Assaulted at Trump Rally

While my back was turned. 

By a real. classy.  deplorable. kind. of guy.

Published Again

In the eyes of the law, Bullock got a fair trial

By Express-Times Letters to the Editor
on August 28, 2015 at 1:08 PM, updated August 28, 2015 at 1:09 PM

In response to Steve Wilson's letter ("Bullock trial should have been handled on state or federal level," Aug. 10), the trial was held in state Superior Court. Sexual assault and aggravated sexual assault are not federal crimes.

So much moral indignation about this case. It is not at all surprising that there are conspiracy theories about "collusion" and "corruption" on the county level because the judge in the case once worked as a prosecutor where the defendant also served as sheriff. The crime, as described, occurred within the jurisdiction of Warren County. Vicinage 13 is very small. Why not call everyone who ever received a favorable verdict in northwest New Jersey a kiddy rapist? Mass hysteria and jumping to conclusions feels good but it hurts victims.    

The jury was tasked with putting an 86-year-old man who requires a wheelchair and breathing tube in jail for 90 years. The accuser had a criminal record, including time in prison in Wisconsin. This case was lost for one reason: First Assistant Prosecutor Michael McDonald put forward not one unimpeachable shred of evidence to support the accuser's case.

In the eyes of the public, Edward Bullock is guilty as sin. Under the law, he got a fair trial. Not guilty does not mean innocent. Please educate yourself about the law before tarring and feathering an actually innocent man next time.

Erik B. Anderson

San Diego, Calif.

Formerly of Independence Township

Independence = Freedom

“Decide yourself who was right: you or the one who questioned you then? Recall the first question; its meaning, though not literally, was this: ‘You want to go into the world, and you are going empty-handed, with some promise of freedom, which they in their simplicity and innate lawlessness cannot even comprehend, which they dread and fear—for nothing has ever been more insufferable for man and for human society than freedom! But do you see these stones in this bare, scorching desert? Turn them into bread and mankind will run after you like sheep, grateful and obedient, though eternally trembling lest you withdraw your hand and your loaves cease for them.’”
--from The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky

50 Years Ago

I used to watch this film every day. I can still watch it anytime, anywhere.

I especially love when Gene Hackman's FBI Agent gets called "Mr. Anderson" by Willem DeFoe's "Mr. Ward". I wish it would catch on as a meme more than that Matrix asshole.

Ward: Just don't lose sight of whose rights are being violated!
Anderson: Don't put me on your perch, Mr. Ward.
Ward: Don't drag me into your gutter, Mr. Anderson!
Anderson: These people are crawling out of the SEWER, MR. WARD! Maybe the gutter's where we outta be! 

 That's sheer poetry, ladies and gentlemen! The true events that inspired this film happened 50 years ago now. It would be naive and silly to go on about how anything's better now than before. I just really like the film and think everyone should watch it and decide what's what for themselves. So sayeth the King of Funny Faces!

LETTER: 'He said/she said' scenario frustrating

Published Again: 

LETTER: 'He said/she said' scenario frustrating 
By Express-Times Letters to the Editor
on June 17, 2014 at 12:05 AM, updated June 17, 2014 at 12:06 AM

Reports have emerged that Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl walked away from his post. It is rumored that soldiers were killed trying to rescue him. 

Reputedly, Bergdahl was discharged from the Coast Guard for "psychological reasons" before the Army recruited him and sent him to Iraq. Allegedly, the soldiers accusing him of desertion were aware of his instability before he disappeared. It is known that at least some of them are anti-Obama political operatives. 

It has been hypothesized that the prisoners exchanged for Bergdahl were going to be released anyway. Conversely, it has been propagated that the prisoners will commit more terrorism. 

But all of it is theory: speculation, reports. A "he said/she said" scenario. Hearsay. 

Neither Bergdahl nor the Guantanamo prisoners have been afforded a fair, impartial jury trial. 

While you're all out there using your imaginations, I'm imagining what it feels like to be locked in a dark cage for months and years. I'm struggling with the idea that the country that knew he was not well when it hired him to keep us all safe now wants him executed for desertion. 

In the meantime, the next generation of Swift Boat propaganda comes of age.

ERIK B. ANDERSON 

Independence Township

LETTER: Why is ex-sheriff Bullock still getting a pension?

By Express-Times Letters to the Editor 
on March 08, 2014 at 12:59 AM, updated March 08, 2014 at 1:03 AM

 It is encouraging to hear that the state of New Jersey “may reconsider” whether or not to continue dispensing a pension to retired Warren County Sheriff Edward G. Bullock in light of his recent indictment on six counts of child sexual abuse, allegedly committed while on duty as sheriff. Those who vote with an eye toward fiscal issues will be very pleased, I am sure.

 In the sixth paragraph of The Express-Times article about this, however, I was astounded to find that Bullock has yet to turn himself in. The indictment was handed up 10 days ago. Last month.

Any reasonable person would presume he collected another payment on March 1. I do hope that we will not have to wait until after April 1 for an arrest warrant to be issued. That would be the worst kind of joke.

ERIK B. ANDERSON

Independence Township

Wolf Blitzer Favorited My Tweet

Abandon All Hope, Ye Who Enter @wolfblitzer's The Situation Room: http://t.co/frdoUn6Jth
— TheKingofFunnyFaces (@FunnyFaceKing) January 28, 2014

This is better than Howard Stern's wife favorited my tweet, but not as good as when Elijah Wood replied to me, or when Roger Ebert watched a video I made.

I still think he's a terrible person.

So Sayeth the King of Funny Faces

Quote of the Day

"Nothing is more common,than for a free people, in times of heat and violence, to gratify momentary passions, by letting into the government principles and precedents which afterwards prove fatal to themselves. Of this kind is the doctrine of disqualification, disfranchisement, and banishment by acts of the legislature. The dangerous consequences of this power are manifest. If the legislature can disfranchise any number of citizens at pleasure by general descriptions, it may soon confine all the votes to a small number of partisans, and establish an aristocracy or an oligarchy ; if it may banish at discretion all those whom particular circumstances render obnoxious, without hearing or trial, no man can be safe, nor know when he may be the innocent victim of a prevailing faction. The name of liberty applied to such a government, would be a mockery of common sense." 

Alexander Hamilton - ‘History of the Republic of the United States‘

They Make Good Films These Days (Just Not in Hollywood) - #23

The Act of Killing (2012)


Nominated for Best Documentary? It's sure to win, but that's it? Is that all? Why was this masterpiece not nominated for Best Picture? Why doesn't someone create a new category: Best Film of All Time?

If ever a film could literally save the world, this is it. That's not hyperbole. I mean what I say.

I really wish my best friend, the great filmmaker Venkatesh Veeraraghavan, were still alive to watch this with me.

It is the epitome of what all documentary film, all psychodrama, all humanity should aspire to be.

So Sayeth The King of Funny Faces!

The People of New Jersey Have Been Warned

Domestic-violence registry a flawed plan
Daily Record - Nov. 30, 2013

On the Monday before Thanksgiving, Assemblyman Reed Gusciora announced on the radio that he was going to save the women of New Jersey from abusive “husbands and boyfriends” by introducing legislation that would create a registry for those found to have committed domestic violence.

Never mind his gender-biased language. Never mind studies sponsored by the state Department of Corrections, Rutgers and others that have shown sex offender registries have had no effect on sexual offense statistics. Repeat sexual offenses have actually increased slightly because of the climate of fear created by the Scarlet Letter-like list, which gives offenders nothing left to lose. Never mind that restraining orders are handed out in divorce cases like candy by the courts.

No one wants to think, much less talk about the climate of fear these lists would create. The honorable assemblyman scored some points for women. Ostensibly.

It turns out that he did introduce the legislation on Tuesday but made no announcement whatsoever about it. Not even on Wednesday.

In the media, this is called a holiday eve news dump.

Erik B. Anderson
HACKETTSTOWN

LETTER: 'Obama lied' is a smoke screen

By Express-Times Letters to the Editor
on November 20, 2013 at 12:35 AM

The claim is “Obama lied.” He said Americans can keep their insurance plan. He allegedly lied multiple times to pass the loathsome Affordable Care Act. That is the claim: over and over, on and on we hear this shrill claim, ad nauseum. Why now?

In June 2010, Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said “health plans ... will lose their grandfather status; Health and Human Services announced “substantial changes in coverage are common;” and The New York Times reported “about half of employer-based health plans will see such changes by the end of 2013 (June 14, 2010).” Way back in November 2009, the Congressional Budget Office explained “relatively few non-group policies would remain grandfathered by 2016.”

Why all this shock and outrage now? Why has the right not played gotcha like this before? Why: to distract from the spectacular bad press of the government shutdown. Did they think we would forget that the House failed to repeal the bill 46 times? The desperation is palpable.

ERIK B. ANDERSON 

Independence Township 

Source

Professor Awoonor Has Been Killed

I can't believe this.

Ghanaians Mourn a Poet and Scholar Killed in Nairobi Mall Attack




It was a great honor for the poet and former UN Ambassador to speak to our small group of West Chester University students in 1995. He spent at least two hours talking to us about so many things about Ghana. When he signed his book for me, he asked me about my name, which means King. He noticed that my name was Scandinavian because it is spelled with a K. Most people with my name are spelled Eric, which has more of a German origin. This is so sad.

I have been seeing little things here and there about this attack in Nairobi. Unfortunately, I have limited internet access here in Wales. I hope I have paid proper tribute to him. I have always remembered him and will always remember him even more now. He was a tireless advocate for African people and for all people really. This will have shockwaves all through the African diaspora. Pay attention people.

They Make Good Films These Days (Just Not in Hollywood) - #19

We do not live in a "litigious society." We live in a world that is afraid to be litigious because of the relentless jokes and talking points paid for by the US Chamber of Commerce and other lobbyist vampire squid groups like them. We need to be more litigious. There is no other way to settle legitimate disputes and redress real grievances. watch this film. it's amazing.

So Sayeth the King of Funny Faces!

St. Patrick's Day Parade - Hackettstown 2013

This is a multi part video playlist from the parade today. Click the next button to skip forward.

LTTE: Violence Against Women Act steps on due process

By Express-Times Letters to the Editor
on March 07, 2013 at 12:50 AM

The problem is not that the Violence Against Women Act discriminates against men by not “protecting” alleged victims who are men. It’s that it purports to be protecting “victims” against so-called “abusers” without allowing the due process of law to determine exactly who is a victim and who is an abuser.

Since complaints of this nature are now heard in family court instead of criminal court, the “beyond a reasonable doubt” standard is replaced by the much less stringent “preponderance of evidence.” Restraining orders and protection-from-abuse orders can be granted without the accused even knowing about the complaint, much less able to defend against it

And what a scandal if anyone objects! After all, if you’re against VAWA, your political opponents can say you are for violence against women!

This is not a free country.

ERIK B. ANDERSON
Independence Township

Source

GWW: All those dangerous women-haters!

LTTE: Public officials see ‘threats’ everywhere

Public officials see ‘threats’ everywhere

View full sizeAP Photo | MATT ROURKE

Warren County Sheriff David Gallant essentially says he “can’t tell” what a threat is anymore because of the rise of social media websites (“Threats to judges taken seriously in age of Facebook and Twitter, authorities say,” Feb. 24).

Oh, how easy it is for public officials to blame their own ignorance on some indescribable patina of mystification descending on us all by a strange new mysterious phenomena.

Blah, blah, blah. Bollocks, I say.

There’s no confusion about what a threat is. Look it up. This is a serious issue that needs to be clarified, quick.

Last week a man in Cincinnati was ordered by a judge to post a groveling apology to his wife on Facebook because of a previous post that said “all you need to do is say that you’re scared of your husband or domestic partner and they’ll take (your child) away.”

That’s political speech. A judge ordered a man around for it. Not an isolated incident.

Concerned citizens need to vent, but the Violence Against Women Act ensures an accused man will be punished even if the accusation turns out to be false.

In most cases, judges are immune from prosecution, even if their erroneous decisions profoundly harm families.

And if it’s in family court? The watchdog eye of the media is forbidden to ever know what happened.

This is pure insanity. If we are made to be afraid to vent by easily offended ignorant public officials, it’s time to have them removed from office.

ERIK ANDERSON

Independence Township

Published: Monday, February 27, 2012, 4:21 AM

Phil Ochs: There But for Fortune

About the Documentary




Watch the Full Documentary

Watch Phil Ochs: There But for Fortune on PBS. See more from American Masters.

Family Law is a Very Difficult Area to Legislate

They Make Good Films These Days (Just Not In Hollywood) - #10

My name is Khan.
I am not a terrorist.
I am the Post-9/11 Forrest Gump.



He's also an Aspie.

So Sayeth the King of Funny Faces!