"We Were Here"...documentary on A.I.D.S. crisis in San Francisco touches!

 

For those who were “there” in San Francisco, the documentary “We were Here” is an emotional rollercoaster ride that impacts - and ultimately – sparks compassion.

The well-crafted taut account of the A.I.D.S. crisis at the height of the outbreak of the epidemic doesn’t pull any punches – and subsequently – ends up being an on-the-edge-of-your-seat drama that not only provokes thought but also stirs the emotions long after the dark chapter in American history closed.

The director  - David Weissman - accomplished this remarkable feat by expertly weaving a handful of faded news clips and riveting gut-wrenching visual images to recall the disturbing real-life tale about an insidious disease that struck down vibrant young men in the prime of life while a silent unfeeling Government – and its keepers – hid in the corridors of power and plotted to “quarantine” the infected.

I vividly recall the day I first heard about the mysterious virus.

One morning I dashed downstairs into the kitchen for breakfast, when my room-mate called out to me from the dining room.

“Julian, come read this,” he cried out excitedly.

“There’s cancer breaking out in New York and San Francisco that is killing gay men!"

The article, about one paragraph in length, was sketchy about the details because the virus was in its infancy and was not even given a name (or cause) yet by the medical community-at-large.

About two weeks later, newspaper headlines in dailies around the country were screaming about the killer disease.

On the heels of those disturbing reports, hysterical Americans - particularly homophobic bible-thumpers – cried out for government action.

Right off-the-bat, accusing fingers were pointed at the "gay" community and a homoerotic lifestyle - that some alleged - recklessly spread the mysterious killer disease.

In the wake of the public outcry - gay bath-houses were targeted - and ceremoniously shut down.

During that disturbing "era" of ignorance, friends like actor - Tony Hamilton - were shunned and died a horrible death alone as a result.

Post: 03/03/2009

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2009/03/tony-hamiltonactors-meteoric-rise-to.html

I was touched personally, in fact, when dozens of friends and acquaintances over the years succumbed to A.I.D.S. with no cure in sight.

When one of my best Vancouver pals - who hailed from Nelson B.C. - was stricken, I was beside myself. 

Because Barrie was a responsible individual who preferred a monogamous relationship with a loving partner to a promiscuous lifestyle, it was evident that A.I.D.S. did not discriminate.

For this reason, I often reported on fundraising efforts in the community (the annual Los Angeles A.I.D.S. walk, for instance) to raise awareness, and likewise, put a spotlight on the bold-faced efforts of a concerned few to rustle up funds for vital research and fathom up treatments to quell the opportunistic infections ravaging its victims.

Post: 10/16/2010

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2010/10/aids-walk-los-angeleshal-sparks-mayor.html

Even in medical facilities, unfounded fears – and hysteria – reached a fever pitch.

For example, Doctors and nurses worried about their own well-being in the wake of the outbreak, and so, were reluctant to hug their patients or get too close to their charges who ached for a loving hand to reach out and console their weary hearts as death’s door creaked open to swallow up their ravaged bodies.

In response, the Government – not only ignored the crisis – but also turned its back on demands for much-needed funding to combat the spread of the disease.

In one instant case, Government officials did spring into action, however.

The U.S. Department of Naturalization and Immigration instituted laws to deny entry to travelers journeying to these shores (or electing to immigrate) who tested positive for the dreaded disease.

Shocking!

Fortunately, a few high-profile individuals in the show-biz arena - Elizabeth Taylor, or example - took up the good fight to try to convince the fearful that A.I.D.S. was not just a "gay" disease.

Post: 09/24/2008

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2008/09/elizabeth-tayloraids-activist-last.html

Fortunately, great minds in the field of research – and compassionate fundraisers, too – were prompted to take legitimate meaningful action.

Because of their relentless tireless efforts to raise funds for research – and, likewise - prescribe experimental drugs to stem the tide - the once-rampant outbreak of HIV and A.I.D.S. was finally curbed ( and held at bay).

In the documentary, the director succeeds in shedding a light on these troubling events, by virtue of a handful of interviews he conducted with residents of the Castro District who were actively involved in the struggle to come to grips with – and ultimately - overcome the crisis in the eleventh hour.

Their heartbreaking stories – recalled in vivid heart-wrenching detail – are a testament to the greatness of the human spirit.

“We were Here” is a must-see documentary for that reason alone.

Kudos!

http://www.thetattler.biz

A.I.D.S. Memorial Quilt!

Ground zero during A.I.D.S. crisis!

Barack Obama...Mosque replaces World Trade Center! Slap to 911 victims!

Ground Zero Memorial

 

Over the weekend, the President ruffled a few feathers and triggered a controversy, when he weighed in on the subject of Muslims erecting a Mosque in the shadow of the Ground Zero memorial under construction in mid-Manhattan..

With a bit of a strain (tension?) in his voice, the President underscored in no uncertain terms, that Muslims have the right to build a mosque where they "choose" pursuant to the U.S. Constitution.

"Muslims have the same right to freedom of religion as everyone else in America," he declared in a White House speech on Friday evening.

Duh!

Most folks - critics and supporters alike - were already keenly aware of that fact.

And, are in accord with the acceptable argument.

Then, why are opponents (a smattering of Democrats, too) in a huff over the issue, bright and early this August morning?

For starters, a niggling question remains.

Does Obama honestly believe (in his own heart of hearts) that erecting a Mosque - "this-close" - to "Ground Zero" (where thousands died a horrible death at the hands of foreign terrorists) - is of little little or no consequence?

If so, then the President needs to re-think the situation.

After all, the two structures generating so much heated dialogue, are not just buildings being constructed out of mere mortar, steel, and stone.

In this instant case, the two architectural beauties envisioned by their creators, represent free-standing symbols intended to profoundly resonate (and speak volumes) in their own unique way about their own respective cultures.

In view of the events unfolding in recent days, one has to  wonder, will the Mosque (and what the structure represents) ever be able to overcome its potential to hurt?

Many believe that a Mosque built according to the plan that is underway - at the current location - amounts to nothing short of a slap in the face to the 9/11 victims and their loved ones - and ultimately - is indicative of poor judgment and "bad taste".

What is the subliminal message being transmitted here?

The World Trade Center - a symbol of America - was destroyed.

And, in its place, a Muslim House of Worship is being erected.

Mr. President, what are your thoughts on THAT sentiment?

Obama's willingness to side-step the obvious (i.e., lousy idea) - coupled with his audacity to speak up now (in the manner he did) for political reasons and with an eye on the upcoming elections - has turned the issue into a National one.

In fact, judging by the reactions of pundits and politicians over the past forty-eight hours, Obama's impromptu statements have propelled him full-throttle into a debate that Democrats have been trying to avoid for weeks.

Now, a handful of his cronies (and supporters) feel they've been put on the spot.

With three months to go before the mid-term elections, they were decidedly  nervous about the prospect of trying to hold the house, because of Obama's drop in popularity at the polls and approval rating.

Also, until the Friday night fiasco busted the political terrain wide open, the White House expressed its desire to stay out of local decision-making (Mosque controversy, for example).

What happened?

Well, 'ya know what they say.

"Loose lips sink ships."

In a nutshell, Obama couldn't keep his yap closed on the issue, for some inexplicable reason.

Yes, Muslims have the right to build where they wish - but shouldn't the land developers acquiesce under the circumstances - to show respect (something they so vigorously seek for themselves daily) for loved ones forced to grapple with the Mosque dilemma - now that Obama hurled it into the controversial light over the weekend?

One also has to wonder - in view of the outrage - why Muslims have refused to reconsider?

Constitution aside, shouldn't the Muslims (a religious entity) entertain the idea of a relocation, if only to appease the "dead" and the loved ones who mourn them?
God willing!

http://www.julianayrs.com/

The Oscars...Farrah Fawcett Memorial snub! Shame...

When the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences omitted the name of Farrah Fawcett from the touching Memorial at the 82nd Annual Oscar Ceremonies on Sunday March 7th, I assumed that an oversight was the cause of the grievous error.

However, when Ryan O'Neil - and a handful of friends, family and fellow actors - expressed their dismay on the Academy's failure to include Farrah, I sat up and took notice.

In the wake of the uproar that followed, I was quite shocked to learn that Fawcett's name (and image) were not left out of the memorial by accident, but due to the deliberate (thoughtless) actions of the powers-that-be at the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences.

When cornered on the controversy, a spokesperson for the prestigious organization argued that Ms. Fawcett was more commonly-known as a TV actress - and that for good reason - she was a likely candidate for inclusion at the Annual Emmy Awards instead.

Huh?

What  nonesense!

To validate their ludicrous dumba** position, officials noted that Gene Barry didn't make it into Academy Heaven either (on the same grounds).

When a reporter astutely noted that Michael Jackson was included in the tasteful memorial, an official quickly defended the Academy's position,  with an even flimsier excuse.

"Michael was in a recent film that was successful," he asserted for the record.

While I don't begrudge Jackson his well-deserved nod, the aforementioned excuse for inclusion (in view of the Fawcett fiasco) is hollow; after all, the Jackson project was pieced together after his death and was a documentary (not a feature film he was hired to act and/or perform in).

Because Ms. Fawcett was one of the most successful actresses in the business in recent years (and a highly respected performer in Hollywood circles who performed in three major areas of the entertainment field such as TV, feature film and the stage ) the Academy should be ashamed for its shocking disrespectful actions.

In my humble opinion, Ms. Fawcett's stature in the "acting profession" entitles her to mention - in any and all memorials - no matter what the specific medium.

Get a grip on reality, and show a little compassion next time, you shameless Academy losers!

Candidate for inclusion in Grammy Memorial?

http://www.thetattler.biz

Burials...separated at Death! Lest we forget...

When I was just a boy, I recall clutching my mother's hand as we strolled through a wide field dotted with a few humble headstones where they lay inscribed all around us marking the graves.

A slight breeze whispered in my ear as I struggled to keep up.

The Cemetery, in the West End of Toronto, was a relatively new burial ground.

There were no grand old oaks, just a handful of young samplings sprouting about here and there, straining towards the nurturing sunlight.

Years later, when I returned after a long stint in California, I was awestruck by the majestic trees that now touched the sky, rooted firmly in the rich soil below.

It was forty years since my last visit.

Unfortunately, I was facing a dilemma.

During a period after my father's death - while my mother lay ill in a Nursing Home - I happened to come across a certificate in her personal belongings (a beautifully-crafted document in ornate script) which confirmed she was to be laid to rest next to my father.

At the time, I recall being quite astounded by the wording.

IDA MAE HOLYOAK and VICTOR GEORGE HOLYOAK to be interned side-by-side "forever".

Gosh, I vividly recall saying to myself, "Forever" is a long time.

Unfortunately, there was a mix-up at the time of my Mother's passing - and as a result - my parents were separated at "death".

I was in California and out-of-touch with distant relatives when my mother - who had been in a vegetative state for about two years due to a stroke - suddenly succumbed and met her maker.

For some inexplicable reason, the certificate for the plot was overlooked, and my poor mother was buried across town miles from her beloved Victor.

Theirs was a great love story.

My mother was a farm girl from Brampton (Ontario) and my Dad was a fiddler who immigrated from Ireland with his mother and three sisters to York County at the turn of the century.

Unfortunately, due to a tragedy, my father passed away when I was a baby - and the troubles descended upon my dear mother shortly thereafter - without mercy.

Today, when I reflect on the situation, it's quite evident to me now.

In due time, I must take it upon myself to set things right.

Until my mother and father are side by side, their souls will never rest in peace!

I pray that they are patient.

*******
A happy man marries the girl that he loves
A happier man loves the girl he marries

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