PeterDavid.net

Great Way to Celebrate the Jewish New Year

Buy a copy of my new book, "Mascot to the Rescue," out in the stores today! God will love you for it!

Josh Miller, sixth grader at Demarest Elementary School, has a secret. Everything that happens to Mascot, the superhero sidekick in the Captain Major comic books, also happens to Josh. So when Josh finds out that Mascot is slated to die in the next Captain Major adventure, he knows he has to do something—and fast! A budding comics artist and writer himself, Josh and his new friend, Kelsey (aka Large Lass), take off to find Stan Kirby, the creator of the Captain Major series, so they can save Mascot—and Josh's life.

PAD

Dear American...

(My father in law forwarded this to me. I thought we could all use a laugh. A bitter, depressed laugh.)

DEAR AMERICAN:

I NEED TO ASK YOU TO SUPPORT AN URGENT SECRET BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP WITH A TRANSFER OF FUNDS OF GREAT MAGNITUDE.

I AM MINISTRY OF THE TREASURY OF THE REPUBLIC OF AMERICA. MY COUNTRY HAS HAD CRISIS THAT HAS CAUSED THE NEED FOR LARGE TRANSFER OF FUNDS OF 800 BILLION DOLLARS US. IF YOU WOULD ASSIST ME IN THIS TRANSFER, IT WOULD BE MOST PROFITABLE TO YOU.

I AM WORKING WITH MR. PHIL GRAM, LOBBYIST FOR UBS, WHO WILL BE MY REPLACEMENT AS MINISTRY OF THE TREASURY IN JANUARY. AS A SENATOR, YOU MAY KNOW HIM AS THE LEADER OF THE AMERICAN BANKING DEREGULATION MOVEMENT IN THE 1990S. THIS TRANSACTIN IS 100% SAFE.

THIS IS A MATTER OF GREAT URGENCY. WE NEED A BLANK CHECK. WE NEED THE FUNDS AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. WE CANNOT DIRECTLY TRANSFER THESE FUNDS IN THE NAMES OF OUR CLOSE FRIENDS BECAUSE WE ARE CONSTANTLY UNDER SURVEILLANCE. MY FAMILY LAWYER ADVISED ME THAT I SHOULD LOOK FOR A RELIABLE AND TRUSTWORTHY PERSON WHO WILL ACT AS A NEXT OF KIN SO THE FUNDS CAN BE TRANSFERRED.

PLEASE REPLY WITH ALL OF YOUR BANK ACCOUNT, IRA AND COLLEGE FUND ACCOUNT NUMBERS AND THOSE OF YOUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN TO WALLSTREETBAILOUT@TREASURY.GOV SO THAT WE MAY TRANSFER YOUR COMMISSION FOR THIS TRANSACTION. AFTER I RECEIVE THAT INFORMATION, I WILL RESPOND WITH DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT SAFEGUARDS THAT WILL BE USED TO PROTECT THE FUNDS.

YOURS FAITHFULLY MINISTER OF TREASURY PAULSON

The Lost Weekend

This entire weekend has been an outing in departure and loss.

First I went down to Florida for the last official night of the Adventurers Club. Make no mistake that there were many positives. First and foremost, seeing cast members both old and new who have become genuine friends of the family. Meeting fellow supporters of the club who came as early as 9 AM to make sure they would be able to get in when the doors opened at 6 PM. Not to mention seeing characters who are either rarely seen (Madame Zarkov, the gypsy fortune teller) or haven't been around since the very earliest days (Marcel, gorilla downstairs butler) or who have never been seen before (the oft paged but never introduced until last night member Sutter Bestwick). And of course there were the shows in the library which usually wrap up around midnight but in this case went until past two in the morning. Frankly, if they were still going right now, as of this writing, I suspect that people would still be packed into the library, ready to stay until cast members were hoarse and crumbling, like Jimmy Stewart in "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington."

Then there was the startling twist engineered by the audience in which the usual winner of the club's Balderdash cup, out-of-towner naif Emil, lost out as the audience--by popular acclaim--awarded the cup to the club's dyspeptic icthyologist and perpetual loser, Otis T. Wren. It was so unexpected that some characters referred, out of habit, to Emil as Adventurer of the Year even though Wren had wrested that honor away from him. A classic case of he who laughs last laughs best. Some of it stemmed from the popularity of the actor playing Otis, and some of it--I think--was from the desire to protest against The Way Things Are. Because The Way Things Are is the reason that the Club is closing in the first place.

Downside of the evening was the crush--literally, the crush--of people in attendance. The word "filled to capacity" was taken literally. You couldn't move. Literally. Couldn't move. In order to get into the Final Hoopla, the last show, I stood pretty much in one place for two and a quarter hours, losing hydration, feeling in my legs, and my temper in the face of one jackass who seemed to be involved in a personal challenge to see how much of a jerk he could be by insulting or picking fights with everyone around him.

And there was the overall frustration that Disney was letting a great thing slip through its fingers by allowing the Club to go away. The evening was rife with rumors over plans to save the place, but at the moment that's all they were: Rumors. Technically the Club isn't done; they have private parties and conventions booked through the end of January. So as long as there's life, I suppose, there's hope.

But there is no longer any life in the Mets. Over their last three games they scored a grand total of five runs. It didn't cost them yesterday but it ended their season today. I rushed back from Florida to be able to see the closing ceremonies on TV, hoping that I wouldn't be seeing the end of their season as well. That turned out not to be the case as Florida followed me back to NY and, for the second year in a row, ended the Mets season. Except they didn't really; the Mets did it to themselves. A game with little run production and a bullpen that couldn't hold the other team back. Howard Johnson, the Mets hitting coach, looked grim as he walked out for the closing ceremonies. Small wonder. He may well be out of a job. When the offense doesn't get it done, they endanger the job security of the guy who's supposed to help them get it done. How can you attribute anything special to the Marlins when we've seen this particular scenario game after game after game against all different teams? A sour and bitter send-out of Shea Stadium, which is going to be torn down and replaced with a field that serves as a gigantic corporate sponsorship.

So basically it was a weekend of loss. Losing the Adventurers Club, losing the season, losing Shea Stadium. I suppose we should count our blessings: At least it's Citifield, not WaMufield.

I know I'm supposed to feel upbeat for all the memories. But memories fade. Sometimes they're even cruelly stolen by the ravages of age. What frustrates me is that when things go away, others don't get to experience them. There was a young woman at the Adventurers Club who was in her twenties, talked about how she had been coming to the Club since she was five, and was there with her three year old daughter. Yes, the woman has her memories. But her daughter won't. Nor will Caroline.

The past is fine, but disheartening when there's no future.

PAD

Saving The Adventurers Club--Phase Two

UPDATE: 7-22-08--I officially retract everything I said about Jim Hill. Check it out:

http://jimhillmedia.com/blogs/jim_hill/archive/2008/07/22/peter-david-maps-out-a-campaign-to-save-the-adventurers-club.aspx

I've decided that simply sending letters to save the Adventurers Club may not be enough. Previous letter campaigns to various companies have been more effective when there are visual aids accompanying them.

You see, to the best of anyone's knowledge, Robert Iger has never actually been to the Adventurers Club. Not once. In fact, for all we know, none of the decision makers have ever actually visited it, or have the faintest idea of the superb family entertainment it offers.

So here's what I intend to send Robert Iger, and I hope fellow supporters--or those who have not yet had the opportunity to enjoy the Club and want to have the opportunity to do so--will do this as well:

Maps

The concept ties into the Adventurers Club motto of "Up or down, north, south, east or west, an Adventurer's life is best." There is only one possible explanation for why key Disney executives have never gone to the Club: They have no idea where it is. So to be helpful, it behooves us to help them find it. Furthermore, we can underscore the notion that, for adventurers all over the country, or even the world, all roads lead to the Adventurers Club.

What I intend to do--and I hope others will follow my lead--is to pull out an old map, circle the town where I live, and then draw a path heading toward the Adventurers Club as far down as the map allows. That way, no matter where Bob Iger happens to be, he'll be able to pull out a map and find the general direction to go in order to find the Club.

I want to see Robert Iger's office flooded with maps. If nothing else, it's becoming obvious that Disney has lost its sense of direction, and as dedicated adventurers, we can do nothing less than help them find their way. In addition to whatever letter you wish to include talking about your experiences at the Club, be sure to write "Adventure Is In This Direction!" or "This Way to Adventure!" on the map. My further hope is that we can capture media attention with a dedicated map campaign. It's just different enough from your standard-issue letter-writing campaign.

I know there are all sorts of rumors about the Club winding up at other locations at Disney. My sources have indicated to me that that is all they are: Rumors. Nothing is settled. Nothing is definite. And from what I understand, if Disney is not made to realize what a terrific place the Club is and how worth saving it is, then rumors are all they will remain.

Send your maps to:

Robert Iger
Chief Executive Officer
Walt Disney Corporation
500 South Buena Vista Street
Burbank, CA 91521-4873

Feel free to crosspost this message to any boards. I will keep people apprised of any further developments.

PAD

What Obama needs to do to win a debate

Because he didn't win this one. Not overwhelmingly. He got in a few solid hits, and perhaps on debate points he edged out a victory. But he didn't do what he needed to do, which is overwhelmingly convince undecideds. Now granted I'm speculating because I haven't polled any undecideds, but I don't think his performance was strong enough to sway anyone.

I think he needs to follow the philosophy of a poker player, as nicely espoused by James Bond: You don't play the cards. You play the man. Obama spent the debate playing the cards that McCain dealt him, and he needs to be running the table.

McCain's Achilles heel is his legendary temper. Obama needs to get McCain to transform, on screen, into that cranky guy down the block who tells the neighborhood brats to get the football off his lawn.

How? By calling him a liar. By questioning his honor. By saying something like, "Senator, with respect, I think we both know that if your choice for vice president were the Democratic candidate for President, you would be standing here shredding her on her lack of experience, her lack of preparedness, and that the presidency shouldn't require on-the-job training. How dare you stand there and flaunt such thunderous hypocrisy, that you would hold me to a standard that you don't hold your own possible successor to. You have forever tossed away the right to play the experience card as you have repeatedly done with me tonight, and I think you owe an apology to the American people for such dishonorable behavior." And he needs to say that politely but firmly, and then stand back and watch McCain fly off the rails. Because if you push his buttons, he will.

He needs to be able to convey that McCain doesn't belong in the Oval Office; he belongs in a Scooby-Doo cartoon saying, "And I would have gotten away with it if it wasn't for you rotten kids!"

UPDATE: I was torqued to read "Newsday" attributing the Wall Street/Main Street thing to John McCain even though Obama said it twice before him. Hey, here's another thought: If McCain makes snide comments about a liberal voting record again, Obama can say, "You know who else had a liberal voting record? The Founding Fathers in voting for change. Now I know, Senator McCain, I know...you knew the Founding Fathers. You worked with the Founding Fathers. The Founding Fathers were friends of yours, and I'm no founding father. But I'll do my best to live up to the example they set and the Constitutional freedoms they lay down...freedoms that your good friend, George Bush, has stampeded over."

PAD

THE DEBATE: Running log

Which may be interrupted from time to time as I look in on the Mets game, which they are currently losing 3-0 to the frackin' Fish.

Commentary below the cutline.

I'm watching on PBS.

Jim Lehrer looks like a shark.

9:02: Foreign policy my butt. You can probably clock with an eggtimer how long it takes to get to the economy.

I'll be curious to see how long the "audience will remain silent" pledge holds up.

9:03: Okay, who had thirty seconds in the pool for the economy.

9:04: Stop stringing sentences together with "and." It's starting to bug me.

9:05: None of the money is going to me? Oh, wait...to pad bank accounts. Got it. Sorry.

9:06: The difference between McCain and Obama quickly becomes clear. Obama endeavors to appeal to the head. McCain on the other hand endeavors to appeal to emotions. Neither of them really responded directly about the recovery plan. But Lehrer is now pushing them on it.

9:09: Obama's trying to say basically, "I saw this coming." I'm not sure anyone cares at this point how we got to this point; they seem more interested in solving where we are now.

9:10: "A lot of us saw this train wreck coming?" WTF? What happened to the economy being sound?

9:11: Neither of them is hitting this one out of the park.

9:12: Obama keeps pushing the Wall Street/Main Street paradigm. Okay, we get it. It's a good sound bite. Move on. I love Lehrer trying to get the two of them talking, making it a genuine debate rather than an organized press conference.

9:13: OH COME ON! Bad enough that McCain grabbed the "change" theme. Now he makes a naked grab for the Main street/Wall street thing? It's not even all that clever! Come up with your own sound bites!

9:14: That's not an answer to the question. Talk about the differences, if there are any.

9:15: He's still not answering it. Screw the bears thing in Montana. Obama, go after him. Answer the question.

9:16: Okay, he finally got around to it.

9:17 Obama goes after the tax cuts. McCain will instantly say that Obama wants to raise taxes.

9:18: There you go

9:19: What I would love is for Obama to say, rather than, "I don't know where John is getting those figures," look straight at him and say, "Are you pulling those numbers out of your ass?" But that's probably just me.

9:21: Crap. The Mets only got one run and promptly gave it back. 4-1.

9:21: $500 to buy Health care? Is he insane?!?!?

9:22: Obama should pounce on the health care thing. "John, how out of touch are you that you think $500 is going to buy health care?"

9:23: Oh, he said $5000. I misheard. But even $5000 isn't going to do it oftentimes.

9:24: Here's what I'm wondering: If McCain has been fighting pork barrel spending for two decades, then how come there's still so much of it?

9:27: They still aren't close to having bio-diesel as any sort of reasonable alternative. Still, notice that Obama is trying to turn a question with negatives--"What are you going to cut?"--into a positive--"Here's what I'm going to do." If you don't like the question, reword it to your advantage.

9:30: McCain had nothing to do with that. There was a lawsuit involved in the Boeing thing.

9:31: Lehrer isn't letting them slide. He noticed they both tried to reverse the question. They've got to start moving away from their talking points and respond directly; Lehrer isn't going to let them get away with it.

9:32: Obama talks about saving money by drawing down in Iraq. Smooth.

9:34: And we continue to play out the West Wing scenario. In the TV show debate, the McCain proxy, Arnold Vinick, talked up nuclear energy. Then when a nuclear power plant suddenly came close to melting down, Vinick took a huge hit. McCain just talked up nuclear power. If you're living near a nuclear power plant, I'd watch your back.

9:36: But the decisions in health care aren't up to the family and doctors as it now stands. Doctors oftentimes have to judge whether they can give tests, for instance, based upon whether insurance companies will approve them.

9:37: "I have fought against spending my entire career." And look where we are. Nice job.

9:38: Enough with the Miss Congeniality. Although, in his defense, maybe he forgot it. And yes, the American people DO know him. That's why they're stunned to see the change in him from 2000.

9:39: What's the failed strategy? "Never get involved in a land war in Asia." Didn't he see "The Princess Bride?" If Obama doesn't knock this one out of the park, something's wrong.

9:41: Good answer by Obama.

9:43: Obama sure loves those sports metaphors.

9:45: Obama has a point. If McCain's going to argue that Obama was wrong about the surge, then Obama can point out that McCain was wrong about lots more.

9:46: Body blow with the "Obama doesn't know different between strategy and tactic."

9:47: Good response from Obama regarding the oft-repeated "Obama wanted to cut troop funding."

9:49; I find it interesting that McCain always calls him "Senator Obama" whereas Obama calls him "John."

9:50: Okay, OBama, get specific.

9:51: Obama is the first to mention 9/11, but at least he merely did it to set a historical perspective rather than as a scare tactic.

9:52: DAMMIT. 5-1 Marlins.

9:54: That's what we've been TRYING to do, getting the Pakistanis to go in. It hasn't been working.

9:55: Every time they say "Taliban," it sounds like "Tally Man" from the Banana Boat song.

9:56: Oooo, uppercut from Obama about McCain's notorious warhawk attitudes being at odds with what he's saying now.

9:57: Basically we've got dueling patronizing attitudes: Obama's calling him "John" as opposed to McCain's saying again and again, "What senator Obama doesn't understand."

9:59: He has plenty of records; he hasn't heard of CDs or iPods.

9:59: McCain continues to appeal to emotions. Anecdotes, personal commentaries, things people said to him. An effective tactic.

10:00 Ooooo! Dueling bracelets! Who would have thought that the presidency might come down to who has the better bling.

10:02: I find it interesting that McCain feels overseas visits are so pivotal when his choice for vice-president is so woefully lacking in that department whereas Obama's is rock solid.

10:04: Ah yes. The League of Democracies. The club that just about everyone considers to be a spectacularly bad idea.

10:05: Obama's not letting McCain get away with a lot of distortions.

10:07: He's not calling him "John" anymore.

10:07: Now we're getting to a fundamental difference between Obama and McCain: Talking to those whom we dislike.

10:08: Yes, but we've been insisting for years that Israel should sit down with people who are advocating their extermination in order to find peace.

10:09: OOO! Body blow regarding Kissinger!

10:10: Mistake. Never mention negative things that opposition have said about you. All people remember is "Obama=Naive."

10:12: McCain takes a shot at the Obama seal silliness.

10:13: Naked attempt to get the Jewish vote. Plus that's, what, the fifth time he said that Obama doesn't understand something?

10:14: Wait: Three inches taller? What's that have to do with anything? Should we be comparing penis size as well?

10:15: Obama should have come back stronger when McCain was bullying forward.

10:18: Sorry. bathroom break.

10:19: He keeps trying to hammer away at Obama as being naive, unknowledgable, etc. It's amazing he can continue to take that approach with the far more callow Palin as his running mate.

10:22: I don't think they're particularly far apart on Georgia, despite McCain's attempts to make it seem as if they are.

10:24: Obama goes a long way to bring it back to energy.

10:24: BUGGER! 6-1 Marlins.

10:25: Obama keeps letting McCain talk over him.

10:27: If I remember correctly, McCain has just left himself vulnerable on the torture issue.

10:28: Actually I think the biggest threat is germ warfare, but that could just be me.

10:29: He's made the point about Afghanistan already. Several times.

10:30: Except if I'm recalling correctly, McCain has voted FOR laws that make torture okay. And hey, big surprise, McCain just said Obama didn't understand something. Considering that Obama's now calling him Senator, I think McCain wins the patronizing-off.

10:32: I wish that Obama would say what McCain doesn't understand.

10:33: Good summarizing by Obama. And, oh my God, how dare McCain, who chose Palin, continue to claim that Obama doesn't have experience.

10:35: Obama finally goes for the personal approach.

10:36: Major restraint: McCain waited until the very end to mention he was in prison.

10:37: Ultimately, I don't think either of them scored a knock-out blow.

Save the Adventurers Club

Disney has announced that they intend to shutter the Adventurers Club in downtown Pleasure Island come the end of September. I want to try and convince them otherwise.

It's not as if the AC has been singled out; they're closing down all the clubs in the area with the stated intent of making the area more "family friendly."

Although the various over-18 venues on the island might fall under the label of not being conducive to family enjoyment, this most definitely does not describe the Adventurers Club. Yes, it has an active bar, but so what? If the presence of a bar made something adult-oriented, TGI Fridays would not be a family establishment. The fact is that every time we have attended the Adventurers Club, there have been kids of all ages in attendance, entranced by the club and its wildly talented cast.

For those unfamiliar with it, the Adventurers Club purports to be a 1930s private club for globe-spanning adventurers, having a pledge drive for new members. Guests mingle freely with colorful characters, interact with animatronic statues and puppets, and watch demented improv comedy and shows by the Club's "daredevil" officers. If you have been there, then you know a night at the Club is always great entertainment. If you have not had the opportunity, then we're about to fight to save it so that you may yet have the chance.

Long-time readers know how much the Club means to the David family. I enlisted the cast of the AC years ago to propose to Kathleen, making us the first couple to do so. Whenever we go to Disney World, we can be found there every night during our stay.

There is an on-line petition going on that already has thousands of signatures, and I wish them well (and have indeed signed it myself). But on-line petitions only go so far. What corporate types respect is actual letters, because it means that the writers took the time to write it, put it in an envelope and slap a stamp on it.

If you want to help preserve one of the single greatest entertainment experiences in Disney, then I urge you to write to:

Robert Iger
Chief Executive Officer
Walt Disney Corporation
500 South Buena Vista Street
Burbank, CA 91521-4873

I cannot stress enough: Keep letters civil. Polite. Family-friendly, if you will. If you have attended the AC, talk about your experiences and how much the place means to you. If you haven't been, underscore the good things you've heard about it and your intention to attend in the future.

And never forget the Adventurers Club credo (a couple of lines of which I slipped into "1602: Fantastic Four"):

We climb the highest mountains,
just to get a better view.
We plumb the deepest oceans,
because we're daring through and through.
We cross the scorching desert,
martinis in our hand.
We ski the polar ice caps,
in tuxedos looking grand.
We are reckless, brave, and loyal,
and valiant to the end.
If you come in here a stranger,
you will exit as a friend.
KUNGALOOSH!

Feel free to cross post this wherever you think it will do any good.

PAD

The Debate

Presuming it goes forward, yes, I will be commenting on it here.

PAD

FYI

Peter David's live, hour-long 20th appearance on Destinies-The Voice of Science Fiction airs on Friday, September 26th at 11:30 PM on 90.1 FM, WUSB, Stony Brook, NY, netcasting at www.wusb.fm. After airing, the show will be archived for free at www.captphilonline.com/Destinies.html and at https://podcast.ic.sunysb.edu/weblog/destinies.

No way should Obama agree to delay the debate

McCain's challenge to Obama to drop the campaign, cancel the debate and head back to Washington to deal with the current economic crisis should be seen for exactly what it is: A desperation ploy to try and seize command, not of the economy, but of the polls. Polls which, for the first time in ages, are tilting toward Obama. Perhaps prolonged exposure to the dubious merits of Sarah Palin are beginning to sink in, and as people become disenchanted with her, they turn their ire to the guy who picked her. Or perhaps, as Bill Clinton said so matter-of-factly, it's the economy, stupid.

The point is, there's plenty of other senators, not to mention a President, to deal with the economy. Only two people can be in the debate Friday night, and the bottom line is that one of them wants out. Can't really blame him. Not a ton to win, lots to lose.

Obama would be insane to accommodate McCain. I mean, let's look at the record. Months ago, McCain challenged Obama to go to Iraq. Obama took him up on it and went to Iraq. What did McCain do? Turn Obama's popular reception there into a liability. Obama should say, "Sorry, Senator. Last time I took your advice, you bitched about it for weeks, dismissed me as a celebrity, and compared me to Paris Hilton. Considering just last week you were saying the fundamentals of the economy were strong; now you're saying they're so weak that they won't last a few more days without us in Washington? Sorry, no. See you at the debate. And if you don't want to show up, fine. Have your campaign manager show up and tell us all the things you would have said."

Although Obama DID say something rather odd the other day. He said, "The American people cannot give this president a blank check for $700 billion." Well, now wait. If it's a blank check, there's no amount. That's what a blank check IS. So either he should say that the American people can't give Bush a check for $700 billion, or the American people can't give Bush a blank check. Anything else doesn't make sense.

Wonder if McCain will pick up on that and use it against him in the debate to indicate that Obama is no better at expressing himself than Bush. Presuming he shows up, of course.

PAD

Ordering for Apropos

Simon of "Economic Comics" sent me the following:

Quite surprised you haven't mentioned that SIR APROPOS OF NOTHING is released in comic format soon - might be a few folk who would pick it up, but don't realise (IDW not having the marketing presence of Marvel, for example)...

Just my thoughts / experience.

So now you all know. If you want to make sure your store carries the first issue of "Sir Apropos of Nothing," give them a heads up. Don't just assume they'll have copies. In fact, safer to assume they won't so you can be ahead of the game.

PAD

YOU can be in the next edition of my "Writing For Comics"

I am working with Impact Books to produce volume 2 of "Writing for Comics With Peter David," and you can be involved.

I am looking to include a new chapter that will essentially be Q&A from the fans. If you read the first edition and you were left with a question or questions about writing for comics, now is the time to ask them. If there is some aspect of comics writing that you feel I did not address, or should have addressed more thoroughly...if you have any questions about the craft that you want my skewed opinion on...then send them to: padguy@aol.com, or to me at PO Box 239, Bayport, NY 11705.

If your question is used, you will be credited by name and receive a free copy of the final book (so be sure to include a snail mail address to which the book can be sent.)

Submissions will be accepted until October 20.

PAD

Calling the Sheriff of Nottingham

You know who you are.

Please drop me an e-mail ASAP at padguy@aol.com. Thank you.

PAD

Just to clarify regarding George and Brad

Just to make it clear: I have no problem that people have been discussing the political aspects and issues of gay marriage below. I take my cue from the happy couple themselves. Barely 72 hours after the wedding, George and Brad were on a local Los Angeles radio talk program discussing the issue. Why? Because of their concern that CA voters will overturn the ruling of the California state supreme court.

Food for thought: If in 1957, Arkansas residents could have voted on the issue of desegregation and whether to overturn the Supreme Court's ruling declaring schools could no longer be separated by race...

...how do you think that vote would have gone?

I'm reminded of the exchange between Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones in "Men in Black" in which Smith's character wonders why word of aliens isn't made public, because "People are smart. They could handle it." The response: "A person is smart. People are dumb, panicky dangerous animals and you know it."

A group of learned individuals look at the Constitution and say, "This is wrong," which is what they're trained to do their whole lives. And the response of people is to be dumb and panicky because it threatens their narrow view of the way Life Should Be. And such narrowness of attitude, and such determination to destroy the rights of others to individual happiness, is inherently dangerous.

PAD

George and Brad's wedding

THAT was an amazing experience. IGeorge standing at the front of the makeshift chapel, marrying Brad, with Walter Koenig and Nichelle Nichols on either side as best man and matron of honor respectively.

Kath and I were seated nearby Harlan and Susan Ellison (with whom we were also slated to sit at the reception.) Atmospheric music was supplied by a stunningly attired Asian woman playing a stringed instrument called the Koto. I admit I was biting the inside of my cheek not to laugh when a singer urged the audience to join him in a chorus of "Climb Every Mountain," which some actually did. But then George and Brad made their own tongue-in-cheek entrance, descending the stairs to "One" from "Chorus Line" (now THAT I would have been willing to sing.) The ceremony was alternately loving, funny, and moving.

The ceremony was followed by a mingling cocktail reception. We chatted with Nichelle for some time (she remembered me from Dragon*con) and for a while she actually had her arm around me! Granted, her ankle had gone weak and mostly she was leaning on me so she wouldn't fall, but still!

The dinner afterward was amazing, a fusion cuisine combined with memorable performances from, among others, the Los Angeles Gay Men's Chorus. Among the notables in attendance was legendary Senator Daniel Inouye, and a variety of people--including Harlan--gave toasts celebrating the happy couple.

I still cannot fathom how any reasonable person can object to gays marrying. Even Obama doesn't support the idea of gay marriage. Last I checked, love was a family value.

PAD

Peter had not forsaken y'all

He is just traveling right now and, for the most part, is off line.

But to hold you over, here is a picture of us at George and Brad's wedding with Brad and George.

I want to remind everyone to play nice. So far y'all have been good while we have been away but some are starting to skirt the line.

That was close

Was in Texas on business and was supposed to leave this morning. But with the hurricane coming in, I had to get while the getting was good. So I managed to change my ticket at the last minute and head out to LA a day early.

Now I'm in LA waiting for Kathleen's plane to get in. After that we'll be heading to the hotel where we'll be staying Saturday night, and tomorrow we attend George and Brad's wedding. Should be interesting. It's the only wedding I've been to where there might be protesters.

PAD

"Mr. McCain? Can Sarah come out and play?"

Apparently John McCain's campaign manager is contending that Palin is being shielded from the media, not because she can't handle an interview, but because they're gonna be mean to her:

"Why would we want to throw Sarah Palin into a cycle of piranhas called the news media that have nothing better to ask questions about than her personal life and her children?" he asked. "So until at which point in time we feel like the news media is going to treat her with some level of respect and deference, I think it would be foolhardy to put her out into that kind of environment," he said.

Three things occur to me:

1) If McCain's people were taking this position with a male candidate, the perception would be that he's weak and inept. So McCain's people are banking on the concept that her being a woman will preclude that criticism, because anyone who says that will be tagged as being insulting and anti-feminist.

2) This sounds unbelievably patronizing to her and monumentally arrogant to the media. They're saying she can't handle tough questions, or at least shouldn't have to, and they are endeavoring to dictate terms as to how the media has to treat her in order to rate an interview.

3) Someone who needs this much handling and protection doesn't exactly inspire confidence in contemplating her being toe-to-toe with various foreign dictators and strong men, particularly if a stilled heartbeat thrusts her into the presidency anytime after January 2009. Golda Meir didn't need insulation. Neither did Margaret Thatcher, to whom Palin has ludicrously been compared. Well...NOW Thatcher needs insulation, because she has dementia. So basically Sarah Palin needs as much protection as a former world leader who has trouble recalling her husband is dead. Make of that what you will.

PAD

OUT RECENTLY: FALLEN ANGEL #29, LAYLA MILLER ONE-SHOT, X-FACTOR #34, SHE-HULK #32, WOLVERINE: ELECTION DAY

It's been a little while since I got caught up with my various published work. So I thought I'd provide a thread for you folks to comment.

"Election Day," in case you're wondering, is a newly released novel from Pocket Books that's gotten pretty much no publicity, so don't feel badly if you haven't heard of it.

Whad'ja think?

PAD

Blogging the McCain Speech

Comments will start below the cut:

10:06--I wonder if anyone is going to mount a campaign declaring that a war hero really isn't a war hero. Nah. Who'd do something like that? Anyway, I think I'll keep a running tally of how many times he mentions the word "Vietnam."

10:09--Anybody see the website promoting the ticket of Saul Tigh and Laura Roslin? There's a whole website. I think I'll get some of the buttons. It's really amazing how much Tigh and Roslin look like McCain and Palin.

10:14--I think Bill Murray's guys from "Stripes" are entering. I hear them.

10:15--He's against a green screen. I can't wait to see stuff get animated behind him.

10:16-I could swear I just saw someone holding up banner that are anti-McCain. How'd he get in there? Yeah! There it is. "McCain votes against Vets." They've shown that guy three times so far; more than Palin.

10:18--Funny he doesn't mention George HW Bush by name. And he didn't mention George W. at all.

10:20--His mother looks amazing for her age. 96 years. Kind of undercuts the notion that McCain, at 72, is at death's door.

10:21--He takes the high road with Obama. He can afford to considering the abundance of cheap shots his VP took the night before. A little late.

10:22--"We're going to win this election! Because we're giving money to the companies building the voting booths!"

10:23--They're hauling out "pro-choice" protesters.

10:24--He's trying to keep his temper. I'm not altogether sure the people shouting "USA" are GOP.

10:26--Does being investigated for corruption count as tackling corruption?

10:26-She's worked with her hands and nose? Oh...with her hands and knows--... Got it.

10:27--She's never been to Washington? Weird.

10:28--So the great McCain vision is to co-opt Obama's campaign catchphrase of "change"? That's forward thinking.

10:29--He's not wearing a flag pin. I wonder if right wing pundits are going to harrangue him over that.

10:30--I think they've managed to throw out everyone who was protesting him.

10:31--Okay...he DOES know we haven't won in Iraq, right? Plus the Taliban is resurging and bin Laden is still free.

10:33--Where is it written that Presidents and presidential aspirants always have to start pulling out the names of various random citizens to show they have touch with the little people?

10:35--"we have let Washington change us." Yes. So says the one-time Centrist who has moved further right and brought on a further right VP candidate so he can get elected.

10:36-But the reason your party has strayed so far from basics is because of the policies and activities of George W. Bush, with whom you voted 90% of the time. I don't think you can be both part of the problem AND the solution.

10:37--Now he's hauling out the activist judges saw.

10:38--You know what? The history of Republican tropes against Democrats is kind of like synagogue, where the same thing is said over and over again and the worshippers respond exactly the same way. You can cut and paste anti-Democrat rants from 20, 30 years ago into today without a hitch.

10:41--Okay. Sounds good, finding more jobs that won't go away. how?

10:42--So...the government is going to make up the difference in job wages while you're training for a new job? But...if Obama put that forward, wouldn't that be criticized by the GOP?

10:43--"GENERAL Obama?"

10:44--I like the shot of the guy yawning in the audience. Kind of sums up what I'm seeing: A flat and not especially exciting delivery of an uninspiring speech thus far.

10:46--I love how mentioning drilling brings Sarah Palin to her feet. How a governor of a naturally glorious state like Alaska can be anti-environment in her policies bewilders me.

10:48--Playing the terrorism card. Right out of the W playbook, although Bush remains unmentioned.

10:49--"But I'm not afraid of them. I just want to make YOU afraid of them."

10:50--There's one. But that's not much.

10:51--Except there has been nothing in any of his various speeches or comments leading up to this that indicate he's anything other than a hawk rather than someone interested in peace. Meanwhile Obama, who talks of negotiation and peace, is pilloried as being soft on security and on our enemies.

10:52--But don't the Republicans bear a sizable measure of responsibility for Washington being the way it is?

10:54--Yeah, and Bush was a uniter, not a divider. We've already heard a GOP presidential candidate talking about working with the Democrats. Haven't seen it happening.

10:55--Two mentions of Vietnam thus far.

10:56--It's a compelling story; I just wish he had some different inflections in how he told it. He makes everything sound exactly the same. I feel as if he could be talking about being tortured or giving a brownie recipe, each is going to be given equal emphasis with no variation.

11::00-"I wasn't my own man; I was my country's." Took 50 minutes, but he finally got to the sound bite.

11:02--"nothing brings greater happiness than to serve a cause greater than yourself." Nice line.

11:04--Damn. I was so hoping he'd say "Never give up, never surrender."

Same damned thing as Obama. He started to get on a roll and then, boom, that was it.

As a speechmaker he still can't touch Obama. But speeches have never been his strength. He does far better with town hall formats or being folksy during discussions, which Obama still hasn't got the hang of. The next few months should be...interesting.

And Bush was never mentioned.

Now I know whatever happened to Karen Valentine

She changed her name to Sarah Palin.

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i215/toonpro/domainpics/valentine1.jpg

http://s.wsj.net/media/palin_art_200v_20080902093352.jpg

"Dark Tower" midnight signing and birthday party

Midtown Comics in midtown Manhattan will be hosting another midnight signing for Dark Tower, this one on September 9. I will be in attendance, as will Kathleen. And since that happens to be Kathleen's 45th birthday, Midtown will be having a party for her. Presents are not necessary, but will not be thrown back in peoples' faces.

PAD

Planning to Blog McCain's speech

Fair's fair. I did a running commentary on Obama. So tomorrow at 10 PM I will be commenting on McCain's speech. Should be interesting.

PAD

Want to be in a game of "Life?"

More interesting Hasbro news: "The Game of Life" is seeking 162 real stories about "extreme" experiences, adventures and situations for inclusion in an upcoming game.

Stories could be about competing in a dog sled race, being abducted by aliens, getting stuck on a
roller coaster, rescuing someone from a burning building, helping set a world record in Jenga, or anything else ... as long as it's true. Stories - each 100 words or less - must be submitted no later than September 7, 2008. One hundred sixty-two stories and their authors will be used in a deck of cards that players will draw when they land on certain spaces on the game board of the 2009-releasing "The Game of Life: Extreme Reality Edition."

Stories can be submitted online to http://www.extremerealitygame.com

PAD