Los Angeles Times Festival of Books...Omar J. Dorsey's vulgar language upsets parents! John Heard mesmerizing...

What's the big deal?

(Cederling Fox candid moment)

John Heard mesmerizing!

A "Word Theatre" presentation started off light and innocent enough on the - etc. stage - late this afternoon at the Los Angeles Festival of Books on the UCLA campus.

For example, Tess Harper read a delightful piece of literature about a relationship between a mother and son, which was well-received by the rapt audience.

But, the live stage performance turned ugly when actor Omar J. Dorsey (Blind Side) stood before the mic, and suddenly began hurling shocking expletives in all their vulgar capacity into the theatre space.

The reaction from some parents was swift and severe.

"There are children here, you mother****er!

Instead of taking a moment to admit the inappropriateness of the material - or apolgoize - Mr. Dorsey proceeded to exhibit a disturbing lack of sensitivity.

What was his angry response?

"Forget about it!

He plunged on unphased.

I was stunned, frankly.

When Cederly Fox, the Artistic Director for "Word Theatre" returned to the stage at the end of the actor's reading, I was on the edge of my seat.

Would she ignore the incident?

"Sorry about the expletives," she grimmaced.

Then, without skipping-a-beat, she uttered up a comment that put the spotlight on her lack of professionalism.

"But, it's an adult show," she shrugged in defense.

What an arrogant bit**!

Her flimsy excuse, in view of the circumstances, was total bullsh**.

For example, the show was presented on a main stage at the entrance to the UCLA campus.
four in the afternoon, the questionable material was being broadcast over a handful of speakers, and falling on the ears of Festival guests (largely comprised of parents and children) a hundred-or-so feet in all directions (at a minimum).

Notwithstanding, it should be noted that there weren't any notices posted - warning parents that the "adult material" (as Fox described it) - might not be suitable for children.

The fact the dizzy broad thought that Dorsey's blue performance was acceptable (duh!) underscored that the inexperienced low-life has no common sense, all the intelligence of a worm, and a lack of discernment in respect to artistic license in a given setting.

I trust that the Los Angeles Times will review tomorrow's material, and weed out unacceptable language, to ensure young children and their parents are not subjected to this kind of filth again.
Obviously, the organizers of - "etc. stage" - aren't going to bother!

As a major sponsor, the daily newspaper owes that to the community, in my estimation.
In spite of the Dorsey shocker, the event ended on an upbeat note.

John Heard, one of my favorite actors, mesmerized the audience with his interpretation of a piece on "crows".

In contrast the other actors, Mr. Heard's style was natural and believable.

In fact, with great ease, he managed to give the impression that he was in a private conversation with each and every member of the audience.

His relaxed, easy-going approach to the hilarious literature, was certainly bang on.

Few actors - Richard Burton was one - are capable of accomplishing that in one fell swoop!


As to the rest of the Festival, well, it was a high point of my week.

I will be reporting on some of the events in a post later this evening.

For those of you planning to attend tomorrow (Sunday) I have some tips on where to purchase reasonably-priced snacks and drinks (lemonade on the main concourse goes for $5.00 pop!) for those on a budget.

There will be info on which booths are giving out free books.

And, a run-down on stage performances in the line-up tomorrow.

Los Angeles Opera (free!) anyone?

Later!

Omar's vulgar language incited anger at family outing.

Omar's vulgar language angered parents at family outing!

http://www.thetattler.biz

Barack Obama...condemns controversial Rev. Jeremiah Wright. No Lamb of God!

Rev. Jeremiah Wright...no prophet!

In response to a loud outcry from voters around the nation, Presidential hopeful - Barack Obama - has distanced himself from his Church Pastor Rev. Jeremiah Wright for uttering outrageous hateful remarks in recent days.

"I vehemently disagree and strongly condemn the statements that have been the subject matter of this controversy," the Senator wrote in a column published online at Huffington Post.

On occasion the mouthy voice piece has focused attacks on Hillary Clinton direct from the pulpit.

For instance, Wright stridently remarked in a Christmas sermon,

"Hillary Clinton was not a black boy raised in a single-parent home - but Barack Obama was."

He raged on, much to the dismay of a startled congregation,

"Barack knows what it means to be a black man living in a country and a culture that is controlled by rich white people. Hillary! Hillary can never know that. Hillary ain't ever been called a nigger! Hillary has never had her people defined as a non-person."

In another sermon he referred to the United States as,

"The U.S. of K.K.K.A."

Some jump to the pastor's defense by alleging that although Wright's sermons may appear to be too provocative for Sunday morning service, they actually reflect a proud history of what Walter Earl Fluker of Morehouse College in Atlanta would call "prophetic preaching - which is the trademark of the Black Church tradition - in which Jeremiah Wright is one of the most illustrious exemplars."

Peter Paris, Professor Emeritus of Christian Social ethics at Princeton Theological Society, added that prophets are basically reformers and not revolutionaries.

"There's a fine line beyond which one is no longer prophetic but revolutionary. He's not there, but the language may appear from time to time to be there."

Hogwash!

There's nothing prophetic about his inflammatory remarks. Without doubt, Wright crossed the line for a man of God.

In the House of the Lord sermons should focus on the "word" and the salient points of their spiritual essence wisely set forth in the Holy Bible for all to peruse in a moment of reflection.

Moreover, whenever an orator stands before a congregation, he should endeavour to couch the language of the sermon in a manner that engenders widespread universal appeal.

For example, instead of name-calling or pointing an accusing finger at this great country or labelling the nation the - "U.S. of KKK" - the Reverend should find a way to address the issues of racism, discrimination, and prejudice in a more eloquent far-reaching capacity so that the sermon is inspiring, not denigrating.

But, to be fair, Rev. Wright is not alone in his efforts to manipulate the faithful.

For example, during a service at the "Good Shepherd" last fall, one of the Priests took it upon himself to suggest that when Peter referred to a personal dilemma that "upset" him, he may have been referring to the fact he was "gay".

It was so preposterous a notion that I laughed out loud in Church!

Needless to say, the priest retreated. Then, went off on another tangent.

On another occasion I was also hopping mad when a female rector (taking up residence at "All Saint's Church" in Beverly Hills) chose - on the occasion of her first sermon - to address the issue of women and their function in the Church.

In a bold-faced effort to validate her right to "preach" the word of God - which remains in conflict with the dictates of the scriptures - she proceeded to twist and distort the verses to suit her agenda.

Maybe now Rev. Wright can fathom what the "whore" of Babylon truly represents.

No wonder people are turning away from Sunday morning service.

As the Easter season approaches, I urge our men of the cloth to just focus on the Holy Bible, please.

Unless, they want to be crucified, of course!