BIFOCALS visits New Orleans

In light of the recent BP Oil disaster, we thought it was important to remember that "government" equals "real people." We can complain and argue about the causes of problems and who holds ultimate responsibility in disasters. However, when it comes right down to it "small business" or big "business" is all of our individual business. Everyone can do the best they can to help in any situation. If you have had plans to visit any shores in the Gulf Coast and are considering postponing those plans, please reconsider.

SONG OF TIBET by Gordon Richiusa


  Until an honest and insightful documentary is made about the corruption on Wall Street and how our politicians are in bed with the banks and lobbyists--Hey, wait a minute. Wasn't that the theme of CAPITALISM, A Love Story last year?--we Progressive Patriots will have to be satisfied with a film that honestly depicts horrific corruption on a national level which focuses on another county, such as China, not the U.S.A.  Last year the documentary film sensation was THE COVE. That was a great film and I did pick it to win the Oscar (which it did). However, Michael Moore's best documentary ever did not even get a nomination. We just can't seem to face our own shortcomings as a nation. 
  What we tend to do is look elsewhere when looking for crimes against humanity. This year we look again within the bullied borders of China.  Granted, if we get a chance to pierce the bamboo veil anywhere in Asia it seems, one does not have to look far to find abuses. I guess that's the nature of totalitarian governments (oh, there I  go talking about the U.S.A. again, some of you are probably saying...sorry). 
   We have great documentary evidence that these crimes are and have been taking place in China for many decades. Something that many of us already know. That's why a movie playing now at the Newport Film Festival entitled, SONG OF TIBET was such a refreshing approach to these abuses. I can't say that I was pleased (it's hard to say you liked a movie about genocide), but I did wholeheartedly appreciate the film as it depicts, through stunning photography and tightly edited images the true story of writer/director Ngawang Choephel. In this 87 minute opus, Choephel documents his initial quest to record the folk songs of Tibet, which comes at a bad time for the Chinese government. They, unfortunately are trying to erase the language, culture and history of Tibet to be more Chinese. After all, the Dalai Lama has been in exhile in China for over fifty years. They call him a terrorist, in the popular vernacular of the day and absolutely do not want the Tibetans to be singing those old anti-communist songs such as "the milking song" or "the roofing song." What would happen if Tibetans were allowed to be cheerful while they performed their daily duties?  In the case of a milking song udder chaos!  Choephel was arrested and imprisoned for 6 years for his crimes. In 2008 he was released due to the efforts of his mother to bring to bear the scrutiny of world opinion (with the help of heavyweights like Paul McCartney or the U.S. Congress). He returned to finish this film and let us know that the battle for freedom is not over in Tibet.
  So, I appreciated this movie not because it brought up any new information about the plight of the Tibetans, but because it magnified the absurdity of one culture trying to completely absorb another. No matter how big the walls we built are, people want to enjoy their lives in their own way. No wall is so big, no government policy so restrictive that it can destroy a culture (like, say the Mexicans). 
  Go see Song of Tibet, if you get a chance. So far, we have not made any laws in this county to prevent that, yet. 

Ibogaine : Rite of Passage/ Independent Film

My good friend, John Harrison has been conducting some very important and valuable work research into a substance called Ibogaine, that has shown great promise in treating those with an addiction to opiates. Below is his invitation for you all to attend a free screening of the documentary IBOGAINE: Rite Of Passage and find out more.  I hope to see you there. 

--Gordon Richiusa

“Ibogaine: Rite of Passage” is a documentary about the use of the controversial substance ibogaine for the treatment of opiate addiction. Ibogaine is a psychoactive substance derived from the African plant iboga. It is used during ritual initiations of the Bwiti people in Gabon. In the 1960s, American researcher and heroin addict Howard Lotsof discovered the anti-addictive properties of ibogaine. Not long after his discovery, the use of ibogaine became illegal in the United States and remains illegal there today.
“Ibogaine: Rite of Passage” follows an American heroin addict through an ibogaine session at a clinic in Tijuana, Mexico. Through a series of critical interviews with former addicts, ibogaine facilitators, and other experts, the documentary asks if the controversial status of ibogaine is due to economics or to its hallucinogenic effects? The DVD includes the official trailer, information about ibogaine treatment centers and other resources related to ibogaine and opiate addiction, and a filmography of the director. Subtitled in English, French, German, Spanish, and Dutch.

You may also visit Ibogaine: Rite of Passage http://www.lunartproductions.com  on the Lunart Productions website for more information about the film.
Movie Starts at 7pm
1108 Abbot Kinney Blvd.
Venice, CA 90291
310.450.8699

Hello Friends ..This Tuesday evening ( March 30th) i will be introducing the film Ibogaine : Rite of Passage at
99 High Art Collective
1108 Abbot Kinney Blvd.
Venice , CA. 310 450-8699
7PM - 10pm
Prior to the film i will discuss the research i have been conducting the past two years in Mexico on the efficacy of ibogaine in the treatment of opiate addiction. Ibogaine is changing the world of addiction treatment and the lives of many formerly addicted individuals ! Following the film there will be an opportunity for Q & A . There is no charge for this event. I look forward to seeing you . Basse ( Bah-say) Bwiti for Blessings,

--John  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPUEF6a2PPA

Historic Healthcare Reform Passage

Let's not make any mistakes. This bill is not TOTALLY progressive, but it is historic. Let's not confuse "liberal" or "conservative" with doing the most good for the greatest number. Also, and most importantly, let's not allow anyone who opposed this bill MERELY because they were opposed to progress, prosper. If anyone, in any party voted NO because they were trying to impede progress, because they were trying NOT to do the greatest good for the greatest number, then we need to get rid of those politicians at our next opportunity. Next election, vote for anyone who supported health reform in a constructive manner and vote against anyone who seeks public office, for special, narrow interests.

Here is a short intro video of What bifocals is, Who is in it, and how we score the videos.

Bifocals Before the Oscars

Intrepid "married" reporters, Gordon and Barbara Richiusa make their picks before the recent Oscar announcements. Their co-hosted cable news segment, BIFOCALS is presented in the senior community of Laguna Woods, where they are residents.

Progressive Hollywood Launches Blog/Video Links

Stay tuned! Ed Rampell and Gordon Richiusa are joining forces to expand Progressive Hollywood into the world of total media.