I would never vote for either of them. Being a Green, I can't vote in the primary anyway. So I will let the Republicans vote in solitude.

The Democrats have a few candidates too. Incumbent Jon Corzine will likely take his party's nomination. Jeff Boss has also gained a bit of unexpected support. He ran for Senate and President last fall, and claims that he witnessed the United States government perpetrate the September 11th (2001) attacks...I think it is safe to say the Democrats will not be taking Trenton this election.

What I want to know, however, is where are the Green Party candidates? How come all major parties (Republican, Democratic, Libertarian, Socialist Workers, etc.) have announced candidates, but the Greens haven't? There must be at least one Green willing to run.

Oh well, maybe I will just vote for Uncle Floyd.

Summer 2009 Music Preview

2009-05-30T14:22:00.000-07:00

Marilyn Manson: still spooky after all these years.

Some of my favorite bands now have albums on the shelves that I need to give a good listen to. This summer, I will be doing just that. In the meantime, I will give a sneak peak of the albums I will be buying, reviewing, and (hopefully) enjoying while I relax on the beach!

First up is "The High End of Low," the latest release from Gothic rocker Marilyn Manson.
Marilyn Manson is one of the greatest, most innovative, bands currently recording. Their debut CD, "Portrait of an American Family," released in the early 1990s on Trent Reznor's now defunct Nothing Records, is perhaps the most underrated album of that decade.
Manson's first album gained the enigmatic rocker an underground following, but it wasn't until his albums "Anti-Christ Superstar" and "Mechanical Animals" spawned hits like "The Beautiful People" and "The Dope Show" that Manson and his band (formerly known as The Spooky Kids) managed to break into the mainstream.
Now he is back with a new CD, "The High End of Low," which shows a great deal of promise. The single "We're from America," which Manson generously gave away as a free mp3 download, is refreshing. It is great to hear an artist criticize the decadence and hypocrisy of American pop culture without taking a jab at a particular politician or political party. Most musicians seem to forget that all aspects of American society can be corrupt. Not to mention the fact that the song itself is as catchy as it is insightful. If the rest of the album is as good as the single, which (being a Marilyn Manson album) it likely is, then "The High End of Low" should be a terrific listen, and I can't wait to get it on my iPod.
On the lighter side of the electronic genre, British synth-pop pioneers The Pet Shop boys have released a new CD, titled "Yes." While many fans responded rather harshly to their last release (the politically motivated "Fundamental"), I have always enjoyed the Pet Shop Boy's music, as well as their message. Actually, I don't think there is a Pet Shop Boys album that I haven't loved. I have yet to hear any tracks from "Yes," but I plan on making it my June CD review. The Pet Shop Boys make for fantastic summer music, and their upbeat sarcasm always makes for good listening.

Next up is my favorite band, Depeche Mode, and their latest album "Sounds of the Universe." The first single from the album, "Wrong," is one of the band's darkest, and catchiest, singles since their 1993 masterpiece "Songs of Faith and Devotion." I immediately purchased this album upon its release, and unfortunately, "Wrong" is the high-point of the otherwise dreary album. Its a disappointing follow-up to their last album, "Playing the Angel," but it is certainly better than most of the disposable pop on the radio recently, and I am sure the band will redeem themselves during their summer tour, for which I already purchased tickets.

And finally, the musical highlight of my summer, Nine Inch Nails Wave Goodbye (or as it is better known "NIN/JA") tour alongside Jane's Addiction. There is no way I will pass up reviewing Nine Inch Nail's farewell tour...so keep an eye open next week for the review of the show.

The B-52s Live

2009-05-15T09:11:00.000-07:00

Live at the Count Basie Theatre,

Red Bank, NJ

May 14th, 2009

Dr. Hans Holzer (1920-2009)

2009-05-07T18:08:00.000-07:00

One of the pioneers of the paranormal, the famous Dr. Hans Holzer, passed away recently, and it is only fitting that I pay tribute to the man. His books about ghosts were among the first I ever read. His works on the "Amityville Horror" are legendary.

He was the ghost hunter of the century, a man whose legacy will never be matched.

There isn't much I can say about the man, as I never had the honor of meeting him.

On May 1st my first ever "lecture" on the paranormal took place in Asbury Park. Holzer passed away on April 26th. I only wish he could have heard me speak, or read my work, someday.

RIP Hans Holzer.

You will be missed.

Keep in touch. ;)

Reflections on It1000

2009-04-29T20:07:00.000-07:00

The first semester of college is now coming to an end, and while most of my classmates are now skipping school to go to the nearby beach, I am sitting in my family room, with my dog, writing a blog about school. Oh, what an exciting life I lead!

IT 100 Class was interesting, to say the least. The blog was awesome...after all, it gave me a channel to speak to you, the reader (who may or may not exist only in my imagination!) about a variety of topics! I even interviewed a Communist for my blog! How cool is that, Comrades?

What I didn't like about IT Class was the MyitLab site...its boring, rarely works properly, and takes forever to load on a PC.

The blog, however, will still be updated with political content as soon as the term ends. I don't have time right now: school and work are all I do. Ask the pharmacist Igor, he will back me up on that.

Privacy? Ethics? Online!?

2009-04-26T15:13:00.001-07:00

Should your employer look at your Facebook?

Should you mother add you on Myspace?

And what about those drunken Youtube videos you recorded....do you want them to see those? Chances are, you answered "no" to at least one of the above questions. Who could blame you. I would have said that I didn't want my employer viewing my Facebook too. But after reading this page, I realized, I don't really care if they do or don't. I have nothing to hide, and the "Facebook me" is the same of my real-life persona. Thus, I don't find it unethical for employers to browse Facebook.

Parents, on the other hand, shouldn't stalk their children online if they are over age seventeen. I say this because once you are seventeen, your parents really shouldn't be following your every move, and hindering your independent development. Thats why I don't like when parents register on Facebook.

As for drunken Youtube videos...I am a teetotaler, so I don't have anything to worry about.

Gaaaawwwwn Phisin'

2009-04-04T08:35:00.000-07:00

Americans certainly love to fish. While motion pictures like Joe Pesci's classic comedy "Gone Fishing" portray the topic as purely a laughing matter, the truth is that there is a darker version of "phising," an evil underbelly to the cyber realm. There are dozens of websites out there just waiting to snatch away your personal information.

Fortunately, your not alone in this battle. Apparently, an adorable little fish named Phil is ready to take you along for the ride as he learns all about what websites to trust, and what websites to shun like the plague. In the game, players gobble up ''good'' worms with sites for companies like CHASE and AMAZON, while "rejecting" evil worms for phony phising scams like "amazon.usa.com" or "citibanker.net." The game itself is clever, but I don't expect to see an adaptation on X-BOX anytime soon.

IT100 Week 8: Symantec

2009-03-22T09:32:00.000-07:00

When you say "computer virus" most think of annoying little programs that seemingly appear from nowhere and wreak havoc, either mild of severe, on a user's system. When one says "phising" or "SPAM," e-mails with subject lines laden with mis-spellings and false promises (ie "Re: bEsT Viagra 4 Sale!") that are unintentionally hilarious.

In reality, the coordinated underground of web crime, theft, and attacks is massive and efficient. People open viruses, SPAM, and various other contaminated files, and lives are ruined. One would be wise to share the fact that, as the video said, internet crime is fueled by a massive consolidated economy, where bank accounts are often sold on hidden servers.

SPAM...gross canned good, and an even more disguisting e-mail.

Requiem

2009-03-20T13:20:00.000-07:00

Jersey Guys: 1
Governor Corzine: 0

Today is the first day of spring, and hopefully, it is a day that will mark not only the end of the abnormally cold season, but also the death of Governor Corzine's brutal attack on the middle class, a fierce campaign which is infinitely colder than even the most brutal of winters.

This morning's freak snowstorms may have made driving treacherous, but passionate New Jersey residents layered up their clothing and hopped in their cars. It was time turn up the heat on Corzine. The destination(s) for thousands of activists (myself included), were the various rest-stops along the Garden State Parkway, and a simple black casket under a yellow tent. It was the content of this casket which is so alluring: thousands of empty (and now snow-soaked) wallets. These are the symbols of New Jersey's future, a place where the only contents of one's wallet is the occasional moth, who like the state's dissipating Middle Class, will undoubtedly be scouring every corner for food.

The Jersey Guys, of New Jersey 101.5FM, have long been controversial figures. While during the days of host Craig Carton the program was fueled by obscenity and frequent controversy, the addition of host Casey Bartholomew has marked a positive turn from the show's "shock jock" past. Indeed, the Jersey Guys, which also includes Ray Rossi (who is basically every viewer's lovably tough Italian cousin), may be the two most powerful political voices in the state.
And they aren't very fond of Governor Corzine.

Driving to the Monmouth Parkway rest-stop, it is hard to imagine what the Garden State Parkway would be like without the Jersey Guys. Most of the protesters probably wouldn't even be able to use the highway; Corzine's failed 800% toll increase would have left the roads barren. Nobody would be able to afford to drive!

Fortunately, the toll-hike was shot down by the Jersey Guys and their "flying pigs rally," an epic protest against Corzine's ludicrous scheme.

Hopefully, the Empty Wallet Convoy will have an equal, if not greater, impact. The Jersey Guys are, after all, just getting started! They just announced that next week they will be collecting wallets along the Jersey Turnpike, and potentially the Atlantic City expressway. The wallet-filled casket will then be taken, via hearse, to the steps of the State capitol, where The Jersey Guys themselves will undoubtedly stir up some "spirit."

One can only wonder if the defeated Governor Corzine will be watching the funeral procession from some secret window, cackling:
"I will get you, Jersey Guys! And you're flying pigs, too!"

Friends Will be Friends (Right 'Til the End)

2009-03-07T00:01:00.000-08:00

Last night, I received a picture/text message from my good friend Steve DeVito.
Above are the members of The Secret Syde, who (in the 1980s) were the best punk band since the Dead Kennedys. Now they are back together to do a benefit gig! I will definitely post more details soon, and hopefully an interview with the guys!
(Left to Right: Rob Angello, Quenton Quayle, Steve DeVito, Dave DeSantes)

My Beloved Asbury!

2009-03-06T17:32:00.000-08:00

Oh, my beloved Asbury Park, it pains me to see you covered in snow.
Just think, my friend, exactly three months from today is Jersey Pride!
You will be alive once more!

Monmouth University Life

2009-03-06T13:04:00.000-08:00

The last day before Spring Break 2009...looks like everyone went home early.

Everybody is Doin' the Worm!

2009-03-05T10:22:00.000-08:00

You can call them "Cybercriminals," "Cyberterrorists" or a dozen other recently coined names. The fact is, the "cybercriminal" doesn't care what you call him. He is too busy to care. He is hard at work...trying to get ahold of your computer!

These faceless foes are resourceful, patient, and cunning, as proven by the recent Facebook infection, which has left the popular website under siege by the "Koobface worm" (a dastardly program which makes your dog's worms look like child's play).

Now many Facebook users are terrified to browse their beloved social network.

While the new and nefariously improved "Koobface" is certainly gaining velocity, one only needs a single quality to combat its growth: tech-saviness.

Sure, you can download any number of anti-virus programs, but you still won't be safe. Why? Because "cybercriminals" are smart cookies (computer humor...get it...cookies?) and as such, they will always find new ways to outsmart your anti-virus program!

They gawk at the amazing fact that, in the year 2009, users are still clicking on sketchy links on their social profiles. It has been over ten years since AOL Profiles were all the rage and shared fileservers took the world of Wolfenstein and Doom by storm. Unfortunately, with these shared technologies came shared illness. Eventually, users finally figured out that if a link sounds too good to be true...it is malware. The promises of "free grand prizes" and "awesome mp3 players" no longer fool the average user...so those dastardly "cybercriminals" evolved.

Apparently if there is a picture of a friend next to the questionable link, users are less prone to suspicion, and more willing to blindly follow the hyperlink to an indefinite future. If the virus is in the guise of a Facebook message claiming a Terms of Service Violation, the curious (an apparently naive) user will click faster than a katydid!

And then all virtual Hell breaks loose!

The worm is in!

Your computer is infected!

All hope is lost!

You might as well take a hammer to the poor computer before your identity is stolen forever!

Obviously, all the above statements are ridiculous.

But the user who was tricked into downloading the virus in the first place is likely to take such a fatalistic, and ill-informed, approach to dealing with their computer's new illness.

The cure for the computer virus is preventative: learn and think before you act. Never click on any suspicious looking links, regardless of who posted them, and don't download any "software" that doesn't come from a reputable website. So keep posting to Facebook walls, keep poking your friends, and keep a watchful eye. This way, when the worm rears its ravenous head on your wall, you will only have to click "Delete Wall Post" and continue on to the rest of your merry day, which will undoubtedly be filled with rainbows, puppies, and Guitar Hero.

Paranormal Books & Curiosities in Asbury Park, NJ

2009-02-26T18:17:00.000-08:00

Paranormal Books & Curiosities in Asbury Park, NJ.

My book is now on sale here, and a book signing may be in the future.

"Imagination, Life Is Your Creation" (The Ballad of Eddie McOwsky)

2009-02-23T18:55:00.000-08:00

Throughout the State of New Jersey, from West Milford to Cape May, voters are demanding change! A new battle-cry is echoing through the state's capital; it is a vocal demand which has been made on dozens of YouTube Videos and blog posts.

That battle-cry is: "Balance Ya Taxes!"

While he may not get all the media attention, and he does most of his campaigning in New York, Eddie McOwskey , the comical gubernatorial candidate, is taking the internet by storm. With one simple catchphrase ("Balance Ya Taxes!"), a stereotypical Jersey accent, and a wealth of political theories, Eddie McOwskey is the little candidate that could.

Okay, that's a bit of an exaggeration.

But its a fact that McOwskey has spunk, humor, and a bizarre assortment of Youtube promotional videos. His persona is reminiscent of television's Stephen Colbert...as a matter of fact, there is a petition to have the gubernatorial comedian on The Colbert Repor t!

But why would be run for governor?

"I not only see the New Jersey governor's office as the hot seat of change but I also see it as a potential steady paycheck," said McOwskey. "A nice big fat one! Furthermore, and hitherto, I seek to be the governors who brings New Jersey [into] the 21st century with preponderance of spirit, accolades of innovation, and absence of debt. I don't have Funyun breath all the time (unlike some of my opponents)."

McCowsky shuns political parties in favor of a grassroots campaign. But that doesn't matter, because McCowskey is a party in and of himself!

"I like to think of myself as not merelies [sic] an independent candidates [sic], but a candidates [sic] who embraces the best of corrupt Republicans and worst of the pushover Democrats. Yet unlike the Republicans and Democrats, I am the only candidates [sic] to be the voice of the not the Middle Classe [sic] , but the Lower Class and Upper Classe [sic] and maybe even Middle Earth."

"Am I going to win? You know, I really hope so. I'd like to move and right now I have no ideas how I'd afford to put down a security deposits for a new apartments [sic]. If I get elected Governors [sic], my financial woes--as will New Jersey's--will be a thing of the past."

But what qualifies McOwskey to be a governor? When Stephen Colbert ran for president, people mocked him, and he ultimately backed down. McCowskey doesn't plan on withdrawing anytime soon, because he has a major advantage over the other candidates:

"I don't have 'Funyun breath' all the time," said McOwskey. "Unlike some of my opponents."

So, voters may rest assured that a vote for Eddie McCowskey is a vote for...fresh smelling breath.

IT100 Forum 2: To View or Not to View

2009-02-21T16:55:00.000-08:00

The following is a mandatory post for my IT Class.

1. Viewing adult content in the workplace causes conflicts in numerous ways: fellow employees may feel wronged by co-workers viewing such content in their presence, and numerous lawsuits have risen in recent years. Sometimes businesses sue employees who view this content in their facilities, however, some more brazen individuals have actually sued their employers, claiming wrongful termination, after they lost their jobs for viewing illicit material.

2. The legal precedents for adult content in the workplace are shady. Numerous companies have taken action to sue their employees, however, such strategy sometimes backfires. As the textbook recounts, an IBM employee who was fired for viewing adult content at work argued that he suffered from post-traumatic-stress-disorder, an unfortunate remnant of his days in Vietnam. He believes that his termination was discriminatory towards his psychological condition. (Paparella, S., Maureen and Eugene S. Simko. Current Topics in Technology, Second Edition. Cambridge: Course Technology, 2008)

3. Mobile devices such as cell phones, iPods, and blackberries are making it increasing difficult for employers to purge the workplace of adult content, as images and videos can now be discreetly sent between individuals.

4. Numerous companies have instated web filters in an attempt to block adult content; these filters are, however, often easily bypassed and not cost effective.

5. In The State of Connecticut vs. Julie Amero both the school and Ms. Amero are at fault. Ultimately, the school should suffer the harsher legal ramifications for their failure to take appropriate action to counteract the apparent culnerability to pop-ups, and for their failure to train teachers as to what to do when presented with illicit material. That being said, Amero herself should be familiar enough with the law to realize that it is illegal for children to view such imagery, and that keeping the computer on was foolish.

The Cult of Personality

2009-02-19T15:23:00.000-08:00

It never ceases to amaze me how gullible people are, and how quick they are to either deify or demonize public figures. Students in Plainfield (New Jersey) successfully petitioned to have their school's name changed in honor of our new president. While I tip my hat to anyone who can successfully petition, I have to think that perhaps the residents in Plainfield are being a bit hasty.

Obama has not done anything truly noteworthy yet, and despite what Lou Farrakhan says, I don't invest any credence in the idea that he is a savior.

Actually, here is what Obama has done:

He chose Joe Biden, a known plagiarist to be his running mate (is Biden really a man we want children to aspire to be like?). Biden is also the man who argued Obama was not ready to be president.
He signed an economic stimulus package that will cost my generation $1 Trillion dollars. Thanks for that.
He appointed Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State...enough said.
He promised to debate any third party candidates, yet backed out.

Its not all bad.

He did close Guantanamo Bay...but whether or not he did that properly is open to debate.

That's really not "change we can believe in," but rather politics as usual.

But, as long as it is done with a charming smile and a charismatic speech, people will continue to name schools after him, sing his praises, and chant his name.

I truly hope President Obama can get the country out of the pickle we are in. That being said, he is not a god, he is a politician. We are supposed to work with politicians to make decisions, not hand them the reigns and hope for the best. Name a school after the man if, together, we can really change the country. Lets be patient until then.

FORUM 2: The Year 2010

2009-02-15T12:51:00.000-08:00

The following are my answers to various questions presented in the "Current Topics in Technology" textbook, page 11, for my IT Class.

1. As a political science major (and legal studied minor) who plans on becoming an attorney, technology will no doubt impact my career. Whether directly or indirectly, law and the internet are going to cross paths. Security and storage will be important to all attorneys, as they will need to save files without the fear of a breach by external sources.

2. I feel that in 2010, the market will be dominated by generalists; those who have experience with a vast array of technology will, as a whole, be more beneficial than those with expertise in only one field. If the skills of the "generalist" need to be developed, they need only build upon what foundation they already have, as opposed to the "specialist" who would need to start from scratch.

4. In the coming years, programming and routine coding will see the sharpest declines, as there will be automated programs to do such things, or perhaps other fields which encompass these indirectly.

5. With the global economic decline, we are all now in the same place. Thus, it is a global "fair game," and everyone from Russia to China, France to Mexico, is going to be competing to get ahead.

A Year to Remember (aka "1993")

2009-02-14T18:37:00.000-08:00

In 1992 Ramzi Yousef entered the United States, and America would never be the same again. For those who don't remember, several months later Yousef drove a rented truck into the parking garage at New York City's World Trade Center, and detonated a gargantuan explosion in an attempt to annihilate the complex.

Ultimately, Yousef failed. Six people died, a great deal of physical damage was done, and the evening commute of thousands was ruined. Yousef fled the country, and would remain at large for several years before being apprehended.

It should have been a major wake up call for America.

And yet, it quickly vanished from the public consciousness; surely it was an isolated incident. A bizarre anomaly that would occur but once in a lifetime.

Then, eight years later, on September 11th, 2001, the World Trade Center was obliterated in the most horrific terrorist act ever committed in the United States.

The world was forever changed.

But, perhaps if we had learned from our mistakes in 1993, September 11th could have been avoided. Indeed, the Patriot Act, Gitmo, and all the various anti-terrorism policies that are part of our hypothetical "War on Terror" are, well...useless. Yousef could have been apprehended several times before the 1993 bombing: he entered on an illegal passport, claimed he was seeking asylum yet never showed for his court date, and was involved in an automobile accident, after which he ordered explosives, by phone, from his hospital bed.

Had people simply been a bit more observant, and followed proper procedures, Yousef would have been captured.

America was fooled once, but we didn't learn from our mistake. We suffered because of it.

Yousef was nephew of Khalid Sheikh Muhammad, the diabolical mind behind the September 11th attack.

We don't need fancy legislation to stop terrorists, we need only follow the laws and protocol that have been in place in our country for centuries. We must be observant, while being careful not to stereotype (would a white, Catholic, like Timothy McVeigh be stopped for a "random" search at an airport?). The "War on Terror" shouldn't be fought with guns, in foreign regimes. The notion that we "have to fight them there so we don't have to fight them here" is ludicrous.

America was sure, after 1993, that the terrorist threat to New York City was over. Then, when we turned our backs, they pushed us even harder. There was an eight year gap between 1993 and 2001. Today it is 2009, eight years since 2001. We should not take this as a sign that we have defeated terrorism. They have proven their patience before. We must be careful that Obama doesn't revert to the failed Clinton anti-terrorism policies. Certainly George W. Bush's effort to combat terrorism was, at best, a series of vile programs laden with human-rights abuses. But we must learn from our mistakes and improve upon them.

We must completely reverse our Middle Eastern policy, and become adamant, steadfast, and observant citizens. And we must wait...because if the terrorists strike again, they will likely catch the general public off guard.

How quickly we forget.

Straight Talk with Ross Perot

2009-02-06T07:35:00.001-08:00

Long before John McCain hopped aboard his self-described "Straight Talk Express," Texan Ross Perot was steaming up the honesty engine for his 1992 presidential campaign. The early days of the campaign are documented on the VHS tape, "Ross Perot: Straight Talk," which features an interview between David Frost and Perot; one of the best interviews ever with a presidential candidate.

In case you don't know who Ross Perot is, he is a Texan billionaire. What sets Perot apart from his contemporaries is his honesty, openness, and his patriotism. During Vietnam, he organized parades for the troops and negotiated better treatment for POWS. When two of his employees were illegally arrested during the Iranian Revolution, Perot formed a task force and broke them out. He has consistently used his fortune for the betterment of American society.

Basically, Perot gets things done.

Perot shines in the video, despite the fact when it was filmed, he had not yet officially entered the presidential race. He was simply a "draft" candidate. The American people were demanding that Perot run against Bill Clinton and incumbent George Bush, and the little billionaire was considering on whether or not to oblige.

With the promise "I will take responsibility for my action," and a dream of a "town hall" style government, Perot promised to open the doors of the White House to the average American, and to unify Democrats, Republicans, and third parties in his cabinet. Perot answered to the accusation that he is thick skinned, or on an ego trip, and warned that the recession had to be addressed quickly.

Perot and I share a similar view that the career politician is un-American in concept. Our founding fathers intended for citizens from the private sector to serve in office. Farmers would drop their shovels, run for office, and after their term they would return to their families and homes. They did it for love of their country, not of its currency. Perot would have been the first president who wasn't a career politician.

Whatever the case, the VHS is worth watching for its historical value...and its irony: I would like to draw President Obama's attention to a quote Perot made seventeen years ago, that is relevant to this day:

"Rose garden [ceremonies] won't do it! Thats all we have now. Sound bytes won't do it. Being buried under the hood of the car, fixing it...will do it! The American people want the problems fixed...."

Snowy Day

2009-02-04T13:20:00.000-08:00

School looked exceptionally beautiful in the snow.

Memories of 2008

2009-02-03T17:00:00.000-08:00

Above are some images of my campaigning for Ralph Nader. Keep in mind, I had upwards of three-hundred Nader/Gonzalez lawn signs scattered about Monmouth County.

"Why Throw Your Vote Away?"

2009-02-01T15:03:00.000-08:00

People often ask me why I voted for (and volunteered with the campaign of) Ralph Nader in 2008. After all, they argue, Nader runs every election, and never wins. While I would like to address why Ralph Nader was the best, and most qualified, presidential candidate in 2008, I will save that argument for a later date.

Nader does not run "every" election. He has only run since 1996.

The thought of his perennial presidential pursuits (or "Triple P") mirror those of Eugene V. Debbs, and got me thinking about whom I would have voted for prior to Nader's campaign(s).
I was proud to cast my first vote for Nader, but surely there have been other qualified candidates throughout the past decades. So, without further adieu, I present you with my view of every presidential election dating back to 1976, along with who I would have voted for in each year.

Why am I only going back to 1976?
The bicentennial, of course.

In 1976 America elected Jimmy Carter as president. Gerald Ford was his Republican opponent. I, however, would have voted for third party candidate Peter Camejo; author, activist, and an inspiration to third party politics all across the country, Camejo spent his entire life crusading for worker's rights, and fighting oppression. He managed to diligently fight his way onto radio and TV, a feat few third party candidates ever accomplish, and an act he would repeat in 2006 when running for Governor of California. Camejo received 0.11% of the vote in the 1976 election. He would continue fighting injustice until his death in 2008. His legacy lives on, and he is warmly remembered by all familiar with his politics.

One word can describe the 1980 election: scary.
I don't have any idea whom I would have voted for.
Ronald Reagan? Not likely.
Jimmy Carter. Less likely.
This would be a "none of the above" year.

Like 1980, 1984 is a somewhat bleak election.
Reagan versus Mondale.
I suppose Gus Hall was worthy of a vote, but the same could have been said in 1980.

Then came 1988. The year America had a chance to set itself on the right track. The year the man who was an answer to America's prayers entered the race...and nobody noticed. I would have proudly cast my ballot for Libertarian candidate Ron Paul in 1988. While my politics differ a great deal from Paul's, we share many similar ideas: non-interventionism being only one. We are both fans of a (now forgotten) document called The Constitution...perhaps you have heard about it?

The greatest quote of the 1988 Presidential occurred during Paul's 1988 appearence on Morton Downey's television series. Paul argued against the "War on Drugs," which is in my opinion, a waste of money, and a ludicrous (and often classist) crusade conducted under the flag of "morality." Paul also opposes the "war."

"[The War on Drugs] is a teranical approach to solving a social and moral problem, we endorse an idea of voluntarism, self-responsibility; family, friends, and churches to solve the problem, rather than saying some monolithic government is going to make you take care of yourself and be a better person. Its a preposterous notion...it never worked...it never will."

Paul deserved more than the 431,750 votes he received.

Another good candidate appeared in 1992. H. Ross Perot had a long association with politics. During the Iranian Revolution, when two of his employees were (illegally) held hostage in Iran, Perot formed a task force to break them out.

Yes, a billionaire personally went to Iran to take part in a jail break.

Perot's independent 1992 campaign was, in many ways, confusing. For a while Perot was actually lead in the polls, and he even managed to secure himself a space in the televised presidential debates, and to this day is the last third party candidate to do so. His running mate, Admiral James Stockdale, was a highly decorated Naval Veteran, who had been a POW in Vietnam and refused, even when he was tortured, to betray his country.

Perot primarily challenged the national debt and argued for the creation of more jobs in America.
He recieved 19% of the vote.

Perot ran again in 1996, this time on the ticket of his newly formed Reform Party.
I would have voted for Perot in 1992, and possibly again in 1996, had Ralph Nader not entered the race.

In 1996 and 2000 consumer advocate, activist, and author Ralph Nader (the man who put seat belts and airbags in cars, and helped pass the Clean Air Act, Open Records Act, Freedom of Information Act, and numerous other "acts") was the Green Party candidate. In 2004 Nader ran as an independent on the Reform Party ticket alongside Peter Camejo. In 2008, he ran with Matt Gonzalaz as an independent. Each time he was the most qualified, honest, and respectable candidate on the ballot. Unfortunately, honesty doesn't get you anywhere in politics...a fact every candidate I praise above can attest to.

The Communist Party in the 21st Century

2009-01-31T09:50:00.000-08:00

It was a flashback to the Red Scare. The media was all over the story: could Barack Obama be a Socialist. Was America about to paint the White House red? It was news that would have Senator McCarthy rolling over in his grave!

The problem: it wasn't true.

Despite the media's obsession with a "Socialist," "Communist," or "Marxist" connection, Obama didn't really behave the way one would expect a Communist to. Indeed, accepting PAC contributions from Microsoft and Goldman Sachs, voting for a big business bailout, and hosting a decadent $180 million inauguration (while 14,000 homeless roam the Washington DC area), seem more like the workings of the Bourgeois than a hero of the Proletariat.

It is safe to say Barack Obama is not a Communist.

Libero Della Piana, on the other hand, is.

Piana has been a member of the Communist Party since 1991, and from 2001 until 2003 was the National Coordinator for the Youth Communist League. Now he is the Party's Communications Director. While the Communist Party hasn't run a presidential candidate in years, and didn't endorse Obama's campaign, Piana and other members see inspiration in Obama's election.

"Obama's presidency is historic in many ways," said Piana. "As the first African American President, his election represents a huge blow to the institution of racism in the country, which has been the main roadblock to working-class unity....It doesn't mean we agree with everything the President does or that revolution is on the horizon by any means. Obama is not a socialist candidate, despite what McCain says, but he and the movement that developed around him are a huge breath of fresh air for the progressive struggles in the United States."

While there may be a light at the end of the economic tunnel, it is going to be a rough few years for the United States, and the Communist Party, which has long warned of the failures of Capitalism, recognize who will undoubtedly bear the brunt of the financial suffering.

"The current economic crisis and the financial collapse that led to it will cause much suffering for working people in the country and the world. The ruling classes created this mess, but working people will carry most of the burden. In fact, U.S. working people have been hurting for a long time. The recession has existed for years in communities of color and immigrant communities, as well as key industrial centers like Detroit, Cleveland, Gary, and St. Louis."

Billion dollar bailouts for big business do little to aid the Americans who are now jobless, homeless, or destitute.

"Only a socialist system, one where working people rule society for the benefit of all, can end the class struggle."

So what does the Communist Party stand for?

"We are a party with an unparalleled history in this country of fighting racism, fighting for working-class unity, struggling for peace, justice, jobs, [and so on]...by joining the Communist Party or working with us you can take part in making history and help build another world today, one of green jobs and sustainable economy, one of equality for all races, genders and nationalities, one of economic and social justice and a deeper democracy."

Numerous American heroes, including Eugene V. Debbs, were Communists, and while the party doesn't run national candidates, their influence is far from abolished.

Nightfall Covers Me

2009-01-30T06:20:00.000-08:00

Wilson Hall, Monmouth University, at night.

Coming Soon to Trenton!

2009-01-29T18:25:00.000-08:00

Well, the 2008 General Election is over, and most voters are content to sit back and "enjoy" their new elected officials. I am, however, anxiously awaiting November of 2009.
Why, you ask?
The Gubernatorial Election, of course.
Few people in the State of New Jersey would dare claim there isn't corruption, and wasteful spending, in Trenton. This system of wastefulness, unfortunately, has been the general atmosphere in the capital for years, perhaps even decades. In recent years it seems to have worsened. Like a snowball rolling down the mountain of corruption, the problems in Trenton have continued to grow, gaining size and momentum.
But perhaps hope is on the horizon?
Lets take a look at our candidates for the fall.
Incumbent Jon Corzine is obviously running for re-election, but not without adversity within his own party. Indeed, at least two other Democrats are competing for the party's ticket; Jeff Boss announced his candidacy in November (after failed simultaneous Senatorial and presidential bids), while Carl Bergmansonis is expected to announce his candidacy in the coming weeks.
The name of Republican Chris Christie was whispered as a potential candidate long before he filed to run earlier this month.
Steve Lonegan, a favorite of the personalities on New Jersey 101.5 Radio, challenges Christie for the nomination. What sets Lonegan apart from most politicians is both a blessing and a curse: while I don't agree with (most of) his politics, he seems very open, honest, and straight-talking. As radio personality Dennis Malloy pointed out, he isn't a very "charming" individual.
But that's a good thing.
He doesn't put on "The Obama smile," but, instead, has adopted Ron Paul's "badge of truth."
Thus far, Lonegan seems like a class act. The problem is: those who speak the truth rarely progress in politics.
Just look at Ross Perot, who warned of the coming loss of American jobs. He was defeated by Clinton in 1992 and again in 1996. Why? Because Bubba was "charming," and Perot was too much of a straight-talker.
In the 2008 primaries, Ron Paul was slammed by the Republican Party for speaking the truth, while Mike Gravel was hurled from the Democratic Party after challenging Obama to "address the issues." Interestingly, both Gravel and Paul, men of integrity, have strong ties to the Libertarian Party.
In the two major parties, issues are rarely addressed.
What the State of New Jersey needs is a third party, or independent, candidate who is willing to put up a fight, be confrontational, and is charismatic enough to captivate the masses.
What worries me is that the Green Party has yet to announce any potential candidates for the Gubernatorial Election. The longer we wait, the less time we have to prepare. There must be a Green, or an independent, somewhere who is willing to take on the corporate control of Trenton? And what happened to the once-mighty Reform Party, a beacon of hope in the world of 1990s American politics? They weren't even on the New Jersey ballot last November! Imagine, the party on whose ticket Jesse Ventura won the Minnesota Gubernatorial Election, was only on the ballot in a single state last November.
It is getting harder and harder for third parties to retain ballot access, so it is important for us to take a strong stand now, while we still can!
Until the citizens of New Jersey realize that Trenton must be purged of the Democratic Party, and that the Republican Party should also be dealt with accordingly, Trenton will continue to be a corrupt sphere of corporate influence. Sure, residents constantly complain about the high taxes, pollution, unemployment, and rampant wasteful spending. But come November, polls show Corzine will likely be re-elected.
What kind of a message does that send to Trenton?
It shows that the public is willing to overlook corruption in favor of party allegiance.
And that is the definition of un-American behavior.

Baby, It's Cold Outside!

2009-01-28T11:07:00.000-08:00

A snowy day on campus.

Reflections on Effective E-mail

2009-01-28T09:28:00.000-08:00

E-mail. It is an amazing thing, and almost everyone in the Western world utilizes it in one way on another. From business mail to those annoying "SPAM" messages ("High quality meds on sale now--no prescription needed!") everyone's inbox quickly becomes jammed with a vast array of digital material, some informative, some humorous, and some downright frightening.

But what exactly separates the cream of the digital crop?

What makes some e-mails professional, while others are so pandemonius that one's head begins to spin by simply looking at the screen?
While it is by no means alien to me, the realm of internet technology hardly consumes my being. Thus, I was somewhat perturbed when I was informed that, for IT Class, we would have to watch a video: on e-mail. The three videos found here were, however, rather interesting.
"What is effective email?" dealt with the varying methods used to make e-mail more professional, and alleviate the rather annoying aspects commonly associated with it. As Jeff Van West says: "Our goal in these movies is...to make e-mail work for you!" He basically spends the video discussing how e-mail is meant for non-urgent messages; it is ill-suited for two-way exchanges.
The most interesting thing about "Writing effective subject lines" was seeing what Outlook lookslike, as I have never used Microsoft's program for opening e-mail. "Writing Scannable Messages" helps one to develop e-mails which focus only an appropriate content; why go overboard on trivial details when most don't even read their e-mail, they simply scan it for key points.

Welcome to the Blog!

2009-01-27T15:31:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the blog. You may remembered me (although, unless you are a member of the Green Party you almost certainly don't) from my now defunct Jeffersonian Revolutionary Blog, on which I posted my thoughts of the 2008 General Election.

But now, as we enter 2009, the days of Nader for President are but a cherished memory.

So how will I possibly manage a blog in post-election America?

Will it feature politics?

My other passion, the paranormal?

Or simply the mundane?

To be honest: I haven't the faintest idea.

This blog is a project for my Info-Technology Course in college, so I am really unaware of what will be posted here. But before you dismiss my blog as the mandatory ramblings of a bored college freshman, I want assure any potential readers that there will always be fodder for this page, and I am sure it will lead to worthwhile posting! I just am unaware of what the content will be. I hope you check back soon to see exactly what this evolves in to...as I am as unsure as you are.