Two Words, One Answer.
fight injustice
 Reckless Indifference $19.95 I was totally unfamiliar with the case the documentary RECKLESS INDIFFERENCE was based on until viewing the film. Briefly stated on a warm spring day in upscale Agoura Hills, CA (an "idyllic" suburb about fifty miles from LA) five aimless white middle class boys between the ages of fifteen and eighteen were getting drunk and apparently looking for a little excitement. The boldest of them (Jason) stole a billfold from a parked car. The billfold's owner later chased and confronted the boys. The group then decided to call on the neighborhood drug dealer, Mike, (a 16 year old who did his business from a homemade "fort" in his parent's backyard) to score some weed. It is still a matter of controversy as to whether they planned to buy, steal or just be given the marijuana. At any rate when they arrived the dealer was standing in the yard with his friend, Jimmy, who was also sometimes known as his "bodyguard". A fist fight lasting about sixty seconds ensued between at least some of the seven boys and Jason pulled a folding pocket knife out and stabbed the drug dealer and his bodyguard. The other five boys took off in their truck and Jason confessed to the boys then that he had stabbed the other young men. Wounded Jimmy and Mike ran in to Mike's parent's house where Mike's mother, a teacher, was grading papers. She immediately called for help. Though Jimmy's two wounds looked superficial tragically one of them had pierced his heart and he died. The drug dealer, Mike, made a full recovery from his wounds. Unfortunately for the other five boys, Jimmy's, father was a LA homicide detective who with his wife wanted the fullest vengeance for their son's death. And vengeance they got as four of the boys received life without possibility of parole even though only one even had a knife. As for the other three one never left the doorway, one was only fifteen years old and the other, Brandon, was apparently too drunk to know clearly what was going on but they all received the same life sentence as the actual stabber. The driver who never even left the truck also received a prison sentence though fortunately for him he only had to serve about five years. The movie focuses mostly on Brandon, who is probably the most attractive, articulate and sympathetic of the convicted boys though all of the young men receive some attention. The judge, prosecutors and the LA Sherriff's Department showed unbelievable prejudice against the defendants and equally unbelievable favoritism to the dead boy's father rather obviously because of his status as an LAPD detective. Many members of the community were also outraged by the incident that had happened in their supposedly "safe" community and wanted the boys (who the prosecution described as "gang" members) locked up before there was a drop in real estate prices. And they are still locked up though Brandon's sentence has now been commuted to include possibility of parole so he may be out not too long after he turns forty. The movie does a good job getting its points across but is far from perfect. The director includes some reenactments of the major happenings that seem "cheesy" and the overly dramatic background music is overused. Still this is a fascinating and sobering film .  Fight Back and Win: My Thirty-Year Fight Against Injustice--And How You Can Win Your Own Battles $15.95 The injustices are real and well-detailed. Particularly, the long Chapter on the Michael Jackson sitaution of the '90s - the whole depressing subject is handled with clarity and care. Also, those involving Club and Restaurant owners, TV Producers who....just don't get it....and get humiliated above the level of the those who felt *they* were humiliated. Yeah, sue the pants off these bad boys. Allred has a great story to tell, an inspirational and informational treatise for all, though her pro-militant feminist bias bleeds through every line. She had a rotten marriage and sought to turn the tables on any dude who even vaguely resembled him. Allred may have an "agenda" and may get too personally involved in cases(reference Ambrey Frey) but her overall contribution to American law is noteworthy. Very readable, even funny in parts. Nice collection of photos.  The New, Original Wonder Woman $1.99 WOW,WHAT A WOMAN, YOU ARE A WONDER, WONDER WOMAN. This Lynda Carter at her best. She really makes the show. Her portrayl of this superheroine is great. She shows strength in many ways not just physically. If it were up to me I would have given her an Emmy just for how she portrayed the character. She was strong but not over bearing.Showed her understanding side by not causing harm to the evil crooks. She showed quiet strength. I give it 5 out of 5 stars. GREAT SHOW. |
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