Check and Mate

Tags

Beck's Nincompoops, courts, DOMA, gay rights, Obama, wacko rightwing

I have to admit it. I’m often truly taken aback at the clear brilliance that comes from the Obama Administration. And folks, he’s done it again.

You may have heard. The Administration, through Eric Holder, Attorney General, has determined that parts of DOMA (Defense of Marriage Act) are unconstitutional and thus will no longer be defended in court.

First lets look at the actual statute, so we know what we speak of. You can look at the actual language at Wikipedia. Basically section two says that no state need recognize the same-sex marriage of another state. Section three expressly defines marriage as that between a man and a woman.

It is this third section that Obama determined unconstitutional and ordered Holder to cease defending in court. It’s important to use the word “defending” since the Administration remains obligated to enforce the law in totality unless and until such time as it is officially declared unconstitutional by a higher court.

Section two remains enforceable as well, and actually stands on firmer ground under the right of Congress to determine under what circumstances a state need give “full faith and credit” to the actions of another state.

What Obama objected to is the idea that the federal government will recognize some marriages in a state, but not those that are composed of same-sex parties. He determined that this violated the equal protection clause of the US Constitution. (The EPC is the main basis for the striking down of man/woman only marriage statute in Iowa for instance.)

What is even more important here, is that in a deft move, Obama has placed the entire mess in the lap of John Boehner and the GOP. Obama has notified the courts that the Congress, through its attorneys may want to step into the breach and offer defense to the provision.

One can almost see the twinkle in the eye of the President at this. Boehner, caught unawares of his new predicament sputtered:

“While Americans want Washington to focus on creating jobs and cutting spending, the President will have to explain why he thinks now is the appropriate time to stir up a controversial issue that sharply divides the nation.”

Does he cater to the extremists on the right who are suitably apoplectic? Or recognize that the country is moving inexorably toward favoring marriage equality and the courts are definitely moving in that direction as well? Oh the tough decisions!

Did I say that the extremist wonkettes were suitably apoplectic?

Foxy pundit Monica Crowley, legal expert, screeched that Obama was the US equivalent of  Hosni Mubarak, that democracy was over, and that an impeachable offense was at hand.

Beck’s Nincompoops were not far behind:

Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}

For 15 years the law has been in existence, and could be challenged in the courts if he feels so deeply in the unfairness of it; that is one reason the courts exist, to legally redress wrongs done or imposed by laws and statutes harmful to the ideals of the constitution.

Snowleopard: You’ve obviously been in a snow cave for a very long time. The law has been challenged again and again, and recently it was struck down again just recently. It’s best not to open you mouth to declare that you are stooopid. Just a hint.  

ozchambers

 

Posted on February 23, 2011 at 2:25pm

Divide…divide…..divide….divide…..divide……PUSH! He is about ready to create enough unrest to kickstart the massive tea party protests again. But this time the labor unions / communists / socialists / anti capitalists are planning to mix it up with us in a violent way. And when that happens Barry unfortunately will have no choice but to shut down these violent tea party protests and their violence-inspiring rhetoric. The backdrop of protests around the world toppling governments will be enough to keep the sheeple from raising too much of a ruckus about the suspension of civil liberties.

 chambers: Who’s your wizard? I think the Munchkins stole the conspiracy papers and gave them to the Witch. 

BreeZee

Posted on February 23, 2011 at 2:26pm

POTUS needs to be IMPEACHED!!!! Once again he has broken his oath of office. Who the hell is he to decide what is constitutional or not? which laws to enforce or not? He is still implamenting (sic) obammacare even tho it was ruled UNCONSTITUTIONAL!!!!! He is breaking the law in doing so!!!! This man is evil and will be the dam-nation of us all. 

BreeZee: Girl calm down. A fifteen yard penalty for over use of exclamation points. Um, dear, don’t mean to disturb your wigging out, but more courts have found it constitutional than the other way around. I bet you think impeachment means secreting him in a Georgia fuzzy. Betcha!

  

HippoNips  

 Posted on February 23, 2011 at 2:34pm

Not really news. Obama wasn’t defending DOMA in any valid way.
The only news out of this is that he’s exposing himself. yet again.
Obama , on every issue, is taking the opposite positition  (sic) of the majority of American people.
Most Americans are not for gay marriage, most are not for hugging Muslims , most are not for Obamacare , most are not for public employee unions.
Obama is the anti American President

HippoNips: Why I do believe you scored a perfect zero. The tide has turned toward gay marriage, I think a majority of Americans are not Muslim haters like yourself, a majority supports the Affordable Health Care act, and according to a poll of about three days ago, 61% of Americans support the right of unions to collectively bargain. Have you been partying again with Qaddafi? 

 

ablisterin

 Posted on February 23, 2011 at 5:27pm

I have a gut feeling that the lolly-bama may be the last person that holds the title of President of the United States. I don’t think he has any plans of leaving his post, no matter what. 

ablisterin: exactly how often is your gut correct? Does it talk out loud so we all can be enlightened? Or do you interpret? I think you should talk to Ozchambers. I think he gets advice from a part of his anatomy too, his butt. 

　

waggie

Posted on February 23, 2011 at 6:43pm

Nothing should surprise us with this administration and in the world either for that matter. I tried to warn people when he was campaigning that I feared for America because he was the most liberal senator ever in US history. Nobody would listen to me.

waggie: Well, it was the dog costume you insisted on wearing while you gave your warning. It well, it just didn’t seem sincere. Ya know?

　Jediusetheforce

 Posted on February 23, 2011 at 2:24pm

Keeps getting better. Its time to take up arms and defend the Constitution. Talk is cheap, action deserves attention. For those of you who voted for him are pro-switch hitters now

Jediusetheforce: Whoa there Luke. I can already hear the FBI tracing you through your IP address. And for your information I don’t like baseball much. No switching here. 

　APatriotFirst

 Posted on February 23, 2011 at 2:44pm

Why is it only We the People that can see what is happening and not one polititian  (sic) or state?

Impeachment is the only way to stop him, because in 2012, there will be no election taking place.

APatriotFirst: Where did they hide that November, Tuesday thingie? And I bought a new dress just for the occasion. 

LibertyorDie2011

 

Posted on February 23, 2011 at 3:18pm

And with Somali pirates killing 4 Americans, Hundreds of civilians dying in Libya, and the Union uproar and fleeing Senators in Wisconsin….this is what we get from the White House?

LibertyorDie2011: Shocking isn’t it? Presidents are actually required to do more than one thing at a time. Unlike yourself, who sits in your BVD’s, swigging a beer, munching a bologna sandwich and typing one finger. Congrats on spelling Somali right! Love that spellcheck don’t you?

AH, I love the smell of napalm in the morning. Everyone suitably awake now? Off to your day now. And the beat goes on.　 

Related Articles

• Obama drops defense of Defense of Marriage Act (sfgate.com)
• Fox News’ Monica Crowley Likens President ‘Mubarak Obama’ To Dictatorship (mediaite.com)

Well It’s Still Relevant!

Tags

ADL, Constitution, courts, evolution, gay rights, Ground Zero, Iowa, Islamic Center, judges, moral choice, morality, Muslims, Newt Gingrich, Obama, psychology, religious freedom, separation of powers

I confess this news is a tad old, but only in some cases a few days. I’ve had other issues I wanted to attend to, and frankly I’ve been preoccupied.

We are not getting DSL. We live in some kind of hell zone which cannot be reached. Truthfully, I expected it, and only let in the tiniest glimmer of hope that I too could watch UTube and play some of the more fun games on the net.

So, I am unbloodied by this one, having some days/weeks ago realized that life must be accepted as is, rather than as I would have it be.

I haven’t been to church in a month now, have pretty much separated from all but one responsibility there and don’t forecast much change. I cannot make appointments for anything, half of them have to be cancelled “due to weather.” THAT is reality, quite simply.

So, here’s a few things you might be interested in today:

A good deal is going on about the Islamic Center in NYC. President Obama suggested the obvious–Muslims stand in no different place than any other religious group, and have the right to build wherever local ordinances permit. He is accused by some of walking back the next day, but he really did not. He quite purposefully did not give any personal opinion, as indeed he should not. Separation of church and state demands that, much as the right wing foolery would ignore the Constitution, once again for political reasons.

I was proud of the fact that Fareed Zakaria returned his award from the Anti-Defamation League after they came out in opposition to the Islamic Center.

Of course the buffoons who make these stupid arguments against the Center only aid recruitment by the Islamic fundamentalist movement, no doubt al qaeda cheers at Newt and Sarah and couldn’t be happier.

Speaking of Newt, his rhetoric is such bull. He arrogantly claims he will not be “preached” to by Muslims about tolerance when Saudi Arabia has no synagogues or churches allowed. So I guess Newt concedes that America is no bastion of freedom, but actually has no standards above that of the lowest common denominator. Some admission Newt, you political opportunist!

Jerrold Nadler, (D-NY) answers the silly Peter King (R-NY) and makes the clear point that religious freedom means exactly what it says and that Congress and the Executive branch have no place in this debate. This post is especially good, and worth your while to read in full.

Meanwhile Newt (slippery) Gingrich will be joining the 911 rally against the Center. Joining him are those wonders of slime, John Bolton (so wretched he couldn’t get confirmed at UN ambassador) and that worst of all truth assaulters: Andrew Breitbart who tried to destroy Shirley Sherrod. All these slimy people should get along nicely. They will also be hosting Geert Wilders, Dutch Parliamentarian (even that enlighted country apparently has its asshats!), who calls Islam “the ideology of a retarded culture.” Billy Kristol and Charles Krauthammer have condemned him in the past, and even Beck calls him a fascist. So you see, Newt is really nothing but a salamander, and that no doubt does disservice to that poor creature.

After a shower, we can go on.

Some of the best stuff seems to arise from the Boston Globe. This one is particularly interesting. Religionists would argue (some at least) that morality comes from God. Atheists claim that it most certainly does not. We come to it by reasoning. But there is another choice and you’ll have to read the article to see. How disgusting is it? There is my compass! 

Just a snippet:

By telling a story in which morality grows out of the vagaries of human evolution, the new moral psychologists threaten the claim of universality on which most moral systems depend — the idea that certain things are simply right, others simply wrong. If the evolutionary story about the moral emotions is correct, then human beings, by being a less social species or even having a significantly different prehistoric diet, might have ended up today with an entirely different set of religions and ethical codes. Or we might never have evolved the concept of morals at all.

One of the things that is rubbing me the wrong way these days revolves around Prop 8 and the response from the rabid right. They, who argue all the time about “activist” judges, seem to be going it one further. Now it’s not limited to activism so much as a challenge that judges have the right to over-turn the “public” will.

There is a movement afoot to send SCOTUS a petition stating the “public” will, according to a minority. And true to form good old Newt (slippery) Gingrich and Tim( hey I wanna be relevant) Pawlenty, are urging Iowa voters to vote out the Justices in our fair state who found refusal to issue marriage licenses to gays and lesbians unconstitutional under our state’s constitution.

Apparently it’s business as usual. Trash the constitution when it doesn’t suit your agenda. There are THREE  arms of government Mr.’s Ginghole and Pawpuppy PRECISELY to insulate decision making from the fury of the MOB.  Their job is PRECISELY to stack up the law of the populace AGAINST the CONSTITUTION and declare it square or not.

I can but pray that some middle majority can see through these pretenses. What the ragged-maturity of children riff raff of the far right will fall for, let’s hope sensible people can still reason through.

I Want to Ask

Tags

advertising, celebrities, courts, creationists, evolution, Gitmo, journalism, Madison Avenue, Media, Muslims, pets, rapture, terrorism, Young earthers

It seems an opportune time to rid my brain case of a few puzzling thoughts. Ain’t you glad you stopped by?

I want to ask all those who oppose trying the Gitmo detainees in American civilian courts if they have ever read the Declaration of Independence? I mean, given the fine patriots you all claim to be, I would think it would be something you read regularly at your patriotic meetings. Am I wrong?

There are lots of reasons why the right wingers don’t want the prisoners tried in open American courts. Mostly to keep the dirty laundry in the hamper I believe. Don’t want to let those Muslims use courtrooms as soap boxes to spout their rhetoric and at the same time, report all the sordid things done to them do we?

The one that is utterly ironic to me is the argument, that “they aren’t American and thus not entitled to our rights.” This is where the Declaration comes it. I believe somewhere in that document is says or words to the effect,

All men are created equal and are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights, . . . .

Does this mean what I think it means? All as in A L L? Didn’t one Georgie Dubya Bush talk about how it was our Christian duty to export democracy around the world and so that everyone had the wonderful rights we have? Hows come, the flip folks? No what goes around comes around? Enlighten me please.

I want to ask creationists what research they have done that proves their thesis that the earth was created by God around 6,500 (+/-) years ago? I mean scientists do science and offer their results to the world for examination and retesting. For reformulation, rehypothesizing, and new testing. What creationist has done any research at all?

It seems, as has been said by others, that they simply mine the data field, picking and choosing here and there, and then making up arguments without proofs of any kind. You’re beliefs are not testable propositions. Show us the research that proves your claims. Dare ya.

And don’t give me that bull that you aren’t required to be both a creationist and a young earth proponent. Course you are. If you believe in Genesis, creation story one, they you believe the earth is flat. That’s what the text alludes to. Are ya not smart enough to see that?

But of course, you probably aren’t smart enough, cuz if you were, you wouldn’t be a creationist in the first place. It’s why you believe that Stephen Colbert is a conservative too. You don’t have much grasp on the concept of irony do ya? Enlighten me.

I want to ask those ad men and women, just where in the H2O you came from? Why do you continue to run ads that are offensive and counter productive to your presumed cause?

Case in point. There is a ad for a toilet. Yeah, I know, who needs a commercial for THAT in the first place. But watch. The married dude sees a sexy “plumber” and then tries to sabotage his toilet by throwing all manner of crap down it, just so as how he can call the plumber and ogle her I guess. In walks the wifey as he is pouring dog food down the john. This is supposed to entice me to purchase your product?

Or this one: Levi Johnson talking about being protected or something. And then a wise guy banging another’s head onto a table to crack a nut. This to sell pistachios. This is neither humorous nor tells me anything I want to know about nuts. Except that you are one. And the idiot who decided to pay you for this is even more of one. Enlighten me.

I want to ask the media just how long ago it was that they started offering a course in “how to phone it in” at all our major schools of journalism? What you claim as journalism is sophomoric to say the least. Bloggers are making you look silly dudes.

We don’t mean Foxy of course. They are not lazy, they lie on purpose. They have an agenda, and lucky them, a following composed of atrophied brains so useless that said watchers cannot tell the difference between fact and fiction in the first, second and third place.

No, I’m talking about the insipid drivel that passes for journalism virtually everywhere. Every news cycle is dominated by more non-news that news. Tiger had an accident. It may be all innocent, or it may have a lot to do with a marriage gone sour. I don’t know, I don’t care, I don’t have any business knowing. Some celeb wannabe’s crashed the White House gig. Who they are? I don’t care, I don’t CARE!

Same for Letterman, and Oprah, and that Mackenzie had sex with daddy, and that Mike Tyson has grown up, and that Whitney has seen the light. I don’t care. I don’t care. When will you people get that I don’t care? Sigh.

I do care that 1 in 6 people today is applying for food stamps. I do care that our health care system is an immoral morass that caters to those with sufficient income. I do care that the climate is going to hell in a hand basket and nobody is doing much about it. I care you see about what real people are suffering through. I don’t give a rat’s bottom what rich people are “suffering” through mostly through their own stupidity and arrogance.

Can you all get that? I want to ask somebody, anybody. And while your at it, when you have nothing better to do, then at least promote things that are worthy of real consideration. Like this fine piece:

A site called Eternal Earth-Bound Pets, makes the following claims:

You’ve committed your life to Jesus. You know you’re saved.  But when the Rapture comes what’s to become of your loving pets who are left behind?   Eternal Earth-Bound Pets takes that burden off your mind. 

We are a group of dedicated animal lovers, and atheists. Each
Eternal Earth-Bound Pet representative is a confirmed atheist, and as such will still be here on Earth after you’ve received your reward.  Our network of animal activists are committed to step in when you step up to Jesus.

It seems right up the alley of those aforementioned brain leakers. They have so far had 100 takers and operate in 22 states. I guess, I should have something I want to ask them too, but I’ll have to think a while on this one.

Living Large in Rural Iowa

Tags

Barack Obama, Catholicism, church/state, Civil War, courts, creationism, fundamentalism, Gardening, gay rights, History, immigration, Jam/jelly, John McCain, justice, mulches, quilting, salad, vegetables, Veterans, weeds

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This piece is simply called Goddess, and is from the Cypro-Archaic period mid 6th Century B.C. It can be viewed at the Louvre.

It’s a bit on the soggy side today but they say the rain will be moving off soon. It is however chilly again, and that is getting most depressing. It seems it’s never to be warm and stay that way.  We have tantalizing glimpses of summer then the cold returns. I am having digestive “issues” and so have decided to beg off the cleaning duties today, as I’m rather out of sorts. The Contrarian has risen to the occasion as he usually does and is doing the cooking today.  I’m putting up this blog which helps keep me occupied and away from my troubles. A bland diet for a few days should put things in order again. We are doing our standard holiday fare for Monday, ribs, potato salad and pea salad.

Nothing is happening in the garden so far, but the Contrarianis his usual impatient self in that regard. Each day he goes for a tour and reports that the corn is not up yet. Of course it was just planted Monday or Tuesday, and he grew up on a farm so he knows better. This does not dissuade him from his daily progress reports however. So far our plants have not been eaten. I found a dead baby rabbit in the bathroom a couple of days ago, thanks no doubt to Spencer the killer cat. That was the same day I was chasing him through the house with his latest dead bird, this time a goldfinch. He specializes in wrens usually.

On to the news of the day:

~~~&&&~~~&&&~~~

We in this country, with the blessings of our dear Supreme Court, continue to murder in the name of law, and we call it fair punishment for crimes committed. The death penalty is a cause near and dear to my heart, having been a criminal defense attorney for more than 20 years. I know at first hand the incredible injustice of the “justice” system. I know of the miscarriages that occur, and know first hand of at least two cases in which innocents were convicted. One was later released after serving four or five years. The other is presumably still there having now served more than 25 by my recall. Even when the system corrects an error and releases an innocent, is this justice? Read about how prisoners newly released try to cope with their new found freedom at Alternet‘s exemplary post by Liliana Segura.

Meanwhile, some states continue to pursue a course of public education designed to move American students farther down the competitive ladder in science. Louisiana in its infinite lack of wisdom has passed state legislation that allows the teaching of non-science in the guise of “supplemental materials.”  These bills are called “academic freedom” bills and are being offered mostly in the deep south bible belt where backwards thinking is still all too common. They are pushed by reactionary right religious organizations who are determined that Christianity will be taught one way or another. Apparently they do not feel that they can teach Christian principles themselves in their respective churches.

John McCain has no integrity, none. Yesterday he lambasted Obama  claiming he knows zero about veterans rights since he hasn’t served. You can read his entire rant at Blue Girl, Red State. It’s an embarrassing loss of cool once again, as McCain tries to justify his refusal to vote for Webb’s new GI Bill. Of course as she points out in a earlier post, some of the folks that are on his bill aren’t veterans either, but that of course is not mentioned. Worse yet, McCain skipped completely the latest war funding vote because he decided to spend the day with the Governor of California. And that would be Arnold who admittedly went AWOL from his duties in Austria to compete in a bodybuilding meet. Seems old old Mac has trouble remembering things these days. This subject is huge on the internet blogging world today. Think Progress has some more details that might be of interest.

I sadly don’t often have the opportunity to praise my Church. Today I can. Both the archdiocese and the Sisters of Mercy are on record in Iowa calling for immigration reformafter the ugly raid in Pottsville. Calling the policies of the Governmentboth disastrous and inhumane, the Sisters call for changes that insure that dignity and human rights are respected.

If you are interested in learning a bit about yawning, slip by C’est La Vie and Josie will give you the ins and outs. It’s an annoying thing to endure some times, especially when you are trying to watch something really good on TV and keep being distracted by uncontrolled yawning. And it’s contagious as well, as we all know.

I don’t know about you but I love beets. I can’t eat a lot because of their high sugar content, but this recipe looked so good. I don’t like the bleeding idea in this recipe, but if you grow the golden ones, it would be absolutely perfect. In any case, its a great little summer salad. Coconut & Lime brings us Beet Potato Salad.

History News Network offers us a fine piece on the question of the Confederacy’s treasury which has long been the topic of speculation. Did it exist, how much did it contain, and more importantly, where is it? There were supposed to be some 35 kegs of Mexican silver that have never been accounted for. Read this fascinating account and decide what you think.

A pear jelly recipe is offered at Homemade Jam and Jelly blog. I really enjoy making jelly and jam and I find it quite easy to do, and frankly, I have to because I can control what type of sugar is used. I’ll file it away with my others choice jam and jelly recipes. This year I’m planning on making crab apple jelly if our huge tree produces a good set of fruit. They say apples are setting very well this year in Iowa.

Have you heard? McCain has renounced his friends and spiritual advisors, Hagee and Parlsey. His minions are across the landscape claiming that it didn’t take Mac 20 years to do so either. But of course that begs the question. Mac actively  sought the endorsement of Hagee. And Hagee’s pronouncements in all their vulgar ugliness existed well before. So does McCain have no vetting process? Inside-Out the Beltway has another great piece on the subject. Given that McCain has shown us again and again that he has no ability to assess the integrity of those he takes on board  his campaign, why should anyone trust him with the government? Simple answer: NOBODY.

Inspired by antique quilts has a look at a new quilting book. I don’t buy these because I simply don’t have that kind of disposable income, and you can get most patterns free on the web. But I sure like to look at the lovely pictures which do give you ideas as well as that ubiquitous inspiration.

The reason why I love the National Reviewis that they are wingnuts of the first order. The degree of their attack shows the degree of their fear that all will be lost this November. Given this post, I would guess they have given up.  Rich Lowry offers us a complete article claiming that Obama is gay-marriage’s best friend based on one word, and that word is “respect.” Obama said that he “‘respected’ the decision of the California Supreme Court.” With that alone, Lowry concocts an entire post of conjecture, supposition, and innuendo. Too funny for words. I’m still waiting for somebody to explain to me what marriage has to be protected from. Any takers?

If you would like to see a broader discussion of gay marriage visit On Faith wherein this issue is debated and you of course can add your two cents. The usual suspects are panelists. The comments are great, ranging from the outrageously idiotic to the intelligent and well thought out.  

Don’t know if you heard or not but Johnny Mac has invited some folks to his house for barbecue this weekend. Some of those invited are supposed to be on the short list for consideration of VEEP. One of those is the kid Jindal who is a whopping  37 years old and about as right wing as you can get. I mean he is a wingnut. American Prospect has a very thorough vetting on him today. Don’t miss it. I think he would be a grand choice, one we can all get behind to campaign against.

Tip Junkie has amassed a bunch of tutorials for you. There are ones to create a diaper cake for those baby showers, one to make soap, and about six or more others. Take a look and see if there is anything there that peaks your artistic interests.

The best mulch is a living mulch. That’s what I always say. Well, I guess i don’t always say it, but I have learned to plant in patterns that make the plants kind of help cover the area which does help the weeds to be kept at a minimum. Veggie Gardening Tips has plenty of advice as to how to do this technically speaking. Take a look and save your aching back.

~~~&&&~~~&&&~~~

“The problem with people who have no vices is that generally you can be pretty sure they’re going to have some pretty annoying virtues.”  Elizabeth Taylor

“It has been said that man is a rational animal. All my life I have been searching for evidence which could support this.” Bertrand Russell

“A wise man can see more from the bottom of a well than a fool can from a mountain top .”  Unknown

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More of those bumper stickers:

CAUTION: This car will be left behind during rapture

Coffee, Chocolate, Men. Some things are just better rich.

Consciousness: that annoying time between naps.

Conserve toilet paper – use both sides.

Constipated People Don’t Give A Shit.

Death is God’s way of telling you not to be such a wise guy.

Despite The Cost Of Living, Have You Noticed How It Remains So Popular?

Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and good with ketchup.

Do they ever shut up on your planet.

Eagles may soar, but weasels don’t get sucked into jet engines.

~~~&&&~~~&&&~~~

John McCain is going to be the Republican nominee for president, so he is now auditioning candidates for vice president. And they’re visiting at his home in Arizona, which I believe is called the Lazy Artery. Wait, I believe it’s a ranch. I think it is the Double Hernia, or maybe it is called the Rancho Prostateo. David Letterman

A California biotechnology company is auctioning off five opportunities to clone your family dog, with the bidding starting at $100,000. The first bid came in from the parents of a boy named Timmy who want enough cloned copies of their collie that they never have to worry about Timmy falling down a well again.

It’s not Cannes, but the city of Dammam in Saudi Arabia is holding that country’s first-ever film festival. The most popular movies at the Saudi festival are “Sand By Me,” “Like Oil For Chocolate” and “Sheiks and the City.” – Paul Seaburn, Spring, Texas