A couple of days ago I tried to post a story from my blog on Facebook. And, I received an error message. I tried to comment on a friend's post, couldn't do it—got an error message—albeit a different one. Here's what I'm seeing:
This one says:
The link you are trying to visit has been reported as abusive by Facebook users. To learn more about staying save on the internet, visit Facebook's Security Page. Please also read the Wikipedia articles on malware and phishing.
And, this one:
The content you're trying to share includes a link that's been blocked for being spammy or unsafe: Body of an error/warning message. Title is: Sorry, this post contains a blocked URL
For more information, visit the Help Center. If you think you're seeing this my mistake, please let us know.
I'd appreciate it greatly if someone coud help me out with this issue. And please, if you know a real Facebook wiz, forward this.
Q&A will be streamed live from Los Angeles after a screening of the film.
Email questions for Brad Pitt or Jonah Hill to LiveStream@sagfoundation.org or tweet to #SAGF.
Stars Brad Pitt and Jonah Hill have both received SAG Award nominations for their work in MONEYBALL.
Columbia Pictures’ Moneyball is based on the true story of Billy Beane (Brad Pitt) – once a would-be baseball superstar who, stung by the failure to live up to expectations on the field, turned his fiercely competitive nature to management. Heading into the 2002 season, Billy faces a dismal situation: his small-market Oakland A’s have lost their star players (again) to big market clubs (and their enormous salaries) and he is left to rebuild his team and compete with a third of their payroll.
Driven to win, Billy takes on the system by challenging the fundamental tenets of the game. He looks outside of baseball, to the dismissed theories of Bill James, and hires Peter Brand (Jonah Hill), a brainy, number-crunching, Yale-educated economist.
Together they take on conventional wisdom with a willingness to reexamine everything and armed with computer driven statistical analysis long ignored by the baseball establishment. They reach imagination-defying conclusions and go after players overlooked and dismissed by the rest of baseball for being too odd, too old, too injured or too much trouble, but who all have key skills that are universally undervalued. Ultimately this experiment will lead not only to a change in the way the game is played, but to an outcome that would leave Billy with a new understanding that transcends the game and delivers him to a new place.
Moneyball, starring Brad Pitt, Jonah Hill and Philip Seymour Hoffman, is directed by Bennett Miller. The screenplay is by Steven Zaillian and Aaron Sorkin. The story is written by Stan Chervin. Based on the book by Michael Lewis. The producers are Michael De Luca, Rachael Horovitz and Brad Pitt.
Game Change coming to a television near you in March 2012.
Ed Harris and Julieanne Moore in 'Game Change'
Based on the best-selling book of the same name by John Heilemann and Mark Halperin, Jay Roach directed Game Change, which was written by Recount's Danny Strong.
This is a pulic live stream event. To view the Q&A you DO NOT need to log into our website or RSVP online.
Get Involved! During the event, you can email questions to the moderator at LiveStream@sagfoundation.org or tweet to @SAGFoundation or #SAGF.
Dan Rather has covered virtually every major news event in the world in the past 50 years. His resume reads like a history book, from his unparalleled reporting on the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, through the civil rights movement, to Watergate, and wars in Vietnam, Afghanistan, and Iraq. (He has covered, on scene, in person, more than twenty wars, violent insurrections, uprisings, coups and riots all over the world—including the 1965 India-Pakistan War, the Rhodesian War of Independence and the Tiananmen Square uprising for freedom and democracy in China—earning the nickname “War Zone Dan”)
From his early days as the Associated Press reporter in Huntsville, Texas, in 1950, Rather has more than earned his reputation as the “hardest working man in broadcast journalism.”
Rather photo courtesy CBS
Now the anchor and managing editor of DAN RATHER REPORTS, which began broadcasting on HDNet in November, 2006, Rather served as anchor and managing editor of the CBS EVENING NEWS from March 9, 1981 to March 9, 2005, the longest such tenure in broadcast journalism history. He also served as anchor of the CBS program 48 HOURS and as a correspondent for 60 MINUTES and 60 MINUTES II.
Rather has interviewed every United States president from Dwight D. Eisenhower to George W. Bush and Barack Obama, and virtually every major international leader of the past 30 years. He landed two world exclusive news-breaking interviews with Saddam Hussein, in 1990 and in 2003.
Rather has received virtually every honor in broadcast journalism, including numerous Emmy and Peabody Awards and citations from critical, scholarly, professional and charitable organizations.
This event will be moderated by Anthony DeRosa, Social Media Editor, Reuters.
About Anthony DeRosa: Anthony is the Reuters Social Media Editor, integrating the “ambient wire” that exists on social networks, where news now breaks before anywhere else, into Reuters platforms. As part of his mission, he helps Reuters journalists and editors use social media tools to monitor news, report news, and find leads. The New York Times declared him “The undisputed King of Tumblr” based on soupsoup.tumblr.com. Mashable named it one of the best tumblrs of 2008. On Feb 23, 2010, it cracked the Technorati Top 100. Soup was recently cited as a reliable source for news on ABC, NBC, CNN and by Jon Stewart on The Daily Show. Connect with Anthony at twitter.com/antderosa.
The day didn't go exactly like this (we left our tuxes in the closet)... but, Jacob and I were certainly on this track.
Thanks again, everyone. Having good friends is the best gift that I could ever hope for. When I look at each of you one-by-one, and when I look at all of you as a group, I realize that the diversity of my friends makes my world a more magnificent, magical place.
I learn from all of you. I enjoy all of you. I respect all of you.
Joan Crawford Accepting Her Oscar for Mildred Pierce
And, I've always wanted to say something like this:
“I find suggestion a hell of a lot more provocative than explicit detail. You didn't see Clark and Vivien rolling around in bed in Gone With The Wind, but you saw that shit-eating grin on her face the next morning and you knew damned well she'd gotten properly laid.” — Joan Crawford
Congratulations to all of the 2011 Mobbie Winners. You all make Baltimore a smarter city and Maryland a smarter state. You all make the community closer, better informed, and more accessible. And friendlier.
I applaud all of the winners and all of the nominees.
Regina King, Star of TNT’s Acclaimed Series “Southland,” to Serve as SAG Awards® Social Media Ambassador
Social media ambassador has been named for the 18th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards® airing live on TNT and TBS Sunday, Jan. 29. Through posts on Twitter and Facebook, King will serve as the online face for the awards, giving viewers unprecedented access to behind-the-scenes moments during the weeks building up to the show, as well as from the red carpet.
King’s duties as the SAG Awards® social media ambassador will kick off when she announces this year’s nominations on Wednesday, Dec. 14, at 9 a.m. (ET)/6 a.m. (PT), telecast live on TNT and online at tnt.tv andtbs.com. During the six weeks leading up to the Jan. 29 simulcast of the award ceremony, King will continue to tweet and post about the SAG Awards, including updates on presenters and fashion. She will also post updates during rehearsals and provide her thoughts and insights from the red carpet on the big night.
TNT and TBS’s live simulcast of the 18th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards will take place Sunday, Jan. 29, 2012, at 8 p.m. (ET), 5 p.m. (PT), 7 p.m. (CT) and 6 p.m. (MT). West Coast viewers who prefer to watch in primetime will be able to catch the encore presentation on TNT at 7 p.m. (PT) / 10 p.m. (ET).
Of the top industry honors presented to performers, only the Screen Actors Guild Awards are voted on solely by actors’ peers in the Screen Actors Guild. The SAG Awards was the first televised awards show created by a union to honor the work of actors and the first to present ensemble and cast awards. The SAG Awards nominees are chosen by separate film and television nominating committees, each consisting of 2,100 SAG members from around the country, randomly selected anew each year. All active members of Screen Actors Guild are eligible to vote for the final Actor® recipients.
The Magic Castle will be closed tonight, October 31st, due to the fire that has just occured.
The Hollywood Reporter's first report about the incident read, "An early afternoon fire damaged the attic and walls of the Magic Castle, the famous private magicians club in the Hollywood Hills, on Monday.
The Los Angeles Times provided one of the first online images of the fire and quoted the Los Angeles Fire Department as saying, "The blaze was contained largely to the attic and walls of the historic venue but that there might be significant water damage."
The LA Times continued, "Magic Castle will be closed for Halloween as a result of the fire that struck the complex Monday, according to an update on the club's website. The site said details about reopening would be provided as soon as the damage could be assessed."
As a reminder that there is a whole lot of love in the performing arts community, The Comedy Store in Los Angeles offered to give its venue to the Magic Castle:
Comedy Store Tweet to Magic Castle, screen capture
The Magic Castle's tagline is "the most unusual club in the World."
I've been fortunate to have been a guest at the Magic Castle twice and I can attest to that fact. A visit to the Magic Castle will make novice guests slightly crazy. The food and the drinks are all top shelf, but the physical and visual magic built into the venue will test your sense of reality every single minute of your stay.
I won't explain exactly why or how your senses are challenged at the Magic Castle. While I'm not a magician, I adhere to the magician's code: Don't Reveal How It's Done.
To the @magiccastle - We are all watching you, we are wishing you a speedy rebuild, and we are here to support you. On this night I believe that Harry Houdini is looking down and supporting you, also.
[UPDATE]
I just received this information from the Magic Castle:
The Academy of Magical Arts is delighted to announce that the Magic Castle will re-open (some of) its doors Friday night, November 4th. This "soft opening" will feature our Parlour showroom, special (unticketed, first-come-first-served) shows in the Palace of Mystery, and closeup magic in the Peller Theatre.
The Castle will be open on a "member +1" basis; only members (with valid membership card in hand) will be admitted with a single guest. No unescorted "guest pass" guests will be admitted. Our normal dress code will be in effect.
Our regular valet service will be available. Members will check in at the front desk in the Castle lobby, where they may purchase tickets ($20, which includes tax) to a buffet offered from 6:00 to 10:00. Once they check in, they will enter the Glover Annex through the Inner Circle entrance, where they may enjoy access to all the theatres and bars throughout the Annex.
Donations for our "Inferno Fund" will be accepted at the front desk and throughout the Annex as well. These next few nights will be some of the most exciting in Magic Castle history. They'll also be some of the most challenging, though, so we ask your patience and your help in sharing in this unforgettable experience.
Baltimore Police Officer, Otis Carroll, and Partner 1920s
Did you know that The Baltimore Police Department's Mounted Unit is the oldest, continuous Unit of its kind in the United States? Founded in 1888, the Mounted Unit is still going strong. And, the Mounted Unit can use your help.
Here's information from Peter Merles at the Midtown Community Benefits District:
The Baltimore City Police Department Mounted Unit is in need of two horses.
The Mount Vernon Belvedere Association is once again stepping up to the plate to help raise $5,000 for the purchase of Vernon (nickname Vern), a horse that is currently in training with BPD.
The MVBA Board is offering a match up to $2,500 to help raise the $5,000 needed. MVBA will match any contribution made by an existing member and MVBA will match any contribution of $100 or more by a non-member, up to $2,500.
Early Baltimore Mounted Police Officer and Partner
Vernon would love to live in Baltimore just as much as you and I do, but he can't afford to live here without our help. Please contribute today.
All we need is 100 people to contribute $25 each! It's just that simple.
Visit and click the "donate" button to the left of your screen today to help us achieve our goal and to keep Vernon with the fine men and women who are currently training him. We'd greatly appreciate it.
Baltimore Mounted Unit, St. Patrick's Day Parade
If you can't afford to donate today, please share this with your friends, business associates, put the information on your Blog, Tweet about it, and mention it on Facebook. Vernon will thank you; I already thank you.
August 23rd was a shaky day; this Commemorative is solid
When the Great Baltimore Quake of 2011 struck, social media went crazy with the stories of the shaking. I went to work.
I created a reminder of that Shaky Day in August. And knowing that memories of that day are still harsh and nerves are still raw, I've waited a respectful 30 days to release my masterpiece.
You may read all about my stunning creation, my reminder of that hot Baltimore Summer Afternoon when the ground shook under our feet, and you also may purchase an Earthquake Commemorative of your very own, right here:
An Important Note: Your purchase will help support a copywriter who is on long-term jury duty. Come on, when I play the pity card, you know I'm serious. Check out the link above; buy one today. Oh, and when you check the link, be aware that high satire, humor, is involved. The Commemorative, though, is real. So get on with it, buy one!
UPDATE 9/26/2011 -
The National Park Service has released security camera footage of the shaking inside of the Washington Monument. Yep, it was that big, that intense.
You, yes you, can have a great time with Howard Stern and make a big difference in the continuing development of a great cause.
Here's the scoop from CharityBuzz:
Howard Stern fans rejoice, this is a never-before-available chance, an unbelievable chance, to see and meet the Man, the King of All Media, live and in person! But wait, there's more!
This unforgettable experience includes your very own seat in the inner sanctum of the one and only, Howard Stern Show, as it's being broadcast live and uncensored from the SIRIUS XM Radio Studio in New York City. (Think Pace Picante Sauce and say it like you mean it, "IN-NEW-YORK-CITY.")
You'll sit down in the broadcast studio at SIRIUS, adjust your headset, and take part as broadcast history unfolds before your very eyes with your favorite Howard Stern Show regulars: Robin Quivers, Fred Norris, Artie Lange, Gary "Baba Booey" Dell'Abate, and more!
All of the details, terms and conditions are on the CharityBuzz website. Check them out and get on with your bidding. Yes, Ryan Goff I'm talking to you!
This incredible opportunity to witness the uncensored humor and broadcast chaos up close is truly a rare and amazing treat for any fan of the worldwide "King of All Media!"
The proceeds from this item benefit a charity the I support with all of my heart: Rosie's Theater Kids.
Why would Chick-Fil-A sponsor a Golf Tournament for an organization that, on its website, states:
“We believe that homosexual behavior is unhealthy and destructive to the individual, to families, and thus to communities and to society as a whole,” and calls on members to “join us in resisting, on every front, the organized effort to normalize homosexual behavior in our society.”
Oh yes, silly me. The folks at Chick-Fil-A have long been out-of-step, out-of-touch, and have pulled anti-tolerance stunts like this before.
Here's my open letter addressed to the Chick-Fil-A's powers-that-be:
Dan T. Cathy President and COO Chick-Fil-A, Incorporated
and
S. Truett Cathy Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Donald M. "Bubba" Cathy Senior Vice President and Dwarf House President James "Buck" McCabe Senior Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer Steve Robinson Senior Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer Perry Ragsdale Senior Vice President, Real Estate, Design, and Construction Timothy Tassopoulos Senior Vice President, Operations
Chick-Fil-A People, Greetings to All of You:
As an American corporation and a national franchiser, you and your franchisees have the absolute right to support any cause you like, admire, believe in, and respect. I recognize that.
You and your franchisees have the absolute right to monetarily support groups such as Citizens for Community Values and CCV's intolerance of gay Americans, their right to marry, and CCV's lack of tolerance of any number of other groups. I recognize that, also.
And, as a corporation you may--in your press releases--blame an individual franchisee for supporting lack of tolerance and lack of understanding. However, I don't believe that a handful of franchisees are to blame. Intolerance is systemic and inbred in your corporate culture.
It's difficult for the public to believe that Chick-Fil-A is as progressive on the Human Rights front as you'd like your customers, the public, and your investors to believe.
When a Chick-Fil-A family member like Bubba Cathy is vested with the position of Senior Vice-President and President of Dwarf House, your customers wonder how that contributes to equality. When Bubba Cathy is interviewed in Philanthropy magazine and is quoted like this, it also makes people wonder about many things:
"We need to win back our culture's vision for marriage and family. Changing public sentiment and attitudes towards marriage and family is essential. Our philanthropy needs to stir up the desire for lifelong healthy marriage and catalyze the efforts to help people strengthen their marriage and their family. Private dollars and the influential relational networks that go with those dollars are essential for the marriage movement to succeed."
1. Winshape: Over $1.1M Given To Anti-Gay Groups 2. Chick-Fil-A Reportedly Favors Married Employees, Investigates Their Personal Lives 3. Chick-Fil-A's Partnership With Focus On The Family 4. Sponsorship Of Anti-Gay Hate Group Affiliate 5. WinShape's "Traditional Marriage" Activities
And, Chick-Fil-A, please don't take this letter as the rabid vamping of a heathen. I grew up in a religious, multi-faith family in Kansas. I didn't miss one day of Sunday School for 5 years. I still have the lapel pin to prove it.
This letter is just to say to you, Chick-Fil-A, that as a gay man who is in a loving, long-term, family relationship, I take exception with your positioning of the facts to meet your agenda. Equality isn't about exclusion. Equality is about parity in paritys most fundamental human form.
I hope that you and your franchisees recognize that I can shop for a chicken sandwich anywhere. (Hey, I'm gay, I can even make my own. And with a superior aioli sauce.)
The GLBT comunity is large, and strong, and like every Jew who has placed a stone on a grave or a monument, we will never forget.
Thanks for reading. I won't be having one of your Fruit Salads anytime soon. Just so you know.
Stephen Brockelman Baltimore, Maryland
[UPDATE - July, 26]
I received an email this afternoon from a gal who thought that I wasn't being fair to her favorite fast-food-sanctuary. So, in order to right any wrong--and to correct any indiscretion on my part--I offer this olive leaf: The Chick-Fil-A Song. The song was performed at the Bent Tree Bible Fellowship, Carrollton, Texas.
The singer is Tim Hawkins and if that little ditty doesn't do it for you, well then, you're just not a red-blooded American.
Baltimore people get your applications in now. Your application must be received by July 29, 2011.
Photo Courtesy NBCNews
Here are the details, guys. Make Baltimore proud when you hit NYC.
July 18, 2011 Social Media Intern at NBC News
NBC News is hiring a Social Media intern for Fall 2011. If interested, tweet your application to @NBCNewsPR in 140 characters or less. Job description and requirements are listed below. Creativity counts! Good luck. Applications are due July 29, 2011 5pm EST. Intern would be able to start as soon as August 8, depending on availability.
Duties and responsibilities Intern will assist social media team and coordinate with editorial staff, marketing, and communications for all of NBC NewsMonitor the social web. Assist with providing analytics on growth. Always looking for new opportunities to innovate
Will report to Director of Social Media
Some examples of tasks that our current intern, Sarah, has completed:
Created graphic for TODAY hitting 500,000 Facebook fans Assisted in redesigning NBC News Tumblr Was active on NBC News and TODAY Instagram accounts Gathered content and created graphics for blog posts Created Facebook landing pages for NBC News and Meet The Press
Skills and experience: Intern should have blogging experience and be active using Facebook and Twitter.
Should live a digital life and be familiar with digital and social media trends Photoshop or Final Cut Pro experience preferred HTML experience preferred but not required Must be currently enrolled in undergraduate or graduate courses and be eligible to receive academic credit for time spent at NBC News.
Go for it people, you know you want to rub elbows with Al Roker.
This morning I glanced up and caught a Tweet posted by my friend Nick Piche (@nickwritenow). He's an outstanding writer and poet. He loves punctuation as much as I do.
Nick wrote, I am, and will forever be, an emphatic supporter of the Oxford comma.
I agreed wholeheartedly. As a copywriter, I defend the use of serial commas with a high passion usually reserved for much more personal issues.
Online conversation insued. Nick claimed the Oxford comma flag and I claimed the semicolon flag. (I think the semicolon is sexy punctuation, underused, and powerful.)
My Semicolon Flag is up and flying. OK, Mr Piche... show me yours.
I know in my heart of hearts that someone out there has a flag in mind for the guillemet.
