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“Do you have children?”
-regular client
“No I don’t.”
-me
“Oh well, I was going to wish you a belated happy mother’s day. But since you’re the mother of so many of us I’ll wish it anyway.”
-regular client
Posted by Vixen as Quote Book at 5:08 PM CDT
I finally watched the What Would Jesus Buy? movie. Wow! That was an amazing movie. Just amazing. I loved it.
From the film’s site:
“What Would Jesus Buy? follows Reverend Billy and the Church of Stop Shopping Gospel Choir as they go on a cross-country mission to save Christmas from the Shopocalypse: the end of mankind from consumerism, over-consumption and the fires of eternal debt!
From producer Morgan Spurlock (SUPER SIZE ME) and director Rob VanAlkemade comes a serious docu-comedy about the commercialization of Christmas. Bill Talen (aka Reverend Billy) was a lost idealist who hitchhiked to New York City only to find that Times Square was becoming a mall. Spurred on by the loss of his neighborhood and inspired by the sidewalk preachers around him, Bill bought a collar to match his white caterer’s jacket, bleached his hair and became the Reverend Billy of the Church of Stop Shopping. Since 1999, Reverend Billy has gone from being a lone preacher with a portable pulpit preaching on subways, to the leader of a congregation and a movement whose numbers are well into the thousands.
Through retail interventions, corporate exorcisms, and some good old-fashioned preaching, Reverend Billy reminds us that we have lost the true meaning of Christmas. What Would Jesus Buy? is a journey into the heart of America – from exorcising the demons at the Wal-Mart headquarters to taking over the center stage at the Mall of America and then ultimately heading to the Promised Land … Disneyland.
Will we be led like Sheeple to the Christmas slaughter, or will we find a new way to give a gift this Christmas? What Would Jesus Buy? may just be the divine intervention we’ve all been searching for.
The Shopocalypse is upon us … Who will be $aved?”
There were parts in this movie that made me laugh so hard my stomach hurt. But there were other parts that had me tear up. There will be spoilers in this review but it came out in 2007 so I figure that’s ok. The film basically follows his group around while they head across country to spread their gospel. Interspersed is footage of average shoppers and authors weighing in on Christmas and debt.
I knew about Reverend Billy’s activism beforehand. His mission has really grown-now he has a full choir and band that accompany him. It was a treat to see the behind the scenes practice of the gospel choir. The shopping sins confession booth was brilliant.
Maybe it’s because I was raised in a very religious town in the Midwest that I have a particular love of Rev. Billy’s character. I am so entertained by the parody. The way he dances on stage, the way the gospel “amens” when he preaches, the way he bugs out his eyes when talking about the Anti-Christ (in his case Mickey Mouse). Their gospel songs felt so good to listen to-uplifting music and energy with an uplifting message. Though he’s parodying televangelists he’s not insulting Christianity. In fact, the group performs at many churches on their tour. Their message of making Christmas about love and family instead of trying to buy love through gifts speaks to the heart of many religions.
There were bittersweet moments in the film. Billy’s wife laments about the exhausting schedule and wonders if they’re changing anyone’s mind. I have felt that. In the beginning of the Iraq War Mr. Radical and I packed our bags and hit the road for protests. I know that feeling of exhaustion, of wondering if you’re really making a difference.
But the group’s mood bounced back the closer they got to Christmas. There’s a scene where Rev. Billy baptizes a child outside of a Staples store. He prayed for the baby to grow up free from the trappings of over-consumption and to live his mantra of “stop shopping and start living”. That scene really sums up their activism. What starts off as a funny scene quickly turns into something deeply meaningful. It made me cry and I don’t even like babies.
Another touching moment was a scene with a homeless man. Many of the people interviewed talked about the need to buy buy buy for Christmas. One woman declared she was doing it for her children and didn’t care if she went broke. But the homeless man was just thankful to have a room at the homeless shelter for Christmas. It was another teary moment. I think we can all get caught up in materialism. The other day I was pouting that I couldn’t buy all the art supplies and yarn I wanted in one purchase. But I have a roof over my head and people in my life that love me. The scene with the homeless man really touched me and was a good reminder of the things that really matter.
Now don’t get the impression that this is a sappy movie. Far from it. There’s a lot of humor. There’s a scene where the group go caroling in a fancy neighborhood. They sing anti-consumer songs that have a Christmas jingle. The homeowners reactions were hilarious. Some like it, some were befuddled. There’s one house where the mom starts to get into it but the kids eyes are wide. It’s like you’re seeing their minds getting opened right there.
Billy and gang go to Wal-mart headquarters to exercise the evil there. First they have a funeral for small town America and then perform the exorcism on the Wal-mart home headquarters sign. It was a funny moment. But at the same time there’s a compelling, real world point. That’s what I love about Rev. Billy. He makes you laugh but he also makes you think. In many ways he reminds me of Abbey Hoffman, one of my heroes.
The Mall of America segment was hilarious. Billy and the choir ride escalators while singing and then take over a stage and start performing. Security arrives to usher them out but not before onlookers start to laugh and clap. I have to see them in person someday!
The climax of the film comes as they descend on Disneyland. Oh it’s wonderful to watch. How powerful to see them going into the “belly of the beast” to preach that materialism doesn’t buy happiness. There were several scenes where Disney’s connection to slave/sweatshop labor was revealed-always a good reminder.
A good thing about renting this film is the bonus features. There’s a scene where the group goes to sing for postal workers because they have to bear the weight of the consumer holiday. One of the women says they took away the stress of the Christmas holiday for the day and that she hadn’t laughed that hard in a long time.
That’s the perfect kind of activism-entertaining people while spreading the message.
I highly recommend this movie. It’s definitely one of my all time faves. I loved it!
From this gallery. The bubble chair is so retro. I think it ’s groovy.
Posted by Vixen as Sexy Sensations at 11:58 PM CDT
A regular called me recently. He’s normally a very easy call but this time wiped me out. He always calls very drunk so I’ll call him Drunk Ass Man for this story.
DAM usually wants to talk about my ass. We talk about that while he mumbles and drinks even more. Every once in a while he’ll call in a bad mood. When he’s in that mood DAM turns into a huge asshole.
During our call I’d be describing my ass and he’d say “you’re a crazy bitch”. At first it took me off guard and I asked what. “You’re a crazy bitch,” DAM would say again. I would gently remind him that he wanted to talk about my ass. Sometimes he’d settle down and turn nice again. But then other times he’d snap “you’re so full of shit”.
I tried staying calm. Arguing with him would get me nowhere. To make myself feel better I surfed online. The call went up and down. DAM would be nice for a few minutes then randomly turn into an asshole.
“You know I’ve paid you a lot of money over the years just to talk to you,” DAM said. “Yes, you have,” I told him. “But that’s how it works. You have to pay to talk to me.”
“You’re a crazy motherfucker you know that,” was DAM’s response.
I had had enough. I asked DAM why he kept insulting me. DAM asked me what I was talking about. He told me that he hadn’t insulted me. But he just had not two minutes before!?! I repeated his motherfucker comment and he denied saying it.
We were getting nowhere so I dropped the subject and went back to the ass worship fantasy. DAM kept randomly insulting me. I called him on it once more but he just denied having said anything.
Finally, I just ignored his insults. He’d call me a “stupid, crazy bitch” and I’d just go “ok, DAM” and kept talking about his fantasy. We went on like that until out of nowhere DAM hung up.
What was up with him? Was he more drunk than normal? I have no idea.
Posted by Vixen as PSO Confessions at 9:40 PM CDT
From Washington Times:
New light shed on Kent State killings
“A report submitted to Attorney General John Mitchell in June 1970 stated “there was no sniper” who could have fired at the guardsmen before the killings.
Numerous witnesses corroborated this.
(snip)
Rumors of a sniper had circulated for at least a day before the fatal confrontation, the documents show. And a memorandum sent to FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover on May 19, 1970, referred to bullet holes found in a tree and a statue — evidence, the report stated, that “indicated that at least two shots had been fired at the National Guard.”
Another interviewee told agents that a guardsman had spoken of “a confirmed report of a sniper.”
It also turned out that the FBI had its own informant and agent-provocateur roaming the crowd, a part-time Kent State student named Terry Norman, who had a camera. Mr. Norman also was armed with a snub-nosed revolver that FBI ballistics tests, first declassified in 1977, concluded had indeed been discharged on that day.”
I had heard a version of that rumor myself. Interesting that these new facts are coming to light now.
Let’s hope secrets of the Bush administration come to light in our lifetimes.
Mr. Radical found a report of a similar college incident from that time. Neither of us had heard of it before.
From the May 4 1970 page:
The May 1970 Tragedy at Jackson State University
“The rioting students set several fires and overturned a dump truck that had been left on campus overnight at a sewer line construction site. Jackson firefighters dispatched to the blaze met a hostile crowd that harangued them as they worked to contain the fire. Fearing for their safety, the firemen requested police back-up.
(snip)
The five-story dormitory was riddled by gunfire. FBI investigators estimated that more than 460 rounds struck the building, shattering every window facing the street on each floor. Investigators counted at least 160 bullet holes in the outer walls of the stairwell alone — bullet holes that can still be seen today.”
Two people were killed and twelve other were struck by the gunfire. Yes, something needs to be done to stop a riot. But were 460 rounds really necessary? I don’t think so.
Posted by Vixen as News at 10:59 PM CDT
Naturally, there’s been a ton of coverage on the Gulf Coast oil spill. These two stories caught my attention.
From CBS News:
In Alaska, Painful Memories of Exxon Valdez
“Communities along the Gulf Coast wondering about what kind of legacy the monstrous oil slick will leave can look no further than the towns along the Alaska coastline that were ravaged by the Exxon Valdez spill in 1989.
Crude oil from the tanker still lingers on some beaches a full 21 years later. Some marine species never recovered. Families and bank accounts were shattered. Alcoholism, suicide and domestic violence rates all rose in hard-hit towns.
(snip)
Like many in the Alaska fishing business who feel burned after the U.S. Supreme Court slashed the jury award, Lynden O’Toole cautioned those on the Gulf Coast to not pin any hopes on a settlement.
“Don’t sit around and wait for somebody, for the justice system, for instance, to come and rescue you because in our experience, that’s not going to happen,” said O’Toole, who had just gotten into the commercial fishing business when the spill happened.”
I was in junior high when the Exxon oil spill happened. I remember seeing the poor little birds covered in oil-so heartbreaking.
From the Wall Street Journal:
Drilling Process Attracts Scrutiny in Rig Explosion
“An oil-drilling procedure called cementing is coming under scrutiny as a possible cause of the explosion on the Deepwater Horizon rig in the Gulf of Mexico that has led to one of the biggest oil spills in U.S. history, drilling experts said Thursday.
The process is supposed to prevent oil and natural gas from escaping by filling gaps between the outside of the well pipe and the inside of the hole bored into the ocean floor. Cement, pumped down the well from the drilling rig, is also used to plug wells after they have been abandoned or when drilling has finished but production hasn’t begun.
(snip)
A 2007 study by three U.S. Minerals Management Service officials found that cementing was a factor in 18 of 39 well blowouts in the Gulf of Mexico over a 14-year period. That was the single largest factor, ahead of equipment failure and pipe failure.”
My first thought after reading this article was-Dammit that Dick Cheney has his fingers in everything bad! Not entirely accurate of course but I felt fired up at the time. I suspect companies responsible for this spill will pull all the legal moves they can to get out of paying for the clean up. Hopefully it won’t work.
Posted by Vixen as News at 11:19 PM CDT
From ABC News:
Family group apologises to sex workers
“A group opposed to prostitution has been forced to apologise to Tasmanian sex workers for saying the industry is harmful to women.
The Family Protection Society also accused sex workers of “breaking up marriages” in a series of advertisements placed in a Tasmanian daily newspaper.
Jade Barker from the lobby group Scarlet Alliance says the society agreed to apologise after the alliance lodged a complaint.”
Wow, a sex worker group gets an apology. That’s cool. I think that sex workers often hold marriages together. If some of my clients’ wives knew what they were really into they might pack up and leave. But instead they call me and their wives are blissfully ignorant.
—
From NBC Washington:
Cuccinelli Censors Virginia Seal
“Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli risked more national ridicule when he gave his staff a PG version of the commonwealth seal recently.
The seal features the Roman goddess Virtus in a pose that suggests she might be about to compromise her virtue. Her blue tunic is draped over one shoulder, leaving her left breast exposed like she’s performing in a Super Bowl halftime show.
When Cuccinelli gave his staffers lapel pins of the seal, it was a rendition modified for modesty with Virtus wearing an armored breastplate over both breasts,the Virginian-Pilot reported.”
This is ridiculous. Cuccinelli’s prudish attitude reminds me of Ashcroft covering up the Lady Justice statute. I find the article just as annoying. Is the Super Bowl joke really necessary?
—
From the BBC:
Tunick tribute to Lowry with nudes in Manchester
“Hundreds of volunteers have stripped naked for a public photo shoot marking the 10th anniversary of the Lowry art gallery in Salford.
Spencer Tunick is photographing the models in eight different locations across Manchester and Salford.
Tunick’s aim was to capture the movement of everyday people and reflect the work of artist LS Lowry.
(snip)
“It’s wonderful how many different shapes and sizes of bodies there are,” she said.
“You get so used to seeing a certain shape of body in magazines, and not one single person looked like that.”"
This looks like a great project. I would have loved to take part in it.
—
From SWOPLV:
Federal air marshal charged with raping woman at SeaTac hotel
“A federal air marshal is being held in jail on $250,000 bail on a charge he raped an escort at gunpoint in a SeaTac hotel while wearing his badge.
According to documents charging Lecheton “Omar” Settles, 30, of Herndon, Va., with first-degree rape, he threatened to use his position as a law-enforcement officer and his government-issued firearm to commit the rape.
(snip)
According to charging documents, Settles told the woman he was a U.S. marshal and that she had to do what he told her.
Settles is not a member of the U.S. Marshals Service, the documents state, but is a federal air marshal employed by the Transportation Security Administration, which provides security for airports and airlines.
Court documents say that Settles placed the handgun on the bed while he raped the woman and then demanded that she return the money he’d already paid her.”
It’s good to see authorities taking the escort seriously. Often sex workers don’t report crimes to police because they fear they’ll just get charged.
Posted by Vixen as News, Sex Workers at 9:30 PM CDT
“I watched my daddy die. I wish I could be as brave as him.”
-regular client
Posted by Vixen as Quote Book at 8:57 PM CDT
