Friday, December 19, 2014

SONY, PARAMOUNT PICTURES, NORTH KOREA, “THE INTERVIEW” AND “TEAM AMERICA”

So, here it is December 19, 2014, the middle of the second decade of the 21st Century. Cool stuff is supposed to be happening, like we all ride around in personal-pan helio-copters that repel themselves away from the earth and (one hopes) each other, as we flit around and do Important things, wearing our onesies that are made out of a combination of tin-foil and Queen Latifah's weave and that also self-repel dirt. We all wear Johnny Quest's friend's Race Bannon's style of sunglasses indoors and out, because, well, we're cool. This is all of the cool stuff I remember from about 1960, and what I thought the world would become. How'd I do?


I don't remember my vision of the future being this blah, or sepia-toned, but heck, I can't draw this well, so it'll have to do.

Apparently, not very well in the prognosticating department, since we still have jacklegs like Kim Il Jung running rogue Dictatorships AND sticking their noses in OUR cultural bidness, which is even worse in the whole “America is a place where you can say what you want, and depict what you wish in the movies, as satire, with the complete understanding that IT IS SATIRE!” Nope, can't even do that any more and no one, who ACTUALLY matters, (I'm looking at you Mr. Obama*, and you, people who run Sony and Paramount Pictures) are willing to take a stand and say “look here, you little worm! We are going to make fun of you, whether you like it or not! So what if we take your head off with a chainsaw? It's all in good, clean fun, and besides we're showing it in OUR country to OUR people. Take a hike, Kim!”

*As of 2:30 A.M. EDT on 12/20/2014, Huffpo published an article stating that Mr. Obama condemns Sony Pictures' Heads decision to bow down to the request of the Dictator of North Korea. All nice I guess, but shouldn't Mr. Obama have been out AHEAD of this and taking up for the "Freedom of Expression" crowd before now? Just a thought.


No doubt I'm on someone's shit list now; but, when am I not? I'll just hunt me up a chorus of "Team America, F*ck, Yeah!" and march bravely off to. . .  whatever.

(note: That is also a team name of one of our better SETI@home teams and with whom we fight with on a regular basis for 64th or 72nd position; I forget which one.)


1st Lt. Glenn Wallace, U. S. Air Force

Granted, the man LOVED to fly, but he also served in WW II in Okinawa, as did both of my mom's brothers, my uncles, Stan and Nile. They were in the Navy in the South Pacific.

But, that didn't happen. I realize I've just jumped right here in the middle, with no explanation, not mention aforethought and no context, but this is really just unbelievable to me. I can just hear my father, who lived through all the shit of the Joseph P. McCarthy era, - with Stalin laughing, saying, “I don't have to do anything to weaken America, she does it to herself!" - in the early 50s, after he left the Air Force and I can remember him talking in hushed tones about professors of his who did lose their positions because people were afraid, and people talked, and cast aspersions, even if they weren't true. Some people took their lives. Were my dad alive today, he would say what I thought when I was reading the article; a quote by Joseph Welch that was televised, when Senator McCarthy began to insinuate a witness was a long, long-ago member of the American Communist Party, “Have you no shame? Have you no decency?”


B-29 Wing, over Korea, circa 1951

Have we no shame nor decency, that we can let the freedoms that were won so hard for us over the centuries and the decades go so easily? Are we really that willing to just brush it off? Or, are we that knavish and craven that we believe the North Koreans and the anonymous hackers are capable of 9/11-era attacks BECAUSE OF the showing of something like the previews for “The Interview” or a midnight showing of “Team America: World Police”, a movie that has been out for TEN years?


At least George Clooney had the gumption to stand up and attempt to do the right thing. He tried to get other actors and people of note to sign a petition backing the Sony Pictures, but was unsuccessful in his attempt. The media did little as per usual; their modus operandi of late has been to run around with their hair on fire making everything seem far worse than it is, and they do little to bring calm, reason, parity and a fair perspective to anything I've watched in many a year.

As far as I am concerned, we should NEVER bow down to dictators, never negotiate with terrorists. Once we start down that road, it is simply too easy to get us to give in on bigger things. It is the “slippery slope” that lawyers and lawmakers and diplomats worry about. Were it up to me? I'd be showing that bastard “Team America: World Police” for free in EVERY THEATER in the country! It's just a movie for crying out loud! (You can watch the damn thing on NETFLIX, which I intend on doing for the next week!)

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

SPOTLIGHT BOOK TOUR - "THE FALLEN ANGELS OF KARNATAKA" by Hans M. Hirschi

The-Fallen-Angels-of-Karnataka-3            Enjoy Happy Geek Media’s debut virtual tour of The Fallen Angels of Karnataka


Here is something rather unusual for me; two book tours in one month! Not that I am complaining! This book is much different than "The Next Day" and although I have not read this book and am merely spotlighting it for the awesome Amberr Meadows, I intend on reading the book, as the subject matter is very intriguing and I have yet to be disappointed by anything written by a Swedish author. The book deals with loss and redemption after a journey of the heart, that appears to be doomed and who among us can say that our paths through life have all been serene, calm and that we have always achieved what we set out to do. I know I haven't, but that doesn't mean that my life is a failure or that I am doomed to be unloved. 

I urge you to buy and read this book; I plan on doing so and for $5.99, that is a wonderful deal. Maybe you have a friend who is hurting and would find some solace within the pages. There's also an Amazon Gift Card Give-Away, so you can sign up for that, as well. Buy, read and enjoy! 


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The Fallen Angels of Karnataka by:
Hans M. Hirschi
Published by:
Yaree AB
Genres: Romance, Contemporary, LGBT, Social Awareness, Literary, Travel
264 pages
Release Date: September 15, 2014
The-Fallen-Angels-of-Karnataka-1 In an isolated mountain town in Norway, Haakon dreams of traveling the world, pursuing adventure, seeing great cities, finding love. His very first trip to London with friends from university offers much promise, yet soon after tragedy strikes. Still young, and mourning the loss of his lover, Haakon is not ready to give up on his dream, so when a rich Englishman offers him the chance to join him on a tour of the world, Haakon takes it, daring to believe that his dream is finally coming true...but at what price? The Fallen Angels of Karnataka is a novel filled with adventure, life's hard-learned lessons, loss, despicable evil, and finally, love and redemption. See what others are saying about The Fallen Angels of Karnataka on the author's   media page here.



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AMAZON/NOOK/ADLIBRIS/ELIB/BOKUS/YAREE

The Fallen Angels of Karnataka is discounted to $5.99 right now, so grab a copy. The novel will not disappoint!

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Follow the tour schedule here


Dec 1st Like a Bump on a Blog Kick-off
Dec 2nd DP’s Cafe Spotlight & Excerpt
Dec 3rd Margo’s Red Light Fiction District Spotlight & Excerpt
Dec 4th Desafio in the City Spotlight
Dec 5th Rebecca Hamilton Spotlight
Dec 8th KP’s Cafe Review & Indian Chai Tea Recipe
Dec 9th McClellan’s Books Spotlight
Dec 10th Homeless Chronicles in Tampa Spotlight
Dec 11th Erica Lucke Dean Spotlight
Dec 12th Cupcakes and Flip Flops Review
Dec 15th Inward-Facing Writers Review
Dec 16th Elin Gregory Spotlight
Dec 17th Blogging with NiNi Review
Dec 18th Megan’s Blog Spotlight
Dec 19th Simply Chrystan Review
Dec 22nd eBook Builders Spotlight
Dec 23rd Plain Talk Marketing Spotlight
Dec 24th Like a Bump on a Blog Review
Dec 25th Work, Money Fun Spotlight
Dec 26th Just Olga Review
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Author Hans M. Hirschi

Hans M. Hirschi (b. 1967) has been writing stories ever since he was a child. Adulthood and the demands of corporate life efficiently put an end to his fictional writing for over twenty years.
A global executive in training and channel development, Hans has traveled the world and had previously published non-fictional titles.
The birth of his son and the subsequent parental leave provided him with the opportunity to unleash his creative writing once again. With little influence over his brain’s creative workings, he indulges it, going with the flow.
A deeply rooted passion for, faith in a better world, in love, tolerance and diversity are a red thread throughout both his creative and non-fictional work. His novels might best be described as “literary romance, engaging characters and relevant stories that won’t leave you untouched, but hopeful.”
Hans is a proud member of the Swedish Writers’ Union, the Writers’ Center in Sweden and serves as chair of the Swedish Federation of Self- & Independent Publishers.

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Good luck and happy reading and winning! Tour Hosted by...   

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Wednesday, December 3, 2014

SPOTLIGHT BOOK TOUR - "THE NEXT DAY" by MILT MAYS


The-Next-Day-Tour-Banner Enjoy Happy Geek Media's Debut of The Next Day

I don't launch into a book tour, or a book review cold, and this is no exception. When I was contacted by Amberr Meadows to participate in some book tours for her, I said "Sign me up! Anytime, anywhere." You see, Amberr is THE very first person I met when I started writing and getting involved in social media, and she has been the most generous and kindest woman in the world. She helped me when I hadn't clue one as to what I was doing. She's laughed with me over silly eCards and we've comforted one another when things weren't so great. She's a terrific inspiration for me and others around me, like Andi-roo and Aaron Brinker. We've all been doing this "writing and social media-izing" thing for quite a while and Amberr is a complete pro and one of the best people I know!

This book, "The Next Day" is an intriguing and very satisfying read. I have not finished it yet, but Mr. Milt Mays, the author has written a fine suspense-thriller and his characters have very real human foibles. One of the things I love about his style of writing, along with his clarity, is the rather wry outlook that he attributes to Alex, his protagonist. Alex could be "everyman", if everyman happened to be working with viral codes and on the cutting edge of weaponization of some of these very nasty bugs that the characters work with in the course of the book. 

Given our recent Ebola scare, and the idea of rogue-states, or individuals within these rogue-states getting their hands on and using either weaponized, or just plain, garden-variety viruses and bugs is rather hair-raising and Mr. Mays' approach is far different than a book like "The Andromeda Strain". I recommend this book highly; it is a thoughtful discursive into what could very possibly happen in the near-future and is well-thought out and beautifully written. I'm glad to be a part of this and would read any of his books in the future! Amberr, my thanks and love to you, as well! I'm happy that I could participate in the fun!


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The Next Day by: Milt Mays
Genres: Thriller, Paranormal, sci-fi
395 Pages
Release date: November 10, 2014

                                      The-Next-Day-About-the-Book                                             
***** Top secret bio-warfare after 9/11 changes an American geneticist and an Iraqi jihadist into the next evolution of man, one evil and one good, and their end game will decide the fate of the human race. Alex Smith, an adventure seeking American geneticist, remembers 9/11 with crystal clarity. A girlfriend was incinerated at the Twin Towers at the same time he was infected by a lethal virus he genetically modified in an illegal, U.S. bio-warfare facility in the Amazon jungle. Then he changes, physically and psychologically, into a creature he hates and must learn to control before he loses his work, his new love, and his life and country. Jabril El Fahd’s Iraqi mother, a nurse, dies in his arms, killed by the American embargo. His dreams of being a doctor are consumed in the fires of revenge and hate. He becomes a jihadist, Osama bin Laden’s right-hand man, and comes up with a plan to not just cripple, but destroy the United States. Infecting himself with a deadly virus to wipe out the American infidels, he changes into a monstrous creature he loves, and becomes more powerful with every hateful and lustful thought. Nothing stands in his way. Nothing except Alex.                                                                                                         
                                                     The-Next-Day-divider

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ONLY ON AMAZON FOR NOW

Book discounted to 99 cents for the holidays! Grab your copy. The book does not disappoint!
                                       The-Next-Day-Follow-the-Tour                                                                 Follow the tour by following the schedule here.    
            
                                                        The-Next-Day-divider             
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                                                                                                       Author Milt Mays
                                                                    Author Milt Mays

Milt grew up in Colorado, then spent most of his adult life as a Navy doctor. After graduating from the Naval Academy and medical school, he traveled all over the world with the Navy, the Marines, and a Navy Security Group, finally coming back to rest in Colorado. He’s worked as a fly fishing guide and currently is a primary care doctor for the VA.
Other published works by Milt include the novels The Guide and Dan’s War and the short stories “Thanksgiving with Riley” and “The Dry-Land Farmer.” He lives with his wife in Colorado.
Visit his website to find out more about him.

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             The-Next-Day-social-media                     WEBSITE/TWITTER/FACEBOOK

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                                         The-Next-Day-giveaway

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Tour hosted by...

Nov 24 Like a Bump on a Blog Kick-off post
Nov 25th Work Money Fun Spotlight
Nov 26th Unorthodox Blog Spotlight
Nov 28th Erica Lucke Dean Spotlight
Dec 1st John Lindholm Spotlight & Excerpt
Dec 2nd Ciara Ballintyne Spotlight
Dec 3rd Homeless Chronicles in Tampa Spotlight/Possible review
Dec 4th Publishing Push Spotlight
Dec 5th Write as Raine Spotlight & 5 Facts
Dec 8th John Lindholm Review
Dec 9th Terri's Little Haven Spotlight
Dec 10th Becca Hamilton Books Spotlight
Dec 11th McClellan Books Spotlight
Dec 12th KP's Book Nook Review
Dec 15th Fever of a Lava Mama Spotlight
Dec 16th Chrystan's Thoughts Review
Dec 17th Desafio in the City Spotlight & Excerpt
Dec 18th Momma D Saves Spotlight/Review
Dec 19th eBookBuilders Spotlight
Dec 19th Like a Bump on a Blog Review
Dec 22nd Happy Geek Media Spotlight Q&A


HGM

            Good luck and happy reading and winning!