More complaining about my politics from fans
http://forums.ellusionist.com/showthread.php?87991-Taking-a-camera-to-the-street&p=797805&viewfull=1#post797805
I have no idea who this guy is, by the way. But he can’t spell very well:
I have no idea who this guy is, by the way. But he can’t spell very well:
Quote from willtupper:
| The language in it is at times a little coarse, but one book I would definitely recommend is “$30 Film School,” by the writer, Michael W. Dean. You can find it on Amazon for $19.80. I don’t know the man (although we have, at times, travelled in some similiar social circles, and do know a few of the same people), and I don’t much care for the direction he’s taken politically lately, but when it comes to making movies / filming people on the cheap, he (and his book) are “the guy” when it comes to doing it, and doing right.
A big, honking thing (536 pages, but a very easy read - plus it comes with a killer DIY DVD), it might give a nice technical exoskeleton to your future filming adventures. And best of luck, for sure |
.__________________
December 18th, 2009 at 4:39 pm
Well at least he said nice things about your book….and recommended it to someone who will get some good, useful information out of it. So it is not all bad.
marion
December 18th, 2009 at 5:04 pm
Lol!
Yup.
MWD
December 19th, 2009 at 6:11 pm
Mr. Dean,
To clarify, you were once interviewed by a very cool fellow, Mark Vanderpool, for an early incarnation of Chuck Palahniuk’s “A Writer’s Cult,” @ http://www.chuckpalahniuk.net. I wouldn’t necessarily call Mark a “friend,” but he is someone I know, and have corresponded with quite a bit over the years. As I’ve written a few things for that site myself, and am old friends with Chuck’s webmaster. That’s all I meant.
Checking the time stamp on that post you quoted, I wrote it at 3:34AM! I’ll cut myself some slack on the spelling. Sorry that you can’t.
And (to further clarify), not much caring for your political views is NOT the same as “complaining.” At least, I didn’t intend it to be. “Complaining” would suggest that your views bother me. “Not much caring” suggests that I am more or less indifferent to them. And I am.
Best of luck on your future endeavors.
WT
December 19th, 2009 at 6:13 pm
Cool. Thank you, Will.
Curious, what exactly don’t you like about my politics?
And what are your political beliefs?
Peace,
MWD
December 19th, 2009 at 6:14 pm
And thank you for the shoutout on my book. Some people who don’t like my new politics are talking like they want to BURN my books!
MWD
December 19th, 2009 at 6:38 pm
You’re very welcome, Michael. I’m always happy to help get the word out about books that I’ve benefited from. And I’ve benefited quite a bit over the years from yours.
Your question, “Curious, what exactly don’t you like about my politics?” seems to imply that I DON’T like them. It’s nothing of the kind.
I don’t “like” them. But I also don’t “dislike” them.
They are what they are. And I accept that, and totally respect that this is the current direction your work is headed in.
It’s just not my vibe. That’s all. It may very well be one day, but at the moment: it just isn’t. No big deal.
As for my political beliefs, they’re a mess :). I voted for Obama, but have been disappointed with many of his decisions. I voted for Nader in ‘04 and ‘00 (and have met the man, and admire him deeply), and think that history is ultimately going to prove him right on many, many fronts. But we’ll see.
Michael, have you ever read “Ain’t Nobody’s Business if You Do: The Absurdity of Consensual Crimes in a Free Society” by the late Peter McWilliams? Here’s an Amazon link:
http://www.amazon.com/Aint-Nobodys-Business-You-Consensual/dp/192976717X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1261272787&sr=1-1
Peter McWilliams was a Libertarian, and had some very, very smart ideas. You’d like his book, I imagine… quite a bit.
December 19th, 2009 at 6:42 pm
“I voted for Obama, but have been disappointed with many of his decisions.”
I have heard more and more people feel that way.
I considered voting for Nader, by the way, even did voiceover at the end of a YouTube thing for him,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02zpXmFEUaY
But ended up voting for Bob Barr.
I will probably vote Republican (shudder!) in next election (see the latest post on this blog, hit the header to get to it.)
Thanks,
MWD
December 19th, 2009 at 7:45 pm
Very cool, Michael. I loved “The Annotated News.” You sound like a white James Earl Jones :).
I’ve a question for you, though. It is about health care. What is your view on health care / the need for health care reform in this country?
I guess what I don’t understand is, all the people who say there shouldn’t be a mandate on health care don’t cry foul that we all have to purchase auto insurance if we want to drive, you know?
December 19th, 2009 at 7:54 pm
My take on health care is this: If the Dems REALLY wanted to be “fair” and “reform the health care system”, they would simply allow competition across state lines like auto insurance has. They have refused to do this time and time again, and can give no good reason as to why they do.
I think it is UNFAIR to make everyone get it, and to rob one guy to pay for another’s insurance. If you had three cars and I stole one, I’d rightly go to prison. Why is it “ethical” for the government to steal some of my wealth to pay for insurance for someone who doesn’t have one?
Health care is not a right. It’s a commodity. I know the Dems say that’s the Right being selfish when we say that, but I don’t buy it.
If people can’t afford to take care of their kids, they shouldn’t have them. Period. “If you can’t feed it, don’t breed it.” Goes for pets too. And by “feed”, I mean everything, feed, clothe, house, provide healthcare, etc.
I think the REAL agenda with the Dems and health care isn’t to provide health care anyway. Otherwise they would NOT be signing this stripped down bill at all. And Obama would not be bribing (with Federal funding for states) and threatening (to close down an air force base in Nebraska) to MAKE them sign, when 60% OF THE COUNTRY IS AGAINST IT. That is not “of the people.” It’s saying that those 40% think they know what’s best for the majority, which I find incredibly offensive.
I think the REAL agenda is to have the government have more control in every aspect of our lives.
Thank you,
Michael W. Dean
December 20th, 2009 at 11:38 am
“I guess what I don’t understand is, all the people who say there shouldn’t be a mandate on health care don’t cry foul that we all have to purchase auto insurance if we want to drive, you know?”
None of them like my views . . . I think ALL insurance (other than that which ONLY covers one’s own person/property, as in not liability) should be illegal, or at the very least it should be unconstitutional for the gov’t to foist it upon us in any way. If a person is willing to operate their car on public roads, I think said person should be willing to accept all inherent risks associated with doing so. If a person would like to purchase insurance to protect THEIR OWN car, they should have that right, but liability is a racket in which insurance companies name their prices, the gov’t forces us to pay them, and scam artists laugh all the way to the bank. I am not in any way opposed to our Constitutional right to sue and receive reparations from those who might wrong us, but the key, IMHO, to being “wronged” is intent. If someone accidentally runs a red light, that doesn’t constitute “intent”, it’s simply an accident and an inherent risk associated with not having the only automobile on the road. If someone intentionally rams you, that’s intent, and the right to sue that person in court is one of our first liberties. Things always run smoother, more efficiently, and cheaper if you cut out the middle man. No insurance company necessary.
Health insurance is the worst racket of them all. Health care costs would never have climbed to their current, astronomical levels had it not been for the health insurance industry. There is a legitimate argument, I think it’s legitimate anyway at least to a point, that the enormous amounts of money filtering through the health care industry are the very reason why we HAVE access to pretty decent health care in this country. A good case can be made for keeping the money moving to fund research, building new hospital wings, ect., but I have to ask: If we can’t AFFORD our health care system, do we really deserve it? Seriously, the only reason we have the huge, modern hospitals that we have in this country is because of an over inflated market held up by the insurance industry and a few wealthy benefactors. I think medicine should be like every other industry on this planet (except auto body repair, also bolstered by insurance companies, and predictably over inflated). Take away insurance, doctors and hospitals have to charge what people can afford to pay just like everyone else.
Also, people would likely then start holding them accountable. If I go to a mechanic to get my car fixed, and he doesn’t fix it, I don’t have to pay him. If I go to a doctor, and he tells me he hasn’t a clue what’s wrong with me OR how to fix it, he still sends me a bill, and I still HAVE to pay it! That infuriates me, and it’s the only industry there is that can get away with charging someone for nothing.
Mr. Q
December 20th, 2009 at 3:52 pm
Interesting. Looks like I’ve got some more research to do.
I thank you both.
December 20th, 2009 at 4:20 pm
You’re welcome!
I highly recommend this book:
“Libertarianism in One Lesson: Why Libertarianism Is the Best Hope for America’s Future.”
http://www.amazon.com/Libertarianism-One-Lesson-Americas-Future/dp/0975432648/www30dollarfi-20
Also, come check out the forums at
http://forums.conservativepunk.com
I’m active there. Say I sent ya if you sign up and fill out the required questionnaire.
MWD
December 22nd, 2009 at 4:47 am
Let me chime in from the outside of this….
There are many people in this country that can not qualify for proper health insurance. My wife has neuropathy and my son has Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease and both are diabetics. The issue is that so many complain that they shouldnt be forced to help pay for this is some small way that people like me spend their lives providing.
I am not asking for someone to hand me cash, but in a society like this a health system that can take care of people who really need it would be nice.
Yes I am tired and bitchy about it.
I have worked 2 jobs for most of the last 20 years or so, and the funny thing is that most people I know just say “why dont you go make your wife go get a job?!?” or “why dont you just find a healthy wife”. No one seems to think that being handicapped means you can get up just like everyone else and go out and get a job, because a lot of the time you cant. The people who dont need help are the ones who are fighting this the hardest. I take care of my family and that I am happy to do.
There are many people in the states that actually need this, I dont want a hand out, I want some help so I dont have to hit 45 wondering if I will make it to 50. Or how will my wife be provided for after I die..
Its a harsh world we live in, and for some of us it sucks…
December 22nd, 2009 at 4:56 am
All the fed gov needs to do is allow competition across state lines with health care, like they do for other insurances. Problem would solve itself.
What they’ve come up with is a power grab at the American people that doesn’t solve much. And they threatened and bribed to get the 60 votes. And a majority of America is against it. That’s not Democracy.
Look for most of it the bill to be undone anyway after 2010 midterm elections.
MWD