Petition of Redress and Remonstrance

Have just read and signed the petition: Petition of Redress and Remonstrance.

Petition the Vermont State Legislature to adopt a resolution regarding impeachment of the President, as a joint resolution, and transmit it to the United States House of Representatives.

Read the full petition, here.

If you are so inclined, please take a moment to read about this important issue, and join me in signing the petition. It takes just 30 seconds, but can truly make a difference. The hope is to reach 5,000 signatures, sign on here.

Once you have signed, you can help even more by asking your friends and family to sign as well.

Thank you!

Morgan W. Brown
Independent voter
Montpelier, Vermont

[came across the petition via a comment post posted to 802 Online by odum, here; additional information is available on Green Mountain Daily posted by odum, here]

Say What!?

*Updated*

During an online search for items concerning the Hallmark Channel original movie Our House this afternoon, I came across a review of weekend movies written by television critic Susan Young that not only caught my attention, but also managed to stoke the ire of yours truly as well. Truth be told, before hand I had been in a really good mood too.

Usually though, I would leave it at that. However, after I alerted a few people about the review via e-mail -- without sharing my thoughts on the subject, I could not leave it at that and ended up penning a missive to Ms. Young.

*[includes, mostly minor, edits for the purposes of clarification and readability]*

Thursday, March 23, 2006
Inside Bay Area - IBA - Bay Area Living
Weekend TV movies worth your attention


Dear Ms. Young,

Although you appear to make it fairly clear [t]hat you are not someone whose mind is open enough to consider such possibilities, let alone accepting them no matter what facts were submitted, all the same I figured I would still make an attempt to respond in a very general fashion to you concerning some of the personal opinions you shared about the Hallmark Channel movie Our House and particularly about people living homeless.

While it was also my initial reaction to doubt that any Beverly Hills socialite would ever open up her home to people living homeless; neither you, I or anyone else can truly say it could never happen. Who is to know if it has not at one point in time or another? But this is really besides the point.

The fact is if a Beverly Hills socialite were to ever attempt to do so, it would certainly play out very different and maybe not just in the way you might be inclined to stereotype. So much for Hollywood.

What you also do not seem to be aware of is that there is much more to people living homeless than what you and many others may choose to think or believe and, not just the same old negative or bad things either.

Of course I have no expectation that you are willing or able to learn such things, as that would require either you travelling in another person's shoes a real long distance or rubbing elbows with someone living homeless in a way that may prove to be too uncomfortable for the likes of you.

It is clear with whom you identify with and whom you do not and, it is too bad you just could not be more honest about that very fact, without going about it the way you did.

Before you think that I am merely flaming you however, what I really want to suggest to you is that there is much more to the movie Our House than [you] seem to be allowing for and have written and, in addition, [it] is it attitudes like this that make it hard for the Billy's and others out there in the real world who are capable of much more than you think they are.

Even though it is never easy or simple like the movie Our House might portray, when someone does help the Billy's of this world like the Ruth's of the world sometimes do, the Billy's can often jump hurdles you would not believe; but of course, you will never see a Hollywood movie made about it, usually because of people like yourself, who either do not want to know or could never believe such fantasy (if you think I am being harsh, how do you think what you have written makes people like myself feel?).

Yet, here I am to tell you that I know there are people like Ruth, maybe not wealthy widows, etc., but there are those who have opened theirs hearts and homes to folks like myself and if they had not, I probably would either be dead or maybe even worse off.

In fact, it is because of people like this that I have been able to be housed right now, even if it be temporary. Plus I have been helped by others, especially when it was most needed, including having people open their houses to me and much more, trusting and believing in me as if I was family; something that makes all the difference, let me tell you.

This said, I do not expect or need you to believe me, yet it is still a fact.

There is simply so much you do not know about people and a lot you could learn, if only you had a mind to do so.

By the way, just so you know in advance, when I have more time I will most likely be blogging about this on my blog as well -- including providing[posting] a copy of my e-mail to you.

In case you are interested ~ fyi:

• Tuesday, March 14, 2006
  Norsehorse's Home Turf
  Review: Our House - Hallmark Channel Original Television Movie: Airing March 25th & 30th


• Tuesday, January 31, 2006
  Annual Homelessness Marathon blog
  Essay: Gracious Extra Miles & Beyond

While what I shared was fairly raw (i.e., off the cuff and was not carefully edited or anything), it was also not sent in anger.

Though I have much more to say on the subject and, yet did not manage to figure out how to get it said, I tried my best to say what I felt needed saying -- as general as I put it anyway: i.e, there are specific things Ms. Young said that I probably should have addressed in a more detailed fashion, but if I did that, it would have taken me forever and I would have never gotten it done or sent; not to mention the e-mail would have grown to much greater lengths than was already the case.

My hope is that [th]is begins a conversation and, does not[hing to] quell it, whether it be with me or someone else who either currently lives homeless or, like myself, has formerly lived homeless.

What I shared with Ms. Young is of course merely my humble opinion on the subject, what is yours?

fyi [edit of e-mail address mine]:

[...] reach TV critic Susan Young at (925) 416-4820, send a letter to 4770 Willow Road, Pleasanton CA 94588 or e-mail [syoung at angnewspapers dot com]. For more TV information, read her blog at http://www.ibabuzz.com/unscripted

[via Weekend TV movies worth your attention review, Inside Bay Area - IBA - Bay Area Living (Thursday, March 23, 2006), here]

*Update*: Check out these two, more positive, items:

• Roberts opens her 'House,' heart to the homeless
  Buffalo News Review (3/19/2006)


• TV Now's Interview with Doris Roberts (March 06)

[via Patricia Heaton Online, Our House page, here]


*Note*: Made several, mostly minor, edits of the above posted copy of my e-mail to Ms. Young for the purposes of clarification and readability: last updated on Friday, March 24, 2006 at 1:45 AM [EST].

VT Edition Retro Blogging

Have been listening to the archived podcast of today's (Wednesday, March 15, 2006) VT Edition show on Vermont Public Radio (VPR).

As the show is now history, this is of course not live blogging, thus my use of the term retro.

It was a good show, definitely worth listening to, with plenty of quality discussion as well as including some call-ins and e-mails with people either asking questions or sharing comments, information or feedback.

On the VT Edition page, within the information posted concerning this particular show, they provided a listing of the blogs mentioned during the broadcast. Make sure to check these other blogs out as well as the many blogs listed within the blogroll of Cathy Resmer's blog (802 Online).

[Due to being exhausted right now from a lack of sleep, because I pulled an all-nighter do some to blogging and other related online work, I am going to take a break and get some needed rest. Will try to update this post later if and when I am able to do so.]

Podcast of VT Edition

*Updated 4x*

For those who miss the broadcast either in whole or in part, like myself (i.e., missing part of it -- while trying to call in to the show to address an issue raised about accountability and managing to miss a little of it), can listen to the show once they post it up sometime later, here.

*Update 1*: For my part, as I missed a little of it while I was focused on my blogging as well as when on the phone trying to call in, I will have to wait to listen to the archived podcast of the today's show to really be able to blog much more about it.

It was really good in my opinion, with plenty of quality back and forth about blogging - particularly in Vermont. The segment on blogging is over and they have something different on now.

*Update 2*: The VT Edition page includes the following concerning the forthcoming archived podcast of today's show:

[...]

Check back at 2:30!
We'll have an MP3 of the show and links to the blogs that were mentioned.

[via Vermont Public Radio (VPR) VT Edition, here]

*Update 3*: Adam Quinn (Vermonters First) blogged up a live post that he updated on an ongoing basis during the show, here.

It seems I was just in too much of a slow motion mode to attempt to do so, as I tend to be really slow at blogging anyway and, it may not be due to a lack of enough sleep last night (managed to get nearly four hours sleep this morning, prior to waking at 11:30 AM in order to listen in to the show).

*Update 4*: The archived MP3 podcast of the show has been posted, here.


*Note*: last updated on Wednesday, March 15, 2006 at 3:14 PM [EST].

Yikes

*Updated*

The VT Edition show is on and Philip Baruth (Vermont Daily Briefing) included a mention of yours truly and this blog, letting people know I would be live blogging, saying I would be posting four or five blog posts up during the show. Yikes! Not sure I can keep up with that as I am too slow. Please know I never promised that many posts, had only mentioned I would be blogging during the event.

P.S.

My apologies to Philip Baruth, Cathy Resmer, VPR VT Edition and anyone who may have visited this blog in the hope of looking for live blogging about the show, however it was not possible for me to try to blog more than what little I did and focus on listening to the broadcast as well as e-mail in my comment to the show and also try calling in too. Sorry! Next time I will try to be more careful when telling someone I may be blogging live during some broadcast, which was my fault, not Philip's or anyone else.

Thank you for the mentions Philip, Cathy and Steve (Steve Zind is the host of VT Edition).


*Note*: last updated on Wednesday, March 15, 2006 at 4:03 PM [EST].

Coming up Shortly on VPR VT Edition Today (Wednesday, March 15th), Noon Hour - re: VT Blogs, Bloggers & Blogging

Wednesdays in the noon hour after the Midday Report
Hosted by Steve Zind

Wednesday, March 15

Vermonters are writing blogs of all kinds, including several that focus on Vermont politics and community issues. On the next Vermont Edition, we'll talk with Vermont bloggers about who's posting and commenting, how they define themsleves in the media landscape and who their audience is.

[via Vermont Public Radio (VPR) VT Edition page]

One can tune into the broadcast(s) of VT Edition live either via one of the VPR stations across the state or via online streaming available on their Website or, afterwards, listen to the MP3 podcast of the show once it is posted on the site.

Both Cathy Resmer (802 Online) and Philip Baruth (Vermont Daily Briefing) will be among the guests on today's VPR VT Edition show (3/15/2006).

fyi: Information on how to participate during the broadcast of the VPR VT Edition show(s):

Call (800) 639-2211 to join the conversation (the phone lines open at 12:15 PM).

For those whom are not able to call in easily, email questions or comments to vermontedition [at] vpr [dot] net instead.

In addition, one can also submit questions or comments via the online submission form available on VPR's VT Edition Participate Live page.

Review: Our House - Hallmark Channel Original Television Movie: Airing March 25th & 30th

Our House

An Original Hallmark Channel Television Movie

Reviewed by Morgan W. Brown
Tuesday, March 14, 2006

When Ruth Galloway attempts suicide after the death of her husband, a chance encounter with Billy, a homeless woman who rescues Ruth from a pill overdose, helps each woman discover a life worth living.

Ruth is intrigued by Billy, whose life is vastly different from her own. Although Billy is at first resistant to accepting aid, she eventually opens up and helps Ruth understand — just as Goyen understood— that many of the homeless are regular people who merely have fallen on hard times or endured crippling personal tragedies. To the dismay of her daughter and neighbors, Ruth is inspired by Billy and opens up the mansion to many more who are homeless.

Stars: Doris Roberts and Judy Reyes

[via Hallmark Channel: Our House]


Our House Review Audioblog Post - Part 1:

Having watched the film four times so far, my general impressions of it include the observation that -- while the story is centered on two main characters who appear to be as different from each other as different can possibly be and, therefore one is left to wonder how they could ever manage to have a reasonable opportunity to meet, let alone cross the unbridgeable gap laying between the both of them -- the truth of the matter is they have more in common than not.

All this would then seem to provide credence to a view of it as being nothing more than pure fiction and dramatic female fantasy; yet another classic chick flick, with at least one or two heroines along with weaker or villainous males.

There is a good reason however for the saying you cannot judge a book by its cover and, to my way of thinking anyway, this particular movie provides another example of why this is so.

The real story of Our House is *not* to be found in the all too seemingly obvious differences between the two lead female characters, extreme examples as they are, nor is it really about wealth or poverty -- at least not in terms of either income or of housing or the lack thereof.

There will of course be those inclined to point out how the movie is about a wealthy widow living in a mansion and a poor young woman living on the streets whose eating habits include dumpster diving and, therefore, with immense differences between them; even the promotional materials hyping the movie seem to set the tone for making these assumptions.

While it is true that these are indeed the basic roles the characters play to set up a portion of the plot, the real story is not defined by these superficial roles however; rather it is based upon what they have in common with each other, as well as what is the actual premise the movie is centered upon -- from which everything else revolves.

Making a list of each of the commonalities they share would not only fall short, it would also miss the point by miles.

The difference or, rather the challenge, in how one may view this film or its characters and determining what it is all about has a lot more to do with what one chooses to focus upon: i.e., whether it be on what appears to be obvious negative traits and flaws as well as then the need to fix or reject such; or, potentially harder to define and categorize, the positive aspects and strengths of an individual, as well as then having the willingness to accept the person for whom they are, even if this may not always include certain of a person's deed(s) as part of that acceptance.

Our House Review Audioblog Post - Part 2:

With that said, for better or for worse, the axle from which everything else within the film turns -- what it is truly about and centered upon -- is one of relationships.

Even if the lives and circumstances of its characters are complex, the film is not.

The key to understanding and appreciating this particular movie and what it has to offer, at least in my opinion, is being open to the somewhat subtle moral tale conveyed of how crucial relationships are, yet at the same time how fragile they can easily prove to be; especially when relationships, particularly those shared with the people closest to our lives, are taken for granted and not always well maintained or nourished.

As important though, another of the lessons to be learned include how having of lots wealth, power and prestige, as well as huge spacious trophy houses that often goes along with the same, is never a guarantee -- nor is it a solid foundation on which to establish or build on alone -- meaningful and enduring relationships: e.g., some of the relationships between certain of the characters living homeless are stronger as well as more meaningful and lasting than what is enjoyed by those with the more well to do roles; maybe no better, but certainly no worse.

From this it can be taken that on one hand, relationships really have not too much to do with the housing status of an individual or family. Yet, one the other hand, having a house from with which to build and grow a home of one's own can help make a difference in a variety of ways: i.e., it is not enough to simply have a house; one needs healthy, mutual relationships to have a home and the sense of community, dignity and humanity derived from these.

Our House is a compelling patch quilt of stories, not all of which have been completely spelled out or told within the short two hours it will air (actual length: 1 hour and 28 minutes +/-), yet they were weaved together all the same.

In one fashion or another, the movie offers something of value for nearly anyone -- man, woman or child - to identify in; whether it be found on a personal level or something we recognize in someone known to us in any of the several characters or the circumstances and situations faced by them, individually and collectively.

On top of all this, considering there was a lot of ground work to be laid in the telling, the portrayals and interactions -- as well as the numerous conflicts -- are for the most part quite honest, including of people living homeless; relative snapshots and composites of such as is the case.

Thus Our House earns from yours truly a well deserved big thumbs up. This is indeed a film I highly recommend be watched in homes, community centers and classrooms of all types and sizes across the land.


For additional information, check out the following:

• Our House ( Doris Roberts) [via Patricia Heaton Online: Beyond Raymond]


• Hallmark Channel film to promote awareness of the homeless epidemic in America [via Homelessness LiveJournal Community]


• Bringing America Home: the Campaign


• National Coalition for the Homeless


• National Alliance to End Homelessness


• National Coalition for Homeless Veterans


• National Resource and Training Center on Homelessness and Mental Illness


• National Health Care for the Homeless Council


• National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty


• National Low Income Housing Coalition


• Corporation for Supportive Housing


• Vermont Housing Awareness Campaign

*Full Disclosure Statement*: Received a press kit, which included a dvd copy of the movie to review, from the Hallmark Channel; nothing more.

Hallmark Channel Press Kit Informational Sheet: 'Our House'

Hallmark Channel film to promote awareness of the homeless epidemic in America, here [via Homelessness Live Journal Community].

Original Hallmark Channel Movie - 'Our House': Showings at Another Way Drop-In Center; Friday, March 17th at 2:00 PM & 6:00 PM

Our House

An Original Hallmark Channel Movie
Shown & Reviewed at
Another Way Drop-In Center
125 Barre Street
Montpelier, Vermont
Friday, March 17, 2006
at 2:00 PM & 6:00 PM
*Free*
About Our House:

When Ruth Galloway attempts suicide after the death of her husband, a chance encounter with Billy, a homeless woman who rescues Ruth from a pill overdose, helps each woman discover a life worth living.

Ruth is intrigued by Billy, whose life is vastly different from her own. Although Billy is at first resistant to accepting aid, she eventually opens up and helps Ruth understand — just as Goyen understood— that many of the homeless are regular people who merely have fallen on hard times or endured crippling personal tragedies. To the dismay of her daughter and neighbors, Ruth is inspired by Billy and opens up the mansion to many more who are homeless.

Stars: Doris Roberts and Judy Reyes

[via Hallmark Channel Website, Our House page]

Come watch and review the original Hallmark Channel (hallmarkchannel.com) movie Our House at the Another Way Drop-In Center [125 Barre Street, Montpelier, Vermont] on Friday, March 17th at 2:00 PM and, again, at 6:00 PM (movie length: 1 hour 28 minutes +/-).

The movie is set to premier on television Saturday, March 25th at 9:00 PM [Eastern Time (ET)] with additional showings at 11:00 PM [ET] and 1:00 AM [ET] the same evening and also again on Thursday, March 30th at 9:00 PM [ET].

After each showing of the movie at the Another Way Drop-in Center on Friday (March 17th), for those who are interested and comfortable doing so, there will be a discussion of the film during which people will be asked what they thought of the film. Later I hope to blog up a post reporting on what people who watch the movie at Another Way generally shared about their impressions concerning the film (without using names or identifying information).

For additional information, call (802) 229-0920.

Our House - A Hallmark Original TV Movie: March 25th & March 30th

Kevin Barbieux (The Homeless Guy) blogged a blog post last Friday (here; March 03, 2006) describing how he was contacted by the people at the Hallmark Channel to help them promote one of their original movies, "Our House," to air March 25th.

During a brief chat between the two of us this evening, he asked me if I had read his initial post on the subject, of which my response was in the affirmative.

Kevin mentioned he received a press kit from the Hallmark studio, including a dvd of the movie, which he watched and was working on his review of it to post on his blog. Prior to signing off he indicated that he would ask the studio to send me a copy as well.

Much to my amazement, within less than an hour later, a network program publicity person for the Hallmark Channel sent me an e-mail following up on Kevin's suggestion to them to send me a copy of the movie for my review and asking for a mailing address. In the meantime, included in the e-mail were a couple of attached promotional background materials as well.

Within the text of the e-mail itself, the person explained [edit mine]:

[...] Since it is so much more than our typical film, we are t[r]ying hard to use it as a platform to raise awareness of the homeless issue—both in Los Angeles and America.

[...]

As far as I am concerned anyway and, yes, this is of course the activist within me ranting ever so mildly [smile]: This remains to be seen and, if they are truly serious about raising awareness as is said they are, then it definitely will take much more than simply providing mention of certain organizations supposedly working to end homelessness within their promotional campaign(s) or linking to their Website(s) to do so.

Otherwise it is nothing more than lip service and, a cheap as well as cynical promotional gimmick at that, pure and simple: i.e., it is more than likely to be nothing more but pure spin for someone to suggest using any given product and the promotion of it as a platform to raise awareness of the homeless issue. Either that or it is just plain naive.

The fact is, talk is cheap. Actions speak louder than words.

While it is not anything new for commercial interests to reach out to people within the blogging community in an attempt to help promote their products and (as the above helps to illustrate), my initial gut reaction was one of deep as well as critical skepticism about the use of such ploys; all the same I have a certain appreciation for Hallmark taking the step, despite the risks that could potentially go along with so doing, to reach out to some of those of us within the blogging community whom have actually experienced living homeless ourselves.

For those who may take this as being harsh, when was the last time you walked and thus lived in the shoes of someone living homeless?

Speaking of which, one thing I have inquired about within one of my replies to the Hallmark [*network program*] publicity [*person*], just in case it is not included either within the press kit or on one of the tracks of the dvd, is whether people who either are living homeless or formerly had lived homeless consulting[*were employed as paid consultants*] during any or all phases of making the film.

If so, it would be helpful as well as interesting to have details, the more the better. If not, it would be useful to learn that as well.

If the movie and the promotional campaign used to hype it helps to raise awareness and also brings about meaningful as well as lasting change, which makes a real difference in the lives of people living homeless, fine and I welcome it.

Yet it will take more than a promotional campaign and a movie it is hyping to do this, so I only hope the Hallmark Channel means business and is not only in it for the long haul, but is not just solely doing this for hiking ratings and raking in advertising revenue as a result.

It seems we will see one way or another I suppose.

These thoughts and concerns of mine spilled, my mind will both stay and remain open in order to provide as balanced a review as is possible for me to render and eventually blog up, once I have had time to pour over the materials and view the movie several times after they arrive in the mail. This review process of mine and the blogging of the post will most likely take several days.

Just in case anyone may wonder [*for the sake of full disclosure*], all I am being offered and then receiving from Hallmark is a press kit that includes a copy of the movie to review, nothing more.

By the way, Kevin blogged up his review of the Hallmark Channel movie Our House, as well as some of his thoughts and insights on the subject matter the film attempts to cover, here.


*Note*: edited the 8th to the last paragraph in order to [*add*] several words, which were originally intended, and also a couple of strike-thru's; also made, mostly minor, edits to the 6th to the last paragraph; added a [*several words*] to the 2nd to last paragraph; for the purposes of clarification and readability: last updated on Friday, March 10, 2006 at 4:06 AM [EST].

Heads Up: VPR VT Edition - Wednesday, March 15th, Noon Hour - re: VT Blogs, Bloggers & Blogging

*Updated*

Wednesdays in the noon hour after the Midday Report
Hosted by Steve Zind

Wednesday, March 15

Vermonters are writing blogs of all kinds, including several that focus on Vermont politics and community issues. On the next Vermont Edition, we'll talk with Vermont bloggers about who's posting and commenting, how they define themsleves in the media landscape and who their audience is.

[via Vermont Public Radio (VPR) VT Edition page]

One can tune into the broadcast(s) of VT Edition live either via one of the VPR stations across the state or via online streaming available on their Website or, afterwards, listen to the MP3 podcast of the show once it is posted on the site.

*Update*: Have been informed by both Cathy Resmer (802 Online) and Philip Baruth (Vermont Daily Briefing) that each of them will be among the guests on next week's VPR VT Edition show (3/15/2006).

fyi: Information on how to participate during the broadcast of the VPR VT Edition show(s):

Call (800) 639-2211 to join the conversation (the phone lines open at 12:15 PM).

For those whom are not able to call in easily, email questions or comments to vermontedition [at] vpr [dot] net instead.

In addition, one can also submit questions or comments via the online submission form available on VPR's VT Edition Participate Live page.


*Note*: last updated on Thursday, March 9, 2006 at 11:59 AM [EST].