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HuffPo:

“He is making a mockery of the system,” Todd said. “…Is it fair to the process? Yes, the process is a mess, but he’s doing it in a way that feels like he’s trying to influence it with his own agenda and that may be anti-Republican.”

He cautioned the media to be “careful” about amplifying Colbert’s message, and said it should not be treated as “shtick” or satire.

“What is his real agenda here?” he said. “Is it to educate the public about the dangers of money and politics, and what’s going on? Or is it simply to marginalize the Republican Party? I think if I were a Republican candidate I would be concerned about that.”

Todd concluded by saying that he “idolized” American politics and didn’t want to see people become more cynical about them.

Less than a few minutes ago, Colbert was on MSNBC’s  ”Morning Joe” being fawned over by Scarborough, his guests, and his audience. All rather nauseating.

I also disagree with Todd’s claim that Colbert is doing something noble in going after these Super PACs, but we’ll leave that debate for another day (more on that here).

The mistake no one should make, though, is to buy the notion that Todd is the only member of the MSM to have cracked Colbert’s code. Anyone with an IQ above room temperature knows what Colbert is up to. Furthermore, Colbert fully understands that his anti-GOP crusade will get him the MSM exposure he desires because the media shares his agenda.

The only difference between Todd and his colleagues (especially at NBC) is that Todd is at least somewhat troubled by what’s going on.

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Naturally, what happens to all showbiz types and Blacks who dare stray off liberal plantation is happening to Bill Cosby now that he’s shown some love for Tebow: the cries of crazy hasbeen! have begun.

Somehow the left never fails to be both bigoted and predictable.

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“I pay taxes here. I’d be happy to pay more.”

Okay, Roger, no problem…

Here.

Put up or shut up, and that goes for anyone else who spouts this nonsense about wanting to pay more in taxes.

No one is stopping you but you.

Have you ever written anything off your taxes, Roger? That’s completely voluntary, you know.

Never thought I’d live to see the day where Roger Waters fronted for The Man.

Fox Nation rates this video as “obnoxious.” Good call.

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If you really want your mind blown, check out the making-of video below. All of that was done in-camera. Every frame.

No CGI.

No green screen.

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Sometimes you just have to stop to appreciate artistry and the artist’s commitment to it.

Or maybe I’m too easily amused.

“In no way would I ever want to offend those who are protecting our freedoms…I am deeply sorry[.]“

End update…

NSFW video:

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THR:

The rapper is under fire after his latest clip went viral, in which he appears to deliver the line “F*** the Troops.”

Soulja Boy Tell ‘Em, who is perhaps best known for his 2007 smash hit “Crank That (Soulja Boy),” faces extreme public scrutiny after allegedly delivering a blow to the U.S. military in his latest video.

A clip that went viral on Monday, Sept. 5, appears to depict the rapper performing his newest track “Let’s Be Real,” featuring the controversial lyrics: “F*** the FBI and f*** all the Army troops.” While the video certainly looks and sounds like Soulja Boy, the Military Times notes that the song and accompanying clip have yet to be mentioned on any of his several social networking sites. Between YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, Soulja Boy is an avid user of social media, even mentioning each of them in the song.

Full story here:

On the morning of 1 July 2011…that “whisper became a shout.”

What started out as a regular weekly spotlight on one of our great culture warriors at BigDawg Music Mafia – this time on the amazing music of our good friend Chip Murray, a truly gifted singer/songwriter who also happens to be a delightful, down-to-earth blogger – has turned out to be so much more.   We are reminded not only of God’s incredible Grace, but we are also reminded of the sacrifices of our fallen brothers and sisters that enable us to celebrate our freedom.   May this story–Chip’s story–lift your spirits and give you hope.

It is a pleasure and an honor to introduce our friend, Chip Murray.

Chip’s Biography:

Chip got his first guitar (a Stella) at the tender age of 13.  It may have been a cheap guitar, but he quickly found it to be a great tool of expression and a very cool way to connect with people.  Growing up in the turbulent 60’s, the guitar became his life raft and steady friend through the whitewaters of adolescence…. And while the rest of the world seemed to be finding themselves, making their marks and staking their claims, he was tasting the silent sweetness of nowhere.  And yet, by 35 he had lived everywhere from Boulder to Reseda, to Morgan City and the Houston suburb of Bacliff.  He lived, worked, loved, fought, and danced with “the people” on every coast of this great land.  He became one of them, assimilating their culture by inhaling their music and stories into his heart and soul… “Gone Wishin‘,” the debut CD from his band Cavern was his first public “exhale” and but a glimpse of what’s inside.  From “Devil in Me” to “Deja Vu Blues,” Gone Wishin’ is a metaphor for our journey from the darkness to the light….and after “we rest on the wind, we’ll come right back to our mothers again.”- Gibran.

By 2010, Chip was back in the studio again, this time with Producer/Engineer Adrian Holtz (The Bravery, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, The Ravonettes, Neil Dorfsman), his former Cavern bass player Peter Verutes and fellow Warwickian keyboardist Glenn John Arnowitz.  The result is a new 15 track CD, Wide Awake, released 5/1/11!  His new material from “Wonder Why” to “Home,” and “Tip Jar” is less personal and yet from a deeper and more connected place that is sure to touch you in places long forgotten…leaving you completely satisfied, wanting only a smoke!

If the world hasn’t heard of Chip Murray yet, they’re going to. With lyrics as powerful as Bob Dylan (yes, that powerful), an earthy, warm, weathered voice that sings about love and life and everything else in between, and wonderful, acoustic, honest production, “Wide Awake” is one of the best albums of this decade.~ Bobby Jo Valentine

In His Own Words:

It gets awfully lonely up here in New York for an out-of-the-closet Conservative like myself.  I recently had a liberal friend of mine passionately encourage, advise, and counsel me to actually “SHUT UP ‘n sing!”  LOL!!!

I made a promise to myself in early 2008.  I felt that if some kid could strap on body armor and leave his home, family and friends to go dodge bullets in some God-forsaken desert foxhole, then the least we could do is stand and engage the even more ruthless enemy here at home!  The Ballad of John Hall was my first politically inspired song…reflecting my experience at the first 9/12 march on Washington and my complete disgust with our local Congressman at the time, John Hall (Former front man for the 70’s band, Orleans).

I’ve never truly felt purpose in my life…until now.  At 58, I’ve always been a late bloomer, but the truth is that I didn’t become a serious musician until 8-10 years ago.  My wife saw something in me that nobody else (including me) saw.  That seeing gave birth to I Believe, and the rest is history!  Now it is clear to me that God has blessed me with a voice to sing, a pen to write, and the heart to empower both!  Everything else is just bugs on the windshield!

I wrote Independence Day on July 3^rd, 2009.  It came to me as I was putting the flag out and wondering where had all the honor gone?  “My cousin Rocky” was a helicopter crew member who was shot down and killed during his 2^nd tour in Vietnam.  The fact is that my consciousness has evolved from those turbulent years to a point where I have learned to question everything and develop the courage to stand, even if it means standing alone!

What I have come to LOVE about BigDawg Music Mafia is the fact that Independence, Courage, and Common Sense aren’t exceptions here…they are the rule here!  It has become a very cool sanctuary…a place to re-charge, re-generate and energize!  Kindred Spirit is the warm glow of candle light there…

Chip had sent a copy of his new CD Wide Awake to me shortly after it was released and there is not one song on the CD that I don’t enjoy thoroughly.  His warm, melodic lead vocals and perfectly blended harmonies, his thought-provoking and heart-warming lyrics, and his beautiful acoustic arrangements are amazingly soothing to one’s soul and need to be shared.

When I first heard Independence Day, I really had hoped to share his story in time for the Independence Day weekend.  Unfortunately (or fortunately as it turns out) he had no video for that song to include in this spotlight piece so I offered to do one for him and began scouring the internet for photos to accompany his lyrics.  When I got to this this verse…

My cousin Rocky who I never knew…Fell from the sky for me and you…Rice paddies are soft but can’t break the fall…the weight of freedom, heaviest of all.

…I decided to include a photo of the Vietnam Memorial.  While searching for one I wanted to use, I regretted that I didn’t think to try to find out Rocky’s real name early enough for me to drive to Washington, D.C., pay a visit to The Wall, look up where on the wall his name appears, snap a photo, and use it for the video.  So in lieu of that, I looked at literally hundreds of photos and selected the two I liked best.

Here is where the goosebumps come in…

On the morning of July 1, 2011, a few hours after I sent the just-completed video to Chip, he sent an email to me saying he absolutely loved it.  About an hour later, I learned that he had exchanged emails with Rocky’s brother, Steve, where he asked Steve to look carefully at the photo of the wall at 1:29-1:32 in the video…and asked if Rocky’s real name was James R. Dean, Jr.   As Chip mentions in his song, he never met Rocky…nor did he know his real name.  Yet, Chip later told me that when he watched the video for the first time, when the images of The Wall appeared, something made him pause and go back to take a closer look.  He saw the last name “Dean” upon closer scrutiny and recalled he had an Uncle with that last name, called his mother and asked if she knew Rocky’s name but she did not.  She did, however say that Rocky’s father’s name was “Jim.”  Chip told me his hands were trembling as he typed out the email to his cousin Steve.

This was Steve’s reply:

Oh my gosh!  It is!  Rocky’s real name was James R. Dean, Jr.  My dad was Sr.  I have been to the wall and looked at & touched his name. The odds of this happening are unbelievable.  A song that mentions Rocky, a friend does the video not knowing anything about Rocky, does a random wall shot on a huge wall….wow!!!!!…Makes the song even better and more meaningful and it was already incredible.

When Chip told me about this, he said we just “witnessed one of God’s miracles” and added:

God truly has us secure.  I don’t even know what to say….This is the most amazing thing that has ever happened to me…How do I sing tonight without crying???  You captured Rocky at 1:29!!!!

Yes, the tears welled up and a few spilled over…and I had chills that would not go away in spite of the very warm temperatures that day.  A mere coincidence?  I think not.

Consider this:  There are 58,272 names on The Wall and “about 4,330,000 results” that came back on a Google search for images of the Vietnam Memorial.  I looked through several of them before I found the ones I wanted to use.  I’m no mathematician but figure the odds of my using one that actually had the name of the person Chip sings about in his song.

As Chip said to me later that day…”God went from a whisper to a shout”…and he emailed the following to some of his close friends and family members:

“…there is a light in what I am about to share that transcends everything…and I want the purity in the newness of this revelation to shine directly into your deepest hearts with a nourishment that no one could appreciate as much as you…The person who made the Independence Day video for me knew NOTHING about my cousin Rocky other than what the rest of you knew from the song lyric.  She alone picked out “The Wall” footage you will notice at 1:29 to 1:32 in the video.  I DID NOT KNOW until this morning that my cousin Rocky was James R. Dean, Jr.!  Now I do know, as now do you…and we now know a whole lot more when you really think about it.”

That very evening, Chip performed several of his songs at his Wide Awake CD release party.  He shared the following with me the next day:

Our CD Release was amazing on Friday night…I chose a farm, Pennings Farm, for my release party…A big flag draping the back of the stage overlooking corn fields…kids…ice cream…it was open to the public so we had an amazing turnout…the Liberals looked like they were going to implode when we played “The Ballad of John Hall”, but there wasn’t a dry eye in the crowd when I told the “Rocky” story before playing Independence Day…

God’s timing is always…perfect.

—–

Could anything be more un-American than a comedian being trotted around the country to apologize for his … comedy?

Talk about chilling free speech.

Obviously the old saying about not agreeing with but still fighting to the death to defend someone’s speech is all but dead on the Left, especially where the sentiment should be most true … in the world of entertainment.

What a bunch of sanctimonious cowards our entertainment class has become. At least when it came to the 1950s Blacklist, some in Hollywood actively sought ways to subversively fight and work around the injustice. Now they line up and pretend they’re the morally righteous ones in defending and accepting it.

Tracy Morgan is no conservative and no friend to conservatives, but what’s being done to him is the most obscene thing to come out of Hollywood in my lifetime. And many of the sins are of omission from those too cowardly to speak out.

History will not be any kind to this Hollywood generation. How pathetic.

ADDED: A commenter makes a great point about how GLAAD fights bullying by becoming even bigger bullies. True that.

And then there are the “lucky ones” who made it home.

—–

Some homecoming.  They returned to a country that is struggling with sky-rocketing fuel and food prices, out-of-control government spending, record deficits, high unemployment rates, record home foreclosures, businesses going under, and the ever-increasing government intrusion into our private lives.  These heroes, our wounded active duty military members and veterans, have the added struggle of trying to muster the will and courage to press on with their lives as they suffer in silence not only from their physical impairments but from the never-ending nightmares, anger, loneliness, guilt, depression, and a number of other gut-wrenching emotions — all of which are triggered by and attributed to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Thankfully, there are caring organizations that understand what our battle-scarred warriors are going through and are actively engaged in helping them begin the healing process.  One such organization is Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, Inc (PHWFFI).

Project Healing Waters was founded in 2005 at Walter Reed Medical Center by US Navy Captain Retired Ed Nicholson and assists in the physical and emotional therapy of disabled active duty military personnel and veterans through fly fishing and fly tying classes and outings. It has experienced unprecedented growth and success over the last five years because of its profound effect on the participants and their well being.

I first heard about this amazing program on Real American Stories about a year ago.  As fate would have it, I was invited to sing the National Anthem at a local campaign event and one of the organizers, Ann Erickson, whose husband is involved with PHWFFI, approached me afterward and said she loved my voice and wanted to know if I wrote any of my own songs.  I told her I did.  She asked if I had ever heard of Project Healing Waters and I told her I had seen the program featured on television recently.  She then asked if I’d be willing to write a song for them and, of course, I told her I would be honored to do so.

That same night, I wrote the first draft of the lyrics and created a rough track.  I recorded a quick vocal with the track and sent it off to my song-mate, Drew (a.k.a. BigDawg – a retired Marine Corps Captain).  After he and I went back and forth with the lyrics and the music track and got it sounding the way we both wanted it, we finished the song Healing Waters.

I sent it to PHWFFI founder, Captain (ret) Ed Nicholson, and he loved it so much that he created a DVD with our video which he uses in his presentations when pitching the program to VA Hospitals across the country.  It warms our hearts to know some of the volunteers and wounded warriors are giving out copies of our video to those who donate to PHWFFI.   We are thrilled to be able to help out in a small way.

Last summer I had the great honor of being invited to perform our song at a Maryland Blue Crabs baseball game from which a portion of the ticket sales benefited PHWFFI.  I was also invited to perform at their Annual 2-Fly Tournament just a couple weeks ago after which I was approached by Sergeant Christopher Maschi, who was wounded in action overseas and is combating the effects of PTSD.  He asked me if I wrote Healing Waters and told me the first time he heard that song about a year ago, it moved him deeply.  He said:

I don’t know how you did it, but you get it…you really captured what we go through in that song.  So many people have no idea what it’s like for us but your song says it all…and gives us hope.

That right there is why BigDawg and I do what we do.

While at the 2-Fly, I also met filmmakers Steven and Russ Hasty who were there filming the tournament, interviewing the wounded warriors taking part, and the PHWFF staff and volunteers for their project Healing Waters – “a feature length documentary film about the inspirational wounded warriors of Project Healing Waters.”

Here is what Steven has to say about the project (from his KickStarter project page):

Healing Waters is the uplifting story of the resilient and inspirational recovering active duty military service members and veterans of Project Healing Waters.  The film will provide an inside look at the organization’s roots, profile the founder, participants, and volunteers as well as document its astonishing growth and powerful results in transforming the hearts and lives of some of our Nations Finest.

Three years ago I was filming a television show in Virginia and attended a Project Healing Waters outing on the Rose River.  That was the first time I saw these incredible soldiers taking part in this innovative program.  I was fascinated as I watched these wounded warriors, some of whom had just returned from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, some of them veterans of Vietnam, as they made their way into the water on crutches, carried by volunteers, and even in wheelchairs to fish the Rose.  There were amputees and many bearing the scars and the trauma of roadside IEDs using improvised devices to hold fly rods in place and even a young Sergeant who had lost his arm using his teeth to retrieve the line.  I witnessed the positive change in their mood and demeanor as they lost themselves in Mother Nature.  I was both moved and inspired…

Healing Waters will be the first official documentary film of the group, which has been profiled on ESPN and CNN.  We are currently in pre-production on the film and are coordinating with the staff of Project Healing Waters to begin filming their classes and outings early this summer.  I will spend the next year traveling to VA hospitals and clinics across the US where more than 100 chapters of the project have taken root to record the compelling stories of the participants and volunteers and the impact Project Healing Waters has had on them.

Our goal is to complete the film by the end of next summer to meet the submission deadline for the Sundance Film Festival.

Let me begin by saying that I have not or will not take money from Project Healing Waters to produce this film…and the awesome Project Healing Waters backer incentives I am offering will be purchased from them by me.

The money I raise on Kickstarter will go directly toward production costs on the film.  I am an experienced outdoor television producer who knows how to operate on a tight budget.  The funds will cover necessary travel and hotels to film interviews and outings at VA Hospitals across the United States (I am no Prima Donna…if there are couches to crash on or meals to share so I can cut costs then I am there). Additional costs will include but not be limited to production assistance from camera and sound men, lighting, music licenses, post production work including film editing, sound, and color correction, film prints and DVDs…I have a deep respect for this group and I aim to produce a quality film.

WHAT HAPPENS IF WE DON’T REACH OUR GOAL?

If we don’t raise our goal, we don’t get anything. Donors pledge the amounts, but don’t actually pay until the goal is reached and the funding deadline has passed.  We want to avoid this so please spread the word.  Everything helps!

I know many of you Big Hollywood readers love and support our troops and have either served in our Armed Forces yourselves or have a loved one who has served or is currently serving.   I hope you will kindly consider supporting this wonderful project that will benefit our fellow Americans who put their lives on the line for our freedom.

Time, unfortunately, is running out to raise the money needed to complete the project by next summer.  This project will only be funded if at least $48,000 is pledged by Monday Jun 13, 11:43am EDT.  As I write this article, they currently have 65 backers who have pledged $13,141 with only 24 days to go.

I am certain that if we all help spread the word about this project, they will be able to meet their goal.

All you need to do is read some of the testimonials to see how PHWFFI has touched the lives of our wounded veterans:

“You (PHWFF) have offered me another avenue to continue recovering physically and emotionally. I thank you for what you have offered me. Please keep up the good work.” ~ A Maine Veteran

“I can’t even begin to explain how I feel about PHWFF/Volunteers and if I do I usually get choked up and my eyes get misty. Thank you, everybody, from the bottom of my heart for caring enough to volunteer and be involved.” ~ A Maine Veteran

“It really raised my self esteem, and it felt like I could do something, because lots of time we’re told we can’t do anything because we’ve got a mental illness.” ~ A California Veteran

“For my mind, it gives me energy, gives me the feeling of freedom that I never had before and also gets me closer to my kids.” ~ A California Veteran

“PHWFF helped in getting my head together during my recovery at Walter Reed. It was the perfect outlet for me while I was trying to adjust to my injuries and was a great help in broadening my horizons, giving me the hope and confidence that, no matter what my disabilities, I could still achieve and enjoy the activities of the outdoors and accomplish what I wanted to.” ~ SGT, USA, Walter Reed PHWFF wounded warrior

“As a Vietnam veteran myself who never felt quite welcome when I came home, I must tell you that I will never forget the tears streaming from the eyes of an amputee of the same era as he thanked me for the experience he was given on the East Outlet of the Kennebec River and Maine’s Moosehead Lake by the citizens of nearby Greenville, Maine, who spared no efforts or expense to host 9 veterans from Togus VA Medical Center in Augusta, Maine. “You know”, he said, “this is the first time I really felt my sacrifice was appreciated. They were wonderful to us and I never knew that I could actually fly fish again, as I did when I was young.” ~ A Maine Volunteer and Veteran

“Project Healing Waters saved my life…it saved me…it brought me back from a very deep and dark place…” ~  Army Captain Retired Eivind Forseth, one of the first participants of Healing Waters

A truly worthy project…and every bit helps.

Have a safe and blessed Memorial Day weekend with your loved ones and please keep our troops in your prayers.

Godspeed patriots.

A representative for Whitney Houston said Monday that the singer had voluntarily entered rehab and is undergoing treatment. Houston is in an out-patient program for drug and alcohol treatment.

More entertainment-related videos at BBTV.

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What’s to Like: The finale to the “Harry Potter” series promises to feature a lot of exciting action sequences and great special effects. Judging by the trailer and the content in the last book, I know there’s a lot to cover in this final film and I’m excited to see it come alive on screen. I’m particularly impressed with the trailer focusing on how many people have sacrificed themselves to protect Potter. It’s a dark theme but one the final film should address.

What’s to Dislike: “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows- Part 1” was a complete disappointment. It was long and devastatingly dull. It’s hard to get my hopes up for part two when I’m still thinking about everything wrong with part 1. Plus, this new movie is in 3D. I’m not sure why, but it is.   

The Verdict: Despite part one, I’m still excited and hoping that part 2 erases memories of the first. The trailer shows a lot of potential for being a strong film and I think this series will end on a high note.  Here’s hoping. 

Release Date: July 15,2011