Deepak Chopra Meditates With The #occupywallstreet Protesters (Video)

I was sent a link to a moving YouTube video a few minutes ago.  I would like to share it with you.

Last night, Deepak Chopra visited the General Assembly of Occupy Wall Street.  The General Assembly is the nightly meeting that is held at Zuccotti Park every evening.  At the meeting, ideas are discussed.  Updates are given.  Plans are shared for the next day.  Bullhorns are prohibited within the park.  Instead, they use what is referred to as "the people's mic".  One person speaks, then everyone within earshot repeats what is said, so that the people in the back of the crowd can hear the speaker.  The occupiers have created a sanitation team, as well as a medic team, legal team and a team dedicated to establishing a web presence.  Each team sends representatives on their behalf to the General Assembly every night.

Chopra offered a short meditation to the group.  He said,

“I just want to do a two minute meditation, or even less. Put your hand on your heart and just ask yourself internally what kind of world do I want to live in? And listen. Do it now. And now ask yourself how can I make that happen? How can I make that happen from a place of love, compassion, joy and equanimity? Simple anger will only perpetuate what already is out there. It was created by greed and fear. We have to go beyond that, and come from a place of compassion, centered equanimity and creativity. Once again, ask yourself, how can I be the change that I want to see in the world? Thank you.”

Here is a video of Chopra speaking to the General Assembly:



While he quoted Gandhi ("Be the change you want to see in the world."), and at the same time, almost quoted Yoda ("Fear leads to anger.  Anger leads to hate.  Hate leads to suffering."), it was still a very thoughtful and moving moment with the demonstrators.  Think about this.  Deepak Chopra is one of the "one percenters".  In 2007, Forbes magazine estimated that he had earned approximately $22 million.  So, why was he there?  Simple.  He has a conscience.  He knows the difference between right and wrong.

He isn't the only celebrity to join the cause.  Susan Sarandon, Rosanne Barr and rapper Lupe Fiasco have all taken part of the protests in the last week.  Actor, and future Incredible Hulk, Mark Ruffalo, even spent last Saturday and Sunday camped out in the park with the protesters.

Deepak Chopra used the word equanimity a couple of times during his meditation last night.  I couldn't think of a more appropriate word.  It means "mental or emotional stability or composure, especially under tension or strain".  So far, this has been a peaceful protest.  The protesters need to maintain a level of composure, especially now, to ensure this has a peaceful outcome.  The NYPD is not seeking peace.  We have already witnessed their brutality toward unarmed, innocent men and women, exercising their First Amendment rights.  It's up to us to remain tranquil.

As the video mentioned, a walkout is planned with CUNY students tomorrow.  That, along with as many as 38,000 transit workers taking the streets to protest, could mean more than 100,000 people in the Wall Street area tomorrow afternoon.  Regardless, it will, by far, be the largest day of demonstrations to date for Occupy Wall Street.  It is unclear whether the transit system will be affected in New York City tomorrow.  Many are hoping that workers will protest during their off hours.  Others believe that workers across the city will be a "no show" at their jobs, crippling New York commuters.

Tomorrow should be an interesting news day.

Best "That's What She Said" Joke EVER (Video)

Oh, Michael Scott.  My, how you are missed.

This Is How NOM Publishes A Baby Announcement

On September 30th, Jared Polis, a gay Congressman from Colorado, and his partner, Marlon Reis, announced the birth of their son, Caspian.  No information was disclosed as to the baby's mother, because, honestly, it's no one's business.  This was a notable birth announcement, in that Polis became the first openly gay parent in Congress.  The announcement from Polis and Reis read as follows:

"Marlon & Jared are proud to announce the arrival of Caspian Julius: 8 pounds 12 ounces, Born September 30th 2011

Baby and parents are doing well, baby has learned to cry already!

No gifts please, just nice thoughts for Caspian, humankind, the planet, and the universe!"

Many news websites and political blogs noted the birth.  All reported the news positively.  Many offered their congratulations and well wishes.  After all, how is the birth of a beautiful, healthy baby boy a negative thing in this world?

If you were to believe the news from the National Organization for Marriage, you would think that Caspian's birth was a harbinger of the end of the world.  This was their headline, announcing the baby's birth:

What a horrible way to spin the birth of a child.  This little boy is going to have two parents, in a secure, stable home, that love him.  And, simply because those parents are both male, NOM automatically considers him "at risk" or "disadvantaged".  This is nothing less than hate speech, and it was specifically targeted at Polis.

Rep. Polis is the co-sponsor of the Every Child Deserves A Family Act.  The act "bans discrimination in adoption or foster care placement based on the sexual orientation, marital status or gender identity of the potential parent, or the sexual orientation or gender identity of the child".

It's a wonder they didn't call little Caspian the Anti-Christ.

Hank 3's Reaction To His Dad's Dumbass Comments

This morning, TMZ got in contact with HW3, the son of Hank Williams Jr., for a comment on Jr.'s criticism of President Obama.  It's clear that the apple falls far from the tree.  Not even in the same orchard.

If you're not familiar with Hank 3, he's the spitting image of his grandfather.  That where the similarities end.  Hank is a musician, but his influences tend to come more from artists that played at CBGB, than those that played at The Grand Ole Opry.  His sound is a mishmash of country, metal and punk.  It's easy to guess that politically, his views are polar opposites than his fathers.

When asked of his political views, he said that he was "a musician, not a politician".  He also said that most musicians are "not worthy" of political discussion.  The one exception?  "The only person out there worthy of mixing political views and music is Jello Biafra."

Jello Biafra is the lead singer, and co-founder, of the punk band The Dead Kennedys.  After the band's demise, Biafra turned to politics, becoming a prominent figure in the Green Party.

While Hank didn't mention his father directly in the interview, he got his point across.  Williams should have kept his mouth shut.

This is a video of Hank, with his band Assjack, singing their song, 'Cocaine':

Obama Responsible For Return Of 'Arrested Development'?

August 2009:

The people have spoken.

August 2011:

President Obama addresses the nation.

Sunday afternoon...

It's announced at The New Yorker Festival, that the show is coming back for one more season.

Coincidence?  I think not.

Great New Internet Meme - "Helpful Tyler Durden"

Okay.  This meme isn't exactly "new".  It has actually been around for a little more than six months, as best as I can tell.  When it comes to meme's it's one hell of an interesting concept.

If you have seen 'Fight Club', or have read Chuck Palahniuk's novel of the same name, then you're quite familiar with Tyler Durden.  He is one of the few iconic male characters in the last 20 years.  His perspective of the world made you question yourself, and your place within it.

Think of "Helpful Tyler Durden" as having members of Project Mayhem making an impact on people's lives on an individual level, much like the scene where Tyler decides to rob the liquor store, takes the clerk into the back alley, and puts a gun to his head.  Instead of pulling the trigger, he takes the clerk's ID, and asks Raymond (the clerk) what he wants to do with his life.  He replies that he wants to be a veterinarian.

Tyler: I know who you are and where you live Raymond, if you're not on your way to becoming a veterinarian in 3 weeks I will find you and kill you. Now go home...

Raymond runs away, in tears.

Tyler: "Tomorrow will be the most beautiful day of Raymond K. Hessel's life. His breakfast will taste better than any meal you and I have ever tasted."

Below are some of my favorite "Helpful Tyler Durden" posts, of the dozens I've seen.  By far, the best one is the very last.  So true.  Enjoy.

Did Designer Tom Ford Just? Yeah. He Totally Did. (NSFW)

American designer Tom Ford is probably best known for turning around Gucci's public image in the 90s.  Since then, he has introduced his own menswear brand in 2005, as well as his own line of beauty products and perfumes.

Speaking of perfumes, Ford is featured in the latest issue of Russian 'Vogue', testing out the latest scents at his desk.  He has a look on his face that says, "Ho hum.  Another boring Tuesday."  And then you see the rest of the photo.

***The rest of this post is NSFW.  If you're drinking something, please swallow it now.  I would hate for you to get coffee on your screen***

"Jedi Mindfuck" (Video)

A dad filmed his four year old watching 'The Empire Strikes Back', just as Darth Vader tells Luke Skywalker that he is his father.  His reaction is priceless.

13 Year Old Girl Arrested Yesterday At #occupywallstreet, Apparently 18

Dozens of news outlets were reporting that the above, unidentified female that was arrested on the Brooklyn Bridge was 13 years old.  She has since been identified, only as "Katie".  According to people that claim that they know her, she is, in fact 18.

This is (allegedly) a link to her DeviantArt page.  It has quite a few photos from the protests, which were last uploaded yesterday.

Breaking Out Of Zip Ties (Video)

For any readers that may have accidentally tied their wrists together while protesting at Occupy Wall Street, Occupy Boston, Occupy Albuquerque, Occupy Phoenix, or any other locations in the United States.

I have found a couple of videos that show you how to remove yourself from those cumbersome zip ties that tend to get around your wrists during such protests.  Coincidentally, they are also the same type of restraints that many police departments carry with them during mass demonstrations.

Pay attention, and remember:  We are the 99%.



And for duel restraints...

The #occupywallstreet Interview Fox News Will Never Air (Video)

For the last week, Fox News has made a point of intentionally making the Occupy Wall Street protesters appear to be a bunch of disorganized, incoherent hippies.  Bill O'Reilly's production crew has gone out of their way to make the thousands of protesters in the streets of New York City to look like morons.  With a mix of careful editing, and a process of selecting the perfect drug addicted performance artist to interview, they have posted a nightly montage of what appears to be the endless stream of uneducated burnouts standing up against capitalism, without rhyme or reason.

Fox News was in Liberty Square again today, interviewing for Greta van Susteren's show.  As you'll see, the interviewer is giving the protester the opportunity to "put any message you want out there, to give you fair coverage".  This is what he said:



Yeah.  That will never see the light of day on Fox News.

ESPN Drops Hank Williams Jr. From NFL Telecasts After He Calls Obama Hitler

Whether you are a country music fan or not, if you watch football, you know that Hank Williams Jr.'s 'All My Rowdy Friends Are Coming Over Tonight' is a staple of Monday nights.  The song has been the theme of Monday Night Football since 1991.  Well, according to a statement from ESPN today, hope you enjoyed it while it lasted, because you'll never hear it on the network again.

Why?  Because on this morning's Fox and Friends on Fox News, Williams compared President Obama to Adolf Hitler.  That's right.  Just watch:  (Sorry for the obligatory pre-clip advertisement.  It's beyond my control.)



Even the anchors from Fox and Friends had a puzzled look on their face.  Then again, why are you discussing politics with someone that calls himself "Bocephus"?  Can someone explain that name to me?  Is it an inside joke?  Am I not white enough to get it?

This afternoon, ESPN released the following statement:

“While Hank Williams, Jr. is not an ESPN employee, we recognize that he is closely linked to our company through the open to Monday Night Football.  We are extremely disappointed with his comments, and as a result we have decided to pull the open from tonight’s telecast.”

Who knows what Williams' political views really are.  Considering his comments today, it's probably not hard to guess.  I have never been a fan of his.  To me, he has always come across as somewhat racist - one of those people that glorify the South, and likely supports the flying of the Confederate flag.  Just look at the lyrics of his song, 'If the South Woulda Won'.  It's pretty easy to see where he stands.

I'm glad to see ESPN take a stand in this matter.  It may be a small step, but Williams is surely receiving a large sum in royalties from Monday Night Football broadcasts of his song.  Looks like the bulk of his income is going to be coming from county fairs and backwoods casino shows for a while.

Update:  According to TMZ, Williams has issued a statement regarding the comments made earlier today.  He isn't apologizing for what he said.  Rather, he's saying that his comments were "misunderstood":

"Some of us have strong opinions and are often misunderstood. My analogy was extreme – but it was to make a point. I was simply trying to explain how stupid it seemed to me - how ludicrous that pairing was."

He continues, "They’re polar opposites and it made no sense. They don’t see eye-to-eye and never will. I have always respected the office of the President.”

Williams Jr. adds, "Every time the media brings up the tea party it’s painted as racist and extremists – but there’s never a backlash – no outrage to those comparisons… Working class people are hurting – and it doesn’t seem like anybody cares. When both sides are high-fiving it on the ninth hole when everybody else is without a job – it makes a whole lot of us angry. Something has to change. The policies have to change.”

Nice try, but you're not getting your contact back anytime soon. 

Introducing The Free Flexor, The Shake Weight For Men (Video)

"THIS is not an ordinary workout.  THIS is not boring."  (THIS is a large, misshapen dildo.)

Don't forget to cup the balls...



"Once you start to get that momentum swinging, it starts to go deep.  You can feel it."  LOL.  In case you were wondering, yes...it's real.

Craigslist Ad Of The Day (NSFW)

Some background:

Comedian Louis C.K. was performing a sold out show at Brooklyn's The Bell House last Friday night.  Tickets were only $10 apiece.  Can you believe that?

"Don" had a pair of tickets to the show, but was unable to go (you'll see why), and decided to sell the tickets online at face value.  He did have an unusual request for those interested in purchasing the tickets, however.

Take a look at the ad after the jump.  ***Warning:  NSFW on account of language. (He's not happy with his wife.)

Watch President Obama's Speech To The Human Rights Campaign (Video)

Last night, President Obama spoke at the 15th Annual National Dinner of the Human Rights Campaign.  The Human Rights Campaign has been on the front lines of the battle field for LGBT rights in recent years, and the President's comments at last night's dinner were highly anticipated.  The most often asked question leading up to his speech was, "Would he officially endorse marriage equality?".

While I'll discuss the specifics of his speech in greater detail tomorrow, I thought I would post the video of it this evening for those who were interested in watching.  For some reason, the video and audio are out of sync.  I apologize.

Joe Solmonese, the President of the HRC, delivered a wonderful introduction to President Obama.  Obama, for his part, started things off on the right foot by saying,

"I also took a trip out to California last week, where I held some productive, bi-lateral talks with your leader: Lady Gaga.  She was wearing 16 inch heels.  She was eight feet tall!"