Every so often over the years I would stumble on something about Cuba and the US embargo. Yeah, we let in food and medicine (the food because of the U.S. farmers' lobbyists efforts) but otherwise it was more than half a century since we had really talked.

At one time a couple of years ago I applied for a visa to Cuba as a journalist but gave up after a year of dueling the snobbish State Department.

So the recent move by President Obama to establish diplomatic relations with Cuba seemed like an upward ticket. After all, the embargo was set up originally because the Cubans defeated the U.S. planned and backed invasion of Cuba. Beat us and pay, seemed to be the format. Of course there was the Cuban Missile Crisis when the Soviets tried to place missiles in Cuban bases, but that frittered away.

So now we're talking with Raul Castro, president since Fidel's health waned, we'll set up an Embassy in Havana and Cuba will set one up in Washington. Lifting the embargo will probably take years as the right-wing politicians see if as a dastardly move, recognizing a communist country, not that we don't like communist China.

The humanitarians aspects of it all are ignored by such as Ted Cruz and other GOP favorites, as well as some Cuban Americans in Miami. But families will be able to communicate, American businesses such as GM and Ford will be able to supply parts and new cars to Cubans' aging American cars there.

So things are looking good and I think I may just apply for a visa from Cuba and ignore our State Department. Sure would like to try a martini at Hemingway's favorite bar.

The GOP crazies are up in vocal arms little realizing that they best way to free Cuba from its present yoke is by letting Cubans read via an open internet what the rest of the world is doing and enjoying. Freedom of information is the best way to take down a bad government.

The conservatives seem to think anything new is bad. They suffer from closed minds, the best way not to understand changes.

The Grand Jury system outmoded by social media

by Sam Bauman

The grand jury system, much in the news of late, has  become rendered biased now by the flow of comments of social media. The grand jury court is used on in the United States these days and holds to the formula of 12 to 24 random citizens sitting in privacy to weight indictments brought to it usually by a prosecuting attorney.

Unlike a regular trial jury of 12, where the members of the panel appear in open court, grand juries convene in secrecy and listen to presentations by legal authorities. The members are not sequestered and are able to view all information about the indictment they may or may not return. Since all is done behind closed doors, there is plenty of room for prosecutors to strongly influence the panels.

With social media presenting political and legal views from all sides, the grand jury panel is open to influence from the social media --- Youtube and so forth. 

This is not possible in regular jury trials as jurors are ordered not to read about the trial they are involved  in.

So clearly, the Internet and all the social media systems can influence grand jurors. Even daily newspapers can bend a grand jury's decisions as well as TV and radio.

Clearly, since only the United States retains the grand jury system, it's time to abolish it and let prosecutors such as attorneys general make the decision along with judges about indictments.

Clearly, large numbers of Americasns are not satisfied with some recent grand jury decisions in New York and Ferguson. Too late to do anything about those grand juries now, but it clearly is time to turn the indictment process back to the legal professionals.

movi infants f paradise

movie review "Children of Paradise"

Classic French film "Children of Paradise" from 1945

by sam

This classic French movie was  made during the German occupation of Paris 1944-45 and stars actress Arletty as Garance, an actress and lovely lady. Jean-Louis Barrault is the actor Baptiste and a mime who loves her, along with three other members of the cast, none of whom are familiar to today's viewers.

This is in two parts from Pathe, available from Netflix. 

Plot is complex but easy to follow and Barrault's performance as a mime is worth the time spent with the movie.

It's a superb film, made in trying conditions and in black and white. It's worth your time and is complete with English subtitles.

Cast

• Arletty as Claire "Garance" Reine
• Jean-Louis Barrault as Baptiste Deburau
• Pierre Brasseur as Frédérick Lemaître
• Marcel Herrand as Pierre-François Lacenaire
• Pierre Renoir as Jéricho
• María Casares as Nathalie (credited as María Casarès)
• Louis Salou as Comte Édouard de Montray
• Gaston Modot as Fil de Soie
• Fabien Loris as Avril
• Marcel Pérès as Director of the Funambules
• Pierre Palau as Stage manager of the Funambules
• Etienne Decroux as Anselme Debureau (credited as Étienne Decroux)
• Jane Marken as Mme. Hermine (credited as Jeanne Marken)
• Marcelle Monthil as Marie
• Louis Florencie as Policeman
• Habib Benglia as Turkish Bath Attendant
• Raymond Rognoni as Director, 'Grand Theatre'
• Jacques Castelot as George
• Paul Frankeur as Police Inspector
• Albert Rémy as Scarpia Barrigni
• Robert Dhéry as Celestin
• Auguste Bovério as First Author (credited as Auguste Boverio)
• Paul Demange as Second Author

Saml News: up and running samlnews

Saml News: up and running samlnews: just wanted to let you know about  my blog which is up and running.

up and running samlnews

just wanted to let you know about  my blog which is up and running.

SAM COL OCT. 28

CARSON CITY POLICE KNOW ABOUT QUICK OD NASAL SRPAY?

BY SAN

I recently came across an article in The New Yorker that really caught my eye, t's about reviving victims drug overdoses OD to most people. In shorthand it's called Narcan from the first syllables of "narcotic antagonist." 

I also saw a reference to it in an Appeal health budgets story where it got one paragraph and pretty much nothing more.

I to two officers in a squad car at the Nugget parking lot and asked if Narcan was used by the local police. The officers said they weren't aware of it. We don't hear a lot about ODs in Carson, possibly because families and friends don't want to admit to them. But surely we suffer from ODs like the rest of the country. Here's more of The New Yorker article by Ian Frazier said:

"In Narcan the antagonist drug is called naloxone and it acts almost instantly as it is highly soluble in the blood, reversing the effects of heroin or pain relief opioid pills in one of two minutes. Originally Narcan was administer intravenously but now in general use is  nasal-spray injector."

Having Narcan easily available would be a lifesaver for family and friends reacting to an overdose. Even seniors may want to have Narcan available for ODs in the home.

In New York City Narcan kits have been distributed to police, firemen and EMTs and have been credited with saving lives. I hope that our police are equipped with Narcan. 

I would expect families with a drug-using member would really like to have a Narcan kit.

MISSED BURNING MAN THIS YEAR?

If so the Eldorado Casino show  in Reno presents a modest replica of the dancers tossing flaming torches about just before the Man burned. The show is called "Spectra" and will run for another month or so with discounts for seniors.

CASUAL OVEREATING

I get all kinds of newsletters about health all wanting me to subscribe, which I often do. Recently the Nutrition Action Healthletter and found some information of interest to seniors and everyone else. Some excepts:

* Stouffer's Satisfied Serving (16 oz.) White Meat Chicken Pot Pie has only 590 calories, 13 grams of saturated fat and 930 mg of sodium. But that's only for half a pie. Eat the whole thing and you take in 1,180 calories, 26 grams of saturated fat and 1,860 mg of sodium (more than a day's worth).

* Many use Campbell's soups. An average cup of regular condensed soup contains 2,030 mg of sodium. Most people eat the whole can, winding up with all that sodium. Try Campbell's Healthy Request soups with sodium in the low 400s.

* The Cheesecake Factory's Chocolate Tower Truffle Cake weighs three-quarters of a pound and includes 1,900 calories and 62 grams of saturated fat or three days worth on a regular diet.

* The Starbuck's Venti (20 oz) White Chocolate with 2% milk checks out with 580 calories, 14 grams of saturated fat and 11 teaspoons of added sugar. Try the Tall (12 oz) with nonfat milk at 270 calories and only 3 1/2 grams of saturated fat.

EXERCISE AT HOME

Health experts constantly tell us exercise is critical to good health. But you don't have to pay $50 a month for a spa or gym. I do  an hour a day and sometimes add 30 minutes of aerobics on the treadmill and stationary bike. Here are some helpful things to use at home:

* Exercise mat for crunches, yoga, pus-hups and stretches. $20.

* Free weights from 5 to 20 pounds, $10 and up a pair. I use 8 pounders early and later a 10-pounder for crunches, $10 to $50 a pair.

* Heart rate monitor helps keep track of the intensity and make sure you don't go too far outside your target zone. 

* Kettle ball is a ball with a loop attached. Used in swinging moves and it helps burn calories and builds lean muscles in abs,arms, glutes, legs and shoulders. I've never used on but plan on adding it to my schedule. $20 and up.

* Stability ball, also called the Swiss Ball. I use this daily to ease back pain by reclining on my belly with my legs back with toes touching the floor. About $30.

It adds up to perhaps the initial fee at a spa or gym and then it's yours to use. No one exercise routine fits all so you may want to ask a fitness trainer what would be right for you. And, of course, check with your doctor for an OK to exercise.

Crime-thriller "John Wick brings Keanu Reeves back

by sam

If you're at all squeamish you may not want to see the not-quite-noir film "John Wick. y my count Keanu Reeves stabs, shoots and knives at least 70 victims in this mob oriented movie.

Starts ou with Wick meandering around his spiffy modern mansion, a retired former killer gone casual. He is a widower as his wife died of an illness but remembered to send Wick a puppy t love. It's delivered and it's love at first puppy smile.

Then some punks see Wick as a gas station and want to buy his 1969 Mustang, but Wick brushes them off. But they won' take no for an answer and break into his house, beat him up, shoot the puppy and steal his ca.

Turns out the leader is the son of Russian mobster Viggo Tarasov (Michael Nyqvist) who makes his son Iosef return the car (but can't do anything about the pooch.

But mess with Wick and kill his dog and you're in real trouble.

The rest of the film is a series of gory and bloody shootouts, with Wick winning all and killing at least 70, as mentioned before.

Nothing good comes out of all this except Reeves manages to look unhappy most of the time. He's not abad actor but isn't given much beyond scenes of successful mayhem. William Defoe appears as a friend and foe of Wick. The rest of the cast is acceptable for a B level thrill and the director Chad Stahleski keeps the blood flowing nicely.

Not a date movie and not much else either.

Cast

• Keanu Reeves[1] as John Wick

• Michael Nyqvist[2] as Viggo Tarasov

• Alfie Allen[2] as Iosef Tarasov

• Willem Dafoe[3] as Marcus

• Dean Winters[2] as Avi

• Adrianne Palicki[2] as Ms. Perkins

• Omer Barnea as Gregori

• Toby Leonard Moore as Victor

• Daniel Bernhardt[4] as Kirill

• Bridget Moynahan[5] as Helen Wick

• John Leguizamo as Aureilo

• Ian McShane as Winston

• Bridget Regan[2] as Addy

• Lance Reddick as Hotel Manager / Charon

• Keith Jardine as Kuzma

• Thomas Sadoski as Jimmy

• David Patrick Kelly as Charlie

• Clarke Peters as Harry

• Kevin Nash as Francis

• Scott Tixier[6] as Violinist

Directed by

Chad Stahelski

Produced by

Basil Iwanyk

David Leitch

Eva Longoria

Written by

Derek Kolstad

Music by

Tyler Bates

Joel J. Richard

Cinematography

Jonathan Sela

Edited by

Elísabet Ronalds

Bill Murray back in enjoyable "St. Vincent" film
by sam
Bill  Murray steps out of his m any earlier characters as Vincent MacKenna in "St. Vincent." It's no surprise tha he turns in what may be the performance of his career as a grouchy old man, drinking away and playing the horses.And in a surprise role that doesn't reefer to  her size, Melissa McCarthy as Maggie Bronstein shows that she's more than a figure of fun in a straight serious mom.
They are aided by Naomi Watts as Daka, a once dancer and close friend of Vincent. She's attractive and carries the plot along skillfully.
Also on hand is Jaeden Lieberher as Oliver, Maggie's son, the middle of a custody battle.
This improbable movie, made at a time when young adults are the key audience in Hollywood, plays to all levels, from pre-teens to seniors, and perhaps especially for seniors as Vincent is a case history in aging, where a stroke is a common peril.
Film opens in Brooklyn with a moving van hitting a tree of Vincent's as Maggie and Jaeden move next door. It quickly develops that Maggie has to work at a hospital and needs a babysitter. Who better than Vincent?
More complexities as Vincent visits his wife in an assisted living facility, posing as a doctor. She  is demented and serenely beautiful but not identified.
Vincent is tough on the kid and teaches him how to fight as well as enjoy bars and the horses at Belmont.
A tied between Vincent and the boy is inevitable and it develops slowly. Yes, there is sentimentality now and then but mostly it keep such emotional malarky as a distance.
The scenes where Vincent is felled by a stroke are realistic and  man seniors will be able to empathize with the condition.
There are sidetracks in the plot and Daka, who has been sleeping with Vincent, has a baby. She continues to rule in Vincent's household.
This is an entertaining movie, no computer generated images, just old Brooklyn scenes and Belmont horses.
This is such good film that it's sad that the slack horror flick "Ouija" is much  more popular at the box office.


Cast
• Bill Murray[7] as Vincent MacKenna
• Melissa McCarthy[8] as Maggie Bronstein
• Jaeden Lieberher as Oliver Bronstein
• Naomi Watts[9] as Daka
• Chris O'Dowd[10] as Brother Geraghty
• Kimberly Quinn as Ana
• Terrence Howard as Zucko
• Ray Iannicelli as Roger
• Scott Adsit[11] as David
•
• Directed by
• Theodore Melfi
• Produced by
• Fred Roos
• Jenno Topping
• Peter Chernin
• Theodore Melfi
• Written by
• Theodore Melfi
• Starring
• Bill Murray
• Melissa McCarthy
• Chris O'Dowd
• Naomi Watts
• Jaeden Lieberher
• Music by
• Theodore Shapiro
• Cinematography
• John Lindley
• Edited by
• Sarah Flack
• Peter Teschner

• Running time
• 102 minutes[1]

Halloween is close so "Ouija" tops box-office

by sam

No big surprise that a so-so film like "Ouija" was the big box-office hit last weekend, despite some fierce competition from such as "John Wick" and, hanging in for the fourth week, "Gone Girl."

Writers Stile White and Juliet Snowden tell tell of of  murdered little girls, sewn-together mouths, an excuse not to to floss, crazy mediums, mystery opening doors, the usual whited-out eyes, stoves lighting themselves. Nothing very new  in the scary-scene medium in the horror film "Ouija."

Starts off with blond Shelly Hennig burning her ouija board and paying for it with her  life. Her besstie friend Olivia Cooke not accepting the coroner's verdict of suicide decides to investigate. She gathers four friends and plays the  ouija board, digs up old pictures and gets lectured by a know-it-all old lady who tells Debbie how to solve all the mysteries.

Nothing very complex here and little in the way of new scare gimmicks. Lots of stupidity displayed by the largely unknown cast and the direction by Stile White is as sloppy as the film editing.

The earlier "Annabella" which featured a malicious doll kicked off the horror session with a similar excellent box office makes it two  in a row for the horror genre, films always cheap to produce and almost alway a hit overseas. But no Oscars for them.

But despite all the weaknesses and illogical action, "Ouija" took in $38 million opening weekend. 

A fair date-movie, aimed squarely at the teen and young adult audience. Seniors may find it dull compared to such as "Rosemary's Baby."

Cast

• Olivia Cooke as Laine Morris[6]

• Daren Kagasoff as Trevor[7]

• Douglas Smith as Pete[6]

• Bianca A. Santos as Isabelle[8]

• Ana Coto as Sarah Morris[8]

• Shelley Hennig as Debbie Galardi[8]

• Matthew Settle as Anthony Morris[9]

• Vivis Colombetti as Nona[8]

• Robyn Lively as Mrs. Galardi

• Bill Watterson as Diner Manager

• Sierra Heuermann as Doris Zander

•

Directed by

Stiles White

Produced by

Jason Blum

Michael Bay

Andrew Form

Bradley Fuller

Bennett Schneir

Written by

Juliet Snowden

Stiles White

Anton Sanko

Cinematography

David Emmerichs

Edited by

Ken Blackwell

Production

October 24, 2014

Running time

89 minutes

"Fury" a tough World War II movie with Brad Pitt

nu sam

"Fury"is the name of a Sherman tank and  a movie about its crew. Most war movies are sentimental and wildly patriotic; "Fury" simply tells the story of the tank and its five crew members in the April before Germany surrendered

Amazingly, director David Ayer largely eschewed the use of computer generated images, so wildly overused in most action films. Thus, no great blasts, just the kind one would expect in a war.

The cast is uniformly solid, with Pitt a rock as commander of  Fury. Crew includes Shia LaBeouf. Michael Pena, Jon Bernthal, Scott Eastwood and newcomer Logan Leman.

A significant part of the movie is the toughening up of typist Leman by Pitt. Leman is forced so shoot a captured German soldat to "toughen him up."

Major scene  is the conflict between four American Sherman tanks and one German Tiger tank, which outclasses the Americans. Three of the tanks are destroyed with Fury left to face the Tiger.

Pitt is excellent as staff sergeant tank commander and his crew matches his acting. Direction is agile and clear, no mysteries here, just bodies and mud and death all around.

They don't make a lot of movies like this one as the major target audience for films these days are young adults. But they could benefit by seeing this one.

Cast

• Brad Pitt as US Army Staff Sergeant Don "Wardaddy" Collier[6]
• Shia LaBeouf as US Army Technician 5th Grade Boyd "Bible" Swan[7]
• Logan Lerman as US Army Private Norman "Machine" Ellison[8]
• Michael Peña as US Army Cpl. Trini "Gordo" Garcia[9]
• Jon Bernthal as US Army PFC Grady "Coon-Ass" Travis[10]
• Jason Isaacs as US Army Cpt. Waggoner[11]
• Scott Eastwood as Sergeant Miles[12]
• Xavier Samuel as Lt. Parker
• Brad William Henke as Sergeant Davis
• Eugenia Kuzmina as Hilda Meier
• Kevin Vance as Sgt. Peterson
• Branko Tomović[14] as German Corporal
• Iain Garrett as Sgt. Foster
• Stella Stocker as Edith
• Alicia von Rittberg as 

Directed by	David Ayer
Produced by	Bill Block John Lesher Alex Ott Ethan Smith David Ayer
Written by	David Ayer
Starring	Brad Pitt Shia LaBeouf Logan Lerman Michael Peña Jon Bernthal Jason Isaacs Scott Eastwood
Music by	Steven Price
Cinematography	Roman Vasyanov
Edited by	Dody Dorn
Production company
Running time	134 minutes[1][

First Post

I'm a retired newsie, writer and professional news editor. I still do freelance work locally and have a great time being retired. I set up this blog so that I can write about things that have passion for that don't fit into my freelance work.