"I’m feeling stunned," writes blogger Richard Long. "Early this morning, Ariane and I spoke at length with two of the pre-eminent doctors in the field of stem cell research out of Boston Children’s Hospital. They not only called into question the theoretical basis of what we had been told about the scientific rationale for the stem cell treatments we gave Emma, but warned us that they had the potential to be 'extremely dangerous.' It is possible that this could be another case of “he said, she said,” and that the doctors who recommended the treatment we have been following are every bit as knowledgeable and experienced as the doctors who were warning us not to undergo another such treatment, but frankly, these particular doctors are so highly credentialed that I have to give their opinions more weight...."
"Conductor Marin Alsop put an exclamation point on the Aspen Music Festival season by whipping up a rip-snorting 'Rite of Spring' in Sunday afternoon's final concert to top off what has been a season of often-exciting and well-played orchestral programs."
Finally, after years of trying, it appears that "Aspen: The Series" is coming to life with some heavyweight sitcom writers.My good friends Richard Long and Ariane Zurcher have done a wonderful job doing everything they can to help Emma, their autistic daughter. This entry in their blog by Richard is particularly heartbreaking.
Continue Reading Add comment August 27th, 2010
Cameron: I spent the last five years making one movie to move the needle a little bit. "There’s a limit to its effectiveness because there wasn’t a specific message on specific problems with specific solutions. We spoke to people who were already predisposed to that message. "We need to reach people caught in middle and who think that climate change is a controversial topic."
Continue Reading 1 comment August 23rd, 2010
Con Games Facebook thread:
The New York Times' Grand Deception :: The Investigative Project on Terrorism
If Mel Gibson issued a statement saying he had nothing but love for humanity, regardless of gender or ethnicity, would you believe him? Probably not. For no matter how sincere he may sound, he's on record repeatedly bashing women, blacks, Jews and others
Doug Tucker Religious bigotry is un-American!Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to ass...emble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
See More Scott Bolitho don't know where religious bigotry fits in here. The facts speak for themselves. The people referenced in this article say one thing and do another. Thanks for bringing this to our attention, Michael. Doug Tucker Turning all Muslims into our enemy is bigotry. Painting all 5 million US citizens who believe in the Koran as terrorists is bigoted. Denying US citizens their first amendment right to to free speech, no matter how much we disagree with t...hat speech, is un-American. See More Roberta McGowan This is not a religious issue - it's about specific evidence of support and advocate terrorism - Our Constitution is self-evident - but don't let the terrorists twist it for their own purposes. Michael Conniff Let's be even more specific: let's focus on the nine Islamic leaders in the YouTube video--and no one else. It's not bigotry, it's asking a fundamental question about their credibility when it comes to "moderation." I say, based on the evidence, they have none. Patricia A. Hill It is made quite clear in the article that the Muslim religion accepts no compromise position whatsoever: You are either a Muslim or you are "The Enemy". It is therefore any Muslim's "duty" to bring Jihad against all Non-Muslims because they are "Slaves of Allah" and they must enforce "Allah's Will" which is to either convert or to destroy anyone and anything that opposes them..... Doug Tucker Onward Christian soldiers! I don't see anything in the first amendment about moderation. I never heard any of you saying the Klan doesn't have the right to speak. The Republicans are waging a wedge issue war and the fools are falling for it. First the Hispanics then the Muslims. Any brown people will do. Michael Conniff Everyone has a right to worship anyway they want. And we have the right of Free Speech to expose them. Patricia A. Hill Anyone who is not a WASP or even a non-Republican will do in that "wedge issue war", frankly...There is definitely a widespread hate campaign going on in this country, but that does not change the fact that Muslim religious leaders have declared Jihad, which is an actual war, on our entire Western culture; I don't believe that the Klan or any other ethnic or religious group has done THAT so far! Scott Bolitho Wow, Doug, quite the generalization of Republicans. I am Republican, and my thoughts are that any Hispanic here illegally is breaking the law, pure and simple. Any Muslim who states that the USA is their enemy and advocates destruction of this country should be considered an enemy. And finally, don't generalize about "Any brown people will do". That is insulting to me personally and is totally ignorant. Doug Tucker Pat- you haven't been listening to the Klan and Skinhead rhetoric have you? They advocate the overthrow of the government and setting up a white power state. I defend their right to say it but not to act. But it's not your people they wa...nt to kill so it doesn't matter to you. See More Tony Vagneur Freedom of religion is one thing, but it doesn't mean you can build a church or mosque any place you feel like it. First thing to do is check the local building codes and zoning laws before you get sweaty about it. I haven't seen anything written about that. Doug Tucker They own the property and there is no zoning restriction. The Mayor of NYC and the zoning board spoke to that. Tony Vagneur It just seems a little bit too tidy. They'd never get it built in Aspen or Pitkin County without years of meetings and hearings. Michael Conniff Repeat: they have a right to do it but that doesn't make it right. Can you imagine a 9/11 family member walking by Park51? A horrible thought. Doug Tucker Again, Islam didn't knock down the WTC. 19 criminal freaks with box cutters did that. There already is a Mosque in that neighborhood. It's been there for years. I used to go to school 8 or 9 blocks away from the WTC. There are all types of Americans in that area. Muslims died in the 9/11 attack. Maybe some of their families will want to pray after they visit the site. Your religious bigotry is un-American! Michael Conniff In both airliners and mosques, they shouted: Allah Akhbar, God is Great! That speaks for itself. Doug Tucker So are you admitting you are a bigot? Tony Vagneur Come on! We've been a nation of religious bigots since we gained religious freedom. If you think we're above that, you haven't been paying attention. And it's legal. Edward Troy Corruptors of religion (in this case Islam) declare holy wars and jihads. People of faith would never do this, only those who claim to be religious. People claiming to be Jews and Christians are not exempt either. Wisdom would suggest recognizing a lot of furious ignorant types will not like this, and building elsewhere. The KKK bombed churches, I have little doubt that some er umm affiliated types will engage in some violence towards this Mosque, if it is built. Roberta McGowan will be interesting to see, if it's built, what will go on there. It's supposed to be also a "Community Center" - Michael Conniff @Doug I'm saying if Catholics spouting the One True God had smashed the planes into the Twin Towers would we be building a Basilica one-tenth of a mile from Ground Zero. I think not. Doug Tucker How many Christian churches are there in Oklahoma City? How many baptists didn't blow up abortion clinics? Face it, you are bigoted against Muslims. Don't try to front. Doug Tucker PS- religious bigotry is un-American. Nick Kertz Doug, you still haven't addressed the claims of the article (not surprising considering there is nothing of substance to stand on). You've just been calling everyone a bigot. Although being anti-Christian is both politically and socially acceptable in the US, the most bigoted (intolerant) statements in this thread have come from you. You need to look up the definition of "bigotry", and while you're at it look up "irony" as well. Then perhaps read the article in question... Michael Conniff Hey, Nick, how does it feel to agree with me? Try it you'll like it. Nick Kertz That's how ya know Doug is skating on thin ice. Real thin ice. Are you ever gonna buy me my steak dinner? I see yer friends with the Cantina. How about carne asada? Michael Conniff Sing for your supper: how long before Obama got the troops out and what was the bet anyway?Add comment August 17th, 2010
The Hudson Reed Ensemble's Shakespeare in the Park series opens this Wednesday, August 18 at 6pm in the Galena Plaza with David Ledingham featured in the title role of RICHARD III. A fascinating portrait of greed and ambition gone wild...ring a bell?
Playing Wednesday, Aug 18, Fri, Aug 20, Sat Aug 21 & Fri Aug 27, Sat, Aug 28, Sun, Aug 29
Add comment August 17th, 2010
Patrick Holloran will direct ACT's fall musical 1776. Performances will be held at the historic Wheeler Opera House November 4 - 14.
1776 is a passionate look at the politics and personalities that led to the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
At times highly compelling and at times outrageously funny, this musical written by Peter Stone (with music by Sherman Edwards)
follows John Adams and the rest of America's forefathers as they face numerous obstacles and strive to form a new nation.
Though the final outcome is well-known before the curtain ever rises, the journey is pure musical entertainment.
On the face of it, few historical incidents seem more unlikely to spawn a Broadway musical than that solemn moment in the history of mankind,
the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Yet, 1776 pulls it off in grand style. When the curtain rises, it's late spring in Philadelphia -
extremely hot and muggy, and the Second Congressional Congress has convened. George Washington's army is valiantly facing the British near
New York, but the outcome is much in doubt and his prospects look bleak. John Adams is frustrated that no action has been taken in declaring independence.
And so the story unfolds. Adams enlists the help of Ben Franklin, Richard Henry Lee and, eventually, young Thomas Jefferson
to help in his quest of securing enough votes in Congress. Many obstacles get in the way, not the least of which is the slavery issue
- a cornerstone of the way of life in the Southern states. In addition to the struggles within Congress, the audience gets to enjoy
many lighter moments along the way. The brief romantic interludes of Jefferson and Adams, the outrageous and insightful wit of Franklin,
and even a debate on the naming of a national bird are just a few of the laughable moments that give this musical its balance.
Add comment August 16th, 2010
Aspen’s own Kevin Costner doesn’t get enough credit for trying to save the oil companies from themselves. The actors says dumped $24 million into his oil-water separation technology, according to his presentation this week at the Aspen Environment Forum, “and that’s after taxes”—so you figure he had to smile for the camera to the tune of $35 million-plus to make his Ocean Therapy Solutions come to life.
Why bother? Because Costner, after the Exxon Valdez fiasco, never wanted to see oil wash over our wildlife again. He hired 20 scientists and spent fifteen years coming up with a deployable black box that could stop the problem when it happened and before it got worse.
“I thought industry would rush to my door,” he said at the forum sponsored by the Aspen Institute.
Continue Reading 4 comments July 27th, 2010
ASPEN, COLORADO—Paywall love is a beautiful thing in the media business—the belief of working journalists that if they charge for content the good old days that never were will grow back like ivy at Wrigley Field.
Jon Miller, chief digital bottlewasher at News Corp., is a true believer in paywalls because his company stands behind the best and the brightest at the Wall Street Journal. Miller made clear at the Forbes Brainstorm conference here that paywalls are next to godliness for News Corp., if only because the Journal stands alone.
Continue Reading Add comment July 23rd, 2010
ASPEN, Colo.—Broadway and television star Audra McDonald makes her highly-anticipated Aspen Music Festival and School debut this Saturday evening, July 24, at 6 p.m. in Harris Concert Hall, as a part of this year’s season benefit. The four-time Tony Award and two-time Grammy Award winner will present an evening of show tunes, standards and original songs written especially for her, followed by―for the first time ever―an elegant dinner with McDonald on the stage of the Benedict Music Tent.
Continue Reading Add comment July 20th, 2010
I’ve seen some lousy reporting at the Aspen Daily News—including the one this year about a drunken editor trying to bribe a cop—but some of the worst ever can be found in Brent Gardner-Smith’s coverage of the resignation of Hugh Zuker, a candidate for Pitkin County Sheriff.
Continue Reading 1 comment July 20th, 2010
The Aspen Opera Theater Center kicks off its season this Thursday with the first opera from the Beaumarchais trilogy, Rossini’s The Barber of Seville. The comedic masterpiece introduces the audience to some of opera’s most beloved characters, including the sly and witty barber Figaro.
The Barber of Seville opens tomorrow, July 15, with a benefit performance at 8 pm and continues Saturday, July 17, and Monday, July 19, at 7 pm.
The opening night event will be this summer’s most glamorous benefit evening. Patrons of the black-tie 2010 Opera Benefit will enjoy a 5 pm cocktail hour at the home of Richard Edwards, followed by an elegant dinner at the Caribou Club. Opera-only tickets are also available, including an intermission reception featuring sparkling wine, cocktails, and hors d’oeuvres.
Continue Reading Add comment July 14th, 2010
