DONALD WHO? and CEOS PAID 325x AVERAGE WORKER

DONALD WHO? Donald Trump is on the ballot, but Republicans are trying to pretend he's not. Meanwhile, Trump himself instructed his cult following to "pretend" Trump is on the ballot and "cheat like hell" to win the election for Republicans. However, a CNN analyzed AdImpact data for September 1–15, 2026 and found:

- Only 12 Republican TV ads mentioned President Donald Trump.

- Republicans produced more than 500 TV ads during that period.

- Those 12 Trump-mentioned ads represented about $1 million in spending, out of more than $160 million in Republican TV advertising.

- This that less than 1% of Republican TV-ad spending went to spots specifically mentioning Trump.

- By comparison, Democrats mentioned Trump in 95 ads during the same period, with about $23 million in spending. 

CEOS PAID 325x AVERAGE WORKER - A new analysis was just published from the Economic Policy Institute about CEO compensation at the largest U.S. publicly traded companies.

- Average CEO compensation rose 14% in 2025, reaching about $27.9 million among CEOs at the top 350 U.S. firms.

- EPI calculates that CEOs received about 325 times the compensation of a typical worker in 2025.

- For comparison, the ratio was about 21-to-1 in 1965 and 31-to-1 in 1978.

- From 1978 to 2025, EPI estimates realized CEO compensation increased 1,316%, while compensation for typical workers increased 28%.

CEO compensation isn't simply a $27.9-million salary. EPI's "realized compensation" measure includes salary, bonuses, long-term incentives, and stock-based compensation when stock awards vest or stock options are exercised.

If you use the report's 325-to-1 ratio literally, one year of average CEO compensation is roughly equivalent to 325 years of the typical worker's annual compensation.

Arabian Leila's Upcoming Album

 🎧 💿🎵  Exciting news! My partner is working toward releasing her first album under her performer name, "Arabian Leila." This collection of 12 original songs is deeply personal - exploring trauma, recovery, dissociation, and the long journey of finding herself again. As an ex-Muslim, they are the songs of a woman who was silenced for decades - now choosing to speak not in secret, but publicly, boldly, and with intention.

In addition to writing, singing, and producing in close collaboration with a local Canadian music studio, she painted all of the album art for each song! Her tracks are currently in the mixing stage, combining all the elements to create polished songs with a blend of personal, heartfelt ballads fused with English and the Arabic hip-hop.

Currently, she's seeking funding to complete the mastering process, which is the final step to allow her voice to be heard clearly and professionally across all platforms. Any donation you can make will mean so much to her! She will send digital copies of the album to anyone who donates $20 or more. Thank you from both of us!

Link to her fundraising campaign here: https://www.gofund.me/0efb14471

Lake Ontario - What's In a Name?

Google Maps and Apple Maps have renamed Lake Ontario to Lake America for users in the United States. (source)

Meanwhile, MapQuest has publicly stated it will not change the name, which led to a surge in popularity and the top spot on the App Store. (source) Microsoft has also maintained the traditional "Lake Ontario" label and has not adopted the new designation.

I made my thoughts known to Google on the issue!

The Odyssey and The Contemporary

They don't make 'em like this anymore.

If you grew up watching the lavish Hollywood productions of the 1950s and 60s, Christopher Nolan's epic rendition of "The Odyssey" will transport theatergoers completely in a way unlike anything in recent decades. Aspects of the film can feel unbalanced or repetitive, but the plot confidently carries audiences through the gauntlet of challenges to a satisfying culmination.

With inventive story structure (a Nolan trademark) and overflowing with technical wizardry onscreen and in the soundtrack, this is one to see on the biggest screen you can find. Honestly, I pity those who will inevitably stream this on their home TV or (gods forbid) smartphone... because the sprawling journey of Odysseus should be experienced on a grand scale, or not at all.

But most importantly after 2023's "Oppenheimer" confronted a world on the brink of total annihilation: why did Nolan make this film, and why now? What can we learn from the notion of 'the law of Zeus' - imploring us to treat strangers as though they are potentially the gods among us, to regard every human with hospitality, worth, and dignity? Moreover, what happens to a society that breaks the bonds of our common humanity and descends into wanton violence, gluttony, greed, and warfare? Perhaps this is precisely the retelling of an ancient monomyth we need to see and discuss widely...

The Marty Jones NPR Tote

A dream come true - what started as a joke about the face and voice of public media during politically-motivated budget cuts... became a real tote bag featuring a now-local-celebrity from KRZA Community Radio.

Today, I finally have a signed Marty Jones NPR tote bag!

Six Succinct Summer Movie Reviews

These reviews are written in the order I saw them! All movies reviewed out of five stars.

Backrooms: a complex, masterful psychological horror film (my favorite subgenre) with plenty to offer in subsequent viewings. This is a bold, original directorial debut by a Gen Z filmmaker (one of two box office mega-hits this summer - a promising sign for the future of theatrical releases). With an undeniably post-modern, expressionist approach, this one isn't for everyone. A strictly literal viewing could leave audiences scratching their heads, but the themes of consigned memory and liminal space made physically manifest could yield many interpretations and ample discussion after the credits roll.  ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Mandalorian and Grogu: as a self-identified Star Wars fan who happily streamed all three seasons of the Disney+ show, there was plenty here to keep me engaged. Yes, this is as technically impressive as one has come to expect from these space operas. However, the plot felt like loosely-stitched story ideas left over from the show and held together only through some clumsy exposition by an under-utilized Sigourney Weaver. Dazzling effects didn't make up for a total absence of real growth or emotional connection between the titular odd couple leading the film, and it also suffers from an absence of authentic character motivation. Overall, there's not much we haven't seen before - outside one fantastic action sequence at the film's center. The finale felt obligatory and the overall impression was underwhelming. The Force is not strong with this one.  ⭐⭐

Masters of the Universe: A film too silly to be taken seriously; a film too serious to enjoy its own silliness. This is the paragon of what's wrong with Hollywood right now: a heavy reliance on nostalgic IP with an obligatory tentpole approach to all-for-none filmmaking. As compared to the fantastic Barbie movie of 2023, this He-Man flick was truly a missed opportunity. There are nods here to the problems of violent, hyper-masculinity and gestures as to how ridged gender norms impede self-authenticity or social progress... but these notions are abandoned in favor of the most comatose tropes and storytelling on studio-approved autopilot. I'm not sure I expected better, but I wasn't impressed. ⭐

Obsession: The other aforementioned Gen Z filmmaker debut, this dark contemporary fairly tale has so much to offer on a shoestring budget. Beat by beat, I found it hit all the right notes and masterfully plays on expectations, light and shadow, jump scares and long, eerie takes with a haunting musical score. While there's nothing groundbreaking here for the thriller/horror genre, this generation's Fatal Attraction speaks to the dual contagions of social anxiety and unhealthy attachment in the hyper-connected, present day dating hellscape for 20-somethings. Of particular note is Inde Navarrette's fantastically dynamic lead performance - unquestionably the make-or-break narrative fulcrum of the film. Thus far, this is my pick for Best of the Summer. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Disclosure Day: What's old is new again, and Spielberg's latest sci-fi thriller is an imaginative yet grounded, modernized vision of his earlier Close Encounters and ET morality plays. More interested in humanity's reaction to aliens than the gray creatures themselves, this one felt overly long in its center but confidently escalated to a satisfying conclusion worthy of its runtime. There's also an odd timeliness in returning to existential questions arising as early as the post nuclear detonation 1947 crash in Roswell; Spielberg implores us to examine our own humanity and ability to truly see one another. The world is on the brink and, just maybe, the existence of a superior outside intelligence is just what we need to get our Earthly shit together. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Toy Story 5: At this point, it's clear to me that this series of films is hardly about a plucky ensemble of toys, but rather uses these inescapably adorable characters to probe our changing relationship with interpersonal belonging, essential qualities of childhood, communal play, and technology. Smartly, the story focuses on what extended screen times and a more sedentary, isolated lifestyle is doing to our kids. Though the film suffers from the usual pitfall of insufferably aloof parents, there's plenty of exciting story beats, uncannily mature jokes, and genuinely heartfelt moments on offer here. Is the series getting even better over time? I'm still toying with the idea. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Mar-a-Lago Face

Oh neat. A woman getting cosmetically ready to date a man in the Trump family. This form of MAGA body dysmorphia, the Mar-a-Lago Face, will be studied for generations to come. Probably has a lot to do with patriarchy, Christian Nationalism, white identity politics, and right-wing Evangelical Christianity.

Donald Trump Jr. and Bettina Anderson married in the Bahamas today.

Waking Up to Don's Long Con

Seems like more Republicans are willing to publicly leave the MAGA cult. Too bad it took so long! We've been trying to warn them for over a decade...

So what did it finally take? Rising gas prices? Rampant corruption? Broken promises on affordability, healthcare, and no new wars? Lost jobs and diminished services in rural America, struggling farmers and defunded social programs? Massive self-dealing and enrichment for the Trump family as regular folks lose their savings, livelihoods, and medical coverage?

Maybe being "woke" just means finally waking up to Donald's long con...

 

I'm a media maker, teacher, and attorney - IP law is my passion!

I'm offering consulting services through a new online platform and am here to help with your media law questions, ideas, or challenges!  

MAGA Stages of Grief

 I listen to CSPAN's Washington Journal daily and pay attention to MAGA callers.

At least some of them are struggling through the stages of grief about being conned by Trump a second time. Many are still in the denial stage and call any sense-making "TDS" to insulate themselves from cognitive dissonance, but many are clearly getting into a defensive, angry posture at this point and blaming absolutely everyone but Trump.

Sure is tough being in a cult during difficult times, especially when King Donald keeps proclaiming we are "the hottest country" and in "America's Golden Age" with UFC fighters training FBI agents, IndyCar racing around the DC Capitol, and crypto grifting, foreign influence with the Trump family.

Coal-Powered AI Dystopia

If you really think about it, ramping up the use of coal-fired power plants to meet the massive energy demands of sprawling AI data centers... is a pretty good way to usher in the dystopian future from "The Matrix" films.

Inconvenient Immigration Facts

 - Donald Trump hired undocumented immigrants in 1991 to avoid paying overtime on the Trump Tower construction project. Other Trump Organization properties, including a New Jersey golf club, employed undocumented immigrants. (The New York Times, 4/27/1991; 4/9/2019)

- Melania Trump was paid for 10 modeling jobs in the United States worth $20,056 that occurred during August, September, and October of 1996 before she had legal permission to work in the country. (AP News, 11/4/2016)

- Elon Musk arrived in the USA on a J-1 student visa to study at Stanford in 1995, but worked without authorization before transitioning to an H-1B work visa. (The Guardian, 10/26/2024)

These are inconvenient facts which should be cited widely whenever the Trump Administration or its supporters claim they are merely applying immigration law as written and enforcing existing statutes. Before terrorizing minority communities or violating the civil rights of Americans and immigrants alike, this administration should first apply these rules to themselves and suffer the consequences accordingly.

Innerscape Voyager - Coming in 2027!

 Officially announcing my second novel! I look forward to sharing this sci-fi escapade next year.

INNERSCAPE VOYAGER - The year is 2065. The world is splitting apart as humans adapt into two diverging futures while the natural environment regrows itself. With overlapping adventures, four young adults who survived The Long Collapse embark upon their own inner journeys to discover truth, meaning, and purpose in dystopian times.

Coming in 2027...

Neat Trick

 

Author's Gratitude

So many thanks and so much gratitude to all of you who supported the writing and publication of my first novel, END OF THE TRACKS: HOMECOMING!

Whether you provided reader feedback, wrote a review, bought a signed author copy, or ordered a paperback, e-book, or audiobook, your support has made it possible for me to focus on continuing my journey as an author and publisher.

In 2026, I am writing the sequel to this near-future literary fiction novel: INNERSCAPE VOYAGER. It will be an epic sci-fi exploration of dreams, desires, and destiny.

In the meantime, I still have paperback copies of my debut novel available to sign and mail for stocking stuffers if you're looking for a personalized holiday gift this year. 📖📪

https://www.emberwildeproductions.com/books/

The Turing Test for Media

 This is going to be a major problem by 2030 and we're almost totally unprepared for it.

One Battle After Another

"One Battle After Another" is one of the best films of the year and works as a potent, frenetic meditation on our times. This epic features a fantastic cast, immersive scene locations and production design, skillful pacing, masterful cinematography and editing, a riveting score (Radiohead's Jonny Greenwood again teams up with the "There Will Be Blood" director), but most of all: the kind of nuanced, relevant contemporary storytelling we need right now. See it on the big screen if you can!

Fart of the Deal: Alaska Edition

Donald Trump said he would end the war in Ukraine on "day one."  207 days later, the "fart of the deal" has failed to deliver on a key campaign promise.

Sleeping Through a Streaming Service Near You

 

Militant Immigration Policies are Republican Climate Change Policies

The Trump/GOP spending bill allocates a total of $75 billion to ICE for enforcement and deportation operations, including detention and hiring of additional personnel. This includes $45 billion for expanding detention facilities and $29.9 billion for enforcement and deportation. 

The far right knows that global climate change will lead to much more mass migration from climate refugees, survivors of blight, famine, asylum seekers from corrupt, dictatorial governments and drug cartels, etc. Their solution is to criminalize, deport, detain, and ultimately starve millions and millions of people - potentially billions of potential migrants by 2050.

Just read a summary of Steve Bannon's favorite book "The Camp of the Saints" for insight into how the far right regards immigrants from the global south. No doubt Stephen Miller has read it, also. But rest assured Donald Trump hasn't read it because, well, he doesn't read.

Anyway, it's important to understand that the near future will see much more militarized borders and more intrusive immigration enforcement goon squads. That's the Republican solution not just to immigration, but also to global climate change: more fossil fuel pollution, a total disregard for sustainable energy, and a standing army approach to a militant war on illegal immigration while also completely banning many forms of previously legal immigration.

Photo: Agents from ICE and Homeland Security brace for confrontation with immigration rights supporters in Los Angeles on June 8, 2025. Taurat Hossain/Anadolu/Getty