My Favorite Movie

3/31/2012

It's cold and stormy here. The vet just left because the surviving cat is ill. I have a crick in my neck and can't turn it to the left. My inbox is bursting and I owe a few of you emails. But enough about me...

Since I have nothing else prepared, I thought I'd post this for a rainy Saturday (and most likely Sunday): I am a huge fan of the Coen brothers. As a family, we can actually quote much of The Big Lebowski aloud. But what I love about this film below, is how in the inteview on Special Features following, the brothers reduce this film to its essence, or maybe even its "log line". They say it's the intersection of government intelligence and physical fitness. As I build the plot to my current mystery, I have to stop in awe at how much fun it must be to come up with something so hilarious, and so absurd, and then build a fabulous plot around it. A must see movie if you haven't already.

Ottoline

3/31/2012 04:14:20 am

Yes, I love this movie, too. ALL the Coen movies. And returning to our own mystery, our own CIA/FBI/MSM mystery, here is my O/T comment du jour:

So I just read all the comments at

http://sarahpalinhasaserpentsheart.blogspot.com/2012/02/freds-babygate-book.html

I have now personally seen the connections in the innertubes among Audrey, annieb393, Bethany Burke, Anne Briggs. The link to Fred's disbarrment.

Things that still make no sense to me are:
-- I have not seen anyone reveal what the "much worse" part is.
-- I don't understand why the presumably already written "Fred" book can't be revealed in some way, or at least whatever new info it contained: after all, the bad news about Fred/Audrey is out, but not whatever the SP hoax info the book contained.
-- Floyd keeps saying there is something re blog-site-owners' backgrounds that explains no further action. I don't understand that, either. If it's anything like the Audrey/Fred info, it seems likely this would be "ho-hum" news to all but the principals, if revealed, and should not prevent exposing the Palin Hoax.
-- Ditto Floyd's insistence on "blog wars" -- which term seems a great exaggeration until/unless some concrete data to support it emerges, and perhaps not even then.
-- Why is Shailey's book and her account of Todd's participation in prostitution, incl across state lines, getting no legs -- neither on our blogs, nor MSM, nor via law enforcement folks.
-- I don't understand why Dunn was reportedly so offended by a call from Shailey (she says so on Floyd's recent post, deep in the Comments).
-- Why the seemingly already written ADN article reported by cajunboy for Nov 2008 publication has never leaked? Why we no longer hear from cajunboy, who clearly had the straight scoop way back then.
--I do understand that the MSN has blacklisted coverage of Palin's pregnancy hoax, but I don't understand why EVERYONE is obeying it: cajunboy, the writer(s) of that 08 ADN article, the Alaska news folks (IM, Shannon, Mudflats), and others. I can understand Schmidt's and Wallace's limited revelations, because they want to keep working, maybe write about it later, as Schmidt said he would. Is the prohibition so powerful that NO ONE will leak anything?
-- What happened to Me Again, the possibly interesting commenter?

Is it too late? Are we all sick of this hoax? Will it remain unrevealed during this election (in order to show how the GOP likes to work an election)? Will it never be revealed?

V-A

3/31/2012 05:25:29 am

Well, I say unleash the Coen's on Babygate and the Bloggers. It's right up their alley. Hmmmmm. Frances McDormand as. . . AUDREY!

Otto and UP, I went back and read your further comments on the earlier post, about babygate and the bloggers. Somewhere between your lines, I had an epiphany about the whole darn mess. That the story didn't break because it got tainted with so much baggage. We all came to Palin's story because of personal outrage, as mothers, daughters, sons. Journalism, as my fine journalist friend Bill, tells me, is dispassionate. It's about following the facts to see what comes-- and not the other way around. History starts with an event and works backwards, through sources. Maybe someday, a historian will do that with Palin. He or she will work their way back through the bloggers, their agendas and personalities, and the facts of Palin's pregnancy.

V-A

3/31/2012 05:32:16 am

(con't) Frankly, the various shenanigans of the Bloggers makes me feel sick. The posturing, teasing, grandstanding, drama. (This does not include Laura.) It really was like a high school class.

I recently wrote an aonymous story in a local paper about the drug dealers who live on my street. Within days, the drug dealers contacted the publication and said they knew it was me. I felt so stupid that in this day and age I could think there is such a thing as anonymity. I believe Audrey was a victim of that. She was naive enough to think who she was (WHATEVER she was) wouldn't contaminate her pursuit of the truth about Trig.

Ottoline

3/31/2012 05:36:45 am

I agree, V-A. Too much baggage. Of all kinds: Palin's, the enablers', the bloggers'. And before we realized that, there was too much detail, complexity, and dead ends: so hard to grasp it all unless you were already hooked on it. And ALL the books have skirted the hoax.

Still: naive me: Let's skip the overcomplexificationizing and concentrate on one sole fact: SP was not pregnant as stated. That fact stands alone. Sigh.

Ottoline

3/31/2012 05:41:35 am

I keep in mind that the smartest people on the internet (the Google honchos, etc.) have said re privacy: "Get over it." That's why the Facebook issue of an employer asking for your password does not surprise me. The savvier employers already have this info about potential hires, as well as credit info and any other personal info they want. And this is only the beginning.

V-A

3/31/2012 05:46:11 am

(con't again. sorry, Weebly is contankerous today)

One other thing my journalist friend Bill always tells me is that reporters today are afraid to ask the real questions. He says they're afraid of not being liked. A few years ago, it would have taken a brave reporter to pursue the Trig story, someone who would have gone to Wasilla, asked questions, and risked the danger. Combing the internet for clues or relying on blog comments as source material will never replace the old gumshoe routine. Living in Germany or hiding in one's basement waiting for phone calls and tips, is never going to produce the kind of respected storytelling that could shoulder an unbelievable story like Babygate.

That's why Shailey's "book" isn't news. It's a first-person account of a woman's life, and in it, she can say whatever she wants. Without confirmation or corroboration, it can never be anything more than her story. Sadly, she's not a skilled enough writer to even tell her story in a compelling manner, at least from the excerpts I've read. Yes, she's brave to tell it. But it's too personal to be anything larger.

I doubt Palin's hoax will be revealed any time soon. As long as she stays off the stage, those who know the truth will keep quiet.

Stefanie link

4/1/2012 09:41:38 pm

Ottoline,

Good question about thecajunboy. I wonder if anyone has tried contacting him recently. He is actively on twitter and is also the author of the site UPROXX, I believe it is the same person.

Laura Novak

3/31/2012 04:21:43 am

Ottoline, you beat me to it. I was just about to comment that you should all feel free to continue a thread here. It's easier to bring up top this way. And not everyone wants to talk about the Coen Bros. I will read this more carefully a bit later. And then comment as I can. Thanks for your wonderful energy!

Ottoline

3/31/2012 04:34:38 am

Thank you, Laura. I LOVE to talk about the Coen brothers. I still love "Fargo" a lot.

Ottoline

3/31/2012 05:23:05 am

Haha, look at this connection of Fargo and Palin:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWG33wG89m4&feature=related

Gotta give Katie a LOT of credit for keeping a straight face.

V-A

3/31/2012 05:57:39 am

Finally-- who I wonder about is Lisa Demer. Why doesn't SHE write about her experience trying to pursue the Trig story. Is she still at the ADN?

Laura Novak

3/31/2012 06:37:16 am

V-A, I hope you got some great comments and support too. And that there hasn't been any serious fall out from the article. Perhaps you will pen a piece on the bloggers on this topic.

Ottoline, that video reminds us how tense and out of her element she was. She got shrill and cocky later. At that point, she just looked and sounded terrified and stupid.

V-A I think you're right: the dispassion had become very passionate. I know that I tried hard to keep my head about me when looking at things. Things got far more complicated behind the scenes than I ever let on. So the really big bloggers must have been getting it from all sides, I can only imagine. It's eternally too bad that the resources could not have been pooled. But then again, I don't pretend to understand all that went on or who anyone was. I was just doing my job as long as I could do it. Now, perhaps one of you will pick up the gauntlet?!

V-A

3/31/2012 07:34:14 am

sorry my personal dam seems to have burst today. I did not mean to disparage anyone but Sarah Palin. My point was only to be that the more far-fetched a story, the squeakier, cleaner its sources have to be, for the story to reach a wider audience.

Ottoline

3/31/2012 08:10:09 am

Lisa Demer has always interested me too. Clearly (from the kerfuffle between the ADN managing editor and SP), ADN writers were not free to write/print whatever they wanted.

Lisa had the guts to ask one of the few tough on-the-record questions anyone ever asked SP, about the amniotic fluid. She sounded cordial, polite, sweet in the interview, but spoke up about Palin's father having mentioned it (so Demer was both prepared AND brave) and her interview documented that part of the story (transcript + audio). Reminds me so much of Katie Couric's coup. I bet Demer could do a great job of telling the story, but (like Schmidt and Wallace) she probably wants to keep working. Lisa Demer. Dar Miller. Curtis Menard's death. CBJ. The faked MD letter. The dark windows and watermelon-sized pregnancy in the "live at 5" interview. The lack of glasses, hearing aids, and therapy for Trig. The name Tripp Palin. The vanity TRIPP license plates ordered in Mar? 2008. The Sherry Johnston sting and imprisonment. Who were Rex and Tank REALLY working for. All of it.

I just bet Lisa Demer has some great info about some if not all of the above.

Ottoline

3/31/2012 08:46:11 am

I posted the first comment above at IM. It showed up. I just went back to look: it's gone. Pretty interesting. IM does not want to discuss these issues.

grannyj

3/31/2012 08:30:50 pm

Now that is interesting. There are some things that Floyd says that do ring true- and the never ending tease from IM is beginning to bug me. I also wonder what happened to Me Again. There was a lot that she had to say that made me think she really had information. But Gryphen never followed up with the rest of us. I read everything on that old post but not a word from him. I am beginning to feel like V-A about the whole blog shenanigans. I love reading your comments on all this Ottoline.

Ottoline

4/1/2012 02:09:03 am

Hi grannyj -- I love reading your comments too. I am both disgusted enough to drop the whole thing and at the same time even more determined that the cover-up will end.

Conscious at last!

4/1/2012 12:15:15 pm

I may be wrong, but I think Me Again comments, now and then, anonymously on the various blogs that are critical of SP.

Floyd M. Orr link

4/3/2012 01:22:06 pm

Maybe a bit of this will ring true, too:

http://www.niafs.blogspot.com/2012/04/diary-of-madman.html

My favorite Coen movie also happened to be not only the brothers' first movie, but also one of the first major releases made in my hometown of Austin:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0086979/

3/31/2012 11:17:04 am

I've never seen this film, but will put it on my list. Thanks for the recommendation.

The dot com millionaire is Malia Litman. Her husband co-founded hotels.com, which he sold (or took public) for over a billion dollars. He and his partner have other successful businesses.

Regarding Audrey, the porn business is often linked with human and /or drug trafficking. That may be why she stopped blogging. Being exposed for a legitimate if morally ambiguous business is one thing, but potentially drawing attention to illegal activities is another entirely.

Regarding Patrick Politicalgates, he apparently has a successful legal career. Someone on twitter threatened to expose his blogging to his employer. Floyd Orr has also intimated that there may be some financial funny business.

Kathleen Politicalgates

5/5/2012 04:31:15 am

There is no "financial funny business" in Patrick's background. He couldn't do the job he does if that were the case.

V-A

3/31/2012 11:19:36 am

Good for you, Ottoline, for posting on IM. Your summary at the end of the comments here is more than enough for a Coen movie. Doesn't it read like a thriller script? Totally.

Is Lisa Demer still at ADN?

3/31/2012 11:35:05 am

I'm not inferring that Audrey herself is linked, but her business partners may be.

VA, I hope you continue to be safe.

A big part of Palin's ability to get away with this is Alaska. A community too small for someone to be willing to rock the boat of someone known to be vindictive, and too far away from more dispassionate media who may have acted as gumshoe contemporaneous to the event.

In reality, have things changed? Very few people publicly called Thomas Jefferson on his relationship with Sally Hemings. For some who refrained from public comment the reason was "family business.". Same as the reason some who assumed Bristol is really Trig's mother refused to investigate Palin's crazy story. And for others the idea of a prominent public figure to be engaged in an interracial relationship was too far beyond the pale to take seriously.

My book idea would probably work better as fiction loosely based on the crazy vp/bloggers story.

Ottoline

3/31/2012 01:41:34 pm

Thos Jefferson's relationship with Sally Hemmings, although very wrong on a number of levels, was a pretty common failing in those days. (For example, Sally was the half-sister of TJ's late wife because the wife's father impregnated a slave, Sally's mother.)

I'm not aware that faking a pregnancy to support the fundie anti-choice position is that common today. I would think it would still raise eyebrows as an exceptional lie today if we would leave the family complexities out of it and present it in a credible way. I.e., having porn-meisters present this info is not going to be good for credibility.

I just read Hitchens' book on TJ. Yes he did a lot of great nation-building things but his not freeing his slaves during his lifetime, not even his children very promptly, not even Sally upon his death, and TJ's dying bankrupt -- these two issues sure put a bad spin on his elegance -- fine gardening, architectural sense, entertaining, diplomacy, etc.

For those of you who, like me, keep an eye on the whys and wherefores of our language, the Hitchens book says "United States are" was the norm before the Civil War, and "United States is" was used afterwards. That never occurred to me when I puzzled over "Macy's is" vs "Macy's are" (with the latter being the British form). Always something interesting from Hitchens.

But no, I agree that things have not changed much. Taking JFK as an example, his recently reported dereliction of duty to let his PT boat get unintentionally broadsided by the Japanese ship is still presented as heroic, just like Papa Joe wanted it. Ditto Papa Joe's padding book sales of Profiles in Courage to put it on the NYT list, and let's not even mention the exact way it was written, and by whom. And the promiscuity of course is also not worth discussing.

If Patrick is a successful lawyer, why did he need money from his blog audience at various times?

Barbara Alfaro link

3/31/2012 12:20:50 pm

I love all the Coen brothers films. Their mix of philosophy, political satire and slapstick is brilliant. And Brad Pitt was hilarious as the goofy and vain health club trainer in Burn After Reading. If I had to choose a favorite, it would Oh Brother, Where Art Thou -- pretty close to perfect.

LizH

3/31/2012 11:48:51 pm

Ottoline,

The Palin Hoax makes sense to me. It is the protection of the System.

Laura,

Thank you for providing a wonderful community forum. My movie suggestion is Billy Budd.

Years ago when Jeff Gannon was outed as James Guckert, a military gay prostitute, following a news briefing in the GWB White House, my curiosity radar went off the chart.

Imagine my surprise when learning of headlines of a pedophile ring in the Reagan/Bush White House. I then read John DeCamp's and Nick Bryant's books on The Franklin Scandal.

I'm now reading Shailey Tripp's book and will follow with reading Herman Melville's Billy Budd. And then will plan to watch the movie Billy Budd.

From Chapter 21 of DeCamp's book:

"I do not understand it, Your Honor," I kept repeating. " As God is my witness, I do not think that there is a judge or other person involved in this case who does not know that horrible injustice has been done. Everybody knows that Alisha Owen is telling the truth and that she is being punished for it. And, Your Honor, a person has to be deaf, dumb, blind, and totally dishonest. not to know that some of this state's and nation's top businessmen and public officials have engaged in the worst crimes possible, which are now being covered up. And these kids, instead of being honored and protected for exposing these things, are being sent to prison. Why? Why? Why?"

Judge Enbody looked at me. Slowly, his voice shaking, he began to talk.

"I am just a man. I am not a god. I wish I were. I have no choice in what I have done. I am just a man, just a man, not a god. I am doing what I must do with the evidence before me," Judge Enbody concluded. He appeared even more shaken and upset than I was.

I shook my head. "I don't understand. I just don't understand," I kept repeating. "Everybody knows what is happening, but nobody is willing to do anything about it. Why? Why?! !"

Judge Enbody looked at me and said, very slowly, "If you want to understand the entire Franklin case, I can help you. Go read 'Billy Budd.' Read 'Billy Budd.' If you will do that, John, and if you understand the book, then you will understand the what and why of Franklin, and why it can be no other way. I do not say you will like it. I do not say you will agree with it. But at least you will understand it. That, I promise you. Go read 'Billy Budd'."

Those were the last words I spoke with the Judge on the case. I left his chambers, burnt out, but angry. And I forgot all about Billy Budd, until the night I happened upon the movie......

....Now I think I do understand the Franklin case. I know now that all the public officials involved in Franklin-whether the; ever heard of Billy Budd or not-fully understood what they were doing.

And what they all have done, and will continue to do in this case, Franklin, and no doubt many others like it, is this: Protect the "system" at all costs. The "system" is the only ultimate sacred cow -- not any particular law or constitution, but only "the system." Because, ultimately, it is the system which makes certain that the individuals functioning within it-from judges to lawyers, to prosecutors, to politicians, to businessmen -- have their places and positions, and opportunities and pecking order, and future.

And, though it is unfortunate, that on occasion the protection of the "system" requires the deliberate sacrifice of perfectly innocent people, that is hoped overall to be the exception rather than the rule. But without the "system" ...

V-A

4/1/2012 12:52:06 am

Liz H: great comment. Thank you for quoting from DeCamp's book. To expose Palin's hoax would do the most damage to McCain, his staff, and the Republican party-- who were so busy believing Palin their perfect line item, that they refused to see the truth about her until it was too late. The worst case of objectifying a woman in modern history.

The Hemmingses' story is also a nice example here. Again, as I said, it has been historians who have written a truer account of who TJ was.

How about that recent book written by a woman who was seduced by JFK in her late teens? It came and went. I've put up with all JFK's shenanigans, but this revelation did him in for me, for good.

My personal favorite in the scandals of our country which are largely unchronicled are the CIA experiments on children of the 1950-60's. Oh, and let's not forget the Kennedy assassinations. These are the "conspiracies" that historians-- if historians continue to exist-- will one day write about with clarity, I believe.

In the end, it seems, that the system is all we have and nothing. Like everything else in life.

PS: Thanks, UP. I am safe, so far. And oddly enough, the drug dealers next door seem to have gotten quieter, knowing I'm listening. So maybe watchdog writing does work. We'll see.

FrostyAK

4/1/2012 05:05:36 am

Am replying here, but have taken in all the comments up to this point.

Does all of this not sear your senses with Orwellian drama? Is this not what Orwell predicted with "1984"?

Does truth really matter to the masses anymore? Or is it all about entertainment? I think we have a society of mostly brain dead.

BTW, my favorite (non-comedy) movie at this point in time is The Matrix. I often think of red pills v.s blue pills.

V-A

4/1/2012 06:08:03 am

Yes. Frosty, AK, totally. Absolutely. I vote for Fahrenheit 451-- the movie (Truffaut) and the book, with a beautiful introduction by Bradbury 40 years later. God, did he nail it. All. I often think of the Book People and if I were to be one book, which I would choose to be.

Laura Novak

4/1/2012 01:48:22 am

Thank you everyone for this multi-faceted conversation. I read the bio on The Hemmingses of Monticello a few years ago. Beautifully written by a Harvard scholar, but the thesis was redundant and hammered home every few pages. It was something like 600 pages and she hadn't even made it up the driveway from Paris and the book ended. We visited M. a few years ago. What a spectacular piece of American History.

All of your stories remind us that someone is always powerful enough to rewrite or control the story. Just imagine what it must have been like to be on the McCain campaign, to have just winged it like that, having a few pompous old white guys say "she's the one" and then have the blow back a few days later. Their heads must have been ready to split wide open.

For what it's worth, I will say two things at the risk of being provocative. When it comes to blog owners, sometimes we can't address things. You might read something in the comments and wonder why we don't run with it, but we have our reasons. I sure did. And some day when we're all old, 80, grey and having tea, and this is long behind us, I might feel free to explain if I were to meet you in person.

Now I can't remember the second thing. The cat is reinjured this morning and my head is spinning. If I think of it, I'll write again.

Oh, I know: I had it on good authority that a few of the top editors in the country did not believe the baby was hers. They did not touch the story nevertheless. Sorry to report.

Ottoline

4/1/2012 02:00:34 am

Of course life is overwhelmingly complex, as Melville repeatedly says. Yet, as they said in Babe (re pigs getting eaten, I think it was), "That's just the way it is." To me, that's Billy Budd. Perfect for college kids who rail against injustice, yet learn the characteristics of reality as they find it.

So I get back to the simplest things: SP lied. Others enabled it. It was deliberate. It's wrong. The longer it's covered up, the wronger it gets. Some of us care. Others want it to go away, let bygones be bygones, move forward not back, accept reality. They want to get away with it because they think their political/fundie values are so important that the end justifies the means. Sure it's always been this way. But not a reason for us to give up on exposing the Hoax, esp if it will help to re-elect Obama in its own small way, by exposing one more GOP dirty trick.

4/1/2012 03:53:30 am

Otto, interesting you mention Babe, one of the best family movies ever IMO. The story of how one idealistic pig who believed he could change the world, and did. If only it were that simple IRL.

Ottoline

4/1/2012 04:36:24 am

Up: me too. I once estimated how many times I had seen "Babe," and it was in the 40s. After about 20 views (this is as an exhausted Mom, who does miss a lot on screen while eagle-eyeing her children), one starts to see the repeated footage and the other cute little tricks. Remember the back view of the sheep pooping? It's in there at least 3 times, ze leetle joke of the production folks. This was at bedtime, with my children, lest you think . . . well, who cares. One could do a lot worse than "Babe."

mistah charley, ph.d.

4/4/2012 04:45:09 am

from Wikipedia: [James Cromwell] became an ethical vegan while playing the character of Farmer Hoggett in the movie Babe in 1995.

Ottoline

4/4/2012 08:24:37 am

Going vegan: that's prob why he could do that victory dance so well.

V-A

4/1/2012 04:24:59 am

Laura, I can understand that a blog is a tightrope for an individual to walk. Tantamount to erecting provocative signs in one's front yard. My issue (hobby horse) is I dislike the blurred lines between journalism, blogging, first person narratives, opinion, fact, and advertising. They are not equal. They are not the same. But soon, if not already, the public will not be able to tell them apart.

Your criticism of the Hemmingses book is valid. The author is an historian. Historians rarely write riveting books. Everybody already knew that Sally H was TJ's lover and the mother of his children. Gossip had taken care of that. But it takes a historian to put it all to rest, in a way. It's less about the splash, and more about the long distance swim. (But there are still Jefferson family members who refuse to believe it!)

What interested me most about SP was how her womanhood both vaulted and protected her. THAT is the story I wanted told. She could lie non-stop, and somehow the fact that she was a woman stopped men from challenging her. The "Fatal Attraction" syndrome. Crazy women simply paralyze men. All there is to it. Women, however, we know crazy when we see it, and we're not afraid to call it.

4/1/2012 11:52:18 am

One favorite: My Beautiful Career, starring Judy Davis and Sam Neill.

When I first saw the movie in my twenties, I was sad that Sybilla refused to marry the man she loved because she knew it would keep her from writing her book. I thought she was wrong, that she could have done both. Decades later, I think she was right, which is also sad. Fortunately, times have changed, and Laura has her family and her book!

4/1/2012 11:54:45 am

Typo: My Brilliant Career!

Conscious at last!

4/1/2012 12:20:01 pm

There is an intriguing fictional account of Sally Hemings life by Barbara Chase-Rimboud published in 1979. I think there is a second volume too. Chase-Rimboud is a sculptor, writer and a poet. She is black. She lives in Paris.

Ottoline

4/2/2012 01:57:09 am

I started reading the Google Books preview of this BC-R book last night, and I liked it, but I also really liked the super-credentialed professor's non-fiction history. I appreciated the detail on the DNA evidence. I agree: a lot of repetition but it hit me just right so I actually WAS riveted by one of her main points, which is that slaves were always taken advantage of, and slave women at risk of rape by whites or blacks at any moment, so it was just hugely important as a woman to connect yourself ASAP and always to the strongest protection-type man possible. That, alone, goes a long way to explaining Sally's willingness to be TJ's concubine -- although her specific case was not quite as stark as that of a lower-caste and unpretty slave. The repetition of that in that book made me think more completely about how life would be if EVERY occasion was an opportunity for rape, and one had no recourse after and little prevention before, except the alliance with the strongest protector possible. And esp gut-wrenching when one thinks about how many women had no such strong-enough man, and how early such an alliance would have to be made -- just for safety. And of course the disrespect and rape is just the tiniest part of it. Then having to raise -- and love -- the children that resulted. I hadn't thought about that for a long time, and I have to say it really filled my mind with the overwhelmingness of it. So for TJ to have done so little, esp re his personally-owned slaves, is a big problem for me. It's like "I would have, but I couldn't afford it." Or some such excuse.

Conscious at last!

4/2/2012 02:13:48 am

It certainly is necessary to alter one's perspective in order understand life in another time and place-- and in another person's shoes. There is profound logic to the decision making process that you describe above of attaching one's self to the strongest male. I read the BC-R book a while ago. I have not read any of the academic accounts. i do remember the BC-R account suggested that TJ allowed his youngest child by SH- a daughter- , to "run off." That is-- they helped her ride off to the north where she would "pass' for white. I think this is explored further in the second volume--which I read as well.

Ottoline

4/2/2012 02:56:06 am

This Wiki summary sounds right:

During his life, Jefferson formally freed only two slaves in the 1790s, both mixed-race sons of Betty Hemings. He freed all four surviving children of Sally Hemings as they came of age, two by letting them "walk away" in 1822 and two by his will of 1826.

He missed an opportunity to free all of his slaves before his death at no cost to himself. His friend Tadeusz Kościuszko from the American Revolution, a Polish nobleman, collected his back pay in 1798 and entrusted it to Jefferson with a will directing him to spend his American estate on freeing black slaves, including Jefferson's own. Kościušzko died in 1817, but Jefferson never carried out his will. Some years after his death, Jefferson transferred the executorship to John Hartwell Cocke, who also failed to carry it out. In 1852 Chief Justice Roger Taney transferred the estate, by then worth more than $50,000, to Kosciuško's heirs in Poland.

Jefferson in his will of 1826 also freed three older male slaves who had served him for decades; all were related to Hemings. Jefferson had incurred great debt because of the low price of tobacco, his patterns of spending, and family problems, which he did not pay off before his death. The remainder of his 130 slaves were sold after his death to settle the debts of the estate. The historian Edmund S. Morgan notes, "[Sally] Hemings herself was withheld from auction and freed at last by Jefferson’s daughter, Martha Jefferson Randolph, who was, of course, her niece."

Ottoline

4/2/2012 03:07:55 am

Also, re "passing for white": Sally H was 3/4 white (her Mom was 1/2 white, w a white dad, Wayles [the dad of TJ's first wife]), and SH's children were 7/8 white. Still, in Virginia, a slave was a slave.

Conscious at last!

4/2/2012 06:29:06 am

@ Ottoline 4/2 10:07

Yes, that's why I had "passing" in quotes. This was life in a racist society - where up is down. They had to "pass" for what they were- largely white. Aspects of this continue to this day--
Race has no real meaning biologically, it does have great meaning socially, culturally, politically, economically. There is one human race -- we can all interbreed and produce viable offspring. The human race includes many different ethnicities.

4/1/2012 10:57:05 pm

so what are the chances Today runs a story on reborn dolls the week Palin cohosts?

Otto, our kids must be the same age.

Conscious at last!

4/2/2012 02:02:08 am

@ Up -- that's hysterical!

4/2/2012 07:00:29 am

yes, someone on the Today show has a sense of humor. I lmao when I heard about that segment today.

Laura Novak

4/2/2012 01:05:45 am

It's so funny that you mention My Brilliant Career. We just recently rewatched Passage to India with Judy Davis. And I told my husband and son about MBC. It reminded me to rent it on of these days. Thank you for that!!

I recall Cajun Boy in the City being one of the funniest and most clever writers out there.

Conscious, thanks for the book referral. I think we need to do a group book post where one person leads the discussion on a book they've read. Let me think about how to do it.

Ottoline

4/2/2012 01:34:14 am

While we're still on movies, here are some of my faves:
-- "Gilda," not only for the two wonderful dances/songs by Rita but also this is one where when you watch it multiple times, more starts coming out.
-- "Maltese Falcon": again, worth the multiple looks IMO.
-- "Sleuth" the older one with Michael Caine and Lawrence Olivier. I recall it as a "Rebecca" kind of constantly twisting plot that had me fooled each time. For some reason, I recall the celebratory open-face caviar sandwich that Olivier is trying to eat at one point.
--"Body Heat"
I love almost any film noir, esp for the 1940s era mood, esp if it's in a kewl location. I think the above movies are available free online.

Ottoline

4/2/2012 01:38:52 am

Also "Being Julia"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5o03GdaWwy4

4/2/2012 08:02:12 am

My favorite noir film is Laura, with Gene Tierney.

Other faves are A Letter to Three Wives (one of 4 bffs leaves a letter announcing she's run off with another's husband, and each of the other 3 imagine it is hers), Philadelphia Story, and His Girl Friday.

Ottoline

4/2/2012 08:15:38 am

Oh, yes, Laura for sure. Both Philadelphia Story and High Society ("Oh dooooo stay for the wedding; we have soooo much CAKE!")

Ottoline

4/2/2012 08:39:00 am

How about this weird one, "Angels and Insects," free online:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebGlpB4cJ9Y&feature=relmfu

By A. S. Byatt. I used to think Patsy Kensit was super pretty; she is so odd with no eye make-up. This movie is sort of a perverted "Downton Abbey."

4/2/2012 07:58:50 am

Banksy, My Brilliant Career . . . am I reading your mind? Good luck if you have your son watch with you. I tried that with teenage nieces once. I was enthralled yet again; they were bored.

One of the funniest movies I've ever seen is Castle, about an Australian family fighting the government to keep their home. Reminds me when some call the Palins hillbillies as an insult that being a redneck doesn't mean you aren't an honorable person.

Conscious at last!

4/2/2012 02:28:13 am

*(Slapping forehead)-- Now I remember, yes I saw that Coen film - it was funny, sort of :-)... My favorite is Fargo. I just love Frances McD.
She is a riot.

Laura - I really wanted to respond to your comment from 4/1 @ 8:48--

I am not surprised that some top folks in the media knew or suspected that SP did not birth Trig. I am quite sure that plenty of other big politicos, media execs, movie stars and other lesser lights also can see clearly. I am not frustrated or bothered by this anymore. I think some of us were under the mistaken assumption that if there was a big REVEAL, somehow, the earth would stop and change direction. It doesn't matter, we know the truth and so do thousands of others. Moreover, SP is her own undoing, she reveals her utter ignorance and incompetence all the time.
The key is to stop supporting the media vehicles that bring this dreck to the public. I bet a good bit of Fox's viewership includes folks that watch to trigger their own anger at the RWNJs. This is not healthy -- and it only encourages them!!

4/2/2012 07:07:40 am

it isn't just the media. I find on the very rare occasions I make any reference to Palin's pregnancy, the conversation shuts down.

Ottoline

4/2/2012 07:24:08 am

Yes, it's as if you just said you saw Martians last night. Spiral of silence. You can just see everyone's brain-wheels turning, as they think "I thought s/he was more or less normal, but I guess not."

4/2/2012 08:06:22 am

Mmhm. And these are all people who, if you asked their opinion of her would say she's nuts and utterly unqualified to hold any office. they either just think it is too crazy or that she's covering for Bristol and no one wants to potentially hurt a minor child.

Ottoline

4/2/2012 08:11:42 am

Or that the subject is too undignified, and they haven't been paying attn enough to know if it's a real hoax or a stupid fake accusation by nutty people, and they really don't want to spend any time on it, thinking she is over.

If I hadn't gotten pretty deep into it (via insomnia and short on decent books), that's how I would feel. I would not spend any time reading about it. I think. I'd figure if it wasn't in Game Change (the book), it doesn't exist.

4/2/2012 11:00:20 am

makes you wonder what else exists that practically no one knows about. I'd never heard of the Franklin Scandal until tonight.

Ottoline

4/2/2012 11:13:23 am

-- How about the Bush AWOL Dan Rather thing? I never went too deep into it, but I sure trust ole Dan more than Dubya.
-- If it hadn't been for Katherine Graham's courage, we would not know about Watergate, I bet.
-- How about whatever connections and deals they make at the Bohemian Grove, or among alums of Skull and Bones, and similar groups?

I'm sure we could make a long list -- which doesn't even touch what we dont know or suspect.

Ottoline

4/2/2012 11:05:09 am

O/T again, but today's Krugman piece is what makes me feel Palin is by no means over and done with. The Today Show gig is a clue, and the state of the Repub Party is truly a scary thing.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/02/opinion/krugman-pink-slime-economics.html

4/2/2012 12:25:15 pm

I hope you are wrong Otto. Palin might be a distraction, but only her most deluded supporters would believe the public takes her seriously. Or that they could finally turn that sow's ear (with apologies to sows everywhere) into a silk purse.

GHW Bush seems such a milquetoast, but there are more conspiracies involving him than any other president in recent memory it seems. I also remember a case of a reporter murdered in VA who claimed to have the proof linking HW to the Iran-Contra affair. Maybe a hangover from his days as CIA director?

Mika Brzenski was the producer fired along with Dan Rather.

4/2/2012 12:59:29 pm

Don't you mean Mary Mapes rather than Mika?

Ottoline

4/3/2012 12:51:32 am

yes, Mapes. i can't find the conclusion of the Rather story. An upper court threw out Rather's claim of being fired because he was still collecting $6M/yr; and then Rather was supposed to sue Moonves/Heyward -- I can't find where it stands now. Relevant to SP Hoax because I bet the deep-pockets enablers are pointing to this case when they say they will not allow Hoax coverage in the MSM.

4/3/2012 06:30:04 am

yikes. Sorry

4/2/2012 12:26:05 pm

laura, how is your cat?

Ottoline

4/2/2012 11:36:06 pm

NYT columnist mentions SP as VP again. Yes I hope I am wrong.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/03/opinion/bruni-and-now-the-veepstakes.html

Laura Novak

4/3/2012 02:22:03 am

Up, so sweet of you to ask. I was just sitting with her b/c she was "sick" again this morning, all over the comforter. She tore her ACL in the left knee and it's been a bad week. Poor thing, she's so old too.

In the THIS JUST IN department:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2124550/Palin-enemy-Levi-Johnston-21-dad-AGAIN-schoolteacher-girlfriend-20-revealed-pregnant.html

Wow. I thought of doing a post on it, but then again, what else is there to say?

V-A

4/3/2012 02:58:25 am

I can say two things. 1. Does anyone in AK practice birth control? 2. This chick is NOT a school teacher. She's a 20 yr old classroom helper.

Ottoline

4/3/2012 03:59:41 am

But it's okay. We have no further need to be interested in Levi and his adventures, if we even ever did. Only in the Palin Hoax -- her own doing, all hers, plus her big-time, high-level enablers. The GOP dirty tricks dept. I suspect the Rather/Bush case is filed in that very same dept., in much the same folder, with much the same modus operandi, with much the same forces mandating the MSM blackout. Hmmm?

Laura Novak

4/3/2012 04:52:58 am

I know, V-A. My first thought was: "Does anyone in that state get an education?" I wonder how many leave and go out into the world. What a strange place and what a strange woman they sent out into the world. And now this. Lord, it never seems to stop with these folks does it?

v-A

4/3/2012 08:53:38 am

I thought of you guys today regarding the new book claiming OJ didn't kill his wife and her boyfriend. The premise is plausible enough (that his son did it) that I had to take a deep breath. How many years since that crazy trial? I've always been convinced OJ DID it,and then in a few seconds, a PI offers a theory that is totally plausible. Wow. So, there's hope for the Palin hoax. Maybe.

Ottoline

4/4/2012 01:06:49 am

Hi Floyd (see yr comment way above) -- I read your links. You picked the weakest one on the playground, and you beat her up. Her two goals are to sell books and get legal consequences for illegal activities. Goals that I support. Do you think your comments helped those goals? I do not.

Gratuitous insults to readers of her book (those of you who "have wallowed in the scanned documents in the Appendix") don't advance those goals. Nor does your condescension to Shailey ("Shailey's personal little tragedy" -- I bet it wouldn't seem so little if it had happened to you!), nor the woulda/shoulda/coulda Monday-morning quarterbacking -- all unhelpful and unnecessary at this point. As is your grasp of the obvious: that a criminal aims to cover tracks, that the AK police have colluded, that the better paper/evidence trail has been disappeared, that it's always hard for a prostitute to get justice, that the SP story is prob bigger than the Todd story, that inexperienced writers/publishers might have flaws in their finished book. All true, but in the "Duh!" category IMO.

Instead, you might have offered anything more than innuendo about the big guys -- the stuff you have been hinting about elsewhere all along. That is, if you actually have any facts supporting the "much worse," "blog wars," and anything else you claim is relevant. In that case, letting the chips fall where they may would serve to clarify our blog reality (if indeed that is a factor in holding back exposure of the Hoax) and help us move forward.

Is my comment evidence of "blog war" behavior? I say no. You offered a comment, and I have responded to it. We do not agree. That's all there is to it. I do believe your wish to further the goal of exposing the hoax is sincere, as is mine.

Laura Novak

4/4/2012 03:42:56 am

Will try to put up a new post today. But for now, THANK YOU dear Ottloline for that fantastic review you've posted for me on Amazon...of Finding Clarity of course.

So many readers of my blog have bought the book and sang its praises. I cannot tell you how much this means to me.

Thank you again from the bottom of my heart.

Ottoline

4/4/2012 04:26:25 am

It sure took them awhile to get it through moderation! You are at 70,000 now, but when I looked before, you were in the low 30,000s again. Lovely!

Ottoline

4/4/2012 09:24:07 am

So here's a fun Jon Stewart thing on the SP Today show, AND a hoax comment below it from me:
http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/tue-april-3-2012/good-morning-real-america---sarah-palin-s-courageous--today-show--appearance

Actually, this one is even better (esp at 2:30!!):
http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/tue-april-3-2012/good-morning-real-america

Plus another hoax comment.

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