This article first appeard on Reel Time with Richard.

A good fireworks show begins with a “wow” and ends with a “WOW,” filling the space in between with enough peaks to fuel our anticipation. MJ: The Musical, based on the life of Michael Jackson, follows that formula almost exactly.

The action has barely begun when the title character (an amazing Jamaal Fields-Green) launches into an MTV-worthy rendition of the Jackson classic “Whip It.” Then, nearly 2½ hours later, the show is only minutes from its finale when it delivers the song-and-dance number we’ve all been waiting for: “Thriller.”

And by the way: When I say “delivers,” imagine the word being followed by multiple exclamation points. The number is so over-the-top astounding that it alone would nearly justify the original Broadway production’s Tonys for choreography (Christopher Wheeldon, who also directs), lighting design (Natasha Katz) and sound design (Gareth Owen).

CNN claims Trump told many lies and Harris just one. Yet, CNN did not
mention that Harris repeated that Hamas killed 1200 Israelis on 7 October
and that they raped women. Both not true (see ongaza.org for evidence). Why
do politicians lie? They are bought (see https://www.boughtbyzionism.org/)
or blackmailed to do so. But a new Poll Suggests Gaza Ceasefire and Arms
Embargo Would Help Democrats with Swing State Voters

When asked why his latest map has erased the whole of the West Bank, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu retorted with the most detestable answer. 

 “I didn’t include the Dead Sea. It’s not shown on the map. I didn’t show the Jordan River. It’s not on this map. I didn’t show the Sea of Galilee,” was Netanyahu's response. 

 The Israeli leader must have known that neither the indigenous population of Palestine, nor the occupied territories of West Bank and East Jerusalem - which are recognized as such under international law - are topographical or geographical phenomena. 

DR. NANCY NIPARKO gives us a hot and heavy weather report from Santa Monica.

Executive Director ALAN MINSKY of Progressive Democrats of America gives us a parallel report on Get Out the Vote efforts and PDA’s new voting calendar.

Greenpeace stalwart KENNY BRUNO gives us the overview on how this year’s presidency could be stolen.

Communities United’s RAY MCCLENDON follows with a terrifying account of the “poster child” for election manipulation in Georgia, advocating that “we take action in advance” to protect our democracy.

From Arizona we hear that JOHN BRAKEY is still being sued by Santa Cruz County for making a records request…but that the likelihood of a fair vote count might be better in Arizona than in Georgia.

MYLA RESON wonders what happens if Harris/Walz win the White House but not the US Senate, especially as it applies to the US Supreme Court.

Nancy Niparko returns to give a rave review to Greg Palast’s new film “Vigilantes,” which we will be examining next week.

LYNN FEINERMAN and MARILYN MARKS express their concerns about counting votes in Georgia.