We don't have any pics to post yet, but as soon as I get some from Matt we will put them up here.
Congratulations to the Coen family!!!!
Mike
In a second blow to House Republicans this week, the FBI raided a business tied to the family of Rep. Rick Renzi (R-Ariz.) Thursday afternoon as part of an ongoing investigation into the three-term lawmaker. Details of the raid on Patriot Insurance Agency in Sonoita, Ariz., were not immediately available. Renzi's most recent financial disclosure form lists the business as an asset belonging to his wife, Roberta, and valued at $1 million to $5 million.
In 2003, Rep. Renzi sponsored legislation that dealt hundreds of millions of dollars to his father's business while, according to environmentalists, devastating the San Pedro River. A key beneficiary of Rep. Renzi's legislation was ManTech International Corp., a Fairfax, Virginia based defense contractor where Rep. Renzi's father, Retired Major General Eugene Renzi, is an executive vice president. The company, which has an office in Sierra Vista, Arizona, was the largest contributor to Renzi's 2002 congressional campaign and the second largest in his 2004 campaign. If Rep. Renzi accepted campaign contributions from ManTech in exchange for pushing through legislation benefitting the company, he would be in violation of federal bribery laws. His actions on behalf of his father may have also violated conflict-of-interest rules and the requirement that Members of the House conduct themselves "at all times in a manner that reflects creditably on the House."
As it turns out they love the film in the UK and in France. CAN MR. SMITH GET TO WASHINGTON ANYMORE? took the Audience Award at Oxdox and at the International Human Rights Film Festival of Paris, it brought back a Special Jury Prize.
If the Paris fest had given an award for most screenings of a single film, we would have won that one hands down. In addition to three regularly scheduled screenings in the fest itself, we had a pre-screening at one of the public universities. MR. SMITH also opened the festival when it screened before a sold-out house at the opening night ceremony (attended by the Deputy Mayor of Paris among other dignitaries).
One of the reasons we got such high profile treatment in Paris is that the French are weeks away from the first round of elections for picking their next president. So politics is very much on everyone's minds.
But discussions after each screening were fascinating because they showed some of the differences between the two systems, the most prominent being gerrymandering. The whole notion of a seat in the house of representatives being determined in primaries where districts are drawn either Democratic or Republican was positively mind-blowing to the Europeans. One woman at a screening in the UK presumed that those responsible for re-districting house seats in the Congress would go to prison (hello Tom Delay). Eyes rose when I explained how gerrymandering is legal in our political system.
Some of the more memorable questions included: "Do we have the moral authority to try and spread democracy around the world when this film shows how it is broken in your country?" "Are young people elsewhere in the U.S. as active as they appear in this film?" "Jeff Smith speaks with eloquence, passion and intelligence. Why can't George Bush seem to be able to speak at all?"
All in all the audiences were very engaged and asked some very difficult questions about the film and American democracy. I wish more Americans were asking the same questions of themselves.
Frank
I often wondered how any legitimate politician could ever appear on that gas bag's show, but there they were every morning lining up to trade barbs with Imus.
This isn't Imus' first foray into racist and sexist slurs. He has a long history of these, yet political insiders still treated his show like it was legitimate.
Now we see those same political insiders, James Carville, John McCain, Howard Fineman...., lining up to tell us what a great guy Imus is.
See, regular folks out in America should not be offended by Imus' racist and sexist nonsense, we just don't get it. Imus is a great guy....can't you all see that. Now move on to another issue.
Kind of like how we just don't get why lobbyists and special interests need to have such a cozy relationship with Congress. Or why it isn't a conflict of interest to do government business with friends and family members. Us regular Americans just don't get it.
It is time for Imus to go away and never be heard on the public airwaves again. When he does, it would be awfully nice if he would take all his insider buddies with him.
The continuing support for Imus is just one more example of how the elites in DC are completely out of touch with ordinary Americans.
Mike
Albertos comment held weight for me: He had won the top prize at IDFA in 2001 for his documentary on Afghanastan. That was back in June of 06. Today is March 19, 2007. Im on a Boeing 777 headed for the UK where MR. SMITH will have its European premier at OXDOX, the documentary film festival held in Oxford, UK. Next week will be the French premier when it shows at the International Human Rights Festival in Paris.
Well see what the festivals bring.
Frank
We have been overwhelmed with the reaction to the film outside of the United States by festival directors and others who have seen the movie.
There is a hunger for positive images of Americans. It seems that many of our longtime friends and allies find it hard to believe that we have lost our bearings so badly over the past several years that we elected George Bush as our President not once, but twice.
More than one international viewer has told us that our movie confirms for them that not all Americans have lost their minds.
"In the following report, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) documents the unethical activities of 25 members of Congress: 17 House Members and three Senators and five members whose known conduct isnt severe enough for them to make the list, but bears notice. The biggest problem: the members on this list have abused their positions for the financial benefit of themselves, their friends and their families. Some do this by hiring unqualified family members, some allow family members to lobby them and many use the legislative process to earmark for the financial benefit of themselves and specific individuals. Members need to be reminded that a career in public service is not intended to be lucrative. If members want to get rich, they should become lobbyists."
The whole report is well worth reading.
I manage David and we are getting his website, davidkrullblues.com set up with a Paypal account for online ordering. Or, you can send a check for $18 to Bob Rhodes, 1111 Peach Street, Alameda,CA 94501. Please feel free to contact me with inquiries - rocko@shamelessselfpromotion.biz Thank you.
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One of the best ways anyone can help artists is to buy their works directly from them.
When you buy a CD from Dave, a DVD from us, or the works of the many other independent artists trying to make a living at their craft, you do more than get a product. Buying direct from artists funds our work. When we sell our work at retail, independent artists see a tiny fraction, if any, of the sales proceeds. When we sell direct to you, we make a decent return. If we sell enough, we may actually get to keep making our art, whatever it may be.
If you have the choice, always buy direct from the artist and forego retail outlets.
On some levels, I could never fault a parent for wanting to give their child every opportunity in life to succeed. If I owned a family business, I would want my children to work with me. It's just that when our elected officials start to treat our government like their own business and use it to enrich their family members, I start to get upset.
Most Americans who do not call themselves members of Congress agree. An overwhelming majority of Americans believe it's wrong for lawmakers and their staffs to have contact with relatives who are lobbyists regarding government matters. But a survey of lawmakers suggests they don't see a problem. USA Today PollA USA TODAY/Gallup Poll shows that 80% of respondents believe such actions are inappropriate. By contrast, few members of the House and Senate appropriations committees say they have policies that prevent lobbying by relatives.
For example, Karen Weldon, an inexperienced 29-year-old lobbyist from suburban Philadelphia, seemed an unlikely choice for clients seeking global public relations services.
Yet her tiny firm was selected last year for a plum $240,000 contract to promote the good works of a wealthy Serbian family that had been linked to accused war criminal Slobodan Milosevic.
Despite a lack of professional credentials, she had one notable asset - her father, U.S. Rep. Curt Weldon (R-Pa.), who is a leading voice in Washington on former Eastern Bloc affairs.
It is easy to pick on the Republicans since they have held power for the past several election cycles, but since Democrats took control of the House and Senate, we haven't been hearing a whole lot about campaign finance reform from them either, and they ran on a platform of addressing corruption. Lobbying reform seems like a good place to start. Talk is cheap, action counts.
It doesn't take an act of Congress for an individual member of Congress to adopt a policy that she/he will not do business with lobbyists that employee family of Members of Congress. We can put pressure on our individual members of Congress to do this. Call your Congressperson and see if they have such a policy. If they don't, ask why. Let us know what they say?
Can Mr. Smith Get to Washington Anymore? is a movie about the power of individuals to take back our government from powerful special interests. Here is something each of us can do that will help move us in that direction.
"It would only take $3.25 per person a year to fund every House and Senate campaign in America. Thats a small price to pay to get your Democracy back." From Can Mr. Smith Get to Washington Anymore?
To everyone who watched last night...thank you very much. Please tell us what you thought or ask us any questions about the film; we will try to answer any questions you have.
We hope the movie inspires people to get involved in working with political campaigns and supporting candidates who stand for their core beliefs as we move into this new election cycle.
If there are any campaigns or other groups who would like to do showings of the film, please contact us. We will try to accomodate the needs for your group if at all possible.
We want as many people to see the movie as possible. If anyone wants to buy a copy, send them to our online store at the website.
Thank you again!
Missoula is a beautiful city set in a valley surrounded with stunning mountains. The downtown area is filled with local businesses that seem to be thriving; a rare thing to find in a city's core these days. I also was pleasantly shocked with the number of bicycles that I saw on the streets.
The Wilma Theater, where the festival screens all of its films, is one of those classic 1920's style theaters that so many cities have lost. It is an intimate setting for a festival that makes it easy to meet and talk with the other filmmakers and guests without missing the great films that are playing.
When John Tester was elected to the Senate, I suspected that Montanans were good people. After visiting Missoula, I now can confirm it beyond a shadow of a doubt. All of the people who worked for the festival and the volunteers were absolutely terrific hosts.
There was a Q&A session after our movie and I think the audience would have asked questions for a couple of hours if given the chance. It is obvious that the people of Missoula are very politically engaged.
If you can't tell yet, I thoroughly enjoyed the festival and the City of Missoula. Thanks again to Doug, Damon and all the other folks at the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival for inviting us.
Michael
Now he needs our help. The following email showed up in our inbox today:
For those of you wondering where Ive been, and curious as to why your Inbox hasnt been filled with unbelievably hilarious comments, timely information, and incoherent ramblings fromshameless self promotion, I will apologize. Sometimes life takes unplanned turns. My dear friendDavid Krull has been fighting some very serious health issues (that word issues always means something bad!) and his music has taken a backseat to his medical struggles. While he is doing better, there is a long road ahead. And you can help!
On Sunday, March 11th, the Alameda music community will once again gather to aid one of their own in need. Well-known Blues and Boogie piano player David Krull is battling a genetic blood disease that attacks the liver and kidneys. Roosters Roadhouse (1700 Clement Street at Grand,Alameda, 510.337.9190) will host a benefit concert with all proceeds going to Krull. Needless to say, medical bills are adding up.
The doors will open at 3:00 pm; scheduled acts include David and his band, Daniel Castro, The Alameda All Stars and Strawberry Jam. There will be guest appearances by Pat Potter and Clara Bellino, with other artists yet to be finalized. Rumors are that Barrelhouse Chuck and Big Gay Fish will be on hand. The cover charge is $20. CDs and merchandise will be available.
Davids career began in Kansas City and St. Louis before touring the world with Jimmy Rogers. He has played with many of the greats in the blues world, including Johnnie Johnson, Henry Townsend, Hubert Sumlin, Bonnie Raitt and Elvin Bishop. He moved to Alameda ten years ago and has played with a number of local acts. Last year, he released his first solo CD, Cant Let Go.
David Krull has always been willing to donate his talents to benefit shows for local causes and individuals. Now, it is Alamedas chance to return the favor. Please come out in support of David; the fantastic music will be an added bonus! Please pass this on to your friends!
So, there you have it. Please come out and show David some love (and some cash!) and have a great time. If you are unable to attend, but would like to contribute, please contact me and I will be happy to make the arrangements. If you have any questions, feel free to ask.
Much love and peace always,
ROCKO * * * *
If you are in the San Francisco Bay area, please go see this show and help Dave. For those not in the Bay area, as soon as we find out a secure and safe way to donate to Dave's cause we will post it on here.
In a survey conducted by consulting firm Grant Thornton LLP, nearly 70 per cent of family-owned businesses fail to reach the second generation and 90 per cent do not reach the third generation.
Donald Emerson, a partner at Grant Thornton in Toronto, helps family-owned businesses develop succession plans. He says failures of family-owned businesses beyond the first generation can be attributed to lifestyle differences between generations.
"There's the expression: from rags to riches to rags," says Emerson. "The first generation starts with nothing and they're frugal."
He explains that the second and third generation are accustomed to greater wealth and may not have the same work ethic and mindset as the first generation....
After the 2004 election, at least seven of the 41 new House members were relatives of prominent politicians. Washington Post
Now consider this, Prescott Sheldon Bush was a US Senator from Connecticut from 1952 to 1963. In 1989 his son George Herbert Walker Bush was elected President of the US. Twelve years later, Prescotts grandson, George W. Bush, became President of the US.
Our friends at Grant Thornton have some recommendations for familyowned businesses: When considering future ownership and management of your business, decide what qualifications a successor should have before you consider any individual family member. Don't choose a family member first and then try to attach the relative's qualifications to the position. If no family member is suited to running the company&..You might consider placing third parties in key roles.... Small Business Advise
The director, producers, film rep and others affiliated with the project and possibly even Jeff Smith himself will be there. Come and say hi. Get in touch with the IDA for tickets.
Anyone who has done grassroots campaigning knows that you run into some of the craziest characters you can imagine if you do it long enough. You just never know who is going to open that door when you knock.
We run into our share of characters in the Mr. Smith Movie (you should see some of the footage we have on the cutting room floor).
If you have a funny story from the campaign trail, tell us. Everyone can use some levity in these last days before an election.
Last week Can Mr. Smith Get to Washington Anymore? played at Yale, Wesleyan and Connecticut College. Was there someone from the Lamont campaign in one of those audiences? Ned has gotten into the Mr. Smith spirit, check out his latest campaign ad: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbL5eO750gU&eurl
Also, if there are any other college professors out there who would like to get Mr. Smith to their school, please email us.
Thank you very much!!!
Thanks again, for all that attended, and if you haven't already done so, please let your friends know about the showings at the Tivoli!
A lot has been going on the past few weeks and we plan on posting more news and screening information here within the next few weeks. Be sure to check back often. If you post a comment you can sign up to subscribe to our mailing list and receive news alerts direct to your mail box!
And just to let you know, the St. Louis premiere screening at 7:15 PM on July 27th at the Tivoli is already sold-out. There's still tickets available for the 9:30 PM showing that evening as well as through the rest of the week. Hope you can make it and thanks for all of your support!
