Happy New Year genre: Indie-Script
The following is a nice instrumental version of Auld Lang Syne. Happy New Year to all!
Auld Lang Syne
Daniel DiRito | December 31, 2006 | 9:18 PM |
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December 2006 Archives
George Plays Hangman genre: Just Jihad & Polispeak & Snapshot Thoughts
Daniel DiRito | December 29, 2006 | 6:22 PM |
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Professor Says Dobson Distorted Her Research genre: Gaylingual & Hip-Gnosis
James Dobson recently used the research of several well known scholars in a Time Magazine guest column to attack gays who have children...focusing on the pregnancy of Mary Cheney and her partner. Dobson has a long history of distorting research to further his homophobic agenda. The following video clip is from one of the researchers, Dr. Carol Gilligan, in which she explains her outrage at Dobson's misuse of her research.
Daniel DiRito | December 29, 2006 | 8:49 AM |
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Fortune genre: Front and Center & Snapshot Thoughts
Wouldn't You Be Richer If You Never Paid To Have Your Fortune Told?
Daniel DiRito | December 28, 2006 | 5:07 PM |
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MAD TV: Brokeback Mountain II - The Cowgirls genre: Gaylingual & Tongue-In-Cheek & Video-Philes
UPDATE:
I finally found another copy of the Mad TV spoof...Brokeback Mountain 2: The Cowgirls so I decided to repost the video. I think it's one of their funniest from last year. I'm not sure how long this clip will stay up but enjoy it while you can.
Daniel DiRito | December 21, 2006 | 2:08 PM |
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Poll Shows Most Enlisted Don't Mind, Don't Care genre: Gaylingual & Polispeak
A new poll conducted by Zogby International indicates that a large majority of enlisted soldiers are not opposed to gays serving in the military. The poll also indicates that many within the military are already aware of fellow soldiers that are gay and that they do not present problems.
Nearly one in four U.S. troops (23%) say they know for sure that someone in their unit is gay or lesbian, and of those 59% said they learned about the person's sexual orientation directly from the individual, a Zogby International poll of troops who served in Iraq and Afghanistan shows.
More than half (55%) of the troops who know a gay peer said the presence of gays or lesbians in their unit is well known by others. According to the "don't ask, don't tell" policy, service members are not allowed to say that they are gay.
In light of the need for more troops, especially those trained in linguistics, it appears that those soldiers currently serving are able to see the benefits that their gay counterparts bring to the military. It seems to me that the growing acceptance in the military mirrors that found in society and that is accelerated once heterosexuals encounter homosexuals in normal settings absent the preconceived prejudices that are put forward by those who would prefer to portray gays as negatively as possible.
In that regard, I have always felt that the best way to break down existing barriers is for gays to come out and live their lives openly so that heterosexuals can see that gays are no different than heterosexuals...they have the same hopes and dreams...they love their country...and they frequently hold the same values. The sexual aspect of their lives is just that...a small portion of the entire person.
The Zogby Interactive poll of 545 troops who served in Iraq and Afghanistan was designed in conjunction with the Michael D. Palm Center at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and conducted by Zogby Oct. 24-26, 2006. It carries a margin of error of +/- 4.3 percentage points.
Of those in combat units, 21% said they know for certain that someone in their unit is gay or lesbian, slightly less than for those in combat support units (25%) and combat service support units (22%). One in five troops (20%) in other units said they know for certain someone is gay or lesbian in their unit. Overall, nearly half (45%) say there are people in their unit they suspect are gay or lesbian, but they don't know for sure. Slightly more than half (52%) say they have received training on the prevention of anti-gay harassment in the past three years. But 40% say they have not received this type of training, which is mandated by Defense Department policy.
The data also indicate that military attitudes about homosexuality have shifted. In the early 1990's, many senior officers argued that U.S. troops could not form bonds of trust with gays and lesbians, according to Dr. Aaron Belkin, Director of the Palm Center, who has written widely on the subject. According to the new Zogby data, however, nearly three in four troops (73%) say they are personally comfortable in the presence of gays and lesbians. Of the 20% who said they are uncomfortable around gays and lesbians, only 5% are "very" uncomfortable, while 15% are "somewhat" uncomfortable. Just two percent of troops said knowing that gays are not allowed to serve openly was an important reason in their decision to join the military.
Some troops believe the integration of openly gay and lesbian service members in the military could undermine cohesion, but those who know at least one gay peer are less likely to believe it would negatively impact morale. Of those who know a gay or lesbian peer, 27% said it has a negative impact on the morale of their unit. By contrast, among those who do not know of a gay or lesbian person in their unit, or are unsure of their presence, 58% said it would have a negative impact on their unit.
This data supports my contention. Clearly, when those in the military have encountered a gay individual, their fears and concerns are diminished. As with most fears, they are overcome by exposure to that which is feared whereby reality is allowed to prevail over anxiety and preconceived notions. The fact that many religions demonize gays only serves to heighten the fears and to exaggerate the differences. The sooner barriers can be removed the sooner we can share in our similarities and find the common ground that is needed to create cohesion. That is true in our civilian lives as well as in military life. At a time when we need good soldiers, it seems absurd to be dismissing them for simply being gay.
Daniel DiRito | December 20, 2006 | 9:02 AM |
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SNL Commercial: Woomba (Adult Content) genre: Tongue-In-Cheek & Video-Philes
Daniel DiRito | December 17, 2006 | 12:33 PM |
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SNL Digital Short: Dick In A Box (Adult Content) genre: Tongue-In-Cheek & Video-Philes
UPDATE:
I found an unedited version of this SNL digital video short and I have included it below.
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Saturday Night Live started doing digital video shorts last year with the introduction of Andy Samberg to the show. This latest video is one is one of the funniest they have done. If you want to see the unedited version, you can go to SNL here: SNL.com
Daniel DiRito | December 17, 2006 | 11:40 AM |
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Requiem For The Sea genre: Do Not Resuscitate & Happy Remembrances & Traveliscious & Video-Philes
The following video, Requiem For The Sea, was filmed at City Island, New York, a historic seaport community in New York City. I did the filming for my friend, Hyonok Kim last year while studying film at the New York Film Academy. Hyonok is a dancer by training and she teaches at a university in South Korea. She has won a number of awards related to her work with dance. The video tells a story of loss and death through dance and the use of stunning visual images and symbolism. If you find the sea to be relaxing and peaceful, this video will not disappoint. It is a work of art.
From Cityisland.com:
Originally inhabited by the Siwanoy Indians, who lived during the summer on the plentiful clams, oysters, and fish they found here, City Island was first established as an English settlement in 1685. Ideally situated to supply schooners traveling between Manhattan and points north, the island became an important shipping building and yachting center during the 18th and 19th centuries.
The two world wars brought about a conversion from yacht building to the construction of submarine chasers, P. T. Boats, landing crafts, tugs, and mine sweepers. City Island also became the site of a quarantine station, as well as the Hell's Gate pilot station.
After World War II, yachting returned and with it the building of 12-meter sloops that successfully defended the America's Cup, including the Independence, the Enterprise, and the Courageous. Today, the presence of yacht clubs, sailing schools, sail makers, marinas, fishing boats, and marine supply and repair shops reflect City Island's historic role as a nautical community.
Requiem For The Sea
Daniel DiRito | December 13, 2006 | 2:20 PM |
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SNL - My Chemical Romance genre: Tuned Out
My Chemical Romance - Welcome To The Black Parade
Daniel DiRito | December 11, 2006 | 10:31 PM |
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Oy Vey Day genre: Tongue-In-Cheek
Oy Vey Day is a recurring posting here at Thought Theater. It’s strictly lighthearted and meant to bring a smile or a chuckle. Strange as it may seem, even though I grew up in an Italian American Catholic home, I’ve always felt some kinship with Jewish culture and familial dynamics. Perhaps it’s the notion of guilt that both seem to embrace or perhaps it’s the numerous unique expressions and insightful conversational banter that is found in both Italian and Jewish cultures. Regardless, I’ve always had a curiosity for Jewish or Yiddish terminology. I have a few books that list many of these expressions and offer insight into their origin and meaning.
Today's posting is from Meshuggenary...Celebrating The World Of Yiddish, a book by Payson R. Stevens, Charles M. Levine, and Sol Steinmetz. The following are some of my favorite Yiddish proverbs and sayings that can be found in the book.
If a fool throws a stone in a well, ten wise ones can't get it out.
You recognize a donkey by the long ears, a fool by the long tongue.
From good to bad luck is a step; from bad to good luck is a mile.
Children and fools tell the truth.
One doesn't live because of youth; one doesn't die becuase of old age.
As long as one lives, one lives to see everything.
When a father gives to his son, both laugh; when the son gives to his father, both weep.
Before marrying someone, be sure you know whom you may later divorce.
The tongue has no bones - but it can break them.
A person is born with clenched fists and dies with open hands.
Daniel DiRito | December 11, 2006 | 9:45 PM |
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Papal Mache - The House Of Cards genre: Hip-Gnosis & Rhyme-N-Reason
The following poem was written after my visit to the Vatican. While I have my differences with the Catholic Church, anyone who travels to Rome should take the time to visit the Vatican and St. Peter's Basilica. It is truly a spectacular site and one filled with historical significance.
The poem explores many of my issues with the fact that the Church seems to place more weight on preserving the institution than addressing the needs and concerns of its followers. As I was once told, originally there was God and man...and sometime thereafter the church arose. That pretty much summarizes my thoughts about the place of the Church and its belief that people should communicate with God under the guidance of the Church.
Papal Mache - The House Of Cards
In a plaza made of a million stones
A dynasty stands adorned in gold
A pound of flesh, expose the bones
The price is steep, just pay the toll
The promise is made to slay the beast
The futures forever, you must believe
Hear the words, ignore the deeds
Slight of hand, the message deceives
Gilded statues adorn the grave
Figures carved by men of faith
Cowards live on the blood of brave
The flames you made, you won’t escape
Another invention, you sell redemption
Remove the sins, confess your own
Rape the child, immaculate deception
The hell you made will be your home
Infallible fables are lies the same
Good men of truth, you tried and killed
Preserve the temple, absolve the blame
Your house of cards, that’s all you built
They enter the lair, they genuflect
You pass the tray, without reluctance
From every soul, you must collect
The god you made is now repugnant
True spirits now live in another place
Upon your rock, you sealed your fate
The executioner comes to raise the blade
The end draws near, your long charade
The place called heaven you contemplate
True spirits now stand to block the gate
Daniel DiRito | December 7, 2006 | 12:15 PM |
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Two Sides Of The Same Coin genre: Tongue-In-Cheek & Video-Philes
Two Sides Of The Same Coin is the second original Thought Theater video. The video is a mockumentary of the filmmaking process and a spoof of the movie Star Wars. The main character is the supposed director of the hit movie Jar Wars.
Daniel DiRito | December 6, 2006 | 9:49 AM |
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Dina Mita genre: Front and Center & Snapshot Thoughts
When Passions Flow, Can They Put Out The Fire?
Daniel DiRito | December 6, 2006 | 8:46 AM |
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