H.L. Mencken, Sage of Baltimore
Sunday marked the 56th anniversary of the death of legendary Sun journalist H.L. Mencken. Here’s a video I produced featuring The Sun’s Frederick Rasmussen, who speaks on his life, work, and beer. Years before he died, he had written his epitaph, which went something like this: “If, after I depart this vale, you ever remember me and have thought to please my ghost, forgive some sinner and wink your eye at some homely girl.”
Click the photo to go to the story with video.
Tracking the Nation: A Simple Video Guide to How You’re Being Spied on Right Now
I created this video with close friend and fellow journalist Lam Thuy Vo about the evolution of electronic privacy. It was picked up by Motherboard. It was my first time drawing illustrations for video.
Did you know on any given day, an average person sends or receives 41.5 text messages, 110 emails, receives 8 mobile calls, visits 94 websites… unknowingly leaving electronic traces through mobile devices, credit cards, and laptops. Meanwhile, a person is recorded dozens of times a day by surveillance cameras… watch the video to hear and see more about our privacy laws.
Graham Motion and the Art of Teaching Horses
I was fortunate enough to do a video shoot for WSJ with Graham Motion, who trained this year’s Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom. The shoot took place at his training facility in Fair Hill, MD and spanned two days. I’ll post some still photos from the shoot soon.
Driving While Immigrant
We have a story up on The Nation regarding the Secure Communities program and racial profiling:
On June 17, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced a slate of reforms to its Secure Communities program that director John Morton said are about prioritizing its limited resources and “making sure we focus on those people it makes the most sense to remove.” In reality they amount to a political attempt to salvage Obama’s flagship immigration program, which despite a multimillion-dollar mandate to target “dangerous criminal aliens,” has been undermined by ICE’s own data, which show that the majority of those it deports have no criminal record or were charged with minor offenses like traffic tickets. Critics argue that the program has re-established racial profiling as a legitimate policing practice. If the 1990s catchphrase was “Driving While Black,” now it could be “Driving While Immigrant.”
Above is a video I produced that accompanies the piece. It goes in-depth into the story of Salvador Licea and his fight to remain in the United States. His case is particularly unique since his parents and siblings are living in the U.S. legally but because of poor legal advice, his status remained up in the air. He currently has two daughters and continues to support them through his construction job as he fights his deportation proceedings.
The talented Sean Crowley provided the soundtrack.
Husband Shaves Trademark Dali-esque Mustache, Panic Ensues
Sean decided to shave his trademark mustache.
Here’s a dramatic documentation of the event.
IL MUSTACHIO from Stokely Baksh on Vimeo.
The reaction summed up is NOOOOOOOOOOOO!
An Outing in Philadelphia: Liberty Bell and Rocky Steps
I took a short trip up to the City of Brotherly Love with the parents, Sean and CJ. I even had a comparison taste test between Geno’s and Pat’s Philly cheese steaks. I think wiz makes all the difference.
Independence Hall/Liberty Bell Area
Dog Day in Philly from Stokely Baksh on Vimeo.
A Lack of Front-Runners in GOP Presidential Bid
It looks like 2012 might just be the year of the dark horse. The lack of a clear 2012 Republican presidential front-runner is attracting lesser-known figures and long-shots to consider joining the race. WSJ’s Neil King reports.
