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| On the Stump #1 |
© The Weirding, 2020
A rambling melange of pop-culture.
Showing posts with label violence. Show all posts
Showing posts with label violence. Show all posts
Monday, January 06, 2020
On the Stump #1
© The Weirding, 2020
Wednesday, October 26, 2016
Fake Outrage, False Claims, Real Victims
The last several years has brought a slew of news stories regarding violent crimes, many of which concern sexual assault. Sadly, many of these stories later turned out not to be true. The outrage and offense they have caused has been very real, though -- especially online -- creating a charged, hostile environment for everyone.
The other night, I read a celebrity's brief account of her own claim to sexual assault. She referred to it as an "open secret," but it wasn't clear if she was referring to sexual assault in Hollywood (the "casting couch"), or the alleged perpetrator's behavior. Either way, no suspect was named, and the gist of the story was that no one was even questioned. According to this recent rash of outrage, we are all supposed to immediately feel sorry for the assumed victim without ever stopping to question her (or his) motives. In fact, questioning the veracity of such claims has become more than just distasteful -- it's somehow seen as a further victimization! -- even when no report was filed, and no investigation was undertaken.
As the victim of violent crime, I am here to tell you that this is nonsense.
Should you find yourself the victim of a violent crime, regardless of the nature, you don't just talk to a lawyer. You first talk to EMTs, then doctors, then police. You file a police report in which you recount the details of the crime, specifically if you plan on speaking to a lawyer. After that, you often talk to many more medical professionals, including therapists. You have to face your assaulter at trial, and may have to recount the events to a roomful of listeners yet again. The recovery process can take months, even years. Some people don't recall their attack, but most suffer trauma that can last the rest of their lives.
I generally avoid true crime shows now. In fact, a lifelong gorehound, I sometimes find watching my beloved horror movies too much to bear (but my interest in them has more to do with special effects and other movie-making techniques, so it's a bit of a different beast). Having to face these outrageous stories constantly over the last several years is the further victimization, not having my "story" questioned or being asked about my attack.
It has also watered-down concepts such as "trigger points," as well as the crimes themselves. Sure, reading about "being mugged" is one thing -- but if you've ever been held at gunpoint (or knifepoint, whatever), just seeing an article or hearing a news story about a robbery can be stressful. While the crime I suffered was not sexual in nature, I feel many of the same things those victims describe whenever I am forced to relive my experience through hearing someone else's story -- I understand it's the same for people who suffer home break-ins and robberies.
The trauma is real -- the feelings of helplessness and violation that lead to frustration, that turn into anger, and so on. Violent crime is a violation of more than just "personal space;" it's an attack on you, your being, your safety -- your life! It isn't something you easily forget.
To hear these stories in such a large number on a constant basis is bad enough, but to find out that many of them were fabricated -- and many of these shared accounts amount to little more than being ogled or catcalled -- is purely offensive.
I was physically assaulted and robbed. I can laugh when someone makes an offhand joke, such as, "My ATM robbed me!" But it's not funny when someone claims to have faced a similar experience, only to find out that they had a slur yelled at them from a passing car -- specifically when they try to relate it to undergoing reconstructive surgery, being questioned by police, going to trial, and everything else I have endured. The suffering they feel may be justified, but it is nowhere near the same.
I don't feel bad for over-reacting to this person; I don't feel vindicated, nor justified; I don't feel anything at all, other than trivialized. It's what happens when a victim of trauma is "triggered." It isn't pretty, it isn't fun, it isn't rational -- but it's real; not a manufactured or false outrage, but a real one. I was especially upset because this celebrity is involved in a number of cult TV shows and films, and I'd hoped to maybe one day send her a spec script or work with her in some capacity. That may sound selfish, but that connection resonated with me. Who wants to work in the kind of environment she described -- and, if her allegations prove meritless, who would want to work with such a person? I can't say specifically what it was that set me off, but that's how trauma works.
It was my breaking-point after the last several years of continually seeing these stories and outrage everywhere on an all-too regular basis, ad nauseam.
I wanted her to feel minimalized and belittled -- the way she had belittled what I, and others, have been through. If what she encountered is an "open secret," it sounds like she had some idea as to what she was getting herself into. That certainly does not excuse the alleged perpetrator's behavior, but it's a far cry from being stalked, from being attacked on the street or in the privacy of one's own home -- it isn't even close! Most victims aren't looking for sympathy when we share what we've gone through, nor do we want to be thought of as hapless rubes or pitiful creatures. I'm not excusing my behavior -- I can't help it -- I am pointing-out how what she said made me feel, how being traumatized really makes one feel:
Small, humiliated, ashamed, and violated. Not "empowered."
Not all men are sexist. Campus rapes have actually gone down over the last few years. Most women do not blame all men for their problems. And not all white people are racist. While some of this outrage has been intentionally manufactured for political gain, it has resulted in a culture of victimization in which too many feel they have a right to attack others in some twisted form of "social justice."
These allegations do not "empower" others to share their stories. Instead, they embolden "social justice warriors" (SJW) and other would-be "vigilantes" to stalk and harass those who disagree with them, alleged perpetrators, as well as those who merely (and justly) question the accusations made. That then leads to endless coverage of their outrage, and eventually comedy skits mocking the same. Sometimes, you're forced to confront these aggressors and explain your story just to get them to leave you alone. It seems to go on forever! Each and every time, you're reminded of what you went through; it's a continued attack.
Most of us don't want to relive those experiences, we don't want to tell everyone we meet about what we've been through. All of it -- all of it -- compounds the trauma, forcing real victims to re-experience the pain and emotions we underwent in real life when we were legitimately victimized. It also causes rational people to rightfully wonder, "Is this person telling the truth?" Which makes it harder for real victims to share our stories and deal with our pain. There's nothing "empowering" about that.
If you want to help victims, make them feel comfortable to talk if they want to -- don't try to draw them out. Don't try to relate to their stories with one of your own (unless you're at a meeting or forum where that is the point). Listen, inquire, question, then move on. I appreciate it when people are upset that I was attacked, but it's a bit much when they prattle on about their own experiences, talk about how they would have handled the situation, give advice, or even get angry at my attacker. I'd really rather put that incident behind me.
We don't need a "safe space," nor more "time to deal with our pain;" we need people to stop circulating these awful stories, wallowing in misery, and feigning outrage at every Goddamn thing, all the time! Not only are you not doing anyone any favors, you're causing harm. Assault is not a social issue or cause to be exploited; it's a violent crime. People are already well aware of the fact that violent crime exists, so you are not doing anything other than reminding its victims of what we have survived.
There are positive things that happen all over the world, everyday. Staying focused on the negative does not help anyone -- least of all victims of violent crime.
© The Weirding, 2016
The other night, I read a celebrity's brief account of her own claim to sexual assault. She referred to it as an "open secret," but it wasn't clear if she was referring to sexual assault in Hollywood (the "casting couch"), or the alleged perpetrator's behavior. Either way, no suspect was named, and the gist of the story was that no one was even questioned. According to this recent rash of outrage, we are all supposed to immediately feel sorry for the assumed victim without ever stopping to question her (or his) motives. In fact, questioning the veracity of such claims has become more than just distasteful -- it's somehow seen as a further victimization! -- even when no report was filed, and no investigation was undertaken.
As the victim of violent crime, I am here to tell you that this is nonsense.
Should you find yourself the victim of a violent crime, regardless of the nature, you don't just talk to a lawyer. You first talk to EMTs, then doctors, then police. You file a police report in which you recount the details of the crime, specifically if you plan on speaking to a lawyer. After that, you often talk to many more medical professionals, including therapists. You have to face your assaulter at trial, and may have to recount the events to a roomful of listeners yet again. The recovery process can take months, even years. Some people don't recall their attack, but most suffer trauma that can last the rest of their lives.
I generally avoid true crime shows now. In fact, a lifelong gorehound, I sometimes find watching my beloved horror movies too much to bear (but my interest in them has more to do with special effects and other movie-making techniques, so it's a bit of a different beast). Having to face these outrageous stories constantly over the last several years is the further victimization, not having my "story" questioned or being asked about my attack.
It has also watered-down concepts such as "trigger points," as well as the crimes themselves. Sure, reading about "being mugged" is one thing -- but if you've ever been held at gunpoint (or knifepoint, whatever), just seeing an article or hearing a news story about a robbery can be stressful. While the crime I suffered was not sexual in nature, I feel many of the same things those victims describe whenever I am forced to relive my experience through hearing someone else's story -- I understand it's the same for people who suffer home break-ins and robberies.
The trauma is real -- the feelings of helplessness and violation that lead to frustration, that turn into anger, and so on. Violent crime is a violation of more than just "personal space;" it's an attack on you, your being, your safety -- your life! It isn't something you easily forget.
To hear these stories in such a large number on a constant basis is bad enough, but to find out that many of them were fabricated -- and many of these shared accounts amount to little more than being ogled or catcalled -- is purely offensive.
I was physically assaulted and robbed. I can laugh when someone makes an offhand joke, such as, "My ATM robbed me!" But it's not funny when someone claims to have faced a similar experience, only to find out that they had a slur yelled at them from a passing car -- specifically when they try to relate it to undergoing reconstructive surgery, being questioned by police, going to trial, and everything else I have endured. The suffering they feel may be justified, but it is nowhere near the same.
I don't feel bad for over-reacting to this person; I don't feel vindicated, nor justified; I don't feel anything at all, other than trivialized. It's what happens when a victim of trauma is "triggered." It isn't pretty, it isn't fun, it isn't rational -- but it's real; not a manufactured or false outrage, but a real one. I was especially upset because this celebrity is involved in a number of cult TV shows and films, and I'd hoped to maybe one day send her a spec script or work with her in some capacity. That may sound selfish, but that connection resonated with me. Who wants to work in the kind of environment she described -- and, if her allegations prove meritless, who would want to work with such a person? I can't say specifically what it was that set me off, but that's how trauma works.
It was my breaking-point after the last several years of continually seeing these stories and outrage everywhere on an all-too regular basis, ad nauseam.
I wanted her to feel minimalized and belittled -- the way she had belittled what I, and others, have been through. If what she encountered is an "open secret," it sounds like she had some idea as to what she was getting herself into. That certainly does not excuse the alleged perpetrator's behavior, but it's a far cry from being stalked, from being attacked on the street or in the privacy of one's own home -- it isn't even close! Most victims aren't looking for sympathy when we share what we've gone through, nor do we want to be thought of as hapless rubes or pitiful creatures. I'm not excusing my behavior -- I can't help it -- I am pointing-out how what she said made me feel, how being traumatized really makes one feel:
Small, humiliated, ashamed, and violated. Not "empowered."
Not all men are sexist. Campus rapes have actually gone down over the last few years. Most women do not blame all men for their problems. And not all white people are racist. While some of this outrage has been intentionally manufactured for political gain, it has resulted in a culture of victimization in which too many feel they have a right to attack others in some twisted form of "social justice."
These allegations do not "empower" others to share their stories. Instead, they embolden "social justice warriors" (SJW) and other would-be "vigilantes" to stalk and harass those who disagree with them, alleged perpetrators, as well as those who merely (and justly) question the accusations made. That then leads to endless coverage of their outrage, and eventually comedy skits mocking the same. Sometimes, you're forced to confront these aggressors and explain your story just to get them to leave you alone. It seems to go on forever! Each and every time, you're reminded of what you went through; it's a continued attack.
Most of us don't want to relive those experiences, we don't want to tell everyone we meet about what we've been through. All of it -- all of it -- compounds the trauma, forcing real victims to re-experience the pain and emotions we underwent in real life when we were legitimately victimized. It also causes rational people to rightfully wonder, "Is this person telling the truth?" Which makes it harder for real victims to share our stories and deal with our pain. There's nothing "empowering" about that.
If you want to help victims, make them feel comfortable to talk if they want to -- don't try to draw them out. Don't try to relate to their stories with one of your own (unless you're at a meeting or forum where that is the point). Listen, inquire, question, then move on. I appreciate it when people are upset that I was attacked, but it's a bit much when they prattle on about their own experiences, talk about how they would have handled the situation, give advice, or even get angry at my attacker. I'd really rather put that incident behind me.
We don't need a "safe space," nor more "time to deal with our pain;" we need people to stop circulating these awful stories, wallowing in misery, and feigning outrage at every Goddamn thing, all the time! Not only are you not doing anyone any favors, you're causing harm. Assault is not a social issue or cause to be exploited; it's a violent crime. People are already well aware of the fact that violent crime exists, so you are not doing anything other than reminding its victims of what we have survived.
There are positive things that happen all over the world, everyday. Staying focused on the negative does not help anyone -- least of all victims of violent crime.
© The Weirding, 2016
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Innocence of Muslims - Free Speech and Hate Speech
Details are still emerging concerning this whole debacle but it now appears that there is no Sam Bacile and the references to Mohammed and Islam were dubbed into the 14-minute trailer for Innocence of Muslims during post-production. In fact, several of the actors involved in the movie have come forward to say they were deceived by the filmmaker and did not willingly work on such a film. They thought they were making a film called Desert Warriors, about life some 2000 years ago.
The film is widely being blamed for protests in the Middle East that may have lead to the deaths of American citizens in Libya. Authorities have suggested the attack on the US embassy may have been planned and used the protests as a convenient diversion. Whatever the case, the protests themselves seem to have been inspired by an Arabic translation of the trailer that was only recently posted on YouTube. Scenes have been broadcast repeatedly on Arabic-speaking media.
Several Democrats have condemned the film and the violence, while many Republicans are championing the right to Free Speech. No doubt the blame should rest with the actual murderers but some suggest the filmmaker is guilty of incitement and hate speech. Again, the details are still emerging, but it appears they may be right.
The sad fact of the matter is that most "hate speech" is still a matter of Free Speech. Think of all the inflammatory things right-wing Christians say on an everyday basis here! Usually the easiest way to handle "hate speech" is to ignore it outright - just don't listen to it! This isn't as easy when someone is actively spewing hate speech right down the road but when it exists solely on a website you have to actively visit then view for 15 minutes? That's a lot easier to avoid.
Much of the protests turned into a laundry list of complaints against the United States, leading some to suggest that the film was just a convenient excuse. I believe there's a lot of truth to that. And though there is no question that this film was made specifically to inflame and provoke a response, the filmmaker has every right to make it.
One guy told reporters something to the effect of 'Freedom of religion is more important than freedom of expression.' Well I, and many others, certainly disagree. And that's the great thing about America: We can disagree and there's nothing wrong with that. That's not the way with these people; if you disagree with them, you must be imprisoned, punished, or put to death!
Furthermore, we do not have to respect all religions and cultures and so forth; we have every right to be critical of whatever we choose, even if we are ultimately incorrect in our assumptions. I sure as hell do not treat a Level 5 Thetan or whatever with the same amount of reverence I do a nun and I'll shut the door right in your face if you try to hand me a copy of The Watchtower. If this guy wants to hate on an entire religion then more power to him! If he offends you so terribly then never watch anything he makes ever again. The end.
Whoever made the film has every right to make such a thing, just as we have every right to ignore it.
© C Harris Lynn, 2012
The film is widely being blamed for protests in the Middle East that may have lead to the deaths of American citizens in Libya. Authorities have suggested the attack on the US embassy may have been planned and used the protests as a convenient diversion. Whatever the case, the protests themselves seem to have been inspired by an Arabic translation of the trailer that was only recently posted on YouTube. Scenes have been broadcast repeatedly on Arabic-speaking media.
Several Democrats have condemned the film and the violence, while many Republicans are championing the right to Free Speech. No doubt the blame should rest with the actual murderers but some suggest the filmmaker is guilty of incitement and hate speech. Again, the details are still emerging, but it appears they may be right.
The sad fact of the matter is that most "hate speech" is still a matter of Free Speech. Think of all the inflammatory things right-wing Christians say on an everyday basis here! Usually the easiest way to handle "hate speech" is to ignore it outright - just don't listen to it! This isn't as easy when someone is actively spewing hate speech right down the road but when it exists solely on a website you have to actively visit then view for 15 minutes? That's a lot easier to avoid.
Much of the protests turned into a laundry list of complaints against the United States, leading some to suggest that the film was just a convenient excuse. I believe there's a lot of truth to that. And though there is no question that this film was made specifically to inflame and provoke a response, the filmmaker has every right to make it.
One guy told reporters something to the effect of 'Freedom of religion is more important than freedom of expression.' Well I, and many others, certainly disagree. And that's the great thing about America: We can disagree and there's nothing wrong with that. That's not the way with these people; if you disagree with them, you must be imprisoned, punished, or put to death!
Furthermore, we do not have to respect all religions and cultures and so forth; we have every right to be critical of whatever we choose, even if we are ultimately incorrect in our assumptions. I sure as hell do not treat a Level 5 Thetan or whatever with the same amount of reverence I do a nun and I'll shut the door right in your face if you try to hand me a copy of The Watchtower. If this guy wants to hate on an entire religion then more power to him! If he offends you so terribly then never watch anything he makes ever again. The end.
Whoever made the film has every right to make such a thing, just as we have every right to ignore it.
© C Harris Lynn, 2012
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
The Dark Knight Shooting
As all of you are surely aware, someone killed about 50 people at an Aurora, Colorado theater screening of The Dark Knight Rises over the weekend. I would love to say something about this, but details are still emerging and can be found across the Web as well as through traditional media outlets.
Kevin Smith's Hulu show, Spoilers, addressed the issue in its latest episode, and I'm sure many blogs on comic books and related hobbies have also done the same, but I have no idea what to think right now. Obviously I'm moved by the event, but if the guy is truly insane, then there really is no one to blame - he has no control of his own actions and needs help. Of course, when in the throes of such a horrible thing, people do not want to hear that; they need to blame someone/something, they need to put things in a tidy pile to bring order back to their worlds.
I understand this and do not want to upset anyone any further, but I've been very clear as to my position on mental illness - I covered the shooting at Virginia Tech in some detail and made the same points about mental illness in those posts. I may have more to say on this terrible tragedy as details emerge, but for now I'm just going to let the people involved do their jobs and the victims try to come to terms with this horrible, inexplicable, and unfair turn of events.
© C Harris Lynn, 2012
Kevin Smith's Hulu show, Spoilers, addressed the issue in its latest episode, and I'm sure many blogs on comic books and related hobbies have also done the same, but I have no idea what to think right now. Obviously I'm moved by the event, but if the guy is truly insane, then there really is no one to blame - he has no control of his own actions and needs help. Of course, when in the throes of such a horrible thing, people do not want to hear that; they need to blame someone/something, they need to put things in a tidy pile to bring order back to their worlds.
I understand this and do not want to upset anyone any further, but I've been very clear as to my position on mental illness - I covered the shooting at Virginia Tech in some detail and made the same points about mental illness in those posts. I may have more to say on this terrible tragedy as details emerge, but for now I'm just going to let the people involved do their jobs and the victims try to come to terms with this horrible, inexplicable, and unfair turn of events.
© C Harris Lynn, 2012
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Stabbing Halts Comic-Con
Comic-Con panels were halted yesterday while one man was arrested and another hospitalized after a dispute over seating lead to a stabbing. Police say one male Comic-Con attendee stabbed the other in the eye socket with a pen. The victim was immediately taken to the hospital. Police say con-goers had detained the alleged stabber, who was arrested. Police were already inside the convention area.
The incident occurred before Universal Studios' panels on Paul and Cowboys and Aliens. Many con-goers had stood in line all night to attend the panels. Attendees stood on their chairs to watch the events unfold as organizers pleaded with them to take their seats and allow medics and police to come through. They tried showing a reel of previews, but the crowd booed. Comic-Con officials expected panels to be delayed by about an hour, but they were able to get back on schedule fairly quickly.
© C Harris Lynn, 2010
The incident occurred before Universal Studios' panels on Paul and Cowboys and Aliens. Many con-goers had stood in line all night to attend the panels. Attendees stood on their chairs to watch the events unfold as organizers pleaded with them to take their seats and allow medics and police to come through. They tried showing a reel of previews, but the crowd booed. Comic-Con officials expected panels to be delayed by about an hour, but they were able to get back on schedule fairly quickly.
© C Harris Lynn, 2010
Friday, July 23, 2010
Dark Horse's Heart Transplant Takes on Bullying
JULY 13, MILWAUKIE, OR– Andrew Vachss has spent his entire adult life on the front lines of the child-protection war. He worked as an investigator/interviewer, went on a mission to war-torn Biafra (now Nigeria), and ran a maximum-security prison for "aggressive-violent" youths. For the past 25 years, he has been an attorney in private practice, representing child and youth exclusively. Perhaps most well-known for his best-selling crime-fiction novels, Vachss also serves on the Advisory Board of the National Association to Protect Children, and consults widely in his area of expertise, including international presentations.
Frank Caruso has spent his adult life communicating through art. He's illustrated children's books for St. Martin's Press, served as Executive Producer for American Public Television's Emmy award-winning SeeMore's Playhouse, and is best known for his work on properties like Popeye and Betty Boop, as the Vice President of Creative Services for King Features Syndicate. Caruso has worked with Scholastic's Alliance for Young Artists and Writers and is a member of New York's Society of Illustrators.
Now the two are collaborating on Heart Transplant, a book that uses images and words to tell a story -- a story meant to change the way we think about, talk about, and deal with the issue of bullying. Dr. Joel A. Dvoskin, Assistant Clinical Professor at the Univeristy of Arizona Medical School, and President of the American Psychological Association's Law Society division, says of Heart Tranplant, "[T]his gripping story gives kids and grownups alike a road map to change, both for individual kids and, more importantly, for the school as a community. This book should be required reading in every elementary school in America."
Dr. Dvoskin's sentiments are echoed by Dr. Bruce D. Perry, Senior Fellow at the ChildTrauma Academy and Adjunct Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine: "Teachers and parents will find that Heart Transplant can be the perfect lens to focus meaningful dialogue about the origins of bullying and the pervasive nature of the exploitation of power in our society. The scope of important, inter-related themes that this work highlights is broad -- so this can be... used for much more than merely addressing bullying."
Heart Transplant is anchored by an essay from Zak Mucha, LCSW, to help readers of all ages understand the important lessons contained within. This is the story of not only one child’s personal experience with feelings of alienation and torment at the hands of his peers, but a young boy's transformation from bullied "outsider" to true manhood. This thought-provoking work speaks directly to bullied children and their parents, providing not only the basis for discussion, but a viable solution.
Personally edited by Dark Horse Founder and President Mike Richardson, Heart Transplant -- a 100-page hardcover -- arrives in stores in October.
© C Harris Lynn, 2010
Frank Caruso has spent his adult life communicating through art. He's illustrated children's books for St. Martin's Press, served as Executive Producer for American Public Television's Emmy award-winning SeeMore's Playhouse, and is best known for his work on properties like Popeye and Betty Boop, as the Vice President of Creative Services for King Features Syndicate. Caruso has worked with Scholastic's Alliance for Young Artists and Writers and is a member of New York's Society of Illustrators.
Now the two are collaborating on Heart Transplant, a book that uses images and words to tell a story -- a story meant to change the way we think about, talk about, and deal with the issue of bullying. Dr. Joel A. Dvoskin, Assistant Clinical Professor at the Univeristy of Arizona Medical School, and President of the American Psychological Association's Law Society division, says of Heart Tranplant, "[T]his gripping story gives kids and grownups alike a road map to change, both for individual kids and, more importantly, for the school as a community. This book should be required reading in every elementary school in America."
Dr. Dvoskin's sentiments are echoed by Dr. Bruce D. Perry, Senior Fellow at the ChildTrauma Academy and Adjunct Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine: "Teachers and parents will find that Heart Transplant can be the perfect lens to focus meaningful dialogue about the origins of bullying and the pervasive nature of the exploitation of power in our society. The scope of important, inter-related themes that this work highlights is broad -- so this can be... used for much more than merely addressing bullying."
Heart Transplant is anchored by an essay from Zak Mucha, LCSW, to help readers of all ages understand the important lessons contained within. This is the story of not only one child’s personal experience with feelings of alienation and torment at the hands of his peers, but a young boy's transformation from bullied "outsider" to true manhood. This thought-provoking work speaks directly to bullied children and their parents, providing not only the basis for discussion, but a viable solution.
Personally edited by Dark Horse Founder and President Mike Richardson, Heart Transplant -- a 100-page hardcover -- arrives in stores in October.
© C Harris Lynn, 2010
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Cartoon Network to Fight Bullies
Actually, Cartoon Network's anti-bullying campaign will target not bullies nor victims, but witnesses - those who see others being bullied - and teach them how to intervene. Alice Cahn, Cartoon Network's Vice-President of Social Responsibility (would that every corporation had one - especially Marvel Comics), called them the "bystander community: [those] who know they should do something, but are not sure what." Studies show about 85% of all bullying incidents are witnessed, but witnesses take action only about 1/5 of the time.
Cartoon Network's anti-bullying campaign targets middle-school students, where bullying is most prolific, and will include content within the cartoons and programs, as well as public service ads, and online content. CNN will also participate, with complementary programs for parents.
The program launches October 1st.
© C Harris Lynn, 2010
Cartoon Network's anti-bullying campaign targets middle-school students, where bullying is most prolific, and will include content within the cartoons and programs, as well as public service ads, and online content. CNN will also participate, with complementary programs for parents.
The program launches October 1st.
© C Harris Lynn, 2010
Tuesday, May 04, 2010
Joe Casey and Chris Burnham Get Downe
Berkeley, CA - 23 April 2010 - Writer JOE CASEY (Godland) and artist CHRIS BURNHAM -- the team responsible for the cult hit, NIXON'S PALS -- bring a whole new kind of crime comic with OFFICER DOWNE, a one-shot available from Image Comics this July. OFFICER DOWNE features a police officer who won't let anything -- including death -- stop him from taking down the worst criminals in town."This book is the antidote for the event comic that takes waaaaaayyy too long to tell too little story -- the "talky" alterna-comic that lacks the proper amount of mayhem -- and any of the company-owned pabulum that they try to pass off as entertainment," exclaims Casey. "You have the right to remain silent... and experience a *true* hero for our times.”
OFFICER DOWNE walks the eternal beat and delivers the eternal beat-down! Much more than man... he is policeman! It's hyper-violence on the mean city streets, from JOE CASEY and CHRIS BURNHAM -- an all-new one-shot in which a lone Badass With A Badge takes on the scourges of the criminal underworld! Not even death itself can stop this powerhouse of justice! Officer Downe is one cop that'll keep coming back for more... even from beyond the grave!
OFFICER DOWNE, a full-color, 48-page one-shot for $4.99, will be in stores July 14th, 2010.
© C Harris Lynn, 2010
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Chyna Beats Chick Down with a Wire Hanger
Joanie Laurer, aka Chyna, is at the center of an LAPD investigation in which one Gabriela Targos claims Laurer attacked her mercilessly, so that she feared for her life!
Targos says Laurer asked her to come to a motel room, and once she arrived, Laurer went all "Chyna" on her - without provocation, or apparent reason - pulling her hair, punching her in the face, and even beating her with a wire coathanger. Targos claims Laurer dragged her by the hair and threatened her life, and the altercation ended only when Targos escaped the room.
Chyna was a popular WWE wrestler in the 1990s, who has since appeared in several reality shows, including Surreal Life and Celebrity Rehab. Joanie Laurer refuses to admit she has a substance or steroid abuse problem - or any problems whatsoever, for that matter - though she appeared in a sex tape with a fellow wrestler, and was recently hospitalized for alcohol poisoning and self-mutilation, and has been recorded displaying bizarre behavior at inappropriate times and venues many times over.
Laurer could not be reached for comment.
© C Harris Lynn, 2010
Targos says Laurer asked her to come to a motel room, and once she arrived, Laurer went all "Chyna" on her - without provocation, or apparent reason - pulling her hair, punching her in the face, and even beating her with a wire coathanger. Targos claims Laurer dragged her by the hair and threatened her life, and the altercation ended only when Targos escaped the room.
Chyna was a popular WWE wrestler in the 1990s, who has since appeared in several reality shows, including Surreal Life and Celebrity Rehab. Joanie Laurer refuses to admit she has a substance or steroid abuse problem - or any problems whatsoever, for that matter - though she appeared in a sex tape with a fellow wrestler, and was recently hospitalized for alcohol poisoning and self-mutilation, and has been recorded displaying bizarre behavior at inappropriate times and venues many times over.
Laurer could not be reached for comment.
© C Harris Lynn, 2010
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Extremist Muslims Threaten to Kill South Park Creators
This story did not pass by me unnoticed, I simply waited to post it because I wanted to see how Trey, Matt, and Comedy Central, et.al., were going to handle it; I support their right to handle the situation as they so choose and didn't want to add to the furor in a negative way.
That said, Muslim activists have threatened to murder Trey Parker and Matt Stone, creators of South Park, for a new episode which "showed" the prophet, Muhammed, in a fucking bear suit. "The prophet" was never actually shown, it was only suggested that an animated character "in" a bear suit was the Muslim prophet. Other religious figures were represented, including Buddha, who snorted blow during the episode. Subsequent reruns of the episode were blatantly, and pointedly, censored.
The Muslim who posted the death threats, along with addresses of the South Park creators' studios and home, says it was only meant as a "warning." Because, whenever you "warn" someone about possible violence against them, you include all the pertinent information anyone needs to find them.
I also didn't want to post this because I would be remiss if I didn't mention that South Park already showed a depiction of Mohammed in an earlier episode, many years ago. However, Matt Stone himself reminded viewers of that little tidbit in an interview regarding the topic. That episode, Super Best Friends, aired in 2001.
© C Harris Lynn, 2010
That said, Muslim activists have threatened to murder Trey Parker and Matt Stone, creators of South Park, for a new episode which "showed" the prophet, Muhammed, in a fucking bear suit. "The prophet" was never actually shown, it was only suggested that an animated character "in" a bear suit was the Muslim prophet. Other religious figures were represented, including Buddha, who snorted blow during the episode. Subsequent reruns of the episode were blatantly, and pointedly, censored.
The Muslim who posted the death threats, along with addresses of the South Park creators' studios and home, says it was only meant as a "warning." Because, whenever you "warn" someone about possible violence against them, you include all the pertinent information anyone needs to find them.
I also didn't want to post this because I would be remiss if I didn't mention that South Park already showed a depiction of Mohammed in an earlier episode, many years ago. However, Matt Stone himself reminded viewers of that little tidbit in an interview regarding the topic. That episode, Super Best Friends, aired in 2001.
© C Harris Lynn, 2010
Friday, January 08, 2010
Stone Cold Steve Austin Broke Rambo's Neck!
Sylvester Stallone was rushed to the hospital after a fight scene with co-star, Stone Cold Steve Austin for the movie The Expendables, went wrong and the Rambo star wound-up with a hairline fracture in his neck. Stallone told FHM that he underwent a serious operation to correct the problem and now has a metal plate in his neck.
Stallone, 63, and Austin, 45, are not the only A-list names in the upcoming feature; The Expendables also stars Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bruce Willis, Dolph Lundgren, Jason Statham, Mickey Rourke, and Jet Li. Sylvester Stallone wrote and directed the action film, in addition to starring.
The Expendables also stars Brittany Murphy, who was found dead in her bathroom in December, 2009.
© C Harris Lynn, 2010
Stallone, 63, and Austin, 45, are not the only A-list names in the upcoming feature; The Expendables also stars Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bruce Willis, Dolph Lundgren, Jason Statham, Mickey Rourke, and Jet Li. Sylvester Stallone wrote and directed the action film, in addition to starring.
The Expendables also stars Brittany Murphy, who was found dead in her bathroom in December, 2009.
© C Harris Lynn, 2010
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Charlie Sheen's Colorado Christmas... in Jail
Charlie Sheen spent several hours in jail yesterday after authorities responded to a 911 call from an Aspen home at which the Two and a Half Men star and his third wife were staying. Police arrested Sheen on three charges, including second-degree assault and menacing, and misdemeanor criminal mischief. Though it was originally reported that Sheen would be held until trial, he was released when he posted $8500 bond.
Charlie Sheen has been married three times and has faced allegations of domestic violence in all three marriages. In the 1990s, Sheen ran afoul of the law numerous times for drugs, prostitution, and assault.
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
Charlie Sheen has been married three times and has faced allegations of domestic violence in all three marriages. In the 1990s, Sheen ran afoul of the law numerous times for drugs, prostitution, and assault.
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
Monday, December 07, 2009
Family Ties Star Back in Jail for Another Assault
Brian Bonsall is back in jail after being accused of yet another assault, this time on a friend. The summer before last, Bonsall was on the lam after allegedly violating a probation stemming from an assault on his then-girlfriend.According to police, Bonsall got into an altercation with a friend at an undisclosed apartment and hit the friend in the noggin with a broken stool. Bonsall is now in jail, awaiting a court appearance this Wednesday. He claims he was inebriated at the time of the incident and remembers nothing.
His TV mama got gay.
UPDATE:
(Now with More Neck-Tat!)
Bonsall faces several charges, including the aforementioned violation. Upon arrest, Bonsall said both he and his friend had been drinking "a lot." He then said they were both bipolar and like drugs "a lot," and that the drugs he likes sometimes make him forget.
That's sad and I want to go on record as saying I didn't know that and wouldn't have treated the matter so lightly, if I had. I didn't treat it so lightly the first time and I didn't know that. Still, I hope that his mental affliction is taken into account by the judge and he is not simply thrown-away to be lost in a bloated, corrupt, archaic, Draconian, and thoroughly insufficient legal "system."
Colorado is where they kill gay people.
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
Sunday, December 06, 2009
Shamus Trails Hood Who Shot Friend for Dimebook
A 16-year old Indiana boy shot and killed his 13-year old friend over a dispute involving turn-of-the-century dime novels. Apparently, both boys are big readers of pulp fiction from the era - though details are sketchy. Dime novel pulps from names such as Chandler and Lovecraft can fetch hundreds, even thousands, of dollars at auction, and are often sought after by readers and collectors alike.
The alleged murderer is thought to have escaped to Kentucky, where they do not read.
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
The alleged murderer is thought to have escaped to Kentucky, where they do not read.
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Spidey Goes Rogue
Hollywood police were called by a victim who claimed Spider-Man beat him up! The cops gave chase, only to find no fewer than four Spider-Men milling about. They collared the first one, who said it was not him. The second proved to be the assailant. Though the victim did not wish to press charges, the man was arrested on outstanding warrants. The victim and his assailant knew one another.
Many people dress as superheroes, celebrities, and icons and work the Hollywood strip for tips from tourists. It is not unusual for the competition to lead to turf wars and violence. A few years back, the police called a "superhero summit" to quell tensions.
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
Many people dress as superheroes, celebrities, and icons and work the Hollywood strip for tips from tourists. It is not unusual for the competition to lead to turf wars and violence. A few years back, the police called a "superhero summit" to quell tensions.
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Hammer +25 (to Life), Cursed
"I didn't realize I was being attacked until I fell to the floor with my arms up to defend myself," Logan Bryson told the court. He thought he was dreaming when he awoke to find Zachary Frank King striking him with a hammer.
Police say King broke-in to Daniel Shokrian's Cedar City, Utah home through an open window in the early morning hours of May 30th and struck both Bryson and a sleeping Shokrian repeatedly with a hammer.
King told police he was upset with Bryson for dating a girl they had both agreed not to date. According to King, the trio had been playing Dungeons & Dragons the day before and Shokrian, as DM, was "acting cocky" and doing things with King's character that he didn't like. King then said he went home, took an OTC sleeping pill, and awoke at some point during the night, furious. That's when he went to his tool shed and found the hammer. According to detectives, King went into Shokrian's room and said, "I hate you," before beating him. He then attacked Bryson, sleeping in another room.
Bryson suffered a concussion. Shokrian is blind and has lost the ability to read and write.
Zachary King pleaded not guilty to one count of aggravated burglary and two counts of attempted aggravated murder. The judge bound him over for trial.
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
Police say King broke-in to Daniel Shokrian's Cedar City, Utah home through an open window in the early morning hours of May 30th and struck both Bryson and a sleeping Shokrian repeatedly with a hammer.
King told police he was upset with Bryson for dating a girl they had both agreed not to date. According to King, the trio had been playing Dungeons & Dragons the day before and Shokrian, as DM, was "acting cocky" and doing things with King's character that he didn't like. King then said he went home, took an OTC sleeping pill, and awoke at some point during the night, furious. That's when he went to his tool shed and found the hammer. According to detectives, King went into Shokrian's room and said, "I hate you," before beating him. He then attacked Bryson, sleeping in another room.
Bryson suffered a concussion. Shokrian is blind and has lost the ability to read and write.
Zachary King pleaded not guilty to one count of aggravated burglary and two counts of attempted aggravated murder. The judge bound him over for trial.
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
Monday, October 12, 2009
Drunken Pair Attack Spidey, Lose Fight to Women
A pair of young drinkers were captured by closed-circuit TV (CCTV) fighting Spider-Man outside a nightclub moments before being floored by two women. Well, two cage-fighters dressed in drag.
Daniel "Lights-Out" Lerwell and James "Lion Heart" Lilley were dressed in drag as a joke, on their way to join some 10 fellow cage-fighters for a "last chance blowout." The two were set to begin intensive training a couple days later, as they had fights.
The drunken pair confronted the... lady-men, and began verbally accosting them before throwing a punch. The cage-fighters then handily whipped their drunk asses. "...It was just instinct really," Lerwell told reporters. The drunken pair have been charged with "using intimidating behavior or words." They were sentenced to electronic-tagging and fined.
But that's just the beginning:
The cage-fighters had forgotten the incident until their phones started ringing. CCTV had captured their encounter, as well, which has since become an Internet hit.
"You know it cannot have been a good night when you get into a fight with Spider-Man and two cross-dressing men," said the defending barrister.
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
Daniel "Lights-Out" Lerwell and James "Lion Heart" Lilley were dressed in drag as a joke, on their way to join some 10 fellow cage-fighters for a "last chance blowout." The two were set to begin intensive training a couple days later, as they had fights.
The drunken pair confronted the... lady-men, and began verbally accosting them before throwing a punch. The cage-fighters then handily whipped their drunk asses. "...It was just instinct really," Lerwell told reporters. The drunken pair have been charged with "using intimidating behavior or words." They were sentenced to electronic-tagging and fined.
But that's just the beginning:
The cage-fighters had forgotten the incident until their phones started ringing. CCTV had captured their encounter, as well, which has since become an Internet hit.
"You know it cannot have been a good night when you get into a fight with Spider-Man and two cross-dressing men," said the defending barrister.
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
Friday, October 02, 2009
Ruh-Roh Raggy!
Nick Palatas, who plays Shaggy in the direct-to-DVD movie, Scooby Doo, lost "a large portion" of his thumb in a dramatic table saw accident. The saw struck a knot in the wood he was working and jumped sharply, slicing off his thumb. He called his mother while en route to the hospital and she retrieved the digit, but doctors were unable to reattach it.
Palatas is reportedly seeking the help of a top plastic surgeon, but whether or not anything can be done is unknown.
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
Palatas is reportedly seeking the help of a top plastic surgeon, but whether or not anything can be done is unknown.
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
Monday, April 20, 2009
The O Cancels Columbine Show
We may need an Oprah tag... it would get real big for a couple months, then go down to like one or two posts, then balloon back up! But I digress. Oprah Winfrey decided to cancel her show, already taped and set to air today, addressing the 10th anniversary of the Columbine massacre, saying in a statement on both her website and Facebook page, "I decided to pull the Columbine show today. After reviewing it, I thought it focused too much on the killers." I do not know if she tweeted it. A show about a mother recently released from prison will run its place.
The Columbine show, entitled 10 Years Later: The Truth about Columbine, was being advertised locally this morning.
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
The Columbine show, entitled 10 Years Later: The Truth about Columbine, was being advertised locally this morning.
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
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