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Darth Vader Guide to winning in political campaigns.  Its a wonderful read and you must use the link below to read it.  To give a hint to this brillant work, the first four or five paragraphs are published below.  Enjoy.

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Most people don’t realize that I’ve done some dabbling in political campaign management, but there are actually a lot of less-than-glamorous projects I’ve had to take on as second-in-command of the Galactic Empire.  I’ll bet you’ve never read about my involvement in the Empire’s Environmental Protection Division either, have you?

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Ah, well . . . sometimes a job well done is its own reward.

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Remember: before my boss permanently dissolved the Imperial Senate, our subject worlds were still under the impression that they got to select their own representatives in fair, democratic elections.  Although assassinating Senate candidates that didn’t agree with the Emperor’s agenda solved the problem in most cases, we sometimes had to use more covert methods of influencing local elections.  And that meant sending in Imperial agents to help influence the vote on some planets.

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So, did playing a part in developing political campaign strategy for candidates in elections across the galaxy make me gain a new appreciation for the democratic process?  No, not in the least bit.  But I was surprised to find myself admiring the utter inhumanity and unscrupulousness that I observed in a many local politicians; a few of them would have made halfway decent Sith, but for the lack of Force abilities.

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In fact, working with politicians made me realize why my master decided to wear the mask of a Senator to hide his true form from the Jedi: people expect politicians to be slimy and exude a loathsome aura, so no one suspected Palpatine of doing anything other than living up to his job description.

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Remember, You must give in to the Dark Side of the Force and read the rest of the article. Link below.

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Ref. (http://www.killercampaigning.com/darth-vaders-guide-to-winning-your-political-campaign/).

Those of you who are Star Trek fans should know the name of the artist that was with the Next Generation era tv programs – Michael Okuda.  Remember those fantastic display panels?  They were given the name “Okudagrams” in honor of him.

Anyway, he has his own website and today, I stopped in and found this:  Support Constellation.

The current PROPOSED Federal budget for 2011 will basically drop the return to the moon program from NASA’s budget.  Instead, while NASA will get additional funding, none of it will go to the Constellation program.

Longtime readers of either of my blogs such as this one or my other one (http://aerospacedreams.blogspot.com/) know that I am not too happy with the Apollo on steroids program.  While in principle, I agree with President Obama that private industry should step up and build vehciles that can take our astronauts up to the international space station (such as SpaceX’s proposed Dragon capasule); to simply drop what has been done for Constellation is bad news.

I support the Jupiter Booster plan that NASA engineers have proposed using as much common hardware from the shuttle program as possible for our boosters.  I suppot ‘man rating’ the modern Delta and Atlas boosters that we currently are using now.

And when in the future, Virgin Galactic – when they get tired of just doing sub-orbital flights and want to go all the way up into orbit.

Anyway, please visit the Okuda’s website for supporting the Constellation Program.  Also, this is the previous article that I posted on this subject matter here on The Shanks Dimension (http://www.theshanksdimension.com/2010/01/back-stabber-in-chief-no-more-moon-program/).

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Ref.  (www.supportconstellation.com)

I discovered this through a link from the Jawa Report.  That’s why I recommend you go to this site and scroll through the pictures.  Its on the Doug Ross blog.   It was posted back on February 16, 2009.

Its a fine parody.

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Ref. Doug Ross (http://directorblue.blogspot.com/2009/02/star-trek-doomsday-machine.html).  Image of Obama in Bridge view screen comes from this website.

The Jawa Report (http://mypetjawa.mu.nu/archives/200235.php)

Lets get something straight right up front. This is the biggest 3d movie-ever! Director John Cameron has something to be very proud of.  I both love and hate this movie. But, more on that later.

Technically, it is the most inspiring work ever.  When view the movie through the 3d glasses (which were included in the price of the ticket), you actually felt like you were in that jungle, that room, flying on the back of a dragon-like creature.  In the movie previews, other pictures will soon be using this format.  ITs here to stay.

And 20th Century Fox announched on December 20, 2009, that the movie has taken in $159.18 million dollars internationally.  Here in the USA, Avatar  took in $73 million.  That is a worldwide total of $232.18 million dollars.   And 20th Century Fox added that this was the highest take for a orignial, non-sequel, non-franchise, opening weekend ever.

John Cameron helped with the creation of the Fusion Camera System technology that allows for photo-realistic computer-generated characters though motion captur animation.  The script for Avatar was written back in the mid-1990s with Stan Winston who co-founded Digital Domain.

Heres the overall plot for the movie (Spoiler Alert):  Jake Sully (Sam Worthington), is a former U.S. Marine who was wounded and paralyzed from the waist down in combat on Earth. Jake is selected to participate in the Avatar program, which will enable him to walk again.

Pandora, is a lush jungle-covered extraterrestrial moon filled with incredible life forms, some beautiful, many terrifying. It is also the home to the Na’vi, a sentient humanoid race, who are considered primitive, yet are more physically capable than humans. Standing ten feet tall, they have tails and a  sparkling blue skin, the Na’vi live in harmony with their unspoiled world. As the evil humans encroach deeper into Pandora’s forests in search of valuable minerals, the Na’vi unleash their formidable warrior abilities to defend their threatened existence.

Sully has unwittingly been recruited to become part of this encroachment. Since humans are unable to breathe the air on Pandora, they have created genetically-bred human-Na’vi hybrids which are known as Avatars.  Through his Avatar body, Jake Sully is able to walk again. Sent deep into Pandora’s jungles as a scout for the soldiers that will follow, Jake encounters many of Pandora’s mystery’s-many are beautiful and deadly. There he runs into a young Na’vi female, Neytiri (played by Zoe Saldaña-”Uhura” in J.J. Abrams Star Trek).

Over time, Sully integrates himself into the Na’vi clan, and begins to fall in love with Neytiri. As a result, he finds himself caught between the military-industrial forces of Earth(i.e America) and the Na’vi, forcing him to choose sides in an epic battle that will decide the fate of  the Na’vi and their moon.

Now for what I hate about this film.  The plot is old and tired.  Instead of Ewoks fighting against the evil empire, we have these giant blue smurfs-the Na’vi.  Or we have the American Indian fighting back and winning this time (or if you insist on being Politically Correct – a Native American.  I’m a Native American too!  I just don’t have any Indian blood in me.  But that’s a pet peeve of mine as far as the whole concept of folks who use the words “Native American” and the way its used by those who do love to be oh so Politically Correct).

The humans are the enemy.

And I will point this out-ALL the evil humans I saw in that movie all seemed to be Americans only!  I didn’t see other nations taking part in mining the moon Pandora.  So – in a way, this flick was a hit against America in general.  I mean, we’ve (i.e. Americans) been doing the universe wrong ever since the evil white man robbed the Indians of their land ever since Columbus discovered the damn place.   For Hollywood, America is evil.  That also plays into the tired old plot line that is the basis of this post and what I am so sick and tired of.  And this American is sick and tired of Hollywood’s BS view of this nation.

Corporations are evil (not that they are angels – don’t get me wrong on this).  I’m 50 years old now and I’m tired of this same old plot line in the movies that Hollywood dumps on us for the past 25, 40 years or so.  In talking with my friends after the release of this movie,  I did hear great praise for this movie.  But I asked them if they even noticed the old plot line.  I even used the Ewoks vs. the Empire as an example.  They did – but I guess I’m the only one who gives a damn.  I then asked them wouldn’t it be wonderful if just once, we had a Hollywood movie come out where the corporation wasn’t evil.  I used the example of it’ll be like the Godfather escaping at the end of the first Godfather movie.  I remember that when THAT movie came out, the critics flipped cause he did escape at the end.  And in full disclosure – I have never watch ANY of the Godfather movies all the way through.  I’ve seen bits and pieces on cable – but those type of movies never hold my attention.

From such B minus motion pictures like ‘They Saved Hitler’s Brain”.  ”Boys form Brazil.”  And hundreds of other movies and documentaries.  And then there are those who want to keep his name alive – for both good and bad reasons.  While Stalin and Mao out did him in body counts, Hitler is still know as the mass murder of Jews in the world today.

This provocative commercial that has the line at the end of the short film “AIDS is a mass murder.” is suppose to scare youngsters into using condoms.  In the belief that they would not want to be like the famous German dictator.

We see a man and a woman lusting for one another ripping each other’s clothes off and then go after one another.  Lets call it a Soft R rated skin flick, you see naked butts, but no nipples. When the man and woman finally get into the missionary position on the bed and they are nearing the climax, the camera zooms in close to the man’s face and at the end, he looks up into the camera and we see the face of Adolf Hitler.

You don’t see any condom foil packs being ripped open for use.  In fact, the telegraph article on this sums it up nicely – a steamy, advert for perfume or underwear.

The ad has been released to coincide with 2009 World Aids Day.  But all those charities are trying to distance themselves away from this steam semi-porn flick. Quote, “Of course there are many HIV organisations that run their own campaigns, however I think the advert is incredibly stigmatising to people living with HIV who already face much stigma and discrimination due to ignorance about the virus,” a spokeswoman for the National AIDS Trust, which co-ordinates World Aids Day in Britain, said.

“On top of this it fails to provide any kind of actual prevention message (e.g. use a condom) and may deter people to come forward for testing.”

The commercial itself was produced by the young Hamburg-based advertising agency das comitee on behalf of a small German Aids awareness group called Regenbogen e.V.  And the telegraph tried to contact that group for further word about this commercial. Their website still states their controversial approach to the AIDs problem with their “AIDS is a mass murder” concept.

In Germany today, “Hitler is the ugliest face you can use to show evil.” so states Hans Weishaupl-the creative director for the Regenbogen e.V. group.

Just a bit of odd news that I came across and just had to post something on it.  Some things are just too weird for explanation.

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Ref. Telegraph.co.uk (Sept 4, 2009) article about AIDS ad that features Adolf Hitler. (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/germany/6138037/Adolf-Hitler-sex-video-condemned-by-Aids-charities.html)

And I think Pethokoukis read a posting on Lt. Nixon’s blog about this very same subject (http://ltnixonrants.blogspot.com/2009/05/if-liberals-are-spock-i-guess.html). And it seems that this all started with Newsweek, Politico, Huffington Post, and Salon. 

And the one that gets my goat is the Obama as Spock action figure (iphone savior.com).  Normally I would just post one or two links as my references to anything that I post.  This time around, there are like five links (see below).  

But, lets now return to what Mr. Pethokoukis wrote in Reuters today. The General Motors (GM) deal showing the lie that President Obama is as logical as the fictional Mr. Spock.  The most outregious part of this whole sticking mess is the Bullying of the creditors/bondholders.  The UAW gets 17.5 percent, the government gets 72.5 percent of the automaker.  And that leaves the remaining 10% for the bond holders.  

But what the hell.  Under the Bush adminsitration, the US Supreme COunt turned property rights up on its ear by saying its ok for someone else to take over your property, kick you off of it if tis to put up some business that would provide the state with more bucks than the original homeowner did.

And this WHOLE FICTION of being TOO BIG TO FAILED.  GM and Chrysler should have failed and sooner than they did.  Instead, the US taxplayer is screwed even worse than before.

And finally, we are going to have our government design and sell cars that the people have already shown a desire NOT to buy.  All in the name of having a “Green” auto policy.  

And what about the Cap and Trade BS which is a smoke screen to sabotage the US economy and workers.  Or having government workers (in the form of Energy Secretary Stepphen Chu) urge a carbon tax that goes back to the government.  But admits that that or a “gas tax” just would not be feasible in a recession. 

These are the reasons that James Pethokoukis wrote about to show how President Obama is in no way close to being logical as the “real” Spock.  

If only there was someone with the balls to say to President Obama, “Mr President, I’ve met Mr. Spock, and you sir; are no Spock.”  Yeah – we know it’ll never happen, but its fun to dream it anyway.

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Ref. 

Huffington Post (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ward-sutton/a-istar-treki-for-the-oba_b_198888.html).

iPhonesavior.com(http://www.iphonesavior.com/2008/10/obama-spock-action-figure-is-brilliantly-illogical.html). 

LT. Nixon Rants (http://ltnixonrants.blogspot.com/2009/05/if-liberals-are-spock-i-guess.html).

Newsweek.com (http://www.newsweek.com/id/195082/page/2).

Reuters.com (http://blogs.reuters.com/great-debate/2009/05/29/gm-shows-obama-is-no-vulcan/).

Politico.com ( http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0509/22270.html).

Salon.com (http://www.salon.com/ent/feature/2009/05/07/obama_spock/).

The first picture is of our club’s big project – our very own shuttlecraft!  The Lubbock Star Trek Science-Fiction club, the U.S.S. Lonestar, a member of Starfleet International (http://www.sfi.org/portal/index.php).  

Next photo is of the new 12″ Playmates action figures released for the movie.  This one is of Doctor McCoy.

U.S.S. Kevin is a very interesting ship design.  I like to review the other spaceships shown at the Earth orbital space station.  

Uhura!  This actress is Amazing!  Actually, the entire cast I thought was amazing and they pulled off the impossible.  Comments I heard while working the table that we set up at the movie theather to let other people know about sfi and our local club – this is the most typical:  ”Is it over with already? I want more!”  

The sets – The bridges were great.  Engineering, I’m disappointed in.  It still looked TOO much like a brewely for my tastes.  

Next film to come out will be in 2011 is what I am told.

It is now 24 hours since I attended the premie of of JJ Abrams’s version of the Gene Roddenberry classic Star Trek.  As an added bonus, we watched it on the “digital projection” movie screen.  That made it even better somehow. 

Here I sit before my laptop “penning” this movie review while listening to the CD of the movie score by Michael Giacchino.  On the shelf is my 12″ Doctor McCoy ( Captain Kirk and Commander Spock were on pre-order with another store that still has not shipped them out to their customers – but that is for another post another day).

“Awesome” is such a tiny word to use to describe this movie.  

“Breathtaking” in the sense that you the viewer was on a roller coaster ride from the opening credits to the closing credits – largely to JJ Abrams style of movie making which was fast paste here.  But, you just CANNOT ignore Michael Giacchino’s music.  It seals the deal with this new generation of Star Trek fans.

The “Anicents” of which I must include myself in that batch love the film anyway. Its the new fans that will be fun to watch.  But I was helping out my local Star Trek club here in Lubbock, Texas; known as the U.S.S. Lonestar (NCC-73628).  We are part of Starfleet International which is a international club of fans united in their common interest and love of Star Trek.  Our club has over the years built a full scale Next Generation era type 6 shuttlecraft which we set up at our local movie threater and manned a table to provide information to prospective new club members who showed an interest in maybe joining our club on the local level and Starfleet in general.

Everyone came to us today- we didn’t have to go out into the crowds to hand out flyers with our information on it.  It was amazing to see and take part in.

Not wanting to be a spoiler to anybody who has not seen it yet, the sets are fastantisc.  I personally am a little put off by Engineering.  To me, it looked like it was filmed in a diary processing plant. I am going to have to go back and watch the movie again to understand what exactly am I seeing in those scenes.

Even more unbelievable, is the “set” for the old USS Kevin which is destroyed at the beginning to the movie.  The hallways looked like they to were some old warehouse / factory building that was rented long enough to film the movie scenes.  Then it was converted back to its original purpose. 

Like I stated above, I will have to watch the movie again and then come back to this post and edit/add additional material observations to this report. 

Drudge report linked to a article from Deadline Hollywood Daily that the Thrusdy night screenings across the USA generated about $7 million dolalrs.  Some of those films were even shown on IMAX screens.  But the article points out that the cost of produce this film was on the order of $165 million. For the 3-day weekend, Paramount projects a intake of aobut $60 million dollars. Most of the remaing amount of money will have to be made overseas.   

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Ref (http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/weekend-prediction-star-trek-65m/).

Star Fleet International ( http://www.sfi.org/portal/index.php)

Hollywood/Chicago News( http://www.hollywoodchicago.com/news/7704/pure-summer-entertainment-lives-on-in-jj-abrams-star-trek)