Sometimes we need to look at our history to be inspired to do the things that seem too hard to do but need to be done.  Today, we will take a look at the history of Ethel MacDonald.

Ethel MacDonald  was a Glasgow-based Scottish anarchist and activist and, in 1937, during the Spanish Civil War, a propagandist on Barcelona Loyalist radio.   A native of Motherwell, Scotland, Ethel MacDonald, one of nine children, left home at sixteen, joined the Independent Labour Party (ILP) and worked at various jobs. In 1931 she met Guy Aldred and, with him, became politically active in the Anti-Parliamentary Communist Federation (APCF). From then on, she was associated with Aldred and joined him in the June 1934 formation of the United Socialist Movement (USM).

In October 1936 MacDonald travelled to Barcelona with Guy Aldred’s partner, Jenny Patrick, to represent and show the support of the Scottish anarchist movement for the Republican (Loyalist) side in the Spanish Civil War. In January 1937 she began to transmit regular English-language reports on the war on Barcelona’s widely-heard Anarchist radio station run by the Confederacion Nacional del Trabajo (CNT) [National Workers Confederation]. In the crackdown following the events of May 1937 (Barcelona May Days)  she assisted the escape of anarchists wanted by the Communist secret police and smuggled into prison letters and food for fellow anarchists held by regional authorities. Through her activities in helping anarchists escape Spain, she became renowned in the British press as the “Scots Scarlet Pimpernel”. Between July and November 1937, she was a national figure in the newspapers, with daily reports and inquiries as to her whereabouts and activities. Eventually she herself was arrested by a faction of the Loyalist forces, but later released. She returned to Glasgow that November, following speaking engagements in France and Amsterdam.

There is a book and documentary out about Ethel MacDonald that everyone should read or at least watch the documentary.  So, to make it easy you can pick up the book here as well, as watch the entire documentary.

See larger image An Anarchist's Story: The Life of Ethel MacDonald (Paperback) By (author) Chris Dolan List Price: $18.00 USD New From: $7.57 In Stock Used from: $38.27 In Stock

Honda has put together a series of short films with the claim that they honor the Power of Dreams and the individuals who strive to achieve their dreams.

Power of Dreams is a documentary series put out by Honda to celebrate individuals who have the courage to turn failure into success and forge dreams into a better future.

One of their short films entitled, Dreams vs Nightmares.  This documentary short features one of my favorite writer/artists/director, Clive Barker.

So check it out and let me know what you think.

I was checking out the site, Green is the New Red and I came across a post that refers to a news article found on the Lexington, Ky news channel 18 site.  The article was about a student from George Rogers Clark High School who was arrested and labeled as a ‘terrorist’ because he wrote a story about zombies. – Yes, ZOMBIES!!
Here is a blurb from the article;

“My story is based on fiction,” said Poole, who faces a second-degree felony terrorist threatening charge. “It’s a fake story. I made it up. I’ve been working on one of my short stories, (and) the short story they found was about zombies. Yes, it did say a high school. It was about a high school over ran by zombies.”
Even so, police say the nature of the story makes it a felony. “Anytime you make any threat or possess matter involving a school or function it’s a felony in the state of Kentucky,” said Winchester Police detective Steven Caudill.

WTF? What the hell is wrong with people, the police, Kentucky, this country? They will take your freedoms away for writing a story about zombies but its ok for vice presidential candidates, such as Sarah Palin to say she doesn’t know if people who have bombed abortion clinics and KILLED people can be called a terrorist. (Also include, Pennsylvania’s Homeland Security Director James Powers said; “Tim McVey is not a terrorist, just very angry with the U.S. government,” Powers said. “Whether a person is a terrorist or a criminal is irrelevant to me.”)

Personally, I don’t care where you fall on the issue of abortion but what I do care about is our government doing insane things to people, like this kid in Lexington or what is happening to peace activists all over this country , in the name of fighting terrorism – when our government officials support by not speaking out against real domestic violence, and shall I say terrorists.

I have shown several terrorist, I mean, Zombie films on this site so I would like to show a trailer to a documentary about something that is going on right now in our country right now that is taking the lives of people and hurting families.

It has been a busy couple of days.  I have started to put together the beginnings of a book that I want to write.  Nothing too fancy but I think most people will find this book very uncharacteristic of me. – I will fill you in on the details once I get this book project underway a little more.

I also started filming a small documentary with my friend Paul. He works on the soundtracks for films and videos. In fact, he just finished writing the soundtrack to a new documentary about the history of horror films.  Once that is released to the public I will let you know so you can pick up a copy of the film.

The short film we are working on will be posted here before Halloween, so keep your eyes open for that.

The other items that I have been working on is this site.  As you can see, if you look to your right a little,  I now have random images added to the side bar.  A new photo will appear every time you refresh the page or visit another post within this site.  Fun – Fun!  Also, if you look below those random images you will find a new archive system, this should make it easier for you to find anything you are looking for, as long as it is on Zombie Popcorn/ Psychosomatic Rants

Also, at the bottom of every post you will find a rating system. Well, its not really a system it is just 5 stars.  Click on the stars and let me know how much you like what you just read.  It is easier than leaving a comment – I mean, I still love getting your comments but I know sometimes you are in a hurry or at work and don’t want your boss to know, so you can rate it quickly and then back to work.

You can test it out by rating this post now…

Bill Maher has a new documentary coming out in October, called, ‘RELIGULOUS’

Here is the trailer:

Here is the synopsis.

The documentary RELIGULOUS follows political humorist and author Bill Maher (“Real Time With Bill Maher,” “Politically Incorrect”) as he travels around the globe interviewing people about God and religion. Known for his astute analytical skills, irreverent wit and commitment to never pulling a punch, Maher brings his characteristic honesty to an unusual spiritual journey. Directed by Larry Charles (BORAT: CULTURAL LEARNINGS OF AMERICA FOR MAKE BENEFIT GLORIOUS NATION OF KAZAKHSTAN, “Curb Your Enthusiasm”), RELIGULOUS will mark Charles’ first feature project since the critically acclaimed, wildly successful BORAT. Jonah Smith and Palmer West of Thousand Words (A SCANNER DARKLY, REQUIEM FOR A DREAM) and Bill Maher are producing.

Here is a review from a The Lang Report who saw a advanced screening.

There is a new documentary making its round at film festivals and it looks totally interesting.

The documentary is called, ‘Got the Facts on Milk?‘ – I would go into details about the film but I think the trailer above sums it up nicely.

For more information about the film, the film makers, etc please check out their website – Milk Documentary

I am going to be here in NYC for a while, working on the horse drawn carriage ban. So, I thought I would introduce a film that was just completed not too long ago, (it should be released soon) that talks about the NYC horse drawn carriage industry. The documentary is called ‘[Blinders - The Truth Behind the Tradition.](www.blindersthemovie.com/)’

I had a chance to screen this documentary and it is amazing because it really takes a deep look into this industry and takes viewers behind the scenes to expose the truth behind the tradition.

I recommend ‘Blinders’ to anyone who wants to know about the horse drawn carriage industry here in NYC.

Here is the trailer.

I just found this documentary on CBC News website and its is really good. I was shocked at some of the things they uncovered in this investigative report – everyone should check it out.

Here is a blurb from their website

Twenty-five years ago, Bob Mckeown and a fifth estate crew stunned the country with an investigative report that showed that many of the wildlife documentaries we’d grown up watching on television (remember the famous footage of the lemmings going off the cliff or some of the memorable moments from shows like Wild Kingdom?) were staged for the television cameras. As well, they revealed that animals often died during the making of movies; all for the sake of the entertainment value.

Now, Bob McKeown and an investigative team have returned to the subject to find out what has changed since the fifth estate’s first Cruel Camera documentary. What they found may astonish you.

Check it out and let me know what you think.