Randomn3ss

Recently, the internet and some friends have been buzzing about the 9/11 conspiracy-theory documentary Loose Change. Written and directed by 23-year-old Dylan Avery, this documentary posits that the events of September 11, 2001 were perpetrated by the United States government and not Al-Qaida operatives. While there are many 9/11 conspiracy theories out there (ranging from the extreme, neo-Nazi driven to the watered-down Michael Moore versions), this is probably the most coherent alternative explanation for the bizarre and frightening events of that day.

Avery and Co. suggest that the US manufactured the attacks and was the only entity both technologically and financially capable of doing so. Motives of personal greed, opinion polls, and the ability to initiate scrutable foreign policy moves influenced the attack. The filmmakers cite the lack of wreckage, scientific paradoxes (jet fuel doesn’t burn hot enough to melt steel, etc), and refusal of the US government to release specific documents and pieces of evidence (where are the flight recorders?) as their bases for this theory. While the film doesn’t answer every question that the viewer might have, it certainly offers a twist in the way one typically thinks about 9/11. This fact does not harm the overall effectiveness of Loose Change; rather, it only proves that not all theories are water-tight, including the socially-accepted theory that a group of poorly-organized Muslim extremists brought down landmarks of freedom in the most militarily powerful country in the world.

I want to state that I am far from your typical conspiracy theorist. I also want to state that 9/11 conspiracy theorists are NOT anti-Holocaust sympathizers (apparently, according to 9/11 conspiracy websites, this is a typical complaint of standard-9/11-theory proponents and is a common misnomer). I lost people in 9/11 and was paralyzed into a state of fear momentarily as I watched the towers fall on live tv. I now have a man in the Iraq, involved in a war that neither of us believe is right, so I feel especially connected to this issue, as 9/11 has been used as the justification for much of our recent foreign policy. I ache for those affected, because no matter who was at fault, it was senseless and a blow to the American psyche. It should not have happened, but it did. Now, as protectors of free speech and democracy, it’s up to us to demand an explanation of why and how.
The film is currently undergoing a third revision to be released in theaters in the near future. Until then, there is the passable 2nd version, that while intriguing is marred by a too-personal first person narration (the narrator explicitly states his opinion; not only does the audience not care, but we also should be thought clever enough to let the facts speak for themselves). No matter your thoughts on 9/11, I highly suggest that you give 90 minutes of your life to viewing this movie, if only to get other opinions. You can view the 2nd cut free of charge (yes… gratis. They just really want you to see the movie) through the links here (you can choose either Google video or DivX platforms. The resolution isn’t stellar, but it’s, you know, free).

Give the video a shot and leave comments below, or feel free to get at me directly. I’m interested to see what others think or know about this issue! While you’re waiting for it to load, check out these other 9/11 conspiracy-theory sites:

• 911 Research
• 9/11 Review (incredibly comprehensive, with links to dissenting opinions)
• Physics 9/11 (scientific myths and research)

Day before yesterday I received a frantic email from Adrienne, someone had contacted her via MySpace (I’ll never list email addresses here on the site for spam reasons) about her article here on Randomn3ss about banging Bear Grylls.  The person claimed to be a writer for the NY Post and wanted to talk to her on the phone to get a quote for a human interest piece they were doing on the celebrity.  A quick Google search revealed that this was not a prank, it was very much a reality.

Excited, Adrienne sent her phone number via MySpace message and within a few hours got a phone call.  Twenty minutes later, she had given her quotes and hoped for the best.

Today the article was published!  Adrienne got her name published in the NY Post for something she had written here on Randomn3ss!  Big congratulations to Adrienne, please show her some love.

This little bit of excitement goes to prove that while you may only be writing a story or article for yourself, you never know who may be reading it.  Randomn3ss is always looking for more writers, regardless of your skill level, so drop us a line.

View the NY Post article here

Fat City Reprise is poised for world domination and you are powerless to stop them. And if they don’t get to dominate the world, they at least dominated my liver on this bus trip.

Monday - I get strep throat and a fever.

Thursday, same week - I am on a bus at 3pm with 25 other people drinking bottles of Jack, smoking, and generally carousing around on our way to New York City. This was also after I called out of work that day. And the next.

Who could possibly throw together such a debaucherous affair (gratis, mind you, and one that dragged this feverish amazon out of her death bed) for their friends and fans?? Only the fabulous foursome known as Fat City Reprise (Nick, Mike Vivas, Frankie Pedano, and Jay Miraglia), a Phildelphia-based pop-funk band with a devoted local following. Their songs are catchy and danceable - if you aren’t bouncing around as soon as they plug in, then you should just go on back home because you are not fun. Nick Anastasi, guitarist and Gemini, has described their sound as both “Thrift Store” and “ADD” rock, because the listener is in for almost anything with Fat City - they add stylistic nuances to their songs as to never be boring (and also to stay classy, Philadelphia).

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I’m entirely too hungover to read the news and come up with something erudite this morning, so I’m going to repost this YouTube video of some stupid ass child running into a breakdancing routine.

I mean, I realize that kids run around willy-nilly because they don’t know any better and as soon as you figure out how legs work, you’re off like a speeding bullet. I am sure I gave my mom years worth of migraines running up and down the aisles at church (at least I didn’t immediately burst into flame like I would if I set foot in a church now). But I’m entirely over little kids being allowed to run around like hellions. I work part-time in retail in a bi-level store and cannot tell you how many times I’ve rescued some kid before they go ass over noggin down the steps because their irresponsible parents are too busy trying on $80 Nike workout capris to notice.

So, put your kid on a leash or use a condom.

Thanks to Gawker.com for first look at the vid.

So you cant make it to Times Square to see what all the fuss is about? No problem, check out every advertisement that is in Times Square. Pretty amazing that someone went to this length to document this, as I’m sure it will change fairly often.

It is not a total replacement for visiting, there are no bums asking for money and you cant hear 20 different dialects being spoken in the same time, nor the feeling that everyone is in a rush, from this site. Everyone should visit New York City at least once in his or her life.