Friday, September 07, 2007

Another Friday Open Thread

I went down for 90 minutes or so to be an extra for the baseball movie. Apparently the people who went Tuesday were told that if they stay the whole time Tuesday, last night, and tonight, they get $100. I guess I missed that in the paper or on the news. However, that works out to like $5 an hour, so I don't think I missed out on much.

I'm pretty worried the movie is going to end up being "Dominican baseball player comes to Iowa after watching Field of Dreams and finds out that Midwesterners are racist hicks." Obviously this isn't true, but when the casting call for teammates comes out and they're only looking for white guys, its not a good sign. I know they filmed in Burlington also, so maybe it will be "Progressive QC metro welcomes Dominican player, but small town Burlington isn't as receptive." Let Burlington be the bad guy...

23 comments:

Robbie said...

From what I have heard about the movie, it is all about the struggles young Carribean players face trying to play ball in the U.S. So perhaps its not that they are being racist, but indeed want the rest of the team to be white to give the idea that the Dominican player is all alone in a world so far from his own?

I think it would be hard to chronicle a young mans struggle to adapt if 5 other players were from his area and he could talk with them and communicate easily.

Who knows.

Unknown said...

It's kind of funny because half of the "real" players on the Swing this year were hispanic.

Unknown said...

And I almost forgot to point out their black head coach. I hope you're wrong QCI. Otherwise, I guess us simpletons will never fully grasp the inner workings of Hollywood.

Anonymous said...

I just thought that they had cast the speaking roles with minority actors and needed to 'fill out' the team with Europeans .

QuadCityImages said...

I only saw one other black Swing player other than "Torres" who I guess is the main character. I might go back again tonight; it was kind of interesting.

Anonymous said...

Something To Cosider

As I think back on many previous posts focusing on Davenport politics, there is plenty of criticism to offer but very few constructive suggestions to improve things. Some claim a unique behind the scene perspective which seems to come from a biased point of view.

I believe most of the aldermen do think for themselves. That doesn't mean their thought process leads to decisions that are always best for the Davenport. Each alderman represents a diverse constituency from ward to ward. Whether they represent their ward's interests has to be answered by the voters of the ward. At large and Mayor has to answer to all wards. City wide elections will decide who is believed to best represent the voters of Davenport. The larger problem is the lack of voter turn out. If only the most committed go to the ballot the majority view point is lost.

Here is what I look for from those who represent me:

Well-educated.
Not just academically but through life experiences. I want to see the resume.
Thoughtful.
I want to know they have researched, discussed, deliberated and are able to come to a decision. And, that the decision can be supported in consensus.
Innovative.
I want them to think how to best provide cost effective, benefit driven services, promote economic growth, both in the neighborhoods and the commercial segment. I want to see their prospectus before I consider investing my vote.
Back Stage.
I want them to work out of the view of the camera, not for the camera. I do not want pandering for the camera by the council or the public. I don't want deliberations by sound bites to the media. I do want open public meetings conducted in a business-like manner. I do want open access for the public to allow for constructive questioning and comment.
Altruistic.
I don't want someone who looks at the position as only a pay check and fringe package to motivate them to serve. I want to know what they have contributed; outside of elective office.

That's what I want.

Outside Looking In

Anonymous said...

Good news! Clayton should be retiring soon. I heard a rumor that he was going to Florida. He is elderly enough that he should be right at home there.

Anonymous said...

If Outside Looking In get's their way, Meyer is gone. So is Barnhill, Ambrose,Lynn and Hammerlink.

Anonymous said...

I think your right about Meyer and Barnhill, but I can't imagine getting rid of Ambrose and Hammerlink and Lynn

Anonymous said...

I was doing some research on the candidates to get an idea who to vote for and I found we have our own Michael Vick running for office, iowacourts.state.ia.us #07821 AGCR237276. Check it out!

Anonymous said...

Case number 07821 AGCR237276? What court?

How about saving the aggravation, who is it?

QuadCityImages said...

Yeah, I couldn't figure out which fields to enter that in either.

Anonymous said...

www.iowacourts.stste.ia.us
Go to "Case Search" and put in
LaMark Combs............

Anonymous said...

If you want to really be shocked, check out Walter Skovronski on federal court

Anonymous said...

What is the anti-terrorism and death penalty act? Sounds like really scary.

Anonymous said...

So this is why I get tired of the blog crap. So LaMark Combs got divorced and fell into some financial hardships. No Dah, it happens to 35% of the married population. And the stuff about the dogs came out last time he ran for office.
Look, he is a nice guy that doesn't have the slightest chance to get elected. But to refer to him as "Michael Vick"..?
Come on folks, get real

Anonymous said...

If you go to Iowa Courts on line to find out about Mr. Skovronski, it will cost you $25.00 to subscribe. I bet if you speak to him personally and ask him, I know he won't charge you a thing! I have!!

Anonymous said...

Rather then get a skewed version from Walter, how about we go to the Quad City Times:

To quote the Quad City Times article there was "a March 22, 1997 raid at the home and bookmaking operation of Walter Skovronski. Skovronski has since pleaded guilty to federal charges of operating an illegal gambling business. During the raid, he and another officer discovered $32,064 in cash contained in cigar boxes and a cloth sack inside the closet of Skovronski's bedroom".

Anonymous said...

I have noticed on the local blogs over the last couple of weeks very few comments supporting Meyer.

Many of the critisms of his actions of late are thoughtfull and to the point. Has he lost his base of support?

Hammerlink, Lynn and Barnhill have picked up some negative comments as well. I wonder how representative these views are.

Anonymous said...

Who cares about gambling, the way everyone made an issue about this I thought that Skovronski robbed a bank or killed someone. I wish I could get back just half of the money my ex lost on football.

QuadCityImages said...

I suspect that when Meyer went off on Hamerlinck, he lost some support there. I would also hope that other 3rd ward residents have noticed his increased paranoia and attacks on city staff and are reconsidering their vote for November.

Anonymous said...

LaMark Combs is a candidate that made his share of mistake, but since then has learned from them. Those things happens to the best of us, but one thing about him, he regretted what had happen and has bow not to make same mistake. If you checkout what the young man is doing now, you would feel very dishonorable. Who that has not committed a sin shall cast the first stone. He has a family and a pet that he takes well care of. He also is a reverend, but foremost a servant of God. Get your facts straight on his history, he has only been married once and still is happily married. I have made these comments, because it more I can say about anybody else you have elected to lead our city. I will vote for him and I hope you pray about it person of no sins.

Anonymous said...

LaMark Combs is a candidate that made his share of mistake, but since then has learned from them. Those things happens to the best of us, but one thing about him, he regretted what had happen and has bow not to make the same mistake. If you checkout what the young man is doing now, you would feel very dishonorable. Who that has not committed a sin shall cast the first stone. He has a family and a pet that he takes well care of. He also is a reverend, but foremost a servant of God. Get your facts straight on his history, he has only been married once and still is happily married. I have made these comments, because it’s more than I can say about anybody else you have elected to lead our city. I will vote for him and I hope you pray about it person of no sins. These young men with a desire to serve the people to ensure their voices are heard. Take a hard look at this candidate he has a lot to offer. He has been work energetically for our state special needs kids. He would serve you the people and would vote against you.