Leon Acord's Blog, page 5

Bros. Blows (But Not in a Good Way)

I know. I’m late to the party. I didn’t catch Bros. in theatres on opening weekend back in September. And I wasn’t alone. I’m one of the thousands of gay men Billy Eichner shamed for “not supporting queer cinema.” I was so turned off by his Twitter tantrum I decided to wait until the film hit streaming.

And I’m glad I did!

Granted, rom-coms are notoriously difficult to pull off. You have to give the lead characters enough flaws to keep them apart, yet make us root for them despite their issues.

For example, in When Harry Met Sally, a sexist cad and a high-maintenance control freak fall in love despite themselves. And even though the characters have many unlikeable traits, we love them anyway. We see that they are made for each other, even if they can’t, and hope they come together by the final fade out.

Eichner makes that impossible in Bros. He has made a career out of being brash and playing unlikable guys. But much like the character he portrays herein, the film is very funny yet impossible to love.

We learn a lot about Bobby right at the start. He’s the director of a groundbreaking LGBTQ museum in Manhattan. He’s a podcaster. A failed screenwriter. And insufferably insufferable frump. Bobby is so strident, so shrill, so self-righteous, it’s not surprising when he confesses he’s never been in a long-term relationship.

One night, while lamenting with friends at a dance club, Bobby spies shirtless Aaron (Luke Mcfarlane) on the dance floor. Suddenly, Aaron is chatting Bobby up. Just as suddenly, Aaron disappears. Then he reappears to talk some more. They lurch into a relationship despite themselves.

I was immediately taken “out” of the film by a bitter, hard truth: There’s no way that sexy Aaron would have even noticed Bobby from the dance floor, much less chatted him up not once but twice, much less pursued a relationship with him. To paraphrase Edina Monsoon, “I can’t stretch my suspension of disbelief that far akimbo.” So one naturally wonders what Aaron’s motivations are through much of the film, which makes it hard to “root” for the couple.

The film would’ve also been more entertaining if Aaron wasn’t such a cypher. He’s pretty to look at. But one also has to wonder what attracts Bobby beyond the bulging biceps. He’s decent, sure, but not very interesting nor amusing. There’s just no “there” there.

Like Bobby, Aaron is also hesitant about relationships, but there’s really no discernable reason given as to why Bobby suddenly changes Aaron’s outlook. You sense that Aaron simply isn’t attracted to Bobby. And we never really see any reason why Aaron grows to love Bobby despite that fact.

A more realistic scenario: They could have met online through Grindr or such. Bobby could have enticed Aaron with a sizeable dick pick, but Aaron would be disappointed to learn what’s attached to it. That would’ve been a far more interesting and realistic set up (and would’ve taken advantage of the lack of chemistry between the two lead actors).

The movie’s biggest mistake? Bobby goes off on a gay-rights tirade and makes an absolute asshole of himself while meeting Aaron’s conservative parents. It feels wildly unbelievable that Bobby would be so stupid or thoughtless. Even more unbelievable? Aaron forgives Bobby! That Aaron would forgive him so quickly – or at all – after the scene Bobby creates is totally unrealistic. A heartbreaking split would’ve provided a better, and more honest, ending.

But by the time that ending comes, you’re likely to have segued into “hate watching.” The tone is all-over-the-place. Is it a farce? A rom-com? A raunchy comedy? It’s hard to tell, as the film flip flops from absurdity to romance to (attempted) pathos.

At least it’s a noble effort. Eichner filled his cast with many openly out actors and actresses. (It’s particularly fun to see Married with Children’s Amanda Bearse again as Aaron’s mom). And Eichner doesn’t pull any punches. But maybe he should have. Because the result is a fairly negative snapshot of the LGBTQ community – stereotypical characters constantly fighting. (I’m not saying that we don’t fight amongst ourselves, or that we don’t sometimes fit those stereotypes. But there’s more to gay life and gay love than what Eichner shows here. A lot more.)

Much has been written about the film’s failure to crossover to straight audiences, which Universal had clearly hoped for (and which is parodied in an early scene). To which I reply, “WHAT?” As we watched one explicit scene after another with our friends Jim and Manny, we frequently asked each other, “Would your parents enjoy seeing this?” The answer was always a big, fat NO!

How do you make a gay love story that feels honest to LGBTQ audiences, yet still appeals to straights? By walking a very fine line. That’s why films like Brokeback Mountain don’t come along every day.

Well, at least he tried. Better luck next time, Billy!

American Disgrace: Women are now Livestock

I've been saying this for years. Here it is again:

"If you've never adopted an orphaned, drug-addicted or special-needs baby of another race, you need to just shut the fuck up about abortion."

"Just. Shut. The. Fuck. Up."

You don't get to spew your anti-abortion bullshit unless/until you put your money where your mouth is, and actively engage in providing solutions to your "problem."

That means, taking in foster children, adopting children of rape, caring for pregnant victims of incest, etc.

THAT is exactly what you should be doing now, and every day, if you support today's heinous SCOTUS decision.

Anything less is hypocritical to the nth degree.

But you won't do it. Because "NIMBY" is the leitmotif of American Conservatives.

SCOTUS has failed us today. Totally. Miserably.

We must ALL vote this fall. And vote Democrat.

Every single one of us.

No excuses. None of that "it's pointless" hogwash.

We must remove as many GOP Senators & Representatives as we can come November.

The ONLY way we can get America back to being America.

We must vote true-blue patriotic Democrats into as many offices as we can!

And then finally abolish the filibuster, so we can then codify into LAW, once and for all, women's reproductive rights, the ERA, Black rights, common-sense gun laws, police reform, voting protections, true lasting policies to battle global warming, ensure marriage equality, and protect Social Security & Medicare.

Voting out the GOP as much as possible is truly the only way left to drag our country into the 21st Century with the rest of the civilized world.

This is truly our only way to save our nation.

To save ourselves.

Women, vote to save your lives and your daughters' lives!

LGBTQ, vote to save your marriages and equality!

Elderly, vote to save your retirement and health care!

18y-os, vote to save your younger siblings from being gunned down at school.

Get mad. Stay mad. And carry that rage right into the voting booth.

* * * * *

We need to resist with the fearlessness of Stonewall drag queens.

We need to fight with the dogged determination of 1980s AIDS Street Warriors.

We need to scream with the indignant self-righteousness of every woman who has lost a daughter due to denial of reproductive health care.

We need to protest with the full force & fury of every Black woman who has lost a son or daughter to police brutality.

All of that rage. That fury. That righteous indignation. Combined.

It's time to put the fear of the righteous into the hearts of those un-American Republicans who profit off our poverty, who play on the fears of the uneducated, who demonize fellow Americans for being Black, gay, trans, or different, who sit counting their NRA contributions as children are slaughtered by guns in our schools, who who lie to Congress in order to strip away established rights & ignore the will of over 70% of the population.

They have raped our rights. They have warped what America stands for. They are turning our schools into killing fields.

We should make their lives a living hell, as they are trying to do the same for us.

We don't have the power of the courts. Or political office.

So we will make them afraid. In restaurants. In stores. At their offices. In their front yards. In their churches. At their country clubs.

Confront them, peacefully but forcefully, at every opportunity. Make them worried about going out into public.

They started this "Culture War."

It's time we END it, and WIN it!

Three Faces of Me

I'm a Gemini. I can play all sides.

Just this morning, for example. I woke up in a great mood, thinking about the job interviews I've had and the auditions I've been submitting to. I reminded myself how important faith is to work, to the arts, to living life. Focus on the tasks at hand, and have faith they will somehow pay off in the end. And that faith can be a source of comfort and joy.

And then I remembered the news. The leaked brief from SCOTUS that indicates they will overturn Roe v. Wade.

Then, Radical Leon appeared. He's saying, "Faith is a waste of time!" and is feeling fatalistic about his country & all the things that have brought us so close to ruin (the GOP, lack of education & health-care services, racism, sexism, homophobia, conspiracy theories, social media, 24/7 news). Radical Leon would like to take to the streets & "burn this shit down."

Then, there's Old-Man Leon. He realizes he only has about 20 years left on Earth, and that's if he's lucky. He used to think, "Oh good, I'll be dead before the shit really hits the fan." But he knows that's no longer true. Shit is hitting fan right now. Old-Man Leon longs to turn off all the news, bury his head in the sand, and focus solely & merely on selfish pursuits while there's still time (and a planet) left.

Today, with the dreadful news of SCOTUS' leaked brief on abortion (which also signals they'll go after gay marriage next), I'm flip-flopping between the 3 Leon's all day long.

Talking LGBTQ+ Pride with My Own Hometown!

I recently sat down to talk with Jordan Huffer with my hometown's very own LGBTQ+ organization Kokomo Pride as part of their ongoing Speakers Series.

After delivering remarks about the importance of keeping up the good fight and how, according to Quentin Crisp, "time is on the side of the outcast," Jordan and I had a fun chat, and answered questions from viewers.

If you missed it, you can catch the "rerun" on Facebook at bit.ly/KPwLA

I cannot tell you how proud I am of my old hometown, and of the courageous folks who run this organization!

Say Gay!

So here's the thing about Florida...

Look at my grade-school pics. Isn't it obvious?

Even Mom recently said she knew I was gay when I was a toddler!

I knew I was gay in elementary school, before I knew that sex even existed!

And so did my classmates, many of whom teased me mercilessly & constantly about being a "sissy."

"Gay" is not all about sex. It's a sense of being "other" than what you see around you.

When I was in grade school, even a gay kid like me was too afraid to say "gay," so I never complained about or reported the kids who bullied me and called me names.

Nobody in the Florida school system wants to "teach" elementary-school kids about being gay. Nobody wants to "turn" kids queer.

But they DO want to be able to acknowledge real life, REALITY, if & when it comes up, without being misconstrued, or being sent to jai!

What could a Florida teacher say to a kid like me, when he tells his teacher that he's being harassed & called a queer, if DeSantis signs "Don't Say Gay" into law?

Please let DeSantis know how you feel, either via mail (see below for his address) or phone (his office number is (850) 717.9337).

F#@k Facebook

Facebook knows what pisses you off.

It always has.

And it's making a fortune keeping you constantly outraged.

If you haven't been living under a rock, you've probably heard about Frances Haugen, the former Facebook employee who testified to Congress (and "brought receipts") about how the social-media platform's algorithm is designed to keep users seeing posts that anger them.

And that's just the tip of the iceberg.

News media outlets are sharing the many documents she provided, now dubbed the "Facebook Papers," which detail some extremely serious lapses in morality and judgment at the social-media giant -- from how it aided January 6 insurrectionists, to how it contributes to human trafficking, to how it aided actual genocide of Muslims in Myanmar beginning in 2016, and how it consistently puts profits above common sense and human decency.

The list goes on. And on.

There's a lot to unpack from the recent revelations (and even more to come from a new whistleblower who's gone to the SEC, according to CNN).

Until then, let's talk about Facebook's love of "click bait," and why and how it wants to keep you in a constant state of rage and fear.

For starters, take this revelation from the Facebook Papers, about an internal experiment by a researcher at the platform's headquarters:

The researcher created a profile for fictional "Carol Smith" of Wilmington, North Carolina. The researcher entered that "Carol" was interested in politics, Christianity, and parenting, and signed "Carol" up as a fan of Trump and Fox News.

The researcher then sat back and watched as, within two days, Facebook's algorithm suggested to "Carol" that she join groups and sites devoted to QAnon.

Within a week, her newsfeed was filled with conspiracy theorists and groups that violated Facebook's own rules on hate speech.

Poor "Carol" never asked for any of it!

It's because Mark Zuckerberg & Co. know folks are much more likely to click and comment on posts that are shocking and infuriating than on "good news."

And they have enough data on their users to predict what each of us see as "bad news."

If you're a democracy-loving Democrat, you'll see a lot of Trump and his loony band of misfits on your newsfeed. (Trust me.) Conversely, I assume, if you're a white supremist, you can expect a bunch of posts about Black Lives Matter to pop up.

Many content providers, including politicians and news organizations, see that Facebook favors "bad news" -- so that's what they keep posting. Because the whole point is engagement.

Why post "happy" content that people won't see -- and thus, won't interact with?

In fact, according to Haugen's testimony, many international leaders have reached out to Facebook to complain that, because of this algorithm, they must make more and more alarmist and confrontational statements to be seen and to generate interaction from users (and voters).

Facebook is literally sowing the seeds of dissention for profit -- making a blatant lie of its public mission statement of "bringing the world closer together."

* * * * *

In my 2020 book SUB-LEBRITY* I mused that the ensuing social-media outrage from Donald Trump's campaign (and later, presidency) killed Old Dogs & New Tricks.

Because when we launched the show in 2011, attracting and interacting with viewers and fans on Facebook was a breeze. Our posts got tons of engagement in those early days.

But slowly, that began to change.

My posts about ODNT got less engagement. Meanwhile, my posts about Trump, "Cindy Brady," et al., always generated a lot of feedback.

In fact, the media firestorm of the "Brady Debacle" brought me more media attention (and more new "fans") within one week than my peaceable series did over five years!

I eventually realized it was impossible to break through all the online anger to raise money for, and promote, our show -- even if I didn't have hard evidence.

Well, we have it now.

I was wrong.

It wasn't Trump who "killed" the show.

It was Facebook itself.

Trump merely knew how to leverage Facebook to full advantage.

* * * * *

So where does that leave us, when the world's most popular social media site is intentionally and literally turning us against one another?

I know most users aren't ready to disconnect, at least not completely. I, for one, have used Facebook as a virtual scrapbook over the past decade.

All the same, I've recently downloaded all of my photos and videos from Facebook, just in case. (It's easy -- learn how HERE!) Because if Facebook allows Trump back on its platform, I will disconnect my account immediately.

Meanwhile, there's something we can do while still on the platform:

We can stop using Facebook to voice anger, to argue with others, to boast of our moral superiority.

I know, I know. If you follow me on Facebook, you're rolling your eyes right now, because you know I've always rushed in where angels fear to tread (yes, making me a fool!).

Because I was bullied as a young kid, insults don't penetrate. So I've been able to fling myself into the muck with little concern for my feelings. I just kept hurling insults back tenfold, and falling deeper into a dark hole of hate and anger.

But what point does it serve? I realize now, I'm merely adding to the noise, the anger, the hatred -- and helping justify Zuckerberg's twisted algorithm.

Despite my endless political posts, I don't think I've changed one person's mind.

Posting insults and links on "how to leave a cult" on the pages of Marjorie Taylor Greene or Lauren Boebert -- and engaging in the resulting "arguments" -- may make me feel good (or even superior) in the immediate instant.

It even felt a little fun, in a sick and twisted way -- at first.

But that elation is short-lived when you realize you're screaming into a vacuum, and that your wit isn't enough to change anyone's point of view.

The corrosive effect of being able to tell people off -- even people who have rightfully earned our scorn -- eventually becomes toxic.

“Holding onto anger is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die.” Anonymous

And let's be honest here. Bitching on Facebook doesn't make any of us an "activist" (despite what some of my show-biz colleagues claim).

In fact, the term "hashtag activist" was recently coined to refer to folks who talk a good game online, but who otherwise sit out protests, don't call their reps, or (God forbid) don't even vote!

Let's promote what we love, instead of bashing what we hate -- much like how Maya Angelo preferred peace rallies to anti-war rallies.

Go to the pages of the politicians and activists you admire, and tell them how much you appreciate them! If you're able, ask how you can volunteer to help their cause!

If you absolutely must go to the pages of those leaders with whom you disagree, resist commenting with disgust to their lunatic ravings and those of their supporters.

Instead, post comments that are argument-proof.

Share Bible verses that expose those leaders as hypocrites with no further comment.

Or turn into a southern belle and kill them with kindness ("Oh, bless your little heart").

And refuse to engage with any trolls who try to bait you.

Better yet, use your energy to report their posts that promote violence, white supremacy, or COVID misinformation.

Trust me, I've done enough time in "Facebook Jail" to know if enough people complain about a post or comment, Facebook will remove it and punish the person responsible -- even if the post or comment doesn't technically break their nebulous (double-) standards.

That's why crackpots still post nonsense about the pandemic without consequence, but anyone who calls them a "covid-iot" risks suspension.

I urge everyone to resist that urge to give in to venom.

Let's deprive Zuckerberg from profiteering from hate and division.

Let's stop arguing politics on Facebook.

Let's not seek out arguments with those with whom we disagree.

Let's post positive stories, fun photos, the content we used to share back when Facebook still felt fun!

Remember those days?

Maybe nobody will see your posts. But maybe -- just maybe -- if enough people say "enough!" we can cut into the profits of division.

Meanwhile, contact your representatives TODAY (via phone, email and "snail mail") and urge them to investigate and regulate Facebook!

Facebook is not invulnerable.

Remember MySpace? Friendster?

There was a time when AOL ("America On Line") fancied itself just as powerful. Time Warner even spent millions to merge with AOL, and added them to their corporate name (AOL Time Warner).

For a while.

Where is AOL today?

Why I Love Wonder Woman

Celebrating the Amazing Amazon on her 80th Anniversary

Most gay men have a favorite fantasy female idol -- Samantha Stevens, Jaime Sommers, Jeannie, Alexis Carrington, Xena, Olivia Pope.

Since childhood, this gay man's "super woman" of choice has always been DC Comics' Wonder Woman -- created by Dr. William Moulton Marston -- who celebrates her 80th anniversary on Oct. 21, 2021.

Famed comic-book writer/artist George Perez, who chronicled Wonder Woman in the 1980s, describes her thusly: "...a star-spangled amalgam of fantasy, American patriotism, ancient myth, science fiction, and even a not-so-subtle hint of kinkiness."

I'm frequently asked, Why Wonder Woman?

It's a question I've pondered a lot over the decades. Alas, there's no one simple answer.

Back in my 20s, a shrink once offered this explanation: "When you were a gay kid, you needed a role model who exhibited strength without being a macho asshole."

That's certainly one reason. I could spend an entire blog just unpacking that theory. But this is about her, not me!

Another reason I identified with Diana early on was her backstory.

Here's someone with a charmed life -- a princess, no less -- living in such a utopia that it was literally named "Paradise Island." (The name "Themyscira" came later, and we'll get there!)

Yet despite this blessed existence, Diana felt restless and longed for more -- to experience life in "Man's World," to use her talents and skills for a greater good. So she left paradise behind, and journeyed to a brand-new world. (Unlike Supes and Bats, she could still return home to family when she wanted or needed to.)

I grew up in rural Indiana, which is downright bucolic. Yet as much as I love it there, for as long as I can remember, I longed to leave it behind, to move to the "big city," to experience different lifestyles and cultures -- so long as I could come back home to visit!

How I wished for an invisible jet of my own, that would allow me to live in both worlds, as soon as I read my very first Wonder Woman comic book.

And then, there's her status as an LGBTQ icon. Long before he'd ever heard the term "gender roles," young Leon relished how Diana Prince turned sexual stereotypes and conventions on their heads. (As did her creator Marston, I'd later learn, with his polyamorous home life -- but, again, that's another blog.)

Diana came from a land of only women. She advocated equality. She loved Steve Trevor, but refused to "settle down" and get married, because doing so would only distract her from her life's work.

But most importantly, she was never the "damsel in distress," waiting to be rescued by a man. She was the "cavalry," constantly saving Trevor's ass.

(Her earliest stories also contained a good deal of "bondage and discipline" -- something I never picked up on until I was an adult!)

I enjoyed the SuperFriends cartoon. But once the TV show starring Lynda Carter debuted in 1975, this 12-year-old was a deeply committed fanatic. The series fell apart a bit after it moved to CBS and updated to the 1970s, but its first season on ABC -- set during World War II in the 1940s -- remained perhaps the most faithful adaptation of an original comic-book property to TV or film until Watchmen. And Carter-as-Wonder Woman may be the most ideal Hollywood casting since Vivien Leigh won the role of Scarlett O'Hara in Gone with the Wind.

I'm sure I'm not the only gay boy who spun himself dizzy back then!

From my earliest exposure to the comic books, I also appreciated that Wonder Woman's mission set her apart from all the other spandex'd superheroes, and made her truly unique.

She wasn't the world's greatest detective, out to strike terror in the hearts of criminals, like Batman.

She wasn't the guardian of the universe and enforcer of truth and justice, like Superman.

She wasn't thrust into her role by events outside her control -- like the demise of her planet, or murder of her parents, or a bite from a radioactive spider. She chose to be the hero.

And unlike her "Bam! Pow!" colleagues, Wonder Woman used force and might as a last resort. She almost always saw the potential for good in even the worst villains, and preferred to resolve conflicts with truth and reason instead of fisticuffs.

Many early Wonder Woman tales didn't end with the criminal going to jail. Diana was just as interested in forgiveness, redemption and transformation. She felt anyone could change for the better, and even convinced vile Nazi Baroness Paula von Gunther to change her evil ways and use her genius for the good of humanity. (After a stint at the Amazons' "Transformation Island," Gunther became Paradise Island's leading scientist!)

That really appealed to this young pacifist!

Unfortunately, this aspect of her character can be particularly vexing for some of her writers, and can make creating an exciting conclusion to a Wonder Woman tale especially challenging. (Don't believe me? Just watch the frustrating Wonder Woman 1984.)

Perhaps this is why the character was revamped by DC Comics in the mid-1980s.

After a wonderful start with the aforementioned writer/artist Perez, this new Wonder Woman began to embrace her warrior heritage. She often carried a sword and a shield. Her desire to reform criminals was toned down in favor of a more brutal Amazon. Idyllic Paradise Island became strive-filled Themyscira.

As comics in general became darker and darker, she seemed to stray further and further from her pacifist roots. The "point of no return" came in 2005, when Wonder Woman snapped the neck of villain Maxwell Lord. (Granted, I found myself wishing she'd do just that in WW84!)

It was around this time that I stopped reading her monthly adventures. The "New 52" interpretation of the character was just too much to take. I sold my massive collection of comic books and most of my action figures and statues.

But I never gave up on Marston's original heroine, the peace-loving character I grew up with.

So I was thrilled in 2017 when the long-awaited, well-received feature film Wonder Woman restored just a bit of that original sense of the character (even if she did still run around with that sword and shield.)

I was thrilled further that Patty Jenkins & Gal Gadot brought her a new level of respect and appreciation, especially since she's spent many of her decades languishing -- suffering from creative teams that don't "get" her, constant "revamps," and a publishing company that often treated her as an after-thought.

DC isn't making that mistake these days! They've since jettisoned most of the "New 52" and have brought the character a bit closer to her original incarnation. They seem to finally revere her as much as Superman and Batman since her big box-office debut.

Now if only they'd get rid of that damned sword and shield!

Happy Birthday, Wonder Woman! Thank you, Dr. Marston! Here's to many more decades of the Amazing Amazon!

How to Celebrate!

Check out Polymor.com's list of the Greatest Wonder Woman Comics of All Time. I agree with almost every entry on this list, except for the dreadful New 52. I prefer Amazons who don't rape and kill sailors, then sacrifice the resulting male offspring -- but that's just me!

As for the best episodes of the series, check out the Pilot, entitled "New, Original Wonder Woman," plus season one's "Fausta: The Nazi Wonder Woman," "Last of the $2 Bills" and the two-part "Feminium Mystique" (with Debra Winger as Wonder Girl). From season two, check out "Anschluss '77," "The Man Who Could Move the World" and "Light-Fingered Lady" -- all available on HBO Max.

Finally, check out two new special titles from DC Comics that celebrate her long, varied history.

Wonder Woman 80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular features 9 brand-new stories, each written & drawn to emulate the style of each of the Amazon's eight decades --with the final chapter set in 2109. (It comes in 8 variant covers, too, naturally!)

Or splurge on the 400-plus-page full-color hardcover collection Wonder Woman: 80 Years of the Amazon Warrior - The Deluxe Edition, which reprints stories from the title's different incarnations of the character, along with new interviews with Lynda Carter, Gal Gadot and Patty Jenkins.

Joining the War Effort

During WWII, many Hollywood actors put their careers on hold to join the fight against Hitler's tyranny -- joining the Army, Air Force or shooting propaganda films in support of the war effort.

We're fighting a very different war these days, one against COVID.

And I'm certainly not a famous Hollywood actor. (See SUB-LEBRITY*)

But let's face it -- roles in lower-budget film & stage productions for non-famous older gay actors without an easily identifiable type (cop, lawyer, construction worker) are thin on the ground these days.

So I've decided to take advantage of this slow period, and join the war effort against COVID.

Particularly, I'm working with a private school in West Angeles -- assisting with weekly testing of students, and tracking & recording the results, as well as their ever-changing vaccination statuses.

After over a year and a half of simply reacting to COVID news from a safe distance, it actually feels great to be contributing, and to be working to help control, fight and hopefully eventually get some control over this ever-evolving battle.

I hear some of you already! "Mr. Big-Mouth Liberal working at a fancy private school?" Don't get me wrong. I am still a very staunch advocate of reforming public education -- of bringing back the arts, and reintroducing civics and government into required curriculum, for starters.

But even I can't deny that these are some of the most polite, well-behaved and self-aware kids I have ever met. The staff are all incredibly nice. And the location? It's like working on a beautiful ranch.

And after all, don't we need liberal rich people on our side, too, after all!?

Don't get me wrong. I'm still submitting for that (rare) role I'd be right for. I'm still working on some writing projects (which are never quick).

But enough with these "day gigs" for insulting lawyers & anal-retentive CPAs. It's time to join the fight full time.

As much as I enjoy it, I can't wait until my services are no longer needed!

A Decade of Old Dogs!

It blows my mind that its been a decade since Old Dogs & New Tricks' Pilot episode debuted on YouTube!

Celebrate our 10th anniversary with this behind-the-scenes look at the creation of ODNT's Pilot, with me and exec-producer/director Arvin Bautista!

https://youtu.be/uil7mXI9sBg

Thank you to our viewers & longtime fans for making it happen!

Buy or rent Old Dogs & New Tricks on digital from Amazon Prime Video at bit.ly/ODNTdigital

Cruel Summer

There’s no “light side” to what’s happening to our planet.

There’s no way to sugar-coat the facts:

So far this summer:

WESTERN EUROPE: 205 are dead and 176 still missing from floods that ravaged the continent, particularly Germany & Belgium.

PACIFIC NORTHWEST: Hundreds are believed dead from four extreme heatwaves within less than two months.

ZHENGZHOU, CHINA: 33 are dead and at least 8 still missing after heavy rains flood a subway line.

SIBERIA, RUSSIA: Smoke from over 200 fires has drifted as far as Alaska.

OREGON: The 360,000-acre (and counting) Bootleg fire is creating its own “weather,” i.e., lightning and fiery tornados, and spreading ash and smoke (visible from space) all the way to the East Coast.

Last month was the hottest June in America since the federal government began tracking temperatures back in the 1890s.

On July 9, 2021, Death Valley, CA reached 130 degrees, matching the hottest temperature ever recorded on Earth (save for one day in 1913, which scientists now dispute).

As for the rest of the nation? Take a look at these charts from the National Weather Service, published by the New York Times.

If your reaction is "Big deal, what's a few extra degrees?" you clearly haven't been paying attention to the news the past few years.

Scientists had previously predicted that if temperatures in the oceans rise by just three degrees, sea levels would rise 2 to 4 meters (that's six to 12 feet!) within three centuries.

But now, it's even worse.

A 2013 study found that high tides in Bangladesh are rising ten times faster than the world average, suggesting a four-meter rise by 2100.

That's less than 80 years away!

Can our planet be rescued from a future of unbearable heat, unpredictable storms in some areas and massive drought in others?

We did it once before.

Nearly 50 years ago, scientists discovered that chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in hair spray, deodorant, and other CFC aerosol-spray cans were destroying the ozone layer (which protect us from dangerous UV rays) above the Antarctic.

If those rays reached Earth’s surface, they warned, millions could die of skin cancer, or go blind with cataracts, or suffer immune diseases. Food crops would wither.

Eventually, most Americans accepted it as fact, even as chemical companies denied the science (sound familiar?).

Many countries entered into the Montreal Protocol. Congress passed the Clean Air Act in America. Many industries redesigned their products to work as pumps or roll-ons.

And our ozone layer began to heal.

But to save us from the current climate-change disaster, big business and conservative government leaders must face facts.

But how do we get them to do that? Particularly in an era when even protecting one's self against a potentially deadly virus has been turned into an absurd "left-vs.-right" political issue?

What will it take for climate-change deniers to wake up to reality?

When will they admit they are wrong?

As they are drowning?

After they burst into flames?

Sources:

"Dire climate predictions are becoming real around the globe" Los Angeles Times 7/22/2021

“Extreme Summer” by David Leonhardt New York Times 7/20/2021

“Northern Hemisphere has a punishing heat wave infestation” by Jason Samenow Washington Post 7/20/21

National Resources Defense Council article “We Save the Ozone Layer. We Can Save the Climate.” 4/17/2019 www.nrdc.org