JOKER

I tell ya....When I first learned that Heath Ledger was going to be cast as the joker....I had my jokes like everyone else. "broke back batman" yada yadda yadda..
But man..When that teaser trailer came out at comic con....No visual other than the sparks bustin up the bat symbol, but over it was dialogue. The end was that of Heath ledgers rendition of the Joker.
It really made you stop. It sounded great! And the laugh was SPOT ON! PERFECT! Made me actually shiver.

I thought to myself. "HUH..maybe? NAW!!.....maybe???????"
When the real actual trailer came out a few weeks ago, Actually showing Heath ledger as the Joker ...in action. OH CRAP! It was beautiful! Just FRICKIN BEAUTIFUL!!!
He was amazing! If you haven't seen it (as if your hiding under a rock), check it out in hi def:

http://www.atasteforthetheatrical.com/deathtrap/default.htm


Brilliant. I'm begining to think that Nolan is a Genius.
The way the joker doesn't flinch when the pod is coming right at him and just turns his head to watch it go by him....Oh man. Thats good stuff.
Enjoy. And count the days right along with me....... till showtime!


"LETS PUT A SMIIILE ON THAT FACE!!!"

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Luke 2:8-14

“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."

Well this is just too yummy. I say.....Keep it up Dems. Your doin swell! Now go and get me a samich dammit! Bark for me! Bark I say!!

Dems to back down on war money

By ANNE FLAHERTY, Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON - After weeks of tough talk, Democrats appear resigned to back down again on providing money for the Iraq war.

What happened?

"Republicans, Republicans, Republicans," said Jim Manley, spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev. "The real problem here is the president and his Republican backers" who have "staked out an increasingly hard-lined position."

Indeed, with Democrats holding a razor-thin majority in the Senate and with 60 votes needed to overcome procedural hurdles, Senate Republicans were in a plum negotiating spot this month.

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., insisted that if Democrats want legislation paying for government operations this year, they will have to include money for the Iraq war.

"Do Republicans have a tough stance on funding the troops in the field? Yes," said McConnell's spokesman, Don Stewart. "Because we made a commitment to the troops overseas to give them the training and equipment and support that they need."

Democrats now are expected to allow Senate Republicans to attach tens of billions of dollars for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to a $500 billion-plus government-wide spending bill. That move would be in exchange for GOP support on the huge spending measure.

The war money would not be tied to troop withdrawals, as Democrats want. But it would let Democrats wrap up their long-unfinished budget work and go on vacation before Christmas. It also would spare them from criticism during the holiday recess by President Bush for leaving work without providing money for the troops.

Without the money, the Defense Department said it would start delivering pink slips to thousands of contractors this month.

The plan caps off a disappointing year for Democrats on Iraq. The party had taken control of Congress for the first time since 1994, seizing on the public's frustration with the war. Even with their election victory, the slim margins in the Senate have rendered Democrats powerless in trying to bring troops home.

"We've tried maybe a dozen times" to bring troops home, said Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee. "And when we do try and we don't succeed, we still provide funding for the troops."

Such talk runs contrary to the rhetoric just three weeks ago by other Democratic leaders.

Senate Republicans were blocking a $50 billion bill that would have paid for combat operations and set a goal of bringing troops home by December 2008. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., told reporters the House would not respond by sending Bush the bill he wanted, without conditions on withdrawal.

If efforts fail in the Senate, "we're not going to be taking it up anymore over here," she said at a Nov. 15 news conference.

The measure fell by a 53-45 vote in the Senate, seven short of the 60 needed. Afterward, Reid said the House "has made their position clear" and suggested the Senate would not revisit the issue.

"We're going to continue to do the right thing for the American people by having limited accountability for the president and not a blank check," he said. Because the Army has enough money through mid-February, he said, "everyone should rest with a good conscience."

Other Democrats stuck to that line.

"The days of a free lunch are over," said Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.

Rep. David Obey, D-Wis., chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, said: "If the president wants that $50 billion released, all he has to do is to call the Senate Republican leader, Mitch McConnell, and ask him to stop blocking it."

But facing an uphill battle, the House is now expected to vote as early as Tuesday on the catchall spending measure and an estimated $30 billion for Afghanistan and some domestic military requirements. The bill would not initially include money for Iraq, until it makes its way to the Senate and faces the threat of a GOP filibuster. That is when Reid is expected to allow a vote on a Republican amendment to add the Iraq money.

The House is expected to accept the deal.

"Certainly the Senate remains an obstacle," said Pelosi spokesman Nadeam Elshami. "We hope the Senate takes up and passes the bill as approved by the House."

I'm back, so lets talk "WRITERS STRIKE"

Writers strike.

Well it looks as if the studios are trying to rip off the writers. The beef is (partially) that the writers don't feel as if they are getting their fair share of the pie when it comes to things like the fees that writers receive when the content they create is distributed on the Internet.

And the studios are chincing where they can.
question?

Do ya care? Do ya?
Let me see if I totally understand this. The writers are complaining that they are not getting enough ducket when things go internet. So the Union says strike. Let me tell you who I do feel bad for. I feel bad for the folk, good decent folk that are caught between bastard #1 (studios) and Bastard#2 (writers)
People such as the craft folk. People that don't have anything to do with the writers or studio heads. Those are the people that are totally screwed.

Now I know that there are writers that make the high end of the money scale and there are writers that are at the low end of the pay scale. As with ANYTHING. But let me tell you, IF you are living in California and you have any sort of benefits package with the studio that you are working for...that covers you and your family...
What in the hell are you doing by going on strike?

But Handel...shouldn't the writers FIGHT to get what they deserve?
Well sure. But one problem that I have with unions, is that they are every bit as self serving and asinine as the studios they go up against. They are bull headed, stubborn and push too far.
Who are the people hurt?
Well they are the very people that they (Unions) are supposed to represent.
Who is the brain child that said..."Guh huh! I think that it would be a great idea to go on strike right BEFORE CHRISTMAS?"

Ooooo thats smart. Thats good thinkin'. Thats a Union head.

The writers:

Now how bout the writers. You have a job that tons of people would look at as a dream job. Your bitching because you aren't getting some extra ducket based off internet distribution.
As I said, If you are at the top of the pay scale of writers and you have benefits through your studio, you are blessed. IF you are at the middle to lower end and you have benefits, You are blessed. If you get paid on time you are really really blessed! If you really are ticked at how things are done in Hollywood. Well.....WELCOME TO HOLLYWOOD! Are ya new here?

I personally don't think that this is coming from the middle to lower end of the pay scale writer. I think those people are more concerned about getting and keeping the jobs and going up in pay with experience and time. I think this comes from the union heads, who are looking at everyone that this strike will effect and thinking that they can use this for leverage.
A sort of hostage type of scenario.

And those craft people, gaffers, light people, make up, set and props, etc....are the ones that are feeling it.

My solution?:

FIRE THEM ALL. Give those writers that want it, a chance to get back in studio and get to work..If they opt not to, ....out.
Get new writers. Writers are a dime a dozen. There are some great ones out there just waiting for their clarion call. Waiting for their shot. Their moment to prove themselves.
IF you cant find great writers, then......well get crappy writers. Its tv for petes sake. Whose going to notice?

Which leads me to this.

Tv is so awful. Most of the stuff on there is just plain crap. Crap. As far as I'm concerned the longer the strike goes on, the less new crap will be out there. Maybe it will force us to get off of our fat butts, put the cheetos down and...Oh I don't know. Heres a novel idea...GO OUTSIDE?
RIDE A BIKE?
TAKE A WALK?
REDISCOVER WHAT YOUR FAMILY LOOKS LIKE?

I mean really? Who really needs tv? When studies show that we are spending upwards of 24 hours a week in front of the tube??? 24 hours A WEEK???

Jeeeze.

The "STARS":

So I see that the stars are coming up to bat for the struggling writers. Danny Glover, Tim Robbins, etc etc etc. All there to lend their support.
Heres what I find kinda funny. Most of these clowns are the ones out there complaining about the rich and wanting to redistribute wealth. They're socialists.
Why don't they give a little? Give some of THEIR money to offset the writers plight.
Follow your own philosophies.
They wont. Because they are Hollywood, and they don't really believe the crap that they spew. And as for standing with the writers. Well thats nonsense. Its just another role for them. Another "part". It is another act of TYPICAL narcissism. Just to look THE PART of someone that gives a damn. (they don't).

I dont know folks. I say the less tv the better.
Now I have my favorites. "24", "hero's", "lost", etc...but, I can give it up if need be.

Maybe its a good thing for the country. To turn it off. And discover, that life..REAL life is so much more interesting than life in the lil box.

Certainly better written.

Well Happy belated THANKSGIVING!

Yeah been away for a little while..Its the holidays and all. Now its on to Christmas.
Lots to say about things and I'm trying to work up some fun stuff. So bear with me.

See ya in a day or so.

HaNdEl

VETERANS DAY

To our veterans;

You fight, You sacrifice, to keep us safe. To uphold the liberties we take for granted. The freedoms that are never free.
I wish that I could say that everyone in this country is behind you. But you know that that is not the truth. The same ones that spat at you over 30 years ago and called you "baby killers" are the same ones that are out there now with the same hatreds toward you and their own country. I know that you know who they are.
But know that most, yes MOST of us in this country are behind you and celebrate you and thank God for you. And we will be beside you, in our battles at home against the left and the so called 'pragmatists', as well as support you when you fight the battles abroad.

God bless you soldier. Past, Present, and Future.

Toth critiques...

Over yonder, beyond the tall grass and past the river styx lies a lovely little place. Kept by a lovely lil goblin by the name of Markus Kennedyus. Mark likes to tend to his garden and write a fun little blog about the animation industry called "seven camels a'humpin" (or something like that....I'll set a link at the bottom of this post).
Fun, thoughtful and full of interesting lil tidbits.
In his latest entry he wrote a little diddy bout' 'jack and diane'. Two 'merican kids growing up..in the heartland.
In another reality, "jack" would be Alex Toth and "Diane" would be Steve Rude.
Waaaaaay back in 1986, A young NEW comic book talent-Steve Rude- asked Toth for a critique on a 12 page johnny quest story that he (rude) penciled. What he (Rude) got back was a written critique about every panel. The critique is pretty scathing. Although it reads pretty tongue in cheek you can still tell that Toth was rather bothered with rude. Mainly because he could see alot of talent in young Steve Rude...but what REALLY bothered Toth was that he felt that Steve Rude was faking (and faking badly) alot . And I mean ALOT!
He felt that he (Rude) wasn't taking it seriously enough. Wasn't putting the time into it that it deserved. Toth is someone that loved what he did. REALLY REALLY loved it. It bothered him to see young talented people -piss away at the work.
When you look at the pages that rude did...it is shocking. Really really shocking, so much so that you actually sit back in your chair and say.."THIS is Steve Rudes work??"
It is so incoherent ..Absolutely NOTHING reads. You actually feel embarrassed for the guy..Especially since this is posted all over the internet and is listed as the "infamous critique".

But what should be important to note is that Steve Rude has come a long way baby! Easily one of the most acclaimed artists of today. Award winning, fantastic painter, and a master in his craft.
Perhaps due to having such amazing teachers that wont pussy foot around with you.
I have very VERY similar views to Alex Toth. In art. And probably in many other areas as well. Now I am in no way comparing myself to Toth. Just that our opinions about many things are very very similar. The ONE thing that just makes me crazy is when a person will make excuses for something that is just plain bad. Or that he knows he cheated on. "OH no! Its supposed to be like that. I meant it to look like that".
Or when universal RULES are broken. And yeah...there are "UNIVERSAL RULES". Such as having a head TURN the CORRECT way when its being PUNCHED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WHAT THE &^%&_^)%(#@#@#!.
I mentioned that to ...someone. And he/she immediately got defensive. Sorry..that just bugs me. I mentioned that He/she is too good for that. (huh..kinda similar to what Toth told Steve Rude)...and that he's just being lazy or making excuses.
Other than that ...I try to cypher my crits. Probably shocking to some, I know. I don't want to overwhelm them too much and I don't want to be TOTALLY negative and crush their spirits.
Critiques are like 'drunks'.
There are 'Mean Drunks:

"YOU &^%$^$"ING STINK ASS! YOU SMELL LIKE A PIECE OF %^$%#! AND YOUR FACE LOOKS LIKE MY %$%^#@ AFTER A GOOD HELPIN OF BEANO!"

AAAnd there are 'nice drunks':

"dude...come..come, come here..(leans cross two stools). hey....don't...don't take this the, (hic) the (hic) the wron' way. Wron'...WER-ONG way. But I..I don't thing..think that your boddudy is coming off.. coming off ...do...do...TWO! (holds up two fingers), coming off TWO...well.
Its just a little shhhtrong, ok? You work dat out...maybe gets rid o' dat puss tie and...and you know what? I might even set you up wit..wit..wit muh (hic) (hic) sis (hic) (hic) sister".

Both ways get results, but me personally, I am more the build up and encourage type. (the 'nice drunk')
I am. I know that there are those that are rolling their eyes at that. But I really really am.Unless you try to lie to yourself and your audience, then I lose my patience..because your wasting your time, and more importantly, wasting mine.

I would also pick a handful of things rather than the entire piece. I would have split the critique up and have him ( IF this were a class) work on points for just the first 6 pages. And most importantly, encourage him on his strong points. Toth really doesn't do any of this. He just constantly kicks him in the hangy bits, repeatedly. I think thats kind of a crappy way to do things, and yet...I can sympathize with him and why he did it. And why he did it is outlined in the VERY last paragraph of his critique. He loves what he does THAT much to let any youngster hack his way through it.
Still not my way of doing it though. Still too nasty.

Reading Toths critiques (over on markus Kennedyus blog "Camels: why we're fascinated with their toes" or something like that), It reminded me of when I gave my two cents to 'countsy' and 'robo'. They were pointed, yeah. But no where NEAR what Toth put into his crit to Steve Rude. The amount of crying that 'countsy' and 'robo' did with MY crit...
MAN!Can you imagine how they would have done with a crit from Toth? They would have drowned in their own pee and tears!!

They'll say..."Handel...WE'VE gotten several crits that make THAT look TAAAAME".
Sure ya have.
IF you have, then why cry about my lil small crits? Pansies.
Oops..did I say that out loud? Pansies. OOPsies! Did it again!

Getting BACK to 'crits' :
Crits are an interesting monkey with a colorful ass. You can look at it..take it in, and say:
"nope..that really doesn't do anything for me"
OR you can take it in..give it a gander...ponder it...and who knows...maybe it'll stay with you for the rest of the day and before you know it, WILLEMENA!! Your talkin' about it at dinner time with the wife and kids in front of a plate full of mash potatoes!
How the yellow made the red POP! And how the green, even though its just a bit of poo remnant, It nonetheless was just the right color that pulled it all together. A happy accident!:)

Seriously...You will receive crits from all spectrum's of life. I've found that I have gotten as many good ones from just your average man on the street as I have from the 'schooled'. And I have gotten some pretty crappy nonsensical ones from the so-called 'fellow artist'.
You have to be YOUR OWN best friend by being your OWN worst enemy. (Yes Robo, You may quote me!) In short...be objective. And that ain't easy. Because its so much MORE easy to be defensive. And...make excuses.
There are times when I will make a suggestion or a crit, I will hear their response..and I have to step back and say..."OK, now do I see his point? Yes. Do I agree with him as the best way to go? No. Do I let this slide? Yes."
In other words...I MYSELF have to approach it with the knowledge that there are a zillion ways to tell a story (or do something) I have my preferences of the way I like to do things. THIS is the way HE chose to do it. Fine. And what the audience responds to may be exactly what he has here! (Or to my way).
An example of a "nonsensical" crit might be where Toth craps on the way he (Rude)drew a tripod. He really craps on it. I thought that this was just silly. I've heard other comic guys do similar things. Erik Larson slammed John Byrne on how he (Byrne) drew a wheel chair. I mean...who the hell cares???
I know I didn't! I mean its just not THAT important. Certainly not important to dwell on, compared to all the other things that were terribly wrong with Rudes 12 page story, to be picking on a tripod seemed pretty ...well...petty and trivial.
Look! bottom line, as long as it looks cool. Thats it.
But as I said before...there ARE UNIVERSAL RULES. If you choose to ignore them, then you are either being lazy or hacking it out with disregard for the art form and your audience, and yeah...I'll say it damn it! YOU AIN'T BE REPRESENTIN' YO MAMA VERY WELL, BEEE-AHCH!!

In getting a critique I can usually tell the ones that are sincere about it. That doesn't always mean that I'm going to agree with them, and thats fine. But I'll come away thinkin': "hmmm...ok..that didn't connect with that person".
I"ll analyze it..And roll it around in the soup.
I'll sometimes find that while I wont agree with that crit for THAT piece, that sometimes JUST SOMETIMES- it will pop up in my noggin, and help me in a totally different piece I'll be working on!
Lastly:

A crit from a fellow industry person should be looked at in different ways. Yes, you will get some good feedback, but you will also get alot of silly feedback (such as criticizing a wheelchair or a tripod). You really have to sift through it every bit as much as a crit from an 'earth dweller' (average man on the street). And keep in mind that your not doing this for your peers as much as your doing it for your audience. Your audience doesn't give a ratatoui about how many spokes are in a bike wheel or how many legs are actually ON a tripod. Visually...as long as its cool lookin'. Thats bottom line. Art types tend to get caught up in EVERYTHING. From the REALLY important stuff to the dumb stuff that don't mean caca.

So in closing I'll just say as far as crits from pros, and crits from average earth dwellers: sift through that caca like any other caca and hopefully there will be some nuts and choice corn in there to pluck out and save. If not, fine....move on.
But know that the very best of suggestions wont mean squat if your automatically getting defensive and dismissin it due to an overinflated ego or insecurity.

Again:

Be your own best friend, by being your own worst enemy.

HaNdEl


Kennedy's blog: Toth critique
http://sevencamels.blogspot.com/

New post.

I'm working on a post tonight based off of a posting I saw in another bloggy. I'll have it up LATE TOMORROW NIGHT. So when you get up on Tuesday morning, have your morning tinkle (Robo..dont forget to lift the toilet seat before you pee and then put it down for countsy to use..be polite now.)
..and then sit on down with a coffee, crumpet and ME Tuesday mornin'!

ALSO: I'm trying to get back to posting on a Monday or Tuesday , so again, start looking for them on those days.

Animation: The perfect artform?

Those of you who read my last post: "Animation the dying art form", might find it interesting that I also think that animation was also the most perfect art form.
In its most idyllic form.

Why.

Because it is the combination of ALL art forms.
Think about it.
All the development art, using everything from pastels to watercolors and pen and ink, YOU NAME IT! Acting and performance (THROUGH drawings)
Draughtsmanship, line quality, cinematic story telling, color and design, background and camera technique, post production and editing, rough sketch to the most elegant tight cleanup.
An art form where you have to study everything from dance and music to the way a woman walks or how a fat man picks his butt. Where you study the way animals move and behave so you can capture that in rough sketch form, to look at it and (hopefully) capture it so believably that you forget that you are looking at drawings. DRAWINGS!
Much like a symphony led by the conductor (director) conducting the trumpets, violins, oboes (development teams , animators, clean-up/inbetweeners), and of course, the triangle (storyboard artists-).

>:)

People from all departments coming together to communicate and create (again, hopefully) a fantastic piece of cinema. A fantastic piece of art.
Yup. Animation is to me the most perfect and complete art form.
Or rather, it USED to be.

Now again, don't get me wrong. I am not anti modern animation. In fact I think that its theatrically great now. Just as great if not even greater on some levels. But as I said in my previous post, the introduction of technology in such a massive way, while keeping the entertainment level on high, it has lowered the art form.
As an animator, I look at what we can do now, and it staggers me! We are no longer subject to the 2 dimensional. No longer chained to the flat world that we animate to. We have wide open skies to soar in and that's pretty frickin' insane to think about.

But....

While wonderful, I can in no way say that this is the most perfect and highest of all art forms. It simply isn't. While (theatrically speaking) there is no way to deny its benefits, ARTISTICALLY speaking it is on a par with high end 'Muzak'.
Those of you who know me, might find it staggering that I would say that. And even more so staggering to hear that I still LOVE animation...as a cinema and entertainment.
Sadly...not so much as an art form that it once was.
I know that there will be those that will say: "Handel, you ponce! There are still the designs that are drawn. Still the models that must be built, rigged, textured and painted!"

Believe me, I know. But while traditionally, animation was the marriage of so many great artists. great at what they do, following eachother up, all coming together. Today, It is the blend of some artist and allot of technical people. Sort of like a marriage of artist with allot of mechanics.
Don't get me wrong...I think on many levels that programmers and texture people are 'artists' in their own right. But the very fact that every bit of work that they do, be it texturing, programming, rigging, model building, etc.....doesn't exist.
Other than what is up on the screen...It does not exist.
And that now applies to the animation as well.

With that..how could anyone doubt that the 'ART FORM' has taken a hit. Has been lowered.
Of course it has.

It is not just in animation. Take what I MYSELF do. I do ALOT of work via my 'painter' and 'photoshop' programs. As with animation, you don't put on a tin foil hat and plug the computer into your noggin and say "PAINT". You actually paint it. Using all the techniques that you normally do in traditional mediums. You put just as much blood sweat and (well...less tears because their are so many fail safes with the tech). But your outcome...if you know what your doing will be a fine painting.
The difference is ...Unlike an oil, watercolor, or acrylic......your digital painting doesn't exist.
Just like the digital animation.
Oh it exists via whats on your monitor...and sure... You can make wonderful high end prints. EVEN stretch it on a canvas....but its not real. It doesn't exist.

I hear you arguing with me out there. Tell me...
What would you rather have? A beautiful high end PRINT of a Degas? OR an actual Degas?
A PRINT of a Jim Lee Batman? OR an actual pencil/inked Jim Lee Batman?
A PRINT of Frank Frazetta painting? OR an actual Frank Frazetta painting?
A PRINT of a Glen Keane 'Beast'? OR an actual Key from the movie?

You get me now?
Beauler?
Mcfly?

With the absence of the organic...then how can the ART FORM be anything BUT lessened.
So with the heavy development of technology today and our heavy desire to use it, the animator in me laughs with excitement. But the artist that I hope to aspire to be someday, cries for what was once, "the perfect art form".

Well...

I got the family on the 'j' train and sent them back to 'family land'. I also have tomorrow off so I'm going to sit down and jot my next post tonight and plunk it down for tomorrow. I looked at my last post and thought that It deserved a follow up.

So check it when it comes..

Animation: The dying artform.

Oooo. Ominous no?

When I was a Kid, Like many I grew up on a steady diet of TWO things.
Comics and Animation.

I'm glad to say that I worked in animation when they were going through the so called 'second golden age'.
When I was but a wee tot. I got a very special Christmas present. A first edition volume of "The Illusion of life". I looked through this book and was shell-shocked at these beautiful drawings. These fantastic and gorgeously rendered line drawings, that when placed one in front of the other created a movement.
It blew my mind at a young age, to see rough pencil tests. It really was ...magic.

Now you may remember the dust up that I had with my story guy goobers. I had said that while there is no 'easy' position in animation, that I believed that storyboarding was the easier of all positions because there just isn't as much demands on them as the other positions.
You didn't have to draw on 'model' and really there is not much use for them to draw all that pretty either. And when the technology comes crashing in, all the traditional animators had to make the jump!
And jump QUICK. So they had to learn the technology fast and shoot for the open positions.
Another example of the lack of demands on the story man camp. Not meant as a dig, but it is another thing that they don't have to worry about.
And that brings us (FINALLY) to the title of this post.
With traditional animation, the sky is the limit. You can do ANYTHING.
With the technology now...the universe is wide open.
But with the tech today, Sadly while opening up the possibilities, It lowers the art form.
It does.
And on a few levels as well.

Gone is everything organic about the art form.
NO roughs.
NO keys, NO beautiful key Cleanups, or inbetweens.
NOTHING tangible for students to look at or collectors to seek out. Nothing of substance, to frame and get lost in the real HISTORY of it.
"How many hands did this pass through?" "WHOSE hands did it pass through?"
"Look at the tape on the corner? Maybe it was taped on Fred's Wall!"

Nope.
No warmth.
No history.

No magic.

The most someone can hope for to look at or collect is something from development, and even that's pared down some due to technology-In way of painter and photo shop brushes and tools.
You could possibly get a lovely storyboard panel. IF your lucky to get one that IS indeed lovely.
Now don't get me wrong. I am not a uni bomber type. I am not anti technology. As I am someone that uses it every day in the work that I do. And yeah...some of the same things I'm talking about apply there as well. Not as much though, as I'll explain in a different post.
Again, I am not anti technology...I'm just pointing out a fact of the anim biz now. The sacrifice, for the gain.

I am just not sure if the sacrifices are worth the gains.

For the public OR the individual 'artist'.
I have always said, (again..to the consternation of industry friends) that: "There are far too many animators in this field and not enough artists." With animation going almost entirely digital now, It applies NOW more than ever.
Along with the loss of the tangibles, there is the danger of the animator losing his grasp on the basics. Lets count off some of these.
*He no longer needs to work on draughtsmanship.
*He no longer needs to study line quality.
*He no longer needs to draw on model.
*He is no longer challenged to keep up with the big boys in drawing their characters. (therefore growth!)
*He no longer has to learn and practice structure and volume!
*ALL this while knowing that each drawing is important to the ANIMATION, all of which cypher into the all important performance.

In short...He no longer (beyond thumbnails sketches) is required to DRAW anymore.
Some of these VERY SAME things were what I was slamming at the story goobers about. The story guy isnt CALLED to draw on model, or even well. With technology...the same thing can now be said about animators.
And thats not good folks.

NOPE! The animator just needs to concentrate on the performance in the acting. And the movement of the animation.

Now surly there will be animators out there that will say: "Handel...DUDE. Chill brah. I can still keep drawing. On my own time. ON my own stuff. Ya dig?"
But as an animator, I know that I personally would go in, wrap my left half of my buttock around the left side of the chair and wrap the right side of my buttock (my personal favorite side-birthmark.) around the right side of the chair...and there I would be till it was time to go home. Then I would PEEEEEEEEEEEEEL my booty off of that poor dented and somewhat rank chair (don't know why), go home and animate for a few more hours sometimes. In other words, there ain't a whole lot of spare time to do extra anything. And the spare time that you DO have...you want to do anything else other than draw.
Now to some animators, they'll say..."Well cool! cut out the middle man and concentrate on the important thing. The performance!!!

And therein lies the crux of what my original point is.
Yes. You can concentrate on the movement.
Yes. You can concentrate on the performance. All without having to worry about staying on model OR volume or about any charting for follow up.
But IF you are doing all of that WITHOUT having to draw anymore, you may well turn into a fantastic animator. But you are not furthering your artistic chops.
IN SHORT, to quote a wise man:
"There are far too many animators in this animation industry and not enough artists"

(Oh wait, that was ME.)

If you do NOT keep on drawing (Be it digital or traditional) Your ARTISTIC skills will falter.
Dat's fact jak.'
And as long as that continues to be the case, the films will be loverly indeed. With nice slick 3d(ish) animation. All of which is only 'animation'. With nothing to see, nothing to hold, nothing to study, Nothing to love OTHER than the animation of the film. Coming from animators who do 80% LESS drawing than they USED TO do, and whose artistic abilities because of that...decline further and further....

....In this industry called "Animation". The dying art form.

Jeez! You sit down to write a quick post on animation...

And that 'quick post' turns into a friggin TWO parter. So I'm going to have to do some editing on it.It might still be a two parter, but at least it'll be pared down abit.
So until then, I'll put up a 'short' little PRE- animation post.
I saw a little bit from robo regarding my post to him about a possible meet up at the con. Hopefully both our schedules will allow it. Who knows.

Robo::

"""Oh yeah, our old friend Handel written me....and has either invited me to dinner or challenged me to a fight. If Handel and I ever do meet in real life, I'm sure we'll be civil. Nobody "swings on" anyone in real life.""""

Yeah. I'm sure we will. Although I would have a drink. Just to be loosey goosey. No reason to get in each others face right off the bat. Which while 'swinging' would more than likely not happen, getting in each others face is entirely possible. Truthfully, If a brawl did break out, more than likely it would resemble the 'walk off' fight in "Zoolander".
And we would somehow end up covered in Salad, which would be odd since neither of us would be eating salad. And odder still, Robo's pants would be unzipped. (Trust me on this...I don't know why. It's his trademark fighting style. He calls it "ruddy Eskimo style". I call it "ew").

Robo:::
""""Nobody "swings on" anyone in real life...well, except Danny Bonaduce. And Handel is NOT Danny Bonaduce. Or Russel Crowe or even Jon Lovitz. Trust me.""

This is...thankfully true. But If I WERE Danny Bonaduce, that would make robo my: Johnny Fairplay!
If I WERE Russel Crowe, that would make robo..every J.O. in the known world.
If I WERE Jon Lovitz, that would make robo: Andy Dick!
Well...At least the last name is most fitting.

robo::
"""..Then he quit posting and would only comment from the relative safety of his blog. I started "Pointed Stick" to argue with his because I didn't want to clutter up this place with arguments that had nothing to do with the strip."""

Robo..Please. "Relative safety of his blog"? Robo....you make it sound as if I am running from any sort of debate you might have to offer. Nothing could be further from the truth. Anytime you wanna debate anything....A N Y T H I N G. I'm right here.
In fact its quite the opposite, it is you that is the one that cant seem to keep up. But I'm patient robo. Very very patient.
And to clarify again (I often have to repeat myself in your case), I stopped posting on your bloggy because as I said...IF I'm going to have THIS blog, I just couldn't spend that much time posting on other blogs AND this one. Its just not possible. Plus that just gets people reading YOUR blog to see what I HAVE to say. No point really. THIS WAY- we both have our say. And also...In all honesty, I really did see your point when you said that it took too much of your comments section. So I stopped. I can say everything I need to say...RIGHT HERE. And say it I do.

robo::
"" After a while, it just felt futile, and I lost interest. Also, calmer heads here at work said that I shouldn't even bother and that Handel wasn't worth the effort.""

I fully agree! Not worth the effort! Not in the slightest. I just calls em' as I see's em. Pansies and p&^&^%$'ies. I'll leave it to you and countsy to figure out which of you is which.
But please...Realize that I mean this in a very loving and warm way.

robo::
""" I checked out his blog on Sunday out of habit and saw his little drunken invitation to the dance.""

Oh robo. Two glasses of wine hardly make for 'drunken'. At least for most people (lightweight).
And I didn't invite you to a 'dance'. It was an invite to a drink, perhaps some noodle salad, a slab of jerky..maybe some nachos(mmm nachos). NOT a 'dance'.
Or are you using hip, youngster lingo? I truly HOPE you think that I was inviting you to a 'dance', because after someone adopts the youngster lingo, then you start buying jazzy sports cars, and then big gawdy silver belt buckles that say "MANSTER". And a leather jacket with a giant eagle embroidered on the back. Perhaps some 'gator' boots!
Oh robo...say it ain't so. Say it ain't so.

robo::
""""I don't think I'll be taking an entire evening to dine with Handel, as I'd much rather spend those evenings with my lovely wife,..."""

OK EVERYONE! THAT'S OUR CUE! ALL TOGETHER NOW!
""AAAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWW!""
Seriously, that's very sweet. And I can fully understand that! Trust me. There are more pleasant ways for me to spend an evening as well. Like clenching my fist, carefully placing razor blades between each of my clenched fingers, and trying to swallow my entire hand. Blades and all.
But It is my way to reaching out to the intellectually challenged. I'm looking to help you out. I got to thinkin' about your musical theories. You know? Where you listen to the 'spin doctors' and think your a surgeon? Or listen to Miles Davis and then believe your a trumpet player? Yeah, that!
Well...I'm a'thinkin that maybe...JUST MAYBE mind you...Maybe if you hang out with me for like 10 minutes, that a little bit of me might rub off on ya! And you will hopefully be able to think clearly. Just a little bit. Well...that's my hope. A dream? Maybe. I just want the best for ya robo.
10 minutes might be too short, but we'll do what we can. (just don't go all 'ruddy Eskimo' on me).

robo::
"""...but we just might run into each other. If we do, it'll be interesting!"""

Well of course! I'm a very interesting fellow. Which means, that YOU wont be the one that falls asleep at dinner.

Mark Kennedy:::
"""You are right about Handel's artistic criticisms: they were always interesting and I enjoyed them. I am sorry to see that it turned so bad.""

Mark! Don't be sorry pallie. Nothing 'turned bad'. Its all good. Its just what it is. Ya know? You are a kind and oh so gentle soul. And if it were possible, I would hold you up (as in roots) and say to the Heavens, "THIS!! THIS OH LORD!! IS A GOOD AND DECENT FELLOW! KIND, GENTLE, WITH GOOD BLOG!! AND SMELLS OF LILACS AND DAFFODILS!"
But that would require me having to shower and put on pants and maybe shave (my neck and half my back and surprisingly my left foot-don't ask). More work than I think would be worth the effort I'm afraid.

countsy:::
"""You know there's no way in hell I can stay away from Comicon next year now. I'm going with three margaritas in me!!! Kick ass recap man!""

(Note to self....checklist for con.
Clean pair of man panties?: CHECK!
Toothbrush?: CHECK!
Taser?: CHECK!
Hacksaw?: CHECK!
Garbage bags?: CHECK!
Clear rout to ocean marked out?:CHECK!

Visa card ready to buy round of drinks for bar patrons, to celebrate the cleaning of the city of unsightly mess. Aw, what the heck- TWO rounds and nachos.: CHECK!!

scrblls::
""Seriously you guys should hug or something!""

gareth:
"" Handel... what a guy! I hoping you guys hug and make up.""

WOW! There seems to be allot of GUYS wanting to see us get all huggy up on each other robo!Well...these ARE your pals. (Ahem)
I'm remembering that photo of countsy and robo..hugging.
One guy looked all too willing to get cuddly and cozy, and the other looked as if he were made of wood! Very uncomfortable with the huggy's! Or so it seemed from the pic.
So what do ya say, robo? You wanna get all huggy baby's? I don't know, maybe. You ARE A SAN-FRAN MAN now.
COUGH COUGH COUGHruddyeskimoCOUGH COUGH COUGH!!

So that's that. Post coming soon..On animation.

new post in a day....

So look for it onnnnnnnn....hmmm. Tomorrow?
No.
Getting my hair done.
Tomorrow night?
No. Nails and my 'kini' wax.

WEDNESDAY.

It will be just some thoughts on animation. My next few will probably be on animation. SPECIFICALLY animation. Lest some hypersensitive whiny story guys think me picking on them all the time.
This time...There might be some animators cranky with me. Maybe.

As with the story goons, My intent is not to go out and piss people off. These are MY feelings and MY opinions. I am open to a debate. (blog to blog). But I must insist that you debate with clarity and intelligence. In short: NOT like countsy and robo debate.

Although robo at least tries to fake it better than countsy.
Tsk tsk tsk...Ohhhh robo. Robo, Robo....robo. Anyone ever see 'Invasion of the body snatchers'?

But I digress.

Look for it then, If ya care.

HEY ROBO!!

GUESS WHAT MOVIE I'M WATCHIN NOW!!

You know, Robo..I may have a surprise for you..coming really soon.
Its gonna be a doozy. Your either going to be really happy about it, or really pissed off about it.
I cant wait to see! I'm almost peeing on myself with anticipation.

>:)

I dont know if its the wine or the movie or what?? But I want to put this invite to you. I AM trying my best to make it to the san diego comic con next year. Have you ever been there? Maybe yes, maybe no?

If you plan on making it there, lets maybe meet up.

Come alone.

I"m interested in meeting YOU. You've always been more interesting to me, than countsy.

Who knows..we might hit it off.
Ya think?

If your married...dont bother. I wont have my wife there...I'm interested in YOU. If your married or have a boy toy..(countsy?) leave it behind.

You and me. Lets grapple, big boy.
We'll either have drinks ..and get along, or kill eachother. Best man wins.

What do ya say "robo".

You game or are ya....'gay'?

Robo...this is a genuine invitation. Not just a blog throwdown. Make no mistake......You piss me off. You REALLY, REALLY PISS me off.

But you interest me.

You wanna go mano a mano?

You let me know.

If...AND granted....thats a big IF... IF schedules work out on both our ends....lets meet up.
For at least a dinner and drinks. Or maybe just drinks. There are lots of folks that hate me and lots of folks that love me. But I'm pickin YOU. YOU! DONT you feel honored??>:)

YOU and ME.

Not interested in your wife. Not interested in your pansy ass friends. Not interested in your new found pragmatic musical theories. Not interested in your stupid dogs or cats.

YOU....and......ME.

Word of advice?

Come with at least a drink in you.
I will. Otherwise I'm gonna swing on you. I will. NO joke. So I will have at least ONE margarita or wine in me before I meet you. It will put me in a better mood. Trust me.
IF I see countsy? I'll knock the shit out of him. And that's serious Robo. I WILL beat the shit out of him.
Because I'm SERIOUS about this. I expect you to have the brains....or 'PRAGMATISM' to know that I AM serious about this. You wanna meet? leave the boy toy at home. And the wife.

IF you're interested in this. Even REMOTELY! Tell me now. Because (in my case) it would need to be planned way in advance.
What do you say puss-ass? You interested? You interested in a meeting?
Mano a Mano? If so...then I'll pick a spot for us to meet up at. Night. Drinks or dinner. You let me know on your Lavern and chirppy blog and we'll go from there.

A wise man once said..:
"I'm used to whiskey.
Whiskey is a slap on the back.
Champagne is heavy mist before my eyes"

Comon Robo.....I'm comin to YOUR neighborhood (possibly--schedule permitting).
You up for it?
Dare ya.
Double Dare ya.

We either hug.
Or one of us wont come in the following Monday due to a broken arm.

Sounds fun dun' it?

You let me know sunshine.

PS: The chair is not my child. The CHAIR....... is NOT.... my child.

HaNdEl

Ok, sorry for the delay.

The long awaited countsy response.
I see that you have taken down your blog countsy, so I'll respond as best I can from my memory of your last post.
you had a freeze screen up of a member to the 'comic space' group, that you associate to be me, and your caption is something to the effect of: " surprising, this from a guy who doesn't need the praise".
Lets look at some aspects of the member that you posted.

he/she is a member of the "comicspace forum"

As I said A LOOOOOOOOOONG time ago, I am involved in several art/animation/comics forums.
And I too am a member of the 'comic space forum.
When I look at this members gallery, I find it interesting that this person has four pieces in the 'gallery'. As opposed to most everyone else who has OOODLES AND OOOODLES of pieces up in their respective galleries. I also find it interesting that he/she has apparently entered those four pieces within a couple days--way back in what...may?
Now the work is fairly competent, doesn't he have any thing else to show? Or maybe he doesn't want to have a whole lot up. Why do you think that is the case oh king of stupid?

Lets move on to another point. Lets just say that it WAS me. Cute, cuddly, pizza nippled me.
IF you can remember a little while back, I remember telling robo, that I had spoken to some friends that are comic book artists(funnily enough through 'comicspace'). Telling them that I thought you guys were butt sniffers.
They (for the most part) pretty much agreed, being that you all were pretty much doing this for nothing more than being stroked by your friends. But they ALL told me that I was essentially going a bit far with my thoughts on 'art blogs'. That they, being artists in the comics, use their respective blogs as extensions of their portfolio's. And that it opens tons of doors for commission work, and that they have received numerous job offers THROUGH and because of them. They were serving a purpose OTHER than stoking their egos (which they said they didn't mind that either!:).

So I thought about this countsy. I thought about it long and hard. I kept telling robo that I might have an 'apology' for him. I finally DID tell him (robo) that after talking to my buddies, that I think I may have been a bit hard on him (and for that matter-you) on the blog issue. Now while I still think you two are kind of butt sniffers, I DO think that the blog thing can be useful in other ways other than making your friends giggle like school girls.
And I've even come around to the idea of putting up some work on a blog (at some point). So IF I were to open up a gallery on comic space, it might be very similar to the member that you screen saved. very sparse until I feel good about it. More comfortable with it.
But that's a fact jack. Nothing inconsistent at all. Just go back on my blog and look for what I told robo. Or (if his 'pragmatic' mind hasn't lapsed) ask him about it. Whether or not I said, JUST THAT.

The other thing if I remember correctly, is a screen grab of a 'references' list?
Listing robo, right?

Boy that IS something. Sooooooooooo, lets see. IF this guy IS me....THAT'S nerve huh??
My goodness gracious!! That would make me the ballsiest dude ON THE FACE
OF, OF
THE, THE
EARTH! EARTH,EARTH!!!!
We're talkin van wilder's bulldog cahones!! whoooooooooooooooooooooooo!!
BAD MAMMMA JAMMMUH!!
Man, I seriously HOPE its me, because that's pretty balls nasty. If its NOT me, lets just say it IS, because that's so friggin impressive.Whew!!

Look countcrusty. I'm guessing by your 'this is priceless' comment, that IF this WAS me, you cant understand it. But now that I think about it, If I knew someone in the industry who I just don't get along with or didn't see I to eye with, and yet they were competent and good at what they did. I would TELL them to go ahead and list me as a reference and I would list THEM as such.
Even YOU..if someone came up to me and said, hey what do you think of countsy, I would (if I knew of your work ethic and dependability. I'll go on a limb and say its good.) ..I'd tell them that I think he's very capable.
IF you are...YOU ARE! Regardless of whether or not your a dick weed. (which you are).
IF you can draw dancing bears and singing monkeys...Your good for what the job needs.

I am PRETTY.
I am not petty.

As for me, I am comfortable with my skill sets. I am confident in what I can do. And in my work. If that is me, And someone comes to robo inquiring about me (which would never happen, believe me. You know as well as I do it is the work that matters and after looking at a portfolio, no one asks anyone anything.)
But what would robo say? That I cant draw? That I don't know what I'm doing? That I'm inexperienced?
No. Robo isn't a dummy (on some things yes-but not this). And he doesn't want to look like a dummy.

Now, how about a critique of the comic space members work that you screen grabbed.

1)cowchick: values, good. could pop the darks a bit more. No I take it back. Really needs more contrast. Don't be a chicken chitters with the values. I almost wonder if its just scanned badly.
2)BATMAN: I like this allot. Good values. Good contrast. Which is why I think that the cowchik might have scanned lighter. hmmm.
The gun is a little small too. Is it a gun? Does batman use guns? hmm. Anyway..I like it.
3)Storm tank spider thing: I hate this one. Its done well enough, but this type of stuff is so overly done. I just think its boring. This is probably done for games. The problem the games industry has is the same as the animation industry. They just want to do the same old thing over and over and over again. So I have sympathy for him on this one. Its fine tho. Just typical.
4)ZOMBIE COWBOY: I like zombies. So I like it. Face could use a little more polish though. But over all. Fine
5)SPACEMAN WITH GUN: I don't like it. muddled in the middle with the blast hitting the rock. Don't like the ink work. No where near as good as the graphite value work. Just my opinion.

Whoops. There's eight instead of four...

6)PAN GUY: I like this one. I wish it wasn't scanned blurry. I like his weight. I like the expression. I like his garb. OK, I like goat people. Countsy, IF you were half goat instead of half assed, I would dig you a whole lot more.
7)punker dude: Eh. Its OK. Something rubs me the wrong way on it. Not the drawing..maybe the painting of it. Maybe the color..I don't know. Just 'Eh'.
8)Vampire guy: I'd rework the face. Its too typical. Maybe that's whats wanted I guess. It's too typical though. Also the chest area needs work. Also the left hand is slipping for me. Re-work, Re-work.

Just my two bits. Overall, not too shabby.

Lets see....what else is there? Is that it? I think so, yeah.
I think that's that. I also think that I will take a little rest from you, countsy. Just for a little while. I really want to get some animation and comic posts up.
I'll beat on you again soon. Pat the robo on the noggin for me.
Tell him that I had gas today. And I pootied all the drive home. It was not good.

PS: And countsy, tell pelosi and moveon that I thank them for the continued funding for the war.I almost wish you guys had taken over congress earlier. I think we would have been able to get more of our agenda done. THANKS MUCH, fish taco!

Next post will be on: ANIMATION.
Just my two cents on it.

HEY ROBO!!

This was the last rehersal before the debut concert in charlotte NC, which by all press accounts said it WAS FRIGGIN AWESOME!!

COMON ROBO! I know your into all that listening to jazz and becoming a zen PHD or whatever but gotta git back to the roots boy!
SO GET SOME CLEAN UNDIES ON AND LETS GIT TO THE SHOW!!!
(you drive)

VH BABY!!!! WHOOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOO!

A POST REPLY -FINALLY!!!

OK countsy. Lets git to the dance.

First:

countsy:::
"".. I would debate you of there was anything valid to debate.......well, don't bother checking back in here. I'm done... I'm sure you'll crow about how you've chased me away, beat me down with your insane logic. Go ahead.""

That's the jist of it.
Countsy, I don't blame you for leaving in a huff. I do understand. You are out of your league. But please don't make excuses for it. "IF there was anything to debate". I've given you point after point after point. I've engaged you with the simplest question of whether that 'moveon'org' ad was over the top. You couldn't even admit that!
Why? because to do so would mean that you would have to cede that point OR side with the ad and come off like a crackpot, just like your fellow 'move on' idiots.

So when you cant even engage in the simplest argument, or at least defend your argument's...It really is not a shocker that you will stomp your widdo footsie, pick up your ball, swing your widdo pigtails in the air and huff away. I'm just surprised it didn't take longer. So I'll give you kudos on that at least.

Hey here's some parting questions for you to chew on. What do ya have to say for the violence being down by 50% in Iraq? What do you have to say about the stock market hitting record territory today? What do you have to say about unemployment being DOWN to record levels?

Helloo? No?

Nothing. Because to do so would mean to acknowledge GOOD news, and for a leftist- to do so would not be a good thing. Because in order for democrats to do well, they need America to do badly.

That's rather pathetic. But then...look who I'm talking to.

BUT your "DONE"! "Enough is enough!"

Translation:

'RUN AWAAAAAAAAYYY! RUN AWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYY!!'

(Ha ha! And for the record, Robo is the one bangin' the coconuts while following behind you.)

PS: The next post is the fun one! So check back tomorrow, lubricant.

I KNOW...

I'm still needing a post. I will try and put one up tomorrow. Deadlines and my side gig at pimpin' just gots me all outta wiggetty wack.

I was going to do a post on animation, but countsy has an interesting post that's filled with yummy gooey filling. But ya know,,,,I did promise one on animation so I'm going to stick to that and get back to my little gay friend over the weekend. (no robo...the other gay friend).

So check it, if ya like...or don't. Isssss allll gooooood.


EDIT:: NAWWW. I just cant. Countsy..I'll give you a reply first. Just cuz I think your cute. And since your throwin in the towel. And no..I don't think that its due to not having the intellectual makeup to defend your own asinine beliefs. (well not totally anyway). I do believe you when you say its because work is picking up.
So comb your hair and brush your tooth, and look for it over the weekend.

Till then........

COUNTSY..

You make me smile. I'll be with you soon. I'm too busy watching your pal and moveon.org partner, Amadinejad on tv.

talk to ya soon.......

OH MY DEAR, SWEET, SIMPLE, STUPID COUNTSY...

Your response to my Osama argument was rather weak countsy. It basically didn't answer any of my points YET AGAIN. You have now had TWO chances...and you opted NOT to. But how could you? You don't argue your side, because really you cant.

countsy::
"""Just because because you say you served someone doesn't mean you did. It means you think you did. Again, distinguishing facts from opinion. Clearly you can't."""

Let me break it down for you, sanjay:

FACT:
1) Did Osama release a video? Yes.
2) In the statement, Did he express alot of leftist junk, from love of Noam Chomsky to global warming? Yes.
3)Did it sound like the dems were the party of HIS choice? Yes.
4)Did he express frustration that they have been unable to do what it is that HE wants them to do? Yes.
5)Was the speech fashioned by Adam Gudahn? Yes.
6) Is Adam Gudahn a leftist nut? Yes.
7) Did the speech expouse the same goofy stance as say, 'The Daily Kos' or 'Moveon.Org'? YES.
8) Are those two organizations leftist? YES.

Sorry lil skipperdoodle, those ARE facts, not opinion.
That's why I say that I served you your assy. And the fact that you don't and cant argue it - Only to try to feebly shrug it off and say the equivalent of "Uhh oh yeah?? Well YOUR UGLY!WAHHHH WAAAAAAAAHHH!"
Is pretty pathetic really. But that's my countsy in a nutshell (and I mean that quite literally).

countsy:::
"""You hate your fellow Americans. You know who else hates Americans? Osama Bin Laden.""

Oh countsy, I don't hate you. I don't hate nancy pelosi. I dont hate harry 'the lassy' reid.
I do confess that I don't like any of you all that much though. But that said, even though I don't like you, I don't want you to damage the country by surrendering it to evil people. you see my dim wit pal, that would be bad. Really Really bad. Because after they kill off the people that really DO love this country, their gonna have to deal with the submissives. The ones that are all to ready to conform- so that they can live. But they wont want to keep all of you. So they'll probably gut you as well. And I don't want that for ya, countsy.
For you or any of the others that don't really believe in what this country is all about. For you out there that are just benefiting off of America. The ones that are just...here.
Taking up space.

I would like you all to be able to keep all of your brainless lil noggins right on your shoulders- so that you can live another day... with the hope of someday raising that white flag.

Countsy:
""""So let me make it clear as a leftist and a patriot.

Fuck Adam Gudahn.
Fuck Che Guevera.
Fuck Stalin.
Fuck Osama Bin Laden.
Fuck You Steve."""

'Leftist Patriot'....Oxymoron?
Look, big time KUDO'S to you for distancing yourself from these individuals. I just find it sad that you and leftists LIKE you- wont divorce yourselves from their (Osama, Stalin,Che Guevera, adam gudahn) beliefs and mindsets.

Sad indeed.

countsy:
""Easy, don't come in your own mouth Steve. I'm not upset...."""

Well, thanky for giving me( I assume its me) the benefit of the doubt on BOTH my girth and my aim. It really is quite descent of you. Again, thanky!

countsy::
""Also, fuck Alberto Gonzalez.
Fuck George Bush.
Fuck ANY Congressman, Democrat or Republican, who would sign on to destroy our freedoms in the name of security. Because to destroy one is to destroy both.""

Your such an intellectual heavyweight countsy. You really, REALLY are. What freedoms have you lost in the name of security? Name them. Tell me JUST ONE that you've lost. One that you were able to do pre 9-11, that you cant do POST 9-11. How many times have you been arrested or thrown into Guantanamo.
Dolt.

I'll await your answer on that one. As I'm STILL awaiting your answer to whether or not the Moveon attack on General Petraeus was over the line.
You would think that THAT would at least be an easy one for you to answer. I know your a big fan of 'moveon.org'. (Hey so is Osama!)
Just be 'honest'. Let me know if you need a definition on that Mr. panties.

counsty::
"""You're a fucking sheep Steve, who will bleat gladly to the slaughter of his own liberty because the music from the "kill 'em all" right is so pretty to you, you're hypnotized into celebrating the destruction of The Constitution and the principals on which this country was founded.""

Moveon.org AND npr crap. regurgitated by those who don't know how to think for themselves. Which you'll take in, wait till you have lunch with robo, where he will violently throw his head back so you can THROW up in HIS mouth, all the worthless, meaningless, thoughtless caca that has been fed to YOU.
You've lost no liberty. It is the fight for liberty and to preserve Liberty that you and other leftist are so eager to attack. To throw in the towel and settle for appeasement to those who wont be appeased until they've conquered and killed both you and your family.
You and other leftists are just spoiled, pampered, selfish, elititst, nancy's.. that have no idea of what the constitution even stands for much less Liberty or 'principals'.
Don't try and act smart countsy. I have no respect for that. And even LESS for truly smart people that opt, for sake of pragmatism-to 'fit in' with the crowd, in an effort to be included.

That said...."kill em all" IS indeed a good album. Gotta go back to the roots baby!

countsy::
"""Surrender to the enemies of America? Never. Not to those foreign or domestic."""

Now, Now countsy. You and other thin skinned poo-sasies, in the face of any evil, are all to willing to raise the white flag of surrender, stick your heads in the sand, raise your pampered spoiled assy's high in the air, and murmer...."be gentle".

Because as we all know, leftist due to a broken moral compass, have never...NEVER met an evil that they are not willing to either run away from or coddle up to.

Its your way. Its what you are. Its WHO you are.
Its your core.

And basically, to those in this country who DO love their country and know what needs to be done to carry on, in order to protect the liberty and freedoms that are loved and cherished,...
You?
You're dead weight.