Tim Reid’s Blog

Another Disturbance in the Force

Can the GOP solve its birther problem before it’s too late?

When you consider the major atrocities in history – the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade, the Spanish Inquisition, the Holocaust, Apartheid, Rwandan genocide, etc, it took the support and paranoia of the masses to make them possible. The exploitation of false propaganda by evil men has always caused pain, death and destruction. The only cure is for just men and women to stand for truth and against all who play to our fears. If we continue with this foolishness, we are destined to enter a “new” dark age where a few maniacal men will once again control perception; this isn’t prophecy, this is history.

Passion Rules!

*This note was inspired by a Facebook connect from Italy who is dishearten by her Governments move to cut funding to the arts.

Governments all over the western world are cutting funding for the arts.

Politicians, Business Men and Religious Fanatics have been trying to undermine, control or destroy artistic expression for centuries.  They ignore the fact that a culture is defined by its art. Without art a nation is soulless.

As uninspired nations drift toward another dark age, the creative passion in the soul of every artist must rise up to face the perverted challenge from those who seek to establish this techno, digital utilitarian culture in their own image. They will fail, as they always have, leaving behind future museums filled with the remnants and artifacts of creative artist from our time. For as long as there is one among us who, driven by passion, will dance, sing, write, paint, sculpt, recite, or strut upon a stage…culture is alive and the souls of its people will be fed. PASSION RULES!!!

Where Oh Where, Is Wit?

We need a renaissance of “clever” black wit and satire. Take away the “F” word, the “N” word and the “B” word and most of today’s comics would be left with a string of senseless vowels and consonants in search of a punch line. Is it just me, or does anyone else think it’s strange that Cornel West is television’s “go-to-guy” for black political humor?

If only they would give time to my friend, Susan…see her take on Tiger Woods. http://susanfales-hill.tumblr.com/

Throwing Stones

Response to: <http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704881304576094221050061598.html?mod=djemEditorialPage_h> Wall Street Journal

Throwing Stones…The State Against Blacks…‘The welfare state has done to black Americans what slavery couldn’t do. . . . And that is to destroy the black family’

The way this economy is screwed up you would think that the Wall Street Journal would have more pressing issues to write about. But noooo…funny thing, as I look around America today, thanks to corporate welfare, white American families aren’t doing that great either.

While I agree in principle with a few of Mr. Walter Williams’ intellectual viewpoints, I wonder if there isn’t a shade of self hate in his underline thesis. There are hundreds of thousands of aging black men and women who grew up in America about the same time as Mr. Williams, however, we haven’t embraced the verbal flatulence the likes of Rush Limbaugh. Some of us have accepted our cultural faults and challenges and are working diligently within our communities to effect change.

These are indeed difficult times, however history teaches us that in times like these certain types of people emerge…naysayers, pundits and opportunists or heroes, sheroes and saints. The rest struggle day to day to avoid becoming pawns in the game.

In singing the praises of the Tea Party, Mr. Williams appears to suggest that the movement is in the best interest of Black People in this country. That is simply insane and I am more than willing to pay for his couch time.

These newfound Constitutionalists are refreshing but not much of a surprise. I believe that the Constitution, like any great document of governing rules, is only as effective as the people who are elected to administer on behalf of the people. Sadly, at this point in this nation’s history, we are governed by some of the most characterless officials to ever grasp political power. This is true regardless of race, creed or political affiliation. But as my Grandma would say, “you gits what you pay for…” As we gamble with the tenants of our Constitution, we are having a “bad run” and I pray our luck will soon change.

As for Mr. Williams’ one-sided view of race relations, I find that debating whether or not racism still exists in America in any large degree is futile and serves no purpose other than to assuage deep seeded guilt. My personal belief on the matter is simply this; racism, can and does exist only in the hearts of unjust men.

I applaud Mr. Williams’ rise from poverty to prominence. His success stands as a testament to what our founding fathers envisioned. However, our government is still a work in progress and will take all kinds, rich and poor, intellectual and laymen to work towards coming up with solutions to move this country forward.

We are all well aware of what is wrong within races of people. We see it played out on our many types of video delivery systems each and every moment of the day. Book after book tells us what went wrong and who was to blame. Yet, few books reveal any viable solution or plan. Where are the great thinkers, humorists, and inventors leading the way in this 21st Century? If we all bow down to the will of the Tea Party enthusiast and honor our the Constitution word for word; will this world be without poverty, will black and white people hold hands and love each for who we are, will the power elite use some of their wealth to solve a few problems in our cities, will politicians be more civil, and will Rush Limbaugh just shut up? No, I don’t think so. This would require more people in this nation to be stronger of character.

A brave new world awaits us and like Mr. Williams, most of us are still fighting ghosts of the past. I say, whether you hate the “player” or the “game,” the work of governing a nation requires men and women of character to create and execute sound solutions.

Rather than the constant writing and broadcasting of what’s wrong with others, maybe each individual could spend more time within their communities working on solving grassroots problems. Now that’s a welfare program I could really get behind.

Strong of Character

As I join in the celebration of Dr. King, his words still ring in my head as if I was still nearby on that great day when a quarter of a million people listened to his dream for the future. In just about every speech he gave he spoke of his dreams for his people and his country. He dreamt of the day in our nation when our children would be judged not by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.

I believe that time has come…and what is the character of our children? Is it the media driven, bling-bling obsessed…shop ‘til you drop…hip-hop, Gangsta…booty shaking…it’s all about the money…now generation?

I don’t think that’s what he had in mind.

During this week, folks all over this troubled nation will celebrate the Legacy of Dr. King. And after all the well-spoken words, the praise in song, many of us will go back to business as usual, doing everything we can to avoid the real struggle. Meanwhile, our children will continue to seek guidance from something or someone other than the elders in their communities.

Dr. King was not just a civil rights leader. Time has proven that he was also a prophet.

About this time two years ago I stood in Washington to witness what I never thought I would see in my lifetime. Standing on the Mall during the inauguration ceremony I looked back toward the Lincoln Monument and thought of Dr. King.

I turned back to the swearing-in ceremony and realized that his dream had come true. We had elected a man not for the color of his skin, but for the content of his character.

We are now in the era where the world will survive or fail based on our character.

Psychologist, James Hillman, in the book, “The Force of Character” asks the question: “What is character, and how does it force us into the patterns we live?” “Character forms your habits, your friendships, your fears, the level of your ambition, and your faults. Character affects your loves and your children.” “Character,” he says, “is fate.”

If Character determines fate, and the media defines reality…we’ve got our work cut out for us, folks.

Our young people need intervention. If they are to become good citizens, leaders in the 21^st Century, and survivors of the financial mess we created…they need to be…no, must be, Strong of Character.

So Much Things To Say

Before the bodies of the victims’ in this national tragedy are interred; before the serious wounds of the survivors have begun to heal; the usual suspects sharpen their wicked tongues to spew more heated rhetoric. Blinded to their addiction, these opinionated delusionary pundits ride the waves of reflection to advance their twisted purpose. They worship at the feet of chaos and cloud the mist of sanity with their foul thoughts.

The verbal soundtrack laid over this current ordeal is beyond the pale. As I turned away from this constant verbiage to seek solace in music, I came across this tune from one of this world’s great prophets, Bob Marley.

I remembered that day in Santa Barbara, California when I stood among hundreds of others absorbing the power of his music, sung with a passion that electrified us all. I have often wondered what would the world be like if he had lived to continue to warn us of the consequences of not thinking for ourselves. While we sit confused, frightened and uninvolved, the usual suspects have…”So Much Things To Say.”

About the Death of Birds

I’ve noticed the many theories and comments about the recently reporting of the “Death of Birds in Arkansas.” After a brief turn of meditation, the following thoughts came to mind:

Don’t worry about the death of birds or dying fish from our seas. We humans neither have the will or knowledge to alter their course. Instead we should turn our immediate attention to ourselves. We should be alarmed by the loss of character and strength within our souls. We should take notice of our insatiable appetite for vulgar portraits of ourselves that have transitioned from TV reality to lifestyle choices. As we shout slogans and proclaim the motives of our self-interest, we teeter on the tipping point of the possible demise of another civilization.  Prophets, heroes and saints have foretold of times such as these, but we refuse to heed the lesson. Yet, I believe that there is still time and within each of us rests the will to alter the course and dodge the fire.

Facebookaholic

I am Tim Reid, and I have become a “Facebookaholic.”

It started a month ago. My daughter punched a few keys and then served up the profile page and I took the first sip, I mean step. I steadied my nerves and went to the privacy settings. It was time to determine the proof of my daily dose. Too much and I would be in too deep, too quickly. 50% was a safe volume that I thought I could handle and maintain self-control.

This presents a problem. I am a very private and conspiratorial person. I’ve never used an ATM, I keep my credit cards and passport in RFID blocking sleeves. I mainly use my cell phone for listening and never give my info to sales clerks. Yet, like all the addicts before me, I am being asked to make the most personal details about myself available for all to see. My dealer, I mean daughter, encourages me to move on. She eases my nerves by telling me to give only what I don’t mind sharing. Besides, she says, “most of what anyone wants to know about you is already on the Internet and just a Google click away.” This makes me nauseous, but I fight through it and move on.

Next, I had to determine my appearance, what people would think of me day-to-day. My confidence grows as I decide what to show of myself through this new habit. I check other profiles and become a bit confused. Should I use a cartoon figure, a strange symbol, or an ego-gratifying close up? I’ve come this far, so lets go with the ego pic.

I upload a few more pics and I realize that I am in way over my head. Post this profile and I am hooked. With a trembling hand, I punch the enter key. It’s done; I’ve gone public with my addiction.

Within minutes I have my first friend. The news goes down smoothly and gives me a sense of calm. I am not alone. Another friend, then another and I become light headed with the joy of acceptance.

My dealer, uh daughter, suggests that I search for a few acquaintances and see if they will accept me as a friend. That’s when the main risk of my new addiction makes itself known. “What if I ask and they turn me down? The addiction is more dangerous than I expected. This thing could affect my self-confidence. This is serious. What if someone who I thought was a real friend in our analog world refuses to be my digital friend? What would that mean?

I suck it up and enter a few familiar names in the search block, and I wait. Ten minutes go by and I am beginning to come down from my computer induced high. Then suddenly a little blue globe up at the top, on the left side turns red, showing the number “3.”

Could it be, am I accepted? Yes, yes, I have friends!!! Charles, Tom and Aisha! They accept me!

Now every day since, I delight in logging on for my daily fix. Keena likes her new shoes. Frankie is cold in Boston. Emmitt is cooking ribs. Tori likes Jimi Hendricks, constantly. Arnold is an unusual man who should be on medication. I have friends in Italy, Brazil, England, Cape Verde and other places I have traveled. I have friends I don’t even know. Which is a bit strange, but who cares, I am a Facebookaholic! To hell with Susan! I didn’t want her as a Facebook friend anyway! She stays analog.

“Objects can be your allies, but they do not contain any type of wisdom. First practice devotion and discipline, and everything else will come to you later.” Coelho

First-Run Movies at Home? Sure, For $20,000

Let me get this straight…

They don’t want to pay taxes.  They don’t want the government regulating Wall Street. They don’t want to fly commercial. They don’t want government mandated health care.  They don’t want their kids in public schools. They don’t want illegal aliens to clean their homes and care for their brat children. They don’t want to pay retail…etc., etc., etc. However, they do want to sit in their bunkers, live-forever and watch $20,000 first-run movies?

The believers of the world better hope Jesus doesn’t come any time soon, because he’s really gonna be pissed.

See: (http://gizmodo.com/5709123/first+run-movies-at-home-sure-for-20000)

The Fight for Internet Freedom

December 3, 2010

Chairman Julius Genachowski
Federal Communications Commission
445 Twelfth Street, SW
Washington, DC 20554

Re: Preserving the Open Internet, GN Docket No. 09-191

Dear Chairman Genachowski:

My name is Tim Reid and for the past 40 years I have been fortunate to have successful work as an actor, producer and director on TV and in films. I have starred in such TV programs as “WKRP in Cincinnati,” “The Richard Pryor Show,” “Simon & Simon,” “Frank’s Place,” “Snoops,” “Save Our Streets,” “Sister, Sister,” and “That’s 70’s Show.”

In 1997, I took a giant step and brought together investors to build my own film and television studio. As Founder and President of New Millennium Studios in Petersburg, Virginia, I’ve attempted to create a diverse and independent platform in the business of independent content creation. I specifically chose the working-class community of Petersburg because of its demographics and opportunities for enrichment.

While I have had a measure of success working both within and without the studio system, I can testify that it hasn’t been easy. Like many African American artists, I have been able to overcome many barriers throughout my career despite the historic lack of diversity in front of or behind the camera. Like other small business owners, I saw the Internet as an opportunity to measurably level the playing field.

I am writing to urge you and your fellow commissioners to protect an open Internet by passing strong Network Neutrality rules. The opportunities inherent in fair and open access must be protected, and I urge the Commission to pass strong Network Neutrality rules that would prevent the phone and cable companies from creating a pay-for-play system on the Web.

Like President Obama, I am also a big believer in Network Neutrality. The Internet has grown and prospered because it has been open and available to individuals who, through their creative freedom and passion, have been able to build and create new businesses.

Financial barriers to entry that would result from a tiered system would prevent artists from creating their own businesses online. And those who would be able to launch businesses would have great difficulty competing alongside larger companies that could pay to have their content prioritized.

Creating toll roads on the Internet will result in the very same barriers that too many African Americans artists have been unable to overcome in radio, TV and Cable, and in the process will destroy the opportunities for the next generation of creators.

Sincerely,

Tim Reid
cc: FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn

FCC Commissioner Michael Copps