The destruction of our film heritage, which is the focus of concern today, is only the tip of the iceberg. American law does not protect our painters, sculptors, recording artists, authors, or filmmakers from having their lifework distorted, and their reputation ruined. If something is not done now to clearly state the moral rights of artists, current and future technologies will alter, mutilate, and destroy for future generations the subtle human truths and highest human feeling that talented individuals within our society have created.

A copyright is held in trust by its owner until it ultimately reverts to public domain. American works of art belong to the American public; they are part of our cultural history.

People who alter or destroy works of art and our cultural heritage for profit or as an exercise of power are barbarians, and if the laws of the United States continue to condone this behavior, history will surely classify us as a barbaric society. The preservation of our cultural heritage may not seem to be as politically sensitive an issue as “when life begins” or “when it should be appropriately terminated,” but it is important because it goes to the heart of what sets mankind apart. Creative expression is at the core of our humanness. Art is a distinctly human endeavor. We must have respect for it if we are to have any respect for the human race.

These current defacements are just the beginning. Today, engineers with their computers can add color to black-and-white movies, change the soundtrack, speed up the pace, and add or subtract material to the philosophical tastes of the copyright holder. Tommorrow, more advanced technology will be able to replace actors with “fresher faces,” or alter dialogue and change the movement of the actor’s lips to match. It will soon be possible to create a new “original” negative with whatever changes or alterations the copyright holder of the moment desires. The copyright holders, so far, have not been completely diligent in preserving the original negatives of films they control. In order to reconstruct old negatives, many archivists have had to go to Eastern bloc countries where American films have been better preserved.

[...]

The public’s interest is ultimately dominant over all other interests. And the proof of that is that even a copyright law only permits the creators and their estate a limited amount of time to enjoy the economic fruits of that work.

– George Lucas, speaking to Congress in 1988 about the need to enact legislation to prevent corporations and filmmakers from tampering with existing works.

Less than 10 years later the first of the STAR WARS Special Editions would be released.

The irony would be hysterical were it not completely overshadowed by the foul stench of Lucas’s present-day hypocrisy.

What do you do when you’re en route to a crucifixion and you get a bit peckish?

You apparently make a quick pit stop at McDonald’s.

Yesterday I went with Kristin and several of her delightful friends to see a two-person performance of HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH at Club Vex in Dayton.

Due to size limitations, the audience was small but enthusiastic, and rightfully so. The two actors, JJ Parkey and Abigail Bengson, were phenomenal. I had never seen HEDWIG the film, so we watched it beforehand so I wouldn’t be completely fucking lost during the live presentation. The film was really good, and the songs alternately amusing and touching, but in my mind it didn’t quite compare to the electric experience of seeing it performed some twenty feet in front of you by a couple of extremely talented people.

They’re putting on another performance tonight, this time at MJ’s in Dayton. If you’re not already doing something, go see it. Tickets cost no more than going to see a movie, and it’s well worth your money. Check out the Facebook page for more info.

I’m posting this as a warning for a certain subset of my friends.

Apparently these hipster traps are starting to appear in NYC. It can only be a matter of time till they show up in Ohio.

Please be careful.

Warren Ellis with an unusual observation about James Bond, and the transformation he goes through by the end of CASINO ROYALE:

In CASINO ROYALE, James Bond is the Bond girl. Look at the way they even show him emerging from the ocean like Ursula Andress. Sexual torture, too, if less creepy-glam than being stripped and painted gold. Vesper Lynd is Bond: never not in control, never without a plan, seducing to further her goals. She has to die so Bond can become her.

I was reading an actual real live newspaper today, and whilst reading the comics, a somewhat out of place yet great phrase from the nearby “Dear Abby” column caught my eye, in which Abby chastises a reader to . . . well, just read on. I’m sure you’ll be able to find it.

DEAR JOHN: Please do not represent yourself as an example of injured and outraged virtue “done wrong” by a married man. You knew he was married and you were a willing participant. If you insist on contacting your lover’s spouse and causing pain, have the testicular fortitude to identify yourself. To do so anonymously would be cowardly.

Reporting live from the World Series in San Francisco.

So President Obama is going to appear on MYTHBUSTERS.

The myth-in-question he’ll be helping to address is: “Did Greek scientist and polymath Archimedes set fire to an invading Roman fleet using only mirrors and the reflected rays of the sun?”

But perhaps there’s another longstanding myth that Adam and Jamie should debunk, one that might be more pertinent to Obama being on the show.

As Wil Wheaton said, “It really isn’t that complicated.”

I heart The Onion.

When asked why they agreed with the statement “President Obama is a large succulent plant composed of specialized cells designed for water retention in arid climates,” many responded that they “just know,” claiming the president only acts like a human being for political purposes and is truly a cactus at heart.

AleFest was today, and it was excellent.

Was a perfect day for it, too: gorgeous weather; plentiful samples of beer from a hundred different breweries; luxurious, sensual soft pretzels; and more cute girls in tanktops than you could beat with a stick. (Or is that “shake a stick at”? Whatever.)

Now I am exhausted from the combination of heat and beer, so tonight my plans include nothing more ambitious than staying in, and maybe starting a new book, or watching something on the instant queue for twenty minutes before passing out.