Checking the Java site now, it looks like they've released updated versions of their clients which fix the issue (though they recommend uninstalling the previous versions which have the security issue) which can be downloaded from here: [link] (Most Windows users are going to want the JRE 6 Update 12 32-bit version.)

A friend of a friend has finished his first book in a series of historical fiction: The Traitor to the Crown series of books is about a witch fighting in the American Revolution. They've made it available free to download. That's right--FREE. It'll be in bookstores at the end of April.

You can get it here. Charlie's going to be at Comicon in NYC this weekend.

If you're there, stop by and show the author some love. He'll be at the Random House booth and on their panel on Saturday.

Hey, Wall Street! Shut the fuck up!

I'm totally a "published" comedy writer now.

[link]

Hah! Legitimized! Double hah!

I'm sorry if this is kind of SPAMy, and if the stompies think it's wrong, please delete it. But I know many of us in here work in the arts, and I was alerted to an anti-arts amendment in the stimulus package. Here is the action e-mail:

Subject: Economic Stimulus Package

Show Your Approval/Disapproval About Senate Anti-Arts Amendment

Senate Vote Prohibits Arts Recipients in Economic Stimulus Funding

During their consideration of the Economic Recovery bill, the Senate approved an amendment offered by Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK) that prohibits funding for "...museums, theaters and arts centers..." This amendment, approved by a vote of 73-24, if included in the final version of this legislation would prevent the economic recovery funding from supporting these areas of the non-profit arts community. We have crafted a customized message for you to send to your Senator based on their vote on the Coburn Amendment. If your Senator vote for this funding prohibition, you can send them a message expressing your disappointment. If your Senator voted against the amendment, you can thank them for their support of the arts. The correct letter, customized to each of your Senators will appear when you enter your zip code.

I just took action on this important arts issue - please take a moment to do the same and then send a message to your friends to ask them to take action too.

Please Follow This Link to Take Action on Important Arts Issues >[link]

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An initiative my organization's been working on just went live today: IntraHealth Open. You can download various remixes of a Youssou N'Dour song for free (and donate if you're so inspired, but it's not required).

We're still poking at some of our subcontractor's code, so if something doesn't work for you I'd love to hear about it at my profile address.

It isn't on the NPR or Fresh Air website yet, but according to Dave Davies on today's show, Joss Whedon will be on NPR's Fresh Air with Terry Gross tomorrow, 2/12/09, talking about Dollhouse. [link]

I have one of my semi-regular blogs up at Romancing the Blog today-- about Friday the 13th, superstitions, rituals, horrorscopes, and astrological signs.

Lightbulbs has been opened to discuss the following proposal from Glamcookie:

I propose we have a Dollhouse thread.

Jon B. "Voting Discussion: We're Screwing In Light Bulbs AIFG!" Feb 13, 2009 12:21:04 pm PST

Follow up on my previous Press posting regarding Arts in the Stimulus package. This comes from our Institutional Giving department here at the theater.

In case anyone is interested in this… I just got an email from Americans for the Arts. Here’s what they said about the inclusion of the $50 million for the NEA in the economic stimulus bill that just got final approval from Congress.

“Just moments ago, the U.S. House of Representatives approved their final version of the Economic Recovery bill by a vote of 246-183. We can now confirm that the package DOES include $50 million in direct support for arts jobs through National Endowment for the Arts grants. We are also happy to report that the exclusionary Coburn Amendment language banning certain arts groups from receiving any other economic recovery funds has also been successfully removed. Tonight the Senate is scheduled to have their final vote, and President Obama plans to sign the bill on Monday - President's Day.

A United Voice

This is an important victory for all of you as arts advocates. More than 85,000 letters were sent to Congress, thousands of calls were made, and hundreds of op-eds, letters to the editor, news stories, and blog entries were generated in print and online media about the role of the arts in the economy. Artists, business leaders, mayors, governors, and a full range of national, state, and local arts groups all united together on this advocacy issue. This outcome marks a stunning turnaround of events and exemplifies the power of grassroots arts advocacy.

We would like to also thank some key leaders on Capitol Hill who really carried our voices into the conference negotiation room and throughout the halls of Congress: Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), House Appropriations Chairman Dave Obey (D-WI), House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Norm Dicks (D-WA), and Congressional Arts Caucus Co-Chair Louise Slaughter (D-NY). We also want to publicly thank President Obama for taking the early lead in recognizing the role of the arts in economic development. These leaders were able to convincingly make the case that protecting jobs in the creative sector is integral to the U.S. economy.”