Up In "Smoke"

From time to time you'll get occasional reflection mention of how we all single handedly speed view the plethora of photographs now available at our instant disposal. And despite being schooled of this particularly vile habit, I fall victim to it time and time again like any other shallow 21st century mortal. So I find myself constantly reminding myself, constantly retraining and committing myself to slowing down, seeing what I'm actually attempting to look at, and trying to make sense of what I'm experiencing- before feeding the compulsion to rush to the next image for no, good, rational reason.

This scene from the memorable 1995 film Smoke approaches that very subject back in the analog days when one could still inhale and imbibe at one's own leisure in a public interior. And it concerns nothing less than photography's major raison d'etre- the very capture of time itself, and both the subtle and sublime appreciation of said power...

 How Auggie got that camera...



Why not... the true meaning of Christmas (for good measure)!

May Day! May Day!

"I have found the Massachusetts Indian more full of humanity, then the Christians..." 

Thomas Morton

Like punk, May Day originated in the good ol' USA, before it became all the rage and celebrated in many a country abroad as the true worker's holiday. Unfortunately, it was quashed, neutered and then repurposed in the country of its origin to suit the powers that be. Workers' Day demoted to yet another sales holiday, in September- want fries with that?

What I Did On Spring Break...

Last time it was "the right to bear arms," this time- corporate takeover of one's home... If it's something I'm passionate about (and a fairly sane site) the Comments section is a venue to sharpen and hone one's viewpoints, facts and debating skills- and in the process, maybe even learn something (and help ward off the oncoming dementia).

The Republican Road To Riches...

Ever hear of the TPP? Neither did I. Listen to David Cay Johnston as he explains and reveals just some of the reasons we continue to get robbed, pillaged and raped by our Rich, Republican Overseers...

If Only He Was The Irish-American President!

    

“Be proud to be a decent American rather than being just a wanker whipping up fear.”

Betrayal Of The American Dream...

HURRY! HURRY! HURRY!

 Ze Grand Pyramid of Systeme Capitaliste!!!

The 99%

I'm really getting tired of the media's hollow protestations that they don't know what these protesters "want." If they really don't know: a) what country do they live in, b) what world do they live in, c) how the hell do they call themselves "journalists?"

Are they really that unaware, that totally ignorant of the pain and abuse so many Americans are currently experiencing directly because of the predatory capitalism practiced by the scions of Wall St.? These young people are marching precisely because so many, so called journalists have time and time again abdicated their responsibility to uncover, expose and disseminate the truth- a truth as blatantly obvious as the smoke that filled the skies above the crematoria.

Ever Wonder Why Amazon Is So Cheap?

May Days Far and Wide...

Just became homeless. Battered by x-boyfriend trying to get away. Need room!! Please help. I've never had to experience this before so any help is appreciated!  God Bless U.

Recently came upon a couple of May Day references, one the rather poignant remains of a personal emergency I happened to stumble upon- the other, more specific to labor itself, that is, the May Day celebrated in most of the world today save for these somewhat United States where we have to celebrate our version on a different day and season so as to leave no doubt how much we disassociate ourselves from dirty Commie sympathizers. And so we ask ourselves- what is the state of labor throughout the world? Well, on the photography front (and as if on cue) we have this photo superstar to remind us just how far we haven't come... 

The (not so) funny thing is that you look at all the third world people he's photographed (and made money off of) throughout his career and you may come to the conclusion that he's quite the humanist. Perhaps I am mistaken, perhaps Steve McCurry is the most generous, giving person- after all, I know nothing of his personal life, little of his professional.

Then why would he behave like a selfish, shameless prick extraordinaire by treating up and coming youngbloods with such arrogance and disdain?

Prison Valley- The Clean Version Of Hell

Something this well done almost makes me wanna join the multi-media band wagon (if only I could pull it off half as well). Prison Valley is a quirky and enlightening insight into our out of sight, out of mind world next door...

Pro-Working Man Politico?!?!

Didn't think any such oxymoron could ever actually exist in this country anymore! Watch Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero outfox FOX talking head, leaving a bloody, dazed and confused right wing pundit in his wake. What we would accomplish with a few hundred more of these guys- or just one of them to replace this ball-less wonder...

Workers Unite!!!

This is what needs to be done by workers in every town and city, in every state throughout the country! Wouldn't it be great to look back and remember that the movement that ignited throughout the land started with this small spark in Chicago and changed the landscape of how labor works and operates in America? Let's take Obama at his word and do this... ourselves!!!

The time is now- before they actually close down the plants and factories (those remaining few that haven't been outsourced), before they get away with everything, and leave everyone save themselves on the street!

PS- And I trust someone in the Windy City is documenting one kick ass photo essay/series of portraits out of this...