Sent: Sunday, March 14, 2010 7:38 PM
www.savethelibrary.org for up to date information, contact #s, etc.
Los Angeles Public Library is facing massive budget cuts!
* The Mayor wants an 11% reduction in staff-- more than any other
department.
* ONLY the LIBRARY and Recreation & Parks are all marked for
additional staff cuts by the hundreds over the next 5 years.
Show your support at City Hall Tuesday, March 16, 10:00 AM
City Hall, 200 N. Spring Street, John Ferraro Council Chambers.
This is the first large gathering of those concerned about losing
their library!
Public Comments are at 10am.
Show up a little early if you want to fill out a speaker card!
Tell City Council what your library means to you!
Contact the Mayor and your City Council Member Today and Let them Know that:
* You don't want the library to be cut
* You want your library open
* You want programs and service at your library
Without your support:
* Reduced hours -- Closed branches -- Fewer books -- Limited Internet
access
* Fewer DVDs, CD,s, Books on CD
* Fewer story hours, teen activities, literacy education activities,
after-school activities, computer instruction classes, adult programs
* Limited assistance for students, job seekers, writers, artists,
researchers, entrepreneurs, teachers, recreational readers, armchair
learners, and others.
***
From: "Jeffrey Blankfort" <jablankfort@earthlink.net>
Sent: Sunday, March 14, 2010 8:55 AM
Subject: Re: Wars, Genders and the Academy Awards, Marcy Winograd
Hi Ed,
Interesting report on Avatar but one with which I very much disagree. I went
to see the film last Sunday, ready to be critical and prepared for the
"white hero saves the noble savages" ending but came away with am overall
positive assessment. The film unflinchingly portrays the US imperial
military mindset but also the willingness to carry out the imperial crimes
on the part of the overwhelming majority of the troops, something that many
of those in the anti-war movement who have not served in the military, as I
have, are not ready to acknowledge.
That the soldiers' willingness to commit heinous war crimes is a product of
the US mis-educational system and skillful military indoctrination does not
lessen their culpability, however, and at the end of the day and thus, when
they are killed both by the Navi and the animals who come to their aid, it
is clearly the bad guys getting what they deserve. Since the bad guys in
this case, from top to bottom, happen to be wearing American uniforms, makes
this film unquestionably subversive of the ruling order, and the accusation
that the military commander makes against the Marine who sides with the Navi
that he is a "traitor to his race" is none the less so. Furthermore, when
one realizes that this film is being seen all over the world, for those who
had any doubts about American motives in Iraq or Afghanistan, this movie,
fictional and futuristic as it is, will remove them.
I saw the film at a Sunday matinee in Fairfax where the audience was small.
At several points in the movie, maybe 30 at the most, I clapped, hoping to
stimulate others to do so, but there was only silence and only silence as
the others left the theater. I suspect in other parts of the world the folks
were whoopping it up.
As for Marcy Winograd, I have to postpose my decison never to support
another Democrat. I think she's great and just may have a chance.
Hope you're well,
Jeff
***
From: "David McReynolds" <dmcreynolds@nyc.rr.com>
Sent: Sunday, March 14, 2010 12:07 PM
Subject: Re: Wars, Genders and the Academy Awards, Marcy Winograd!
Well, what would life be like if we all agreed. I loved Avatar, and saw it
as an example of an entire planet - not just the "natives" - going into
revolt against the advance of the destructive impact of the ruthless
"burning out" of technology. The author - Zillah - saw something else,
and the critic may be right.
By the by, I hope you enjoy "Ghost Writer" - if only for its wonderful
attack on Tony Blair (who is obviously the person intended).
As to Hurt Locker, it was a film which I can't say "You must see it, you
will love it". No one will love it. It is horrifying. And true. Zillah
looked for something that isn't there. This wasn't a film about Iraq but
about war. About men caught up in a conflict over which they have no
control, where they don't know who is on their side, where the civilians
are often as frightened and baffled as the troops.
Those men could have been:
Americans in Germany in 1945.
German troops in Belgium in 1941.
Russian troops in Germany in 1945.
Japanese troops in China in 1938.
It was a universal film, without heroes. When I left the theater I felt
there were two groups which ought to see it - pacifists, who so often
misjudge the military, and war enthusiasts who were never close to
combat.
The acting was superb. One of the best war films I've seen - where the
camera is simply "present" without calling attention to itself. Where the
acting is razor sharp, terribly real.
But as I said, I can't in honesty say "this is a film you will really want
to see".
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