Uncounted. Lawd have mercy...

For any of you in the DC area, come see this film at the American Film Institute (before Sara Palin tries to cut funding...if elected...and shifts public money to infomercials for housewives).

Tuesday, September 9, 6pm at the AFI's HQ in beautiful downtown Silver Spring. Guest panelists: Bob Edwards, XM Radio's The Bob Edwards Show (Panel Moderator) DeForest Soaries, former commissioner, U.S. Election Assistance Commission (2004-2005) Mimi Kennedy, chair, Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) Matthew Segal, founder & executive director, Student Association for Voter Empowerment (SAVE) Robert Fitrakis, Ph.D., journalist & author, What Happened in Ohio? Rebecca Wilson, co-chair, SaveOurVotes Maryland

"An explosive documentary which makes the compelling argument that election fraud changed the outcome of the 2004 election, led to even greater fraud in 2006, and now looms as an unbridled threat to the outcome of the 2008 election. This controversial feature film by Emmy award-winning director David Earnhaerdt examines how easy it is to change election outcomes and undermine election integrity across the US. Noted computer programmers, statisticians, journalists, and experienced election officials provide the evidence."

It's that time again. Dieboldt's been gearing up their machines. You know, I wasn't all that impressed with HBO's Recount, though the metaphors evident in the personages of Brits Tom Wilkinson as James Baker and John Hurt as Warren Christopher say all that needs to be said. The West Indians call it "fuckery." Don't be surprised if we see a repeat. The GOPs back is up against the wall. The proof: they are stepping off the precipice, hands clasped with John McCain. Given the stakes, well...

Real Good Rhymes...

Spoken word. OK, some uninitiated folk, some folk who watch parodies of the same on Mad TV or Def Comedy Jam or perhaps see it performed badly at some coffee bar will snicker. But the Graffiti Verite documentary Random Static: The Iridescent Equations of Spoken Word illustrates and expounds on the singlar thesis that this art form is indeed bon mots. Poetry. Subject to the discipline and devotion of craft. Indeed, the only additional element is the performance mode of the poet. Performance implies a primary purpose of "for the people," rather than serving a brooding ego or exorcise personal demons.

Directed by filmmaker Bob Bryan, the focus here on the craft, rather than the personal quirks of poets Natalie Patterson, Poetri, Sekou tha misfit, Hunter Lee Hughes, Vejea Jennings, Common Ground, Bridget Gray, Mollie Angelheart, J. Walker, Nick Lopez, Tim'm T. West, Rachel Kann, The Lindz and Eric Haber. Yes, their personalities and inspirations shine through, but the essence of craft is what Bryan captures, honestly and admirably. Craft in the poets sharing their philosophies on why they do what they: "People do not listen. They only hear static, the noise." Or how humor, irony become allegory for deeper problems, such as a jaded ode to the south's own caloric noose on the black man: Krispy Kreme Doughnuts.

If you don't know anything about spoken word but the HBO versions, or think you know something about poetry but wish to know more, check out Bob Bryan's Random Urban Static--and learn, understand what's been there all along. Devotion. With music by Nebula One, produced by Loida Bryan, Miles Bryan and Nicholas Bryan.