Veterans' Scholarship Bill: Democrat Demagoguery

Barack Obama and others have been demagoguing the opposition of Sen. John McCain and the White House on the veterans' college scholarship bill for the past several days.

Either Sen. Obama is purposely distorting their positions or is greatly misinformed. Obama said in Puerto Rico on Saturday, "Now, let me be clear: No one can dispute John McCain's love for this country or his concern for veterans. But here's what I don't understand. I don't understand why John McCain would side with George Bush and oppose our plan to make college more affordable for our veterans."

The truth of the matter is the Arizona senator opposes the scholarship measure, as does the Pentagon, because it applies to people who serve just three years. McCain fears that would encourage people to leave the military after only one enlistment even as the U.S. fights two wars and is trying to increase the size of the Army and Marine Corps.

Instead, McCain and Republican colleagues proposed a bill to increase benefits in conjunction with a veteran's length of service. Senate Democrats blocked that measure.

While I am not a big fan of Sen. McCain, but it is dishonest for anyone to accuse McCain of being anti-veteran due to his opposition of this bill. I thoroughly agree with this position.

McCain said it best with a sharp statement saying that he wouldn't listen to any lectures on veterans' affairs from Obama, "who did not feel it was his responsibility to serve our country in uniform."

Forget about politics...

...G-FEST XV is the only convention you need. For more info, go to G-FAN.

August Ragone at G-FEST XV

Daikaiju Enterprises is pleased to announce that August Ragone, author of a new book on Japanese special effects pioneer Eiji Tsuburaya, has agreed to be a part of G-FEST XV. Eiji Tsuburaya was the creator of Godzilla, Ultraman and a multitude of Japanese sci-fi characters. Mr. Ragone, a noted expert on Japanese fantasy films and television, will be participating in several panels and presentations at G-FEST. Also, he will be available for signings of his book, Eiji Tsuburaya: Master of Monsters, at the Clawmark Toys booth during the convention.


G-FEST XV will be held July 4-6, 2008 at the Crowne Plaza O'Hare International in Rosemont, Illinois.


Weekend admission tickets are $29.00 for adults, $10 for youth (12 and under). Daily admission (at the door) is $20.00 for adults, $5.00 for youths. Children 5 and under are admitted FREE.

For more information, log onto www.g-fan.com.

G-TOUR 2004

Above, Kinkaku-ji Golden Pavilion.

In August 2004, G-FAN publisher and editor J. D. Lees led 60 Godzilla fans to Japan on an eleven-day tour of Japan to celebrate Godzilla's 50th Anniversary.

G-TOUR took nearly three years to plan and to obtain bids from several travel/tour companies. Ultimately, Sita World Travel of Encino, California was chosen to put together G-TOUR.

I assisted J. D. Lees in the planning (after all, two heads are better than one).

G-TOUR departed on July 31, 2004 from the Tom Bradley International Terminal at Los Angeles International Airport. The eleven-hour flight was aboard a Singapore Airlines 747 which had individual video screens. Their service and meals were top-notch. We were joined by Pete Sohi of Sita and he made sure that the tour went off without a hitch.

We arrived at the New Tokyo International Airport at dusk and after going through Immigration, Customs and currency exchange, we were bused into Tokyo. As we entered Tokyo, fireworks were seen in the darkened skies. We stayed at the Shiba Park Hotel near Tokyo Tower.

The stay in Tokyo included Tokyo Tower, Aqua City, Ginza, Imperial Palace, Asakusa and a bus trip to Koriyama, the hometown of Eiji Tsuburaya, the father of Japanese special effects. The Koriyama City Museum had the "Since Godzilla" exhibit which included monster suits, the Oxygen Destroyer, Mothra egg, posters and other items from the first 50 years of Godzilla.

We also held a dinner get-together at T.G.I. Friday's in Roppongi, Tokyo and it was there that Godzilla vs. Hedorah director Yoshimitsu Banno announced his Godzilla 3D To The Max project.

We departed Tokyo and headed to the Hakone and Mt. Fuji region by bus. Sites visited included Mt. Fuji, Great Buddha of Kamakura and a fireworks show at Lake Kawaguchi. We also took a boat ride on Lake Ashii.

From there, we headed to Atami City and took the Shinkansen (bullet train) to Kyoto. In Kyoto, we visited Nijo Castle, Kinkaku-ji Golden Pavilion, Kyomizu Temple and other sites of Japanese history.


Above, the Atomic Dome in Hiroshima.

From Kyoto, we took a day-trip on the Shinkansen to Hiroshima, where the first atomic bomb was dropped. We visited Miyajima Island as well as Peace Memorial Park and Museum.


Above, the Torii Gate at Miyajima.

While in Kyoto, we were visited by the Stuart Galbraiths and Robert Scott Field.



Above, G-TOUR at Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima.

We also took another day-trip (by bus) to Osaka Castle, the location of the final battle between Godzilla and Anguirus in Godzilla Raids Again.

Several members of G-TOUR also visited the Toei Studio Amusement Park.

The last day of G-TOUR began early as we had an eight o'clock flight from Osaka to Narita on an All Nippon Airways 747. Some of us took a train into Tokyo for the all-day layover before our departure to Los Angeles that evening.

Many have asked if there will be a G-TOUR II. At present, there are no plans but we haven't ruled out another organized tour. The official G-FAN website has a link to a splendid photo slideshow of G-TOUR. Feel free to take at look at http://www.g-fan.com.

If there is another G-TOUR, do yourself a favor and sign up!

Spineless Republicans

There was a time where the GOP had backbone with leaders in the mold of Ronald Reagan and John Wayne. Not anymore.

When President Bush spoke before the Israeli legislature yesterday about the dangers of appeasement, the Democrats screamed (and are still screaming) bloody murder.

The cry has been that it's "terrible" that Bush should make "a political attack on foreign soil." This has been echoed by many Democrats practically verbatim. Their media toadys have been amplifying this all over the place. But where's the rebuttals defending Bush by the Republican leadership and office-holders? There's been none! (Notice that the Democrats didn't deny that they engage in appeasement?)

The only voices defending Bush's speech have been on talk-radio by Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh, Michael Medved and others. But the Republican leadership has been AWOL on this.

The reason is simple, they are nothing but spineless political hacks and wusses whose only interest is to try to "get along" with the liberals in Congress and the media.

Do you wonder why we lost three recent special elections? The leadership has failed to stand up for the party's principles. They are completely useless.

It is high time that these Republican "leaders" grow some backbones or they will deserve to be defeated this November.

California's top court legalizes gay marriage

California's Supreme Court legalized gay marriage in a 4-3 decision today. California voters had previously voted to define marriage as a union between a man and a woman. This ruling overturns that law.

California voters have three choices: they can put a constitutional amendment on the November ballot banning gay marriage; they can vote out of office the justices who voted to allow gay marriage (if any are on the ballot for reconfirmation); or they can recall those justices (as California Chief Justice Rose Elizabeth Bird was recalled by the voters several years ago).

This is also a great opportunity for GOP candidates to point out just what kind of judges an Obama Administration would be appointing and confirmed by a liberal Democrat Congress.

The differences couldn't be more glaring.

Obama accuses Bush of a "false political attack"

Speaking before the Israeli Knesset on the 60th anniversary of the founding of the state of Israel, Bush said anyone who thinks that talking with terrorists will change their hearts and minds are under a “foolish delusion.”

“Some seem to believe we should negotiate with terrorists and radicals, as if some ingenious argument will persuade them they have been wrong all along. We have heard this foolish delusion before. As Nazi tanks crossed into Poland in 1939, an American senator declared: ‘Lord, if only I could have talked to Hitler, all of this might have been avoided.’ We have an obligation to call this what it is — the false comfort of appeasement, which has been repeatedly discredited by history,” President Bush said.

While President Bush did not mention Obama or anyone else by name, “aggressive personal diplomacy” with Iran is policy position proposed by Obama to get that country’s support for insurgency in Iraq and its nuclear programs to end.

Obama accused Bush of a “false political attack” and said the president’s foreign policy has failed to secure the U.S. or Israel.

The White House denied that Obama was the target in Bush's remarks. “I understand when you are running for office sometimes you think the world revolves around you. That is not always true and it is not true in this case. The president is president regardless of an election cycle and he is going to be president of the United States through January 20, 2009,” White House Press Secretary Dana Perino said.


Meanwhile, Democrat losers such as Tom Daschle and John Kerry complained about President Bush's remarks.

Bush was only telling the truth that appeasement throughout history has never worked and only led to tragic consequences. Liberals from British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain to former President Jimmy Carter, noted appeasers, come immediately to mind.

The more the truth is told about the Democrat appeasers, the louder they whine.

The GOP Is In Trouble

In a House special election yesterday, Prentiss County Chancery Clerk Travis Childers beat out Republican candidate Greg Davis, the mayor of Southaven, by a 54%-46% margin. This distict follows two previous House losses in Illinois and Louisiana in supposedly safe GOP districts.

Last night's loss was to a conservative Democrat who out-flanked Davis on the right.

This should be a wake-up call to the GOP that they need to get back to their conservative principles and run against the local candidate, not Barack Obama. It has been said that "all politics are local."

The GOP leadership has not been out front with conservative programs and principles. Unless they turn this around, more losses can be expected in November.

G-FEST XV News Release

North American Godzilla fans will be gathering July 4-6, 2008 at the Crowne Plaza O'Hare International in Rosemont, IL for G-FEST XV. The special guests for G-FEST XV are Haruo Nakajima, who portrayed Godzilla from 1954 to 1972 and actor Don Frye from Godzilla Final Wars. Other featured guest is actor Robert Scott Field of Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah (1991).


G-FEST XV will be screening Godzilla vs. Biollante (1989) and Godzilla x Mechagodzilla (2002). As G-FEST falls on Independence Day weekend, a mini film festival will be held on Thursday, July 3 featuring Destroy All Monsters, Attack of the Mushroom People, Godzilla vs. Gigan and Orochi, The Eight-Headed Dragon. All movies will be screened at the Pickwick Theater in Park Ridge. Godzilla vs. Biollante is an exclusive screening for registered G-FEST attendees.


G-FEST XV will also have a giant dealers room, model instruction, video room, Godzilla video game tournaments, Godzilla Jeopardy, costume parade & contest, art contest, video contests and more. A feature-length documentary, Monsterland, will be filming at G-FEST by German filmmaker Jorg Buttgerheit.


Weekend admission tickets are $29.00 for adults, $10 for youth (12 and under). Daily admission (at the door) is $20.00 for adults, $5.00 for youths. Children 5 and under are admitted FREE. For more information, log onto www.g-fan.com.

Mike Feuer's "Global Warming" Tax Scam

The wackos in Sacramento are at it again. There is an Assembly Bill (A.B. 2558) introduced by Assemblyman Michael Feuer to add a tax on Southern California motorists allegedly to fund anti-Global Warming programs.

The Orange County Register has it correctly pegged:

To fight global warming, a bill in Sacramento would enable Los Angeles County transit officials to increase taxes on motorists. It’s a bad idea that may foreshadow even worse to come.

Read more...
Billed as a “climate change mitigation and adaptation fee,” the measure would cost motorists either an additional 3 percent motor fuel tax, or up to a $90 annual flat fee, based on vehicle emissions. The new charges would be on top of taxes already paid at the pump. Either option requires a majority approval by a vote of the people.

“At this point the people of the Los Angeles region have just had it when it comes to traffic and air quality,” claimed Assemblyman Mike Feuer, a Los Angeles Democrat and author of Assembly Bill 2558.

We concur about the traffic mess, but with little else Mr. Feuer claims in seeking to overtax motorists. The assemblyman’s sleight of hand conflates two issues, the real problem of congested traffic and the contrived emergency of so-called global warming.

Congested traffic is easily verifiable. If it went away tomorrow, politicians would be unable to persuade voters to tax themselves to fix it.

Global warming at best amounts to less than a degree of temperature increase during the past century. If the recent several-year cooling trend is an indication, global warming may be going away. But because the only “proof” of long-term catastrophic consequences lies in contrived computer models, politicians like Mr. Feuer can insist even as temperatures decline that doomsday still lies ahead unless people tax themselves to fix the problem.

Los Angeles County motorists should ask Mr. Feuer what global temperature would persuade him that a new tax is unneeded. Global warming, now conveniently rechristened “climate change,” is perfect for demagoguery. Those advancing the cause won’t explain how they will know we have won the global warming fight, let alone what the ideal temperature is supposed to be.

Climate has changed as long as the Earth has spun on its axis. It’s been considerably warmer in recent centuries than today, and during those periods humanity simply adapted, indeed, flourished with fewer cold-weather deaths and more abundant crops.

But facts don’t deter schemes like Mr. Feuer’s to raise $400 million in additional taxes to pay for already funded transit projects. The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority would have to place the issue on the ballot if AB2558 becomes law, and probably would do so because the agency would reap the bounty.

We hope, however, that motorists see the ploy for what it is and reject the additional tax. If not, it’s a good bet this scare tactic will be repeated throughout the state.

If there is "Global Warming," it has not been proven that it is caused by man. Take a look at Mars's polar icecaps lately? They have also shrunk and scientists have noted that the sun has been shining brighter recently. Gee, maybe we should tax sunlight? That's as looney as Feuer's proposed law.

If this nutty proposal manages to get on the ballot, voters should resoundingly vote it down!

Hawthorne!

Sights in and around Hawthorne High (the high school of The Beach Boys and me):



Most of these theaters I used to go to. Many are gone now:



History of Hawthorne, CA:



The Beach Boys' "Surfin' Safari" from 1962:



Thanks to Jerry Miles!

Kelsey Smith, A Year Later

Photos by
Tim Galyean

Today, Overland Park, Kansas is calm, with its people going about their normal tasks. The air is springtime warm with laughter of children in parks and sporting events of all kinds taking place.

But one year ago next month, the mood was tense with worry and a frantic search was beginning.

On June 2, 2007, a girl, who was “scrubbed in sunshine,” was taken by a dark cloud of evil. Over 200 hundred volunteers, law enforcement personnel, friends, and family members began a search for Kelsey Smith. Total strangers heard the call and rushed to assist. Their mission was to find Kelsey and return her home safely to the warm embrace of her family and friends. They called themselves "Kelsey's Army."

Searchers went door-to-door, to the fields and anywhere to find Kelsey. When a family member wavered in hope, another stepped in to buck them up.

Each day, in those four nightmarish days, new clues were found that would pinpoint what happened to Kelsey, who did it and where she could be found.

Then, on June 6, Kelsey was found. A suspect was apprehended.

For days after, people from all walks of life came together to share in the sorrow of her loss. Many people from across the country, and some from other countries, shared in grief with the Smith Family. This case resonated especially with people who are parents of daughters, as I am.

It would have been easy (and understandable) for the Smith Family to withdraw in solitude with their sorrows. What happened to Kelsey is a parent's worst nightmare. But the Smith Family, although a normal American family, didn't do that. Instead they pulled themselves together and decided that this evil must be fought. They formed the Kelsey Smith Foundation [Kelsey's Army] to see to it that young women would be trained and have the tools to prevent similar occurrences.

They are an inspiration to the rest of us. They've showed the nation and the world just what kind of mettle they're made of.

In the year since Kelsey's murder, the Kelsey Smith Foundation has provided grief counseling, Safety Awareness Seminars, spoke before different groups, provided brochures and safety whistles, all free of charge. The Foundation has consulted with three families on three different missing person cases in the Kansas City area. All three persons were found, unharmed, and returned safely home. In one instance, Missey Smith was instrumental in bringing the person home.

The Smiths, though the Kelsey Smith Foundation, have shown each of us that an evil act can be the spark that could turn evil into good. We owe them our deepest gratitude. That is why I nominated them March 27 for a “Making A Difference” profile on NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams. (If you agree, please contact NBC to second the nomination at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10397946/.)

Kelsey Smith planned to be a veterinarian. In her short life, she contributed to her community. A dedicated person, she once made a two-hour drive to be in a charity run when the one at her school was canceled. Her potential for doing more was evident to all who knew her, and to those who never met her but read about what kind of person she was. She was a girl who would make any parent proud.

Although she is gone physically, Kelsey’s spirit lives on and she continues to be a force for positive change. I am certain that she is looking down and is proud at what she sees. Her legacy continues.

Saturday, May 3rd would have been Kelsey’s 19th birthday. It is more appropriate to remember her on her birthday rather than on the day of her death so thanks can be given for the day of her birth and for what she contributed in the days that she had.

When in Los Angeles...

The plaque commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Americanized Godzilla, King of the Monsters was dedicated in March 2006 at the former location of Visual Drama, Inc., the small studio where Raymond Burr's insert scenes were filmed by director Terry Morse.

I paid a visit to the location, now the Frank del Olmo Elementary School and took these photos. The plaque is located at the school's entrance at 100 N. New Hampshire Ave. (near First Street and Vermont Ave.), Los Angeles.



The plaque was sponsored by the Godzilla Society of North America and Platrix Chapter No. 2, E Clampus Vitus.

If you happen to be in Los Angeles, make sure to go see the Godzilla plaque.

Walpurgis Night is Tonight

From Wikipedia:

The festival is named after Saint Walpurga, born in Wessex in 710. She was a niece of Saint Boniface and, according to legend, a daughter of the Saxon prince St. Richard. Together with her brothers she travelled to Franconia, Germany, where she became a nun and lived in the convent of Heidenheim, which was founded by her brother Willibald. Walpurga died on 25 February 779. She is therefore listed in the Roman Martyrology under 25 February. Her relics were transferred on 1 May, and that day carries her name in, for example, the Finnish and Swedish calendar.

Historically the Walpurgisnacht is derived from Pagan spring customs. In the Norse tradition, Walpurgisnacht is considered the "Enclosure of the Fallen". It commemorates the time when Odin died to retrieve the knowledge of the runes, and the night is said to be a time of weakness between the living and the dead. Bonfires were built to keep away the dead and chaotic spirits that were said to walk among the living then. This is followed by the return of light and the sun as celebrated during May Day. Due to Walpurga's holy day falling on the same day, her name became associated with the celebrations. Early Christianity had a policy of 'Christianising' pagan festivals so it is no accident that St. Walpurga's day was set to May 1st. Walpurga was honored in the same way that Vikings had celebrated spring and as they spread throughout Europe, the two dates became mixed together and created the Walpurgis Night celebration.

In the 1931 Dracula with Bela Lugosi, a Transylvanian villager states that the night Renfield is heading to Castle Dracula is Walpurgis Night.

Speaking of Lugosi, the "Night on Bald Mountain" portion of 1940's Fantasia takes place on Walpurgis Night (not Halloween, as mistakenly thought). Lugosi performed the body movements for the Disney animators as the demon.

The Economy Woes: Democrats' Fault

The current economic downturn (recession, if you prefer) will not end any time soon. The mortgage crisis still has not hit bottom. Foreclosures are still mounting. More people are filing bankruptsy and the claims for unemployment have been steadily rising. This was caused by greedy lenders in the sub-prime market making loans to people who had no business taking out loans in the first place.

But the main factor for this economic mess can be placed on the laps of Democrats.

Oil prices are continuing to reach record levels. The problem there is being caused by oil speculators, rising demands from India and China, artificially low output and inadequate refining. The last new oil refinery was opened in the U.S. in 1976, which was 32 years ago when Gerald Ford was president. Thanks to liberal Democrats and their environmental wacko allies, new refinery construction has been blocked. Much of the problem is also being caused by the weakness of the dollar (a direct result of the credit crunch).

Liberal Democrats and environmental wackos are preventing new oil exploration in the United States. There's plenty of oil, but they are not allowing the exploration or drilling for these oil sources. Some industry analysts have said that gasoline prices may even reach ten dollars per gallon ($10.00/gallon).

These problems are being caused by liberals and environmentalists, yet they demonize the oil producers. It has been proposed to put federal gasoline taxes (18%) on a "holiday" during the summer driving months. This proposal is supported by Senators McCain and Clinton. Obama opposes it. Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) says that the oil companies should "pay for it [the tax holiday]." There is no way that oil companies will pay for it. Three trillion dollars are taken from the taxpayers by the federal government. They also are blocking proposals for a national energy policy.

Nuclear power is another solution that has also been killed by these groups.

If you think things are bad now, just wait and see what happens if Democrats take the White House and increase their majorities in Congress this November.

A Man's Home Is His Castle: Apparently Not In California

From Bartleby.com:

People enjoy the position of rulers in their own homes, and others have no right to enter without the householder’s permission.

‡ The legal doctrine “A man’s home is his castle” is reflected in the Bill of Rights: “The right of the people to be secure in their … houses … against unreasonable searches and seizures shall not be violated.”

If California Democrat State Senator Alex Padilla has his way, this doctrine will fall by the wayside. According to the Associated Press, "California apartment complexes could be declared smoke-free zones under legislation that's scheduled to be considered this week by a state Senate committee.

Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Los Angeles) says his bill would ensure that owners of rental housing have the option to ban smoking.

"The way the law is (currently) written..., it's not explicit for landlords to declare smoke-free housing units without being sued," he said. "We're trying to make the law a little more clear, a little more explicit."

The bill, scheduled to be heard Tuesday by the Senate Judiciary Committee, would allow landlords to ban smoking on all or a portion of their property, including in any building on the site.

Tenants could continue to smoke inside their homes until their pre-smoking ban rental agreements expired. A violation would be considered a breach of the agreement and could lead to eviction."

Obviously, this legislation would, if enacted, affect the poorest renters the most. "It could result in month-to-month renters, many of whom are poor, having as little as 60 days to quit smoking or find new places to live," said Cindi Alvidrez, a legislative assistant with the Western Center on Law and Poverty, which lobbies on behalf of the poor.

The bill also relies on disputed data on the effect of second-hand smoke on non-smokers.

When a person rents an apartment or house, that is his castle. He or she has every right to indulge in a lawful activity. Smoking is a legal activity and the sale of tobacco products is also lawful.

It appears that the Democrat-controlled California legislature feels otherwise. Nanny government rears its ugly head once again.
*******
Side note: Is $10.00/gallon of gas coming? Check this article out: $10/gallon coming?

Astro Boy Through The Years

Japanese 1960s



U.S. 1960s



1982 English



2003 Japanese



2003 English

50th Anniversary Superman Reunion

Back in early 2001, a drive was underway to collect contributions to put an ad in Variety commemorating the 50th annniversary of the Adventures of Superman television show starring George Reeves. (The ad ultimately appeared in The Hollywood Reporter).

The year prior, I organized "Godzilla Week" through the offices of Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich to help advertise G-FEST 2000 (that was to be held that summer in Hollywood) and the first theatrical release in the U.S. of a Japanese Godzilla movie, Godzilla 2000, since Godzilla 1985.

I contacted Jim Nolt, who was the editor and publisher of the Superman fanzine, "The Adventures Continue," to see if it would be a good idea to arrange for a 50th Anniversary event in L.A. He liked the idea and went to work on contacting the surviving stars of the show. I contacted Supervisor Antonovich's office and they agreed to sponsor it. We decided to have Los Angeles County declare July 10-16, 2001"Superman Week" in Los Angeles County. July 10 was the first day of shooting of the theatrical feature (that served as the pilot for the show) Superman and the Mole Men. It was also a nod to an episode of the show, "Superman Week."

Lou Koza put us in touch with Mrs. Jerome Siegel, the widow of Superman creator Jerry Siegel and we invited her to attend. We also reached Paul Levitz, then vice-president of DC Comics. He also agreed to attend.

Superman historian Chuck Harter provided some photographs for use in publicizing the event.

A reporter with the Daily News came over the day before the ceremony to shoot some photos of my collection and get background information on the event.

On July 10, 2001, fans gathered at the Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration in downtown Los Angeles for the ceremony. Also attending were Jack Larson (Jimmy Olsen), Noel Neill (Lois Lane), Jeff Corey (Luke Benson in the Mole Men movie), Robert Rockwell (Jor-El), Mrs. Robert Shayne (widow of Robert "Inspector Henderson" Shayne), Joanne Siegel, Paul Levitz and Walter Walbrecht (Warner Bros. VP). Also attending were Stephanie Shayne Parkin (daughter of Robert and Betty Shayne) and Laura Siegel Larson (daughter of Jerome and Joanne Siegel). A proclamaton scroll was presented to Mr. Levitz and copies were given to each of the participants.




After the ceremony ended, a luncheon was held at Cafe Pinot. (Ceremony photos courtesy of L.A. County Board of Supervisors. Luncheon photo courtesy of Jim Nolt.)



This was the biggest reunion of stars from the show since the 1950s and it was also the first time Mrs. Siegel met Noel Neill. Mrs. Siegel was the model for the Lois Lane character. The stars addressed the chambers and Jim Nolt spoke on behalf of the fans.

Unfortunately, within two years of the "Superman Week" ceremony, we lost two of the participants: Jeff Corey and Robert Rockwell. We are grateful that they both were able to participate.

Fans around the country (and one came from Australia) came to the ceremony and luncheon and now have fond memories of that day. The event was also attended by Superman historians Chuck Harter, Jim Beaver, Lou Koza and Jan Alan Henderson.

See also The Adventures Continue

The rat...and the cat!

This is the rat who has decided to take up residence in my patio...



I have two cats. One is 13, and fat and lazy. The other is a little younger but is full of energy. This is her...



Should I open the sliding door and let her out to go after the rat?

McCain Out of Touch

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Republican U.S. presidential candidate John McCain accused North Carolina's Republican Party of being "out of touch with reality" over its refusal to pull an advertisement criticizing Democrat Barack Obama.

In an NBC interview aired on Friday, the Arizona senator said he has done all he can to persuade the state party to cancel the television ad that criticizes Obama as "too extreme" because of controversial remarks made by his former pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright.

"They're not listening to me because they're out of touch with reality and the Republican Party. We are the party of Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt and Ronald Reagan and this kind of campaigning is unacceptable," McCain told NBC's "Today" Show.
###

Since when is telling the truth puts anyone "out of touch"? Sorry, Senator. You have made it your mantra that you are a "maverick" within the GOP. Now you don't like it when a state's party organization decides not to kow-tow to your demands. It is not a racist ad and nothing otherwise wrong with it.

Next, you badmouthed the Bush Administration's handling of the Katrina disaster, deservedly so. But you stood silent over the handling by the Louisiana governor and the New Orleans mayor.

If you expect conservatives to support you and respect you, you will have to earn it first. It seems to me that you need to look in a mirror to find out who is out of touch.

Haruo Nakajima at G-FEST XV

It will be nice to see the original Godzilla (1954-1972) suit-actor, Haruo Nakajima again at G-FEST XV in Chicago on Independence Day weekend. As he is now 79 years old, this will most likely be his last North American convention appearance. G-FEST is organized by G-FAN editor and publisher J. D. Lees.

I have urged J. D. for several years to have him back and award Nakajima the coveted "Mangled Skyscraper Award" for his career as Godzilla and other kaiju characters. Both requests will be honored.

I first met Nakajima at G-FEST 2000 in Los Angeles. Although he does not speak English, I still found him a warm and friendly man who enjoys mixing with fans.





In November 2001, I visited Japan for the first time to attend the Tokyo International Film Festival for the premiere of Godzilla, Mothra, King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack. Following the screening, I was able to see Nakajima out in the theater lobby. Richard Pusateri and I were able to have a photo taken with him (for some reason, some wags have dubbed the photo "Godzilla vs. The Super Mario Brothers").



Fans who have never met Nakajima are in for a real treat. He should be considered "the fourth Godfather" of Godzilla along with Ishiro Honda, Tomoyuki Tanaka and Eiji Tsuburaya. G-FEST is the perfect venue. It is a laid-back convention that is family-friendly with activities for the small-fry so that parents can participate in convention events without worry. As far as I know, no other convention is so family-friendly.

Along with Nakajima, Don Frye from Godzilla Final Wars will also be attending as a guest. Robert Scott Field will return as another celebrity guest as well as being an able translator for Nakajima's sessions. Eiji Tsuburaya: Master of Monsters author August Ragone is also expected to attend. If you have a copy of his book, this is your opportunity to have him sign it for you.

For additional information, go to www.g-fan.com. If you have no other vacation plans for this year (considering the high gas prices and air fares, you will want to get more bang for your ever-shrinking buck), you'll be doing yourself a big favor by attending G-FEST XV this summer.

Why "Rancho del Cielo"?

Rancho del Cielo means "ranch in the sky" and it was the name of Ronald Reagan's ranch up in mountains near Santa Barbara. I was a California Reagan delegate in 1976 and 1980 and an alternate delegate in 1984. The ranch is now owned and run by Young America's Foundation. The ranch house has been preserved just as it was when the Reagans owned it. The photo is from the GOP National Convention in Detroit, Michigan and was taken during Reagan's acceptance speech. I am where the arrow is pointing.

G-FAN Special Update

G-FAN Special Update No. 6
Just when I thought I covered all of the locations, I found some more while watching Ghidorah, The Three-Headed Monster a few nights ago.

Here's the list to date:

Hokkaido


Sapporo


Honshu


Sendai

Fukushima Airport

Yokohama

Tokyo: Tokyo Overview; Nat. Diet Building; Dream Island Park; Odaiba; Shinjuku; Shibuya; Ginza-Hibiya; Kachidoki Bridge; Tokyo Tower; Ueno Park.

Yokosuka (Godzilla slide)

Matsumoto

Kurobe Dam

Atami

Hakone

Mt. Fuji

Seto Ohashi Bridge

Yaizu

Nagoya

Ise-Shima National Park

Osaka

Kyoto

Hiroshima



Kyushu


Fukuoka

Mt. Aso

Nagasaki

Sasebo

Ultramanland (Kumamoto area)


Information


Typhoon Season

Shinkansen History

So You're Going To Japan?

JR Rail Pass

Japanese Money Denominations

Immigration

Tipping/Taxes

Tokyo Subways & Trains

One Year Ago...

One year ago today, I was in Tokyo, Japan winding down from a whirlwind tour of Kyushu. For several days, I visited Kumamoto, Mt. Aso Volcano National Park, Nagasaki, Sasebo and Fukuoka. The day before (April 22), I took an all-day train ride on the Shinkansen (bullet train) from Fukuoka to Tokyo.

This year, I have a bit too much free time since I was laid off last November. The economic conditions today are hurting a lot of people. My lay-off is directly linked to the mortgage crisis that started last year. I am afraid economic conditions will get more worse before they get better.

Frankly, I was better off last year than I am now. A couple of good things about being out of work is that I had the most healthy winter in memory (since I wasn't around people, I didn't catch anything) and I am not paying these outrageous gasoline prices to get to and from work.

We'll see how things go in the next few months. If you have a job, do the best you can to save more than usual. It just might come in handy if your company finds they have to downsize as mine did.

Phyllis Coates: Hometown Girl

Actress Phyllis Coates, who played Lois Lane in the first season of the Adventures of Superman (1951) starring George Reeves was recently profiled in her Wichita Falls, Texas hometown newspaper, The Times Recorder. I contributed a photo of her that I took last year.

This is the article as it appeared.

Welcome!

Welcome to a new blog focusing on travel, entertainment, current events and politics.

Discussion is encouraged, but all I ask is that you are courteous and respectful to other people and their views. This is not a debating forum. If you disagree with someone, state your reason and let it go at that. Any posts deemed crossing the line will either be edited or deleted. Go to a political forum if you absolutely have to debate somebody.

To be up-front, I am a Reagan conservative and that's the general viewpoint where I am coming from.

In general, the rules are:

1. No personal attacks, threats, harassment, or defamation of character (such as name-calling).

2. Respect for the opinions of others. Everyone is entitled to a differing opinion, so please respond in a mature manner.

3. Stay within the context of the subject as much as possible.

4. This blog is friendly to everyone, so no slander involving race, creed, ethnicity, color, sexual orientation and gender.

5. If you have a personal matter with another individual, either write them personally, or on the blog invite them to discuss the matter in private.

6. Polite society has deemed religion as off limits. This blog chooses the same philosophy.

7. These rules can be amended at the owner's discretion without notice.

The page photo at top was taken at Zion National Park in Utah. Can you spot Darth Vader's helmet on the mountain wall?