I can't believe I forgot to post this thing here, but I remember that I wanted to wait until I had delivered the toast at my own Burns' night so none of my friends would have a had a chance to read it beforhand. Anyway, after talking to a friend at lunch today I realized I should put it up, and you will find it below with a short intro. Hope it was worth the wait!
Robert Burns is one of my favorite poets and I often find myself reading his works for the enjoyment that it brings me. He is a Scottish poet, some would say "the" Scottish poet and of course that can only make me like him more. It is tradition to fete his poetry and accomplishments on or around the anniversary of his birthday, January 25th. I did just that last night with some friends and family, and as well as eating some traditional Scottish food and reciting some of his poetry, we passed the evening with several toasts. My toast was to Burns himself and I thought I would take this opportunity to post its contents below:
Reading about Burns in preparation for this toast I was struck by a declaration from a particular passage which concluded that, "In the long run, the poetry is what really matters." Too true. For the poetry is why after all we are here in the first place, without it, Burns would still be a colorful and lively historical footnote to study, as one imagines that his behavior with the lasses could never have gone completely unnoticed, but just that, a footnote and nothing else. Thankfully Burns has arrived in our time as a much chronicled artist of the highest quality, which a whole lifetime could easily be spent in perusing his prose and banter. For now we have tonight, and this dinner to celebrate the man and his works, an event that is widely repeated around the world amongst all those who appreciate literature, or just a good drink, or maybe both. Personally I am drawn to Burns for his humanity, for his many personal faults and imperfections, for giving me hope that a man can be judged on his works and not entirely on his sometimes dubious past. Just as another great master of language, William Shakespeare, Burns's poetry is successful for its ability to arouse our emotions, provoke our sympathies and invigorate our intellect. As with such subjects romance and love are often at the fore, but sometimes there are other ways to bring about such powerful reactions. The weather, for example, is a constant we must all endure, and though it varies from place to place, there are always those seasons that we correspond with certain thoughts and feelings. Winter is a time that many of us, including myself, find difficult as it can feel smothering and restricting on our desire to live as we want, pushing us with its not so gentle winds into more somber contemplations. Burns felt this as well strongly and put it to words in several poems, but perhaps none so obviously as in "Winter: A Dirge", dated 1781. Up until recently our winter has been much delayed and strangely absent in many ways. One would think this would make me feel more chipper and upbeat than usual, but instead it finds me in a strange funk, not knowing how to proceed. For, as with many things we like to complain about, the doldrums of winter are quite necessary and central to the passing of the seasons. And as we grow accustomed to such a cycle, being thrown out of it can be quite confusing to say the least. Most importantly, the reason we need winter is that spring follows, that wonderful time of year when life begins to glow again. Besides, as Burns says in his poem, it is simply the way of things, "Thou Power Supreme, whose mighty scheme These woes of mine fulfil, Here firm I rest; they must be best, Because they are Thy will!" But thankfully, we have been saved by the eagerly awaited cold (despite today's warming) and knowing that normality has returned, can once again continue towards a brighter and more hopeful future. Perhaps a better argument cannot be found for insuring our planet's environmental stability for the future generations to come. So, without further ado, to Burns and his immortal memory, may it be honored forever more!
To read some of the works of Robert Burns follow this link.
Thursday, November 01, 2007
Some Brilliant Thoughts
The above mentioned brilliant thoughts are not mine, but I came across them while going through my daily perusal of cool stuff on the net. They are all actually within an article that you'll find a link to below and which work quite nicely with some of the things I mentioned a bit ago on music and copyright. This one is on movies, but the same principle applies, and the author here does an even better job of articulating potential means to hit a profit.
http://techdirt.com/articles/20071025/024822.shtml
Some of his words are also encouraging regarding my own idea to write a script for a relatively low budget movie. It's called Fishing Creek and my friend Jason helped flesh out the details of the plot, but basically its full of fun stuff like growing pains angst, mental anguish, isolation, fear of the unknown, detective movie goodness, storytelling (with hopefully good writing to deliver it), whedonesque dialogue, great music, and of course a bad ass ending that will leave you sweating. Who knows, maybe parts of it will show up here at some point, or make it into some form of comic, but the bottom line is that I'm not letting go of it, and no matter how long it takes, I'm reeling this sucker in one day. Otherwise, good night and good luck, and have a magnificent weekend!
http://techdirt.com/articles/20071025/024822.shtml
Some of his words are also encouraging regarding my own idea to write a script for a relatively low budget movie. It's called Fishing Creek and my friend Jason helped flesh out the details of the plot, but basically its full of fun stuff like growing pains angst, mental anguish, isolation, fear of the unknown, detective movie goodness, storytelling (with hopefully good writing to deliver it), whedonesque dialogue, great music, and of course a bad ass ending that will leave you sweating. Who knows, maybe parts of it will show up here at some point, or make it into some form of comic, but the bottom line is that I'm not letting go of it, and no matter how long it takes, I'm reeling this sucker in one day. Otherwise, good night and good luck, and have a magnificent weekend!
The Hills Are Not Yet Bleeding Red (hey, it got your attention)
Thoughts while reading Children of Hurin by J.R.R. Tolkien
It's funny that a book reminding me of reading Greek tragedy in high school brings with it such fond remembrance. When a plot unfolds in the Greek model you are guaranteed a somber, downer of an ending, but those days discovering Antigone in my freshmen English class were fun filled journeys of discovery, full of excitement and wonder, in stark contrast to the personal tragedies of the characters we were studying. There was none of the pressure and expectations that dominated such work in college and it was all so fresh and new! It makes me smile now to think of how amazed I was at discovering the common current running through fiction from the most ancient of days to our present time. I couldn't believe how connected everything was, which is especially poignant to ponder now considering how forcefully and exponentially the Internet has entirely driven this point home. I'd like to think this hasn't made more traditional ways of discovering the human connection completely obsolete and irrelevant. The Internet is a wonderful tool that I obviously don't mind using, and though it can be used to generate and present new material, I feel it often best lends itself to discussing, analyzing and taking apart culture found in the physical world. Those Greek plays were great stuff (oh my goodness, I should be shot for using the word 'stuff' in a descriptive phrase referencing such mighty classics). Most, if not all, of our current entertainment genres come directly from the varying types of play and it would be a terrible mistake to forgo all the wonderful types of art that have come before the Internet to only limit ourselves to one medium, no matter how multifaceted a medium it is. The more I think about it, the more I think it would be a lot of fun to talk to people about those Greek stories again, any takers?
It's funny that a book reminding me of reading Greek tragedy in high school brings with it such fond remembrance. When a plot unfolds in the Greek model you are guaranteed a somber, downer of an ending, but those days discovering Antigone in my freshmen English class were fun filled journeys of discovery, full of excitement and wonder, in stark contrast to the personal tragedies of the characters we were studying. There was none of the pressure and expectations that dominated such work in college and it was all so fresh and new! It makes me smile now to think of how amazed I was at discovering the common current running through fiction from the most ancient of days to our present time. I couldn't believe how connected everything was, which is especially poignant to ponder now considering how forcefully and exponentially the Internet has entirely driven this point home. I'd like to think this hasn't made more traditional ways of discovering the human connection completely obsolete and irrelevant. The Internet is a wonderful tool that I obviously don't mind using, and though it can be used to generate and present new material, I feel it often best lends itself to discussing, analyzing and taking apart culture found in the physical world. Those Greek plays were great stuff (oh my goodness, I should be shot for using the word 'stuff' in a descriptive phrase referencing such mighty classics). Most, if not all, of our current entertainment genres come directly from the varying types of play and it would be a terrible mistake to forgo all the wonderful types of art that have come before the Internet to only limit ourselves to one medium, no matter how multifaceted a medium it is. The more I think about it, the more I think it would be a lot of fun to talk to people about those Greek stories again, any takers?
A Thought
The space inside a metro car, beside the aluminum folds of a soda can, turns sharply the dark distinction between the strangers around us and takes it down to levels hard and uncomfortable, excuse me sir, what did you say?
RIAA, Listen Up
An Open Letter to The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) (Who are by the way too cowardly to post an online form of contact and so will be receiving this message by snail mail in the near future):
We all won today, or at least that is what you would have us believe. In a court case over pirated music RIAA emerged victorious over a single mom who decided to fight back against a system that she felt had unfairly and, quite possibly, unjustifiably picked on her to make an example of to the unwashed masses of their criminal ways.
How exactly is sentencing a working class woman to unending menial servitude good for everyone? Well, you would say you are saving music from extinction, that you are protecting musicians' rights and ensuring fair prices and products of excellent quality for everyone.
At least, I think that is what you would say, but until recently I also thought it was perfectly legal to backup my music digitally so as to transform my computer into a gigantic jukebox of epic proportions, or to place such music on my phone so I can listen to it while out and about, not to mention the convenience of making my own mixes of my fav tunes for those long road trips.
But heck, if AT&T can claim filters limiting your internet access broadens and enhances the content you can view, then I really should just shut up, get on board and start talking the doublespeak. I have a problem though, see I can disappoint myself, be my own worst enemy and place my foot in my mouth with ease, but one thing I can't do is stand by and watch multiple people with vast resources commit stupidity without comment.
For when that happens you hurt far more than yourself, you hurt everyone in love with media, and in this specific case music. You see RIAA, I don't pirate music, I buy it through various legitimate retailers (amazon.com, amazon mp3 store, itunes, emusic, various big box stores) and I frequent concerts as much as I can, but your actions this week and over the last few years have infuriated me so much that if I could prove the artists represented by record companies were slaves without pay I would stop buying music today in protest of your draconian, heartless, ignorant ways and not look back.
For it is you who have missed the boat, failed to realize that if you want to fight piracy you have to offer legitimate buyers an incentive for spending their hard earned money on your products and you know what, it is so god damn easy even I can figure out some ways to get you started.
It goes something like this: when someone buys an album they get the following no matter what: standard music CD, album artwork, band photos, full lyrics, rights to have a digital content control free copy of the music with full ID tags, including lyrics for each song. Possibilities for value added extra incentive content: music videos (that you can also download to your personal media players and computers), discounts to concerts, t-shirts, etc. Oh, and yeah, the prices mostly suck, but they are finally getting a bit better, keep working on that and you'll see some real results fast.
Here's another hint, don't go after your customers in ridiculous lawsuits, unless you can prove to the world that poor woman never bought a record in her whole life she IS a customer of yours and no self respecting business treats their customers like that.
I guess now you can see that I disagree with you on many fronts and that instead of a victory, I see a tragic defeat for every Jane and Joe Doe in the world as a result of this case. I hope you can sleep easy, knowing how much you have completely failed music today.
Remember, whatever you think at the end of this day, no one owns my memories of the first time I heard Nirvana as a growing adolescent, or The Clash as I began to learn to love life or the first time The Pixies' Where is My Mind sent chills down my spine of pure blissful understanding. And I shouldn't even mention Fugazi, but I will, Waiting Room, it still blows my mind. But even though those thoughts and feelings can't be bought or sold, you do have a right to charge a fee for the privilege and convenience of listening to a great tune whenever we want, but be smart about it, make it as easy and as reasonable as possible or say goodbye to ever being able to sell music again.
Below you'll find a little message from a great band called Wilco who have had their own troubles with the recording industry and if you are wondering what I really think, well, until you clean up your act, just shut the hell up and take care of music like you are supposed to, it can't take much more of your abuse.
"I'd like to thank you all for nothing at all"
-Misunderstood from Kicking Television: Live in Chicago
For some more information on the case (including some very well researched specifics) click here.
We all won today, or at least that is what you would have us believe. In a court case over pirated music RIAA emerged victorious over a single mom who decided to fight back against a system that she felt had unfairly and, quite possibly, unjustifiably picked on her to make an example of to the unwashed masses of their criminal ways.
How exactly is sentencing a working class woman to unending menial servitude good for everyone? Well, you would say you are saving music from extinction, that you are protecting musicians' rights and ensuring fair prices and products of excellent quality for everyone.
At least, I think that is what you would say, but until recently I also thought it was perfectly legal to backup my music digitally so as to transform my computer into a gigantic jukebox of epic proportions, or to place such music on my phone so I can listen to it while out and about, not to mention the convenience of making my own mixes of my fav tunes for those long road trips.
But heck, if AT&T can claim filters limiting your internet access broadens and enhances the content you can view, then I really should just shut up, get on board and start talking the doublespeak. I have a problem though, see I can disappoint myself, be my own worst enemy and place my foot in my mouth with ease, but one thing I can't do is stand by and watch multiple people with vast resources commit stupidity without comment.
For when that happens you hurt far more than yourself, you hurt everyone in love with media, and in this specific case music. You see RIAA, I don't pirate music, I buy it through various legitimate retailers (amazon.com, amazon mp3 store, itunes, emusic, various big box stores) and I frequent concerts as much as I can, but your actions this week and over the last few years have infuriated me so much that if I could prove the artists represented by record companies were slaves without pay I would stop buying music today in protest of your draconian, heartless, ignorant ways and not look back.
For it is you who have missed the boat, failed to realize that if you want to fight piracy you have to offer legitimate buyers an incentive for spending their hard earned money on your products and you know what, it is so god damn easy even I can figure out some ways to get you started.
It goes something like this: when someone buys an album they get the following no matter what: standard music CD, album artwork, band photos, full lyrics, rights to have a digital content control free copy of the music with full ID tags, including lyrics for each song. Possibilities for value added extra incentive content: music videos (that you can also download to your personal media players and computers), discounts to concerts, t-shirts, etc. Oh, and yeah, the prices mostly suck, but they are finally getting a bit better, keep working on that and you'll see some real results fast.
Here's another hint, don't go after your customers in ridiculous lawsuits, unless you can prove to the world that poor woman never bought a record in her whole life she IS a customer of yours and no self respecting business treats their customers like that.
I guess now you can see that I disagree with you on many fronts and that instead of a victory, I see a tragic defeat for every Jane and Joe Doe in the world as a result of this case. I hope you can sleep easy, knowing how much you have completely failed music today.
Remember, whatever you think at the end of this day, no one owns my memories of the first time I heard Nirvana as a growing adolescent, or The Clash as I began to learn to love life or the first time The Pixies' Where is My Mind sent chills down my spine of pure blissful understanding. And I shouldn't even mention Fugazi, but I will, Waiting Room, it still blows my mind. But even though those thoughts and feelings can't be bought or sold, you do have a right to charge a fee for the privilege and convenience of listening to a great tune whenever we want, but be smart about it, make it as easy and as reasonable as possible or say goodbye to ever being able to sell music again.
Below you'll find a little message from a great band called Wilco who have had their own troubles with the recording industry and if you are wondering what I really think, well, until you clean up your act, just shut the hell up and take care of music like you are supposed to, it can't take much more of your abuse.
"I'd like to thank you all for nothing at all"
-Misunderstood from Kicking Television: Live in Chicago
For some more information on the case (including some very well researched specifics) click here.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Who Watches the Watchmen on Lost?
Participated today in an online discussion over at washingtonpost.com regarding the graphic novel Watchmen and its ties/effects on/parallels with the hit TV show Lost. I've included below my contributions to the discussion and the answers they elicited. You can check out the full discussion here, which I strongly recommend to fans of either piece of fiction. Enjoy and please comment away!
I am not sure about the deluded genius stuff, either. That delves into Ben/Jacob terroritory and I think, in the very, very end, the story will come back to a tight focus on the people at the heart of the show from the beginning: Jack, Locke, Sawyer and Kate. The Ben/Jacob issues may get resolves before we reach the end of Act Three. I'm just guessing, of course, albeit in a public forum that makes it sound like I know what I'm talking about.
***UPDATE*** In an e-mail Jen Chaney from washingtonpost.com answered the question above most excellently and here are her words for your reading pleasure:
"In terms of lasting impact of "Lost," I really do think it's one of those seminal shows that will be looked back on 20 years from now as not only influential, but really emblematic of the post-9/11 era. One could say that "Jericho," "Heroes" and "24." are dealing with post-9/11 themes -- terrorism, disasters, etc. -- but I think "Lost" does so in a much more subtle way. To me, the show is essentially about the search for a sense of self and a sense of comfort in the wake of a tragic event. That's what Americans -- and, for that matter, people in other parts of the world -- have been grappling with more than anything in this first decade of the new millennium. Of course there's more to it than that, but that's my short answer."
Washington, D.C.: Do you feel the ending of "Watchmen" holds any clues for the ending of "Lost"? After the conclusion of the last season I think a "Watchmen" type ending with a presiding low related to grand machinations of a deluded genius balanced by a glimmer of future hope earned by the sacrifices and travails of our Losties would be just the thing to expect.
Doc Jensen: That might have been one of the better sentences I've read in the past day. My gut tells me that the conclusion to Lost that we'll get in three years time will be more upliftingly heroic than the ambiguous optimism of Watchmen. Certainly there could be a twist, akin to Seymour finding Rory's diary at the end of Watchmen, a kind of "Never 'The End!'" comic book/Twilight Zone ending. The climactic beat at the end of season three, with Jack in the"presiding low" you reference strikes me as either the middle of the larger story unfolding, or the "Hero at the lowest point" stage that's usually located at the end of the second act of the classic, mythic Hero's Journey structure. I look at Lost this way: the on-Island stuff we've seen up until now is Act One; it will culminate with the Losties leaving The Island. Act Two will follow the Losties off The Island as they try to reclaim their lives; it will culminate with the scene we saw at the end of season three, with Jack in despair and meeting with Kate in secret and begging her to join him in trying to return to The Island. As for Act Three, well... I think that's still a season or so away, and I'm betting it involves Jack and the other Losties in the flashforward future, doing... something. Maybe together. Dunno. Does that make sense? All to say, I think we're seeing an old fashioned three act saga, but told to us in non-linear fashion.
Jen Chaney: I agree that the ending will be on the more uplifting side, as I think I said in an answer to a previous question. At the end of "Watchmen" the reader (at least this one) is not quite sure what to feel, and I don't think that will be the case on "Lost." I'm with you, Jeff, on the "Twilight Zone" factor.I am not sure about the deluded genius stuff, either. That delves into Ben/Jacob terroritory and I think, in the very, very end, the story will come back to a tight focus on the people at the heart of the show from the beginning: Jack, Locke, Sawyer and Kate. The Ben/Jacob issues may get resolves before we reach the end of Act Three. I'm just guessing, of course, albeit in a public forum that makes it sound like I know what I'm talking about.
Washington, D.C.: To take a slight divergence along the lines of superheroes, do you think super-powered individuals will become an increasingly larger presence in "Lost"? Currently we have Desmond (time-travel), McPatchy (won't die), Walt (strange kid psychic) and Locke (Jedi Master). Is there room for more such people in the next three seasons or are we going to see the present ones killed or explained away?
Jen Chaney: I don't know. I think if they start peppering the show with more people with magical powers, it will seem like they're ripping off "Heroes." Plus, I don't see Locke, Walt and Desmond -- not sure I agree on McPatchy having a power, necessarily, except the power of awesomeness -- as having powers so much as gifts. To get a little literary, to me the influence here is magical realism moreso than traditional comic-book heroism.
If that makes sense.
Doc Jensen: Makes sense to me, as I agree!
Edinburgh, Scotland by way of Washington, D.C.: Great discussion so far, anything that can provoke a "Thundercats"shout out gets major kudos from me. You both have mentioned storytelling methods in "Watchmen" being critical to the Lost writers' modus operandi, I was thinking another way that this is seen is through all the pseudo-official Web sites that have sprung up throughout the shows run as offshoots on the plot, very similar to the short text only breaks in "Watchmen." Since I never have time to follow up on all those virtal "easter eggs" I hope we see them included on the final mega-set home video release of "Lost" as I think on reviewing they would be particularly useful to focus attention and ask more questions. Also, though I defer to your experience I think we may be more hesitant to embrace the inevitable durability of the world peace engineered at the end of "Watchmen." This is humanity we are speaking of (even in fictional terms) and Rorschach's diaries would be more than enough fuel to fire the doubt necessary to tear the faux utopia down (besides it would be sad to think we can only hope to be tricked into a positive future, not achieve it on our own).
Jen Chaney: Thanks, Edinburgh. I'll try to reference He-Man and/or She-Ra a little later in the program.
I am with you on the Easter eggs and how the mirror the use of other reference points in "Watchmen," something I think I mentioned earlier. It does strike me as a similar approach, one that "Lost" isn't the only show or movie to ever use. Although I think they use it more effectively than most.
As for Rorschach's diary, I absolutely agree that it would plant seeds of doubt and potentially undo the Utopia. That's why Jon tells Veidt that "Nothing ever ends." It's a different way of saying that old cliche that history always repeats itself and all of these developments are part of a cycle.
***UPDATE*** In an e-mail Jen Chaney from washingtonpost.com answered the question above most excellently and here are her words for your reading pleasure:
"In terms of lasting impact of "Lost," I really do think it's one of those seminal shows that will be looked back on 20 years from now as not only influential, but really emblematic of the post-9/11 era. One could say that "Jericho," "Heroes" and "24." are dealing with post-9/11 themes -- terrorism, disasters, etc. -- but I think "Lost" does so in a much more subtle way. To me, the show is essentially about the search for a sense of self and a sense of comfort in the wake of a tragic event. That's what Americans -- and, for that matter, people in other parts of the world -- have been grappling with more than anything in this first decade of the new millennium. Of course there's more to it than that, but that's my short answer."
Friday, April 13, 2007
Finally, Somebody Said It
I'm not going to go into much detail about how right on this article is. I still don't understand how ingrained sexism is that by the time most people reach high school any woman who can't sell herself as a sex symbol is doomed to mediocrity and neglect and a long up hill battle during which they must achieve far more than men to get the same amount of recognition and respect. To make matters worse even if a woman can use her sexuality to get the attention she deserves to advance herself she then runs the risk of only being seen as a sex object by her professional peers and will never be taken as seriously as her male colleagues. This is a real problem. America, and the world, you must wake up now!
Thursday, April 05, 2007
Why Buffy Matters to Me
A few weeks ago Dark Horse Comics held an essay contest concerning the new Buffy the Vampire Slayer comic that Joss Whedon is writing. The comic is meant to be read as the "8th season" of the hit TV show. The contest stated that all interested contestants should submit a 250 word essay describing how and why Buffy impacted their lives. The grand prize winner would be used as a model for a character appearing in one of the comics and would also be given a autographed copy of the first issue. Several other entries would also be given an autographed #1. Huge Buffy fan that I am, I couldn't resist such a request to write about my love for the show and went ahead and sent in the below entry. The winners were announced today and though I didn't win at all, I don't feel bad about it. To see why follow this link. Otherwise, enjoy the ramblings that follow. 5 by 5, out!
Ever since She-Ra I have been enamored with the female heroine. It made
perfect sense then that my TV guide through adolescence would be Buffy. I
still vividly remember the first night I sat down for the premier,
"Welcome to the Hellmouth", and feeling that perhaps being a freshman in
high school was not such a lonely and misunderstood experience after all.
Subsequently I found myself eagerly anticipating every episode, sharing in
the Scooby Gang's adventures and especially identifying with Xander's
hopeless crush on the Slayer. What guy doesn't yearn after that impossibly
beautiful female friend who no matter how hard you dream will never be right for you? After high school Buffy still remained highly relevant to my life,
particularly impacting my relationships with women. I wanted to be near
those that had an uncompromising strength and desire to change the world
for the better and after all this time that remains the one thing all of
my partners have had in common. With Buffy you were never really alone.
In college bringing up the show was like a secret password that got you
into all the clubs you ever wanted to be a part of, bringing you into
contact with others who highly valued their ideals and had a strong
respect and admiration for their fellow human being. You knew you were in
good company, and as you settled in with these seemingly long lost friends
you looked forward to any future journeys Whedon would take you on
together.
My First Live NBA Game
Last Wednesday I went to my first NBA game at the Verizon Center in DC. Now I have seen professional basketball many times on TV and it always seemed to be a very fast paced, adrenaline pounding, exciting experience. As I am always up for events falling into this category I had been curious for quite a while to see what all the fuss was all about. Well now I know, and in this case knowing is definitely NOT half the battle.
Check this craziness out: As game time neared I looked around in surprise at the emptiness of the arena. Now I was used to this kind of turn out at a DC United game (to be truthful this number of people would have been average for them), but come on DC, this is YOUR team, they changed their name just to make you look better, that's civic pride for you! Besides, according to my limited NBA knowledge, the Wizards are doing uncharacteristically well this season and a game against a known team such as the Philadelphia 76ers should have a better starting turn out. At least as the night progressed the seats did fill out and, looking around the crowd, it seemed nearly sold out by the final blow of the whistle.
Game attendance doesn't even come close to meaning everything when it comes to good sports atmosphere, but the next bit of work I witnessed certainly put a damper on things. Two and a half words: "Flying mini-blimps." That's right, I said flying mini-blimps. At several points throughout the night (as if once wasn't bad enough) these dirigibles floated above the crowd, seemingly strategically dropping coupons and special offers on some lucky personage. By the crowd's reaction I was pretty alone in my disapproval, they shouted at the things as if it would somehow move them closer to getting out of paying their taxes or to obtaining a guaranteed spot in heaven.
And that was sadly not the only time a non-game event got the fans more excited than the game itself. Now of course I expected the cheerleaders to be distracting (wait till I get going on them!), but the last thing I thought I would see was random contests of stupidity to win various prizes. Everyone seemed to love these though, so I guess that makes me a loser (capital L of course). Really, they totally got more excited by flying Chipotle burritos and free pizza than by the fact the Wizards were in a neck and neck battle to achieve the lead and then maintain it. I give up.
So let's talk about those cheerleaders for a bit. I remember cheerleaders from high school and though I wasn't deemed cool enough to speak to these people until my last two years there I always remember them being genuinely excited about the school sports and making their best efforts to get others motivated to promote team spirit. However, these cheerleaders would have trouble motivating the carnal interests of middle school boys, let alone making anyone root louder for the home team. First of all there was no cheering, no gymnastics to speak of, and certainly no impressive feats of team adoration. Instead we were treated to synchronized club dancing of the X rated kind, which the girls invited many comparisons to as they appeared each time with new, smaller, skankier outfits after every break. If they had even been allowed the freedom to interpret their sexuality independently of each other there would have been something to see here, but honestly I have no desire to watch Barbie wannabes strut their stuff vacantly in perfect simulation.
Two more points to finish on: One, the half time show was less interesting than the flying blimps, and that is saying something. They had a dance team made up of kids at local schools do a number on the court, and though they had spirit, they did not fit in the gaming atmosphere at all. But I guess in that way they were simply in place with mostly everything else there. Secondly, how they get to make 34 seconds last five minutes at the end of a basketball game I don't know, but seriously if you are only going to start playing your best that close to the end then you don't deserve to win the game at that point. I mean, come on, the whole thing is only about 45 minutes long (which they stretched to be over two hours by the way), how can you not be playing your best the whole time. If mid-fielders in a soccer team can play for 60 minutes with only a half time break then these much better paid, much taller (sarcasm intended) athletes can do the same!
Oh, almost forgot, there was a moment of the game where they made mention of the guests of honor of the evening, surviving veterans of Tuskegee airmen fame from World War II. As they waved down on the basketball court, I couldn't help but wonder what they were thinking about the spectacle before them. Something tells me that they were just as confused as me as to what happened to the game part of going out to see a sporting event. Oh well, at least I got to see some true heroes, and that is ALWAYS exciting.
(Snapshot: The game in many ways became an incidental occurrence to the vaudeville of advertising and fairground antics dominating the evening and the attention of those in attendance. Please, we are saturated with commercialization everywhere else; can't you at least give us our sports pure and free? Thanks for reading.)
Sunday, March 04, 2007
Dancing and a Story
Long ago there was a dragon named Koto who devoured the land in an orgy of flame and gore. All who fought against this terror died as soon as they made their stand. To defeat the horror the lord of this land put out a calling to all the great warriors of the world. Despite grave forebodings many came to give aid and for the chance of glory. Beauty was to be had as well for it was well known this lord had the most beautiful daughter in all the known countries. Her heart had grown tired and sad though with the destruction of the land she cared for so much.
Every night new warriors arrived to give battle to the beast and every night the lord threw a great feast and afterwards there was always dancing. One night, after a particularly grand feast Tara, the lord's daughter, danced a slow waltz to the sounds of the harp. A kitchen boy, seeing this, forgot his tray of dishes and stood transfixed by the image before him. How sad she is, he thought, if only someone could make her smile again.
The boy had known Tara all her life for they had grown up at the same time, but Tara knew nothing of the fond kitchen boy. Philip! Philip! the cook yelled, now where has that darn boy gone off to this time? Philip awoke from his hypnosis and returned to his task at hand, not forgetting the image of Tara in his mind...
And afterwards Tara is taken by the dragon and a great journey takes place to rescue her. The kitchen boy Philip follows and is challenged by one of the pride filled men sent to save her. There is a fight and Philip wins, but not without forgiveness for his assailant. Before the party reaches the dragon they encounter a strange and mysterious witch who ensnares them with her dark arts. Some of the companions fall astray, but Philip breaks free and rescues those remaining for his heart stays true to Tara.
Philip eventually finds Tara and they run for their lives. However, the dragon gives chase and relentlessly hounds them, finding them out at every turn. Over their time together Tara and Philip grow close to one another and discover they share feelings for each other. Deciding they cannot run forever, and vowing to at least attempt to save their land, Tara and Philip agree to make a stand against the dragon despite knowing it is their doom.
They climb to the top of a great hill and hold hands and wait for Koto to appear. He comes soon and almost immediately he sends out his fire to consume the two friends. However, something strange happens. this time there is no ash, no fiery immolation, a white light surround the two and even as Koto blows harder and harder the white light grows larger and larger surrounding everything in sight.
It is the light of love and the dragon does not understand it, for he is a thing of evil and darkness, born to bring suffering and pain to the world, all feeling is anathema to him. The dragon goes numb and in a flash of brilliance the white light explodes outward wiping away Koto and breathing new life into the destroyed land. Grass grows, flowers bloom and where the two once stood now sprout two trees, their branches intertwined as two people holding hands. The End.
Every night new warriors arrived to give battle to the beast and every night the lord threw a great feast and afterwards there was always dancing. One night, after a particularly grand feast Tara, the lord's daughter, danced a slow waltz to the sounds of the harp. A kitchen boy, seeing this, forgot his tray of dishes and stood transfixed by the image before him. How sad she is, he thought, if only someone could make her smile again.
The boy had known Tara all her life for they had grown up at the same time, but Tara knew nothing of the fond kitchen boy. Philip! Philip! the cook yelled, now where has that darn boy gone off to this time? Philip awoke from his hypnosis and returned to his task at hand, not forgetting the image of Tara in his mind...
And afterwards Tara is taken by the dragon and a great journey takes place to rescue her. The kitchen boy Philip follows and is challenged by one of the pride filled men sent to save her. There is a fight and Philip wins, but not without forgiveness for his assailant. Before the party reaches the dragon they encounter a strange and mysterious witch who ensnares them with her dark arts. Some of the companions fall astray, but Philip breaks free and rescues those remaining for his heart stays true to Tara.
Philip eventually finds Tara and they run for their lives. However, the dragon gives chase and relentlessly hounds them, finding them out at every turn. Over their time together Tara and Philip grow close to one another and discover they share feelings for each other. Deciding they cannot run forever, and vowing to at least attempt to save their land, Tara and Philip agree to make a stand against the dragon despite knowing it is their doom.
They climb to the top of a great hill and hold hands and wait for Koto to appear. He comes soon and almost immediately he sends out his fire to consume the two friends. However, something strange happens. this time there is no ash, no fiery immolation, a white light surround the two and even as Koto blows harder and harder the white light grows larger and larger surrounding everything in sight.
It is the light of love and the dragon does not understand it, for he is a thing of evil and darkness, born to bring suffering and pain to the world, all feeling is anathema to him. The dragon goes numb and in a flash of brilliance the white light explodes outward wiping away Koto and breathing new life into the destroyed land. Grass grows, flowers bloom and where the two once stood now sprout two trees, their branches intertwined as two people holding hands. The End.
Amazing Grace
2007 marks the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the British slave trade. As Britain was the primary naval power at the time this effectively began the process of making the trading of human lives illegal around the world. The United States followed suit with their own ban in 1808 (it is important to note that this was planned into law 20 years earlier in the legal documents creating the American government). After the war of 1812 was over the mutual desire between the British and Americans to halt slave ships resulted in a partnership that would eventually blossom into the Munroe Doctrine, defining American foreign policy for some time to come.
Such consequences aside though the human story of the ending of the slave trade is a dramatic and emotional one, well-crafted in film form in the movie "Amazing Grace" that debuted in theatres last Friday. Chronicling the decades long efforts of the English politician William Wilberforce to abolish the slave trade, the film is a powerful reminder of the good that can be accomplished when people refuse to surrender to the worldliness around them. It doesn't hurt that the film also relates the story of one of the most powerful religious hymns in history, "Amazing Grace" (probably my favorite spiritual song).
Two other things that were incredibly striking about the film were its testimony to the fact that our world has been global much longer than many would have you believe and the similarities in popular political movements today to those of Wilberforce and his circle of friends in the late 18th/early 19th centuries. For example, you cannot help but find relevance in the "no slave sugar" signs in British tea and coffee shops in the movie to the fair trade signs you find in coffee and marketplaces today. It is a comfort to know that there have always been those crusading for the greater good and it is a crucial lesson that the past holds much helpful information if we only care to look for it.
So, do yourselves a favor and check out "Amazing Grace" this week or weekend, you'll learn a great deal and who knows, you may just find yourself inspired to fight for a cause that is important to you.
P.S. I am not actually reading the book linked to here, but it is the companion book to the movie and for anyone desiring a greater understanding of Wilberforce than what is available in the movie or at Wikipedia it seems to be a great place to start.
Such consequences aside though the human story of the ending of the slave trade is a dramatic and emotional one, well-crafted in film form in the movie "Amazing Grace" that debuted in theatres last Friday. Chronicling the decades long efforts of the English politician William Wilberforce to abolish the slave trade, the film is a powerful reminder of the good that can be accomplished when people refuse to surrender to the worldliness around them. It doesn't hurt that the film also relates the story of one of the most powerful religious hymns in history, "Amazing Grace" (probably my favorite spiritual song).
Two other things that were incredibly striking about the film were its testimony to the fact that our world has been global much longer than many would have you believe and the similarities in popular political movements today to those of Wilberforce and his circle of friends in the late 18th/early 19th centuries. For example, you cannot help but find relevance in the "no slave sugar" signs in British tea and coffee shops in the movie to the fair trade signs you find in coffee and marketplaces today. It is a comfort to know that there have always been those crusading for the greater good and it is a crucial lesson that the past holds much helpful information if we only care to look for it.
So, do yourselves a favor and check out "Amazing Grace" this week or weekend, you'll learn a great deal and who knows, you may just find yourself inspired to fight for a cause that is important to you.
P.S. I am not actually reading the book linked to here, but it is the companion book to the movie and for anyone desiring a greater understanding of Wilberforce than what is available in the movie or at Wikipedia it seems to be a great place to start.
Memory
I just read an article in The Washington Post detailing a research team's theory that repressed memory is a cultural invention dating from 1800. This conclusion was based on a massive examination of literature from around the world for examples of an individual experiencing a traumatic event, forgetting it, then remembering it at a later point in time. I am still working to see if I can find an example to contradict them, but before I do I wanted to make two points.
First, this evidence is only relevant if we can also prove that in every documented case of repressed memory the patient had some form of access to literature or commentary regarding what a repressed memory was (therefore giving them the subconcious idea to invent one). And secondly, and perhaps most importantly, that there may be a very obvious explanation of their findings.
That is, that though the notion of a completely repressed memory may have come out of the romantic musings of the nineteenth century it does not mean that the brain does not alter memory as the concious would like to perceive it. For example, have you ever noticed that when you recall an particularly unpleasant experience years later (especially one in which you were partly to blame) that when discussing it with others who bore witness that they will correct you on certain aspects regarding your part in the said events? The point being that if we choose to remember only that which is desirable to us or that which paints us in a good light then it would make sense that at times we would alter a memory to the point that it is virtually "forgotten", but later, after a period of deep reflection perhaps, we "remember" that which we had chosen (perhaps only subconsciously) to "forget". Through this definition one can find many examples throughout history and literature as we have only to look at the classic deluded figure who thinks that their view of the world is only too real and forgets that will power can only push the parameters of reality too far before it pushes you back onto your ass (e.g. Alexander the Great, Cleopatra, Nero, Richard III, etc.) It would also not be such a stretch of the mind to think that someone particularly upset about a certain event would find a way to mostly forget it, granting the nineteenth century writers who introduced it the artistic license to include such a notion in their works. What I propose then is an amendment of the definition of "repressed memories" so as to include all such memory modification rather than to completely chalk the concept up to cultural imagination.
http://biopsychlab.com/challenge.html
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/25/AR2007022501048.html
Thursday, February 08, 2007
Dreaming
Sometimes you hear something so wonderful that you are afraid to tell anyone about it because you are scared if you do so that the beauty of it will escape elusively through your grasping hands and that the magic will be lost forever. That happened to me tonight and I am only going to risk saying a few more words before I sign off. I heard this evening the pleasing playing of the harp, occasionally joined by the rhythmic joy of tap dancing and the passionate strumming of a guitar. The music took me places, to my past, through sadness and happiness, around the mysteries of growing things and to teasing glimpses of futures dreamed. I left smiling and happy, hoping that others find the same fount of life and have the chance to drink deeply and discover within themselves the peace that was always there, waiting for them.
Follow this link to hear what I am talking about.
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
We Will Never Surrender
The daughter of the current Vice President of the United States attempted to shock the readers of the Washington Post this Tuesday with the revelation that Democrats and indeed, all who oppose the "troop surge" strategy in Iraq are against winning the war on terrorism. Now these kind of statements emerge all the time from the lips of such illustrious commentators as Ann Coulter, but coming from someone as educated and experienced as Liz Cheney I was shocked for all the wrong reasons.
Let us examine some of her main points. She begins early on with an interesting statement, "We will have to fight these terrorists to the death somewhere, sometime. We can't negotiate with them or "solve" their jihad. If we quit in Iraq now, we must get ready for a harder, longer, more deadly struggle later."
The first sentence here is what really scares me. If this is truly what the executive branch believes then we have already lost. There is no way we can possibly kill every terrorist on the planet Earth without inspiring others to continue the fight. I suppose we could just kill everyone, but that scenario seemed to be judged a bad one during the Cold War, and optimistic though I am, I have to agree with that conclusion.
As far as being unwilling to negotiate or solve the underlying problems of terrorism that issue is more complex. I absolutely agree that you cannot negotiate with those who have no desire to do so, I mean really, who is going to disagree with you there?
Imagine the following attempt at such a strategy: UN Representative - Hello Mr. Terrorist, how are you doing? I was wondering if you would consider discussing some of your stated problems with the majority of the countries of this wonderful world. Mr. Terrorist - I'm doing fine thanks for asking, but I'm sorry we cannot compromise on any of our statements and will continue to refuse such compromises for the foreseeable future. Now if you could please excuse me, I am going to have to ask you to leave. UN Representative - Please Sir, just for a moment consider the options available to you. Mr. Terrorist - I asked you nicely, I will not ask you again (sound of weapon loading). UN Representative - Understood! (running away)
As you can see this attempt would get nowhere. So as far as negotiations go I would have to agree with Ms. Cheney they are generally a bad idea with terrorists. Countries however are another matter, but I suppose that would just make too much sense to make that point now (and far too late in the case of Iraq to even bring it up).
However, as far as solving "their" problems that statement goes a bit too far. In fact I am of the opinion that is the only strategy that will ever work. Now keep in mind I do not mean solving problems in a way as to appease terrorists, in fact quite the opposite. The only way we are going to win this war is through removing the incentive to become a terrorist in the first place, winning over the populations that the terrorists try to recruit from and isolating them from their very support groups.
Some might say this is impossible, I do not. It will however, be very difficult and require a great deal of hard work. I seem to remember now something about how usually the harder path is the right path. In this case the easy choice is to keep on killing each other until we are all dead. That situation requires no critical thinking (other than of coming up with better ideas as to how to off each other) and will continue to make all the parties benefiting from the current situation more and more reticent to change as well as encouraging those around them to choose a side so as to avoid being killed themselves. That to me is unacceptable and something worth avoiding at all costs. I refuse to aid in passing on such a legacy to the generations that follow mine.
A quick note on the last sentence in Ms. Cheney's quote above. A longer, harder and more deadly struggle if we quit in Iraq now? Well, let's see, when did I hear that before, oh yes, right before we invaded Iraq as to a reason why we needed to dispose of Saddam Hussein. Come on, at least be original in your fear-mongering. Eventually people will catch on you are only saying the same useless drivel as before.
Ms. Cheney goes on from this point to explain why Iraq can not be given up to the terrorists. I am a little confused here, no one in office that I have heard quoted has expressed a desire for Iraq to be controlled by fundamentalist terrorists. I believe what people have voiced is the need to re-appraise our strategy in winning the fight, not in giving up the fight. Maybe Ms. Cheney has access to dialogue I haven't heard, and she probably does, but could it be more likely she simply hopes people will believe that the Democratic Presidential hopefuls want to lose the war against terrorism and leave the middle east in chaos after reading her words. The power of suggestion is never to be under-estimated and since there are many other like minded voices echoing Liz Cheney's outlook, it can be dangerous indeed.
One of my favorite parts of Ms. Cheney's article is when she discusses the danger of losing our "allies" in the war on terror. Do I really have to justify this with a response? We barely have any allies in the war on terror now and we are already losing the ones that we do, not from making overtones regarding breaking away from Iraq, but by insisting that there is only one way to fight this war. Spain has pulled out, Poland will be completely out soon, Italy most likely as well. The only strong ally we can count on is the United Kingdom of Great Britain and I don't think they will be too upset if we change our tactics, something even tells me they will be much more likely to continue to support us.
The truth is we need more allies and desperately in this fight, we have to convince the world that action is the only way to stop these killers, but we can't do that while we act like a cowboy from a John Wayne movie. That is how loner's fight and generally, loners loose.
I am again forced to recall the Cold War, where we systematically aligned the world with the Western political axis, depriving the Soviet Union of support. The same has to be done again, we require an overwhelming surge of countries saying enough is enough to the terrorists, we will not be bullied. However, until the USA provides a plan for practically implementing such a push, without killing everyone, then we can not expect it to happen miraculously and spontaneously on its own.
Here is another superb line from Liz, "Our soldiers will win if we let them." If we let them, if we let them!?! How about before we even begin to talk about letting our soldiers do anything (which I am pretty sure they won't mind if we allow the professionals to decide how best to fight, I am not a soldier and neither are the majority of us) we do the following: properly equip all of our deployed infantry with the combat armor they need to insure their lives are protected to the best of our ability, properly armor our vehicles and desert-proof their engines so they do not explode or break down pre-maturely and you know what, just for kicks why don't we even pay our soldiers properly instead of spending millions on high-tech weaponry research that doesn't even have an implementation in the kind of guerrilla warfare our troops are engaged in. Maybe after we have done all of those things we can deign to offer some advice to our troops on how to wage the war they are fighting for us. Somehow, I think I will still trust their judgment for the most part on how best to do their job.
The next line I am about to quote irks me in more ways than I have the time to expand upon so I will only mention the most general ways in which I find it at fault. The passage is as follows, "And by the way, you cannot wish failure on our soldiers' mission and claim, at the same time, to be supporting the troops. It just doesn't compute."
Confusion is again my first reaction to this troublesome statement, the Democratic leadership, who I assume most of Liz Cheney's article is addressed to, or at least written in protest to, has never said they want the soldiers to fail. I can only conclude then that what Ms. Cheney means is that you cannot express a desire for peace and simultaneously claim to support the troops. Now, why does that have to be the case?
Since the last time I checked the very goal of our troops is to achieve peace for our country why would it be opposing them to desire the same thing for them? Soldiers do not usually fight with the intention of prolonging war, soldiers fight to end wars, and more often than not to protect their loved ones and each other. If a group of people decide that there are other possibilities to resolve a conflict and voice that opinion I am not sure how that hurts our soldiers. This country is a democratic republic and the freedom to speak one's mind is guaranteed again by those same troops fighting for peace.
There are those who are complete pacifists who believe any war is wrong, but I have not yet met one of them who desired defeat and death for our own troops. To do so would be traitorous and to say that there are political leaders who believe such a thing is slanderous beyond comprehension. To me that is what does not compute.
I am going to have to ask your help to understand one of Ms. Cheney's final statements concerning the lack of steel Hilary Clinton and her colleagues have in their spine regarding the fighting in Iraq. Is it just me or does this comment seem to suggest in some way that women do not have the steel in their spine to make a stand different from their male colleagues? I find this especially hard to wrap my head around as Liz Cheney herself has been able to reach this position as a woman, so why couldn't another woman in leadership do the same? Perhaps I am simply mistaken in my reading of her diction.
To conclude I feel compelled to further quote from Ms. Cheney. Here are her closing lines, "America deserves better. It's time for everyone -- Republicans and Democrats -- to stop trying to find ways for America to quit. Victory is the only option. We must have the fortitude and the courage to do what it takes. In the words of Winston Churchill, we must deserve victory. We must be in it to win." In the words of Bart Simpson I am forced to respond by saying, "no duh." However, to be in it to win means more than being willing to blow away our enemies with machine guns. It means that we must be willing to engage in combating the evil influence they have built up over decades in their home countries and show the people of the world that they have everything to gain from eradicating terrorism as a means to protest and everything to lose from allowing it to continue.
For the record, I believe that I personally will never surrender to the forces of darkness and destruction that terrorism represents and I also believe that the people of this world are too brave to give in either.
Follow this link to read the article by Liz Cheney published in The Washington Post.
Let us examine some of her main points. She begins early on with an interesting statement, "We will have to fight these terrorists to the death somewhere, sometime. We can't negotiate with them or "solve" their jihad. If we quit in Iraq now, we must get ready for a harder, longer, more deadly struggle later."
The first sentence here is what really scares me. If this is truly what the executive branch believes then we have already lost. There is no way we can possibly kill every terrorist on the planet Earth without inspiring others to continue the fight. I suppose we could just kill everyone, but that scenario seemed to be judged a bad one during the Cold War, and optimistic though I am, I have to agree with that conclusion.
As far as being unwilling to negotiate or solve the underlying problems of terrorism that issue is more complex. I absolutely agree that you cannot negotiate with those who have no desire to do so, I mean really, who is going to disagree with you there?
Imagine the following attempt at such a strategy: UN Representative - Hello Mr. Terrorist, how are you doing? I was wondering if you would consider discussing some of your stated problems with the majority of the countries of this wonderful world. Mr. Terrorist - I'm doing fine thanks for asking, but I'm sorry we cannot compromise on any of our statements and will continue to refuse such compromises for the foreseeable future. Now if you could please excuse me, I am going to have to ask you to leave. UN Representative - Please Sir, just for a moment consider the options available to you. Mr. Terrorist - I asked you nicely, I will not ask you again (sound of weapon loading). UN Representative - Understood! (running away)
As you can see this attempt would get nowhere. So as far as negotiations go I would have to agree with Ms. Cheney they are generally a bad idea with terrorists. Countries however are another matter, but I suppose that would just make too much sense to make that point now (and far too late in the case of Iraq to even bring it up).
However, as far as solving "their" problems that statement goes a bit too far. In fact I am of the opinion that is the only strategy that will ever work. Now keep in mind I do not mean solving problems in a way as to appease terrorists, in fact quite the opposite. The only way we are going to win this war is through removing the incentive to become a terrorist in the first place, winning over the populations that the terrorists try to recruit from and isolating them from their very support groups.
Some might say this is impossible, I do not. It will however, be very difficult and require a great deal of hard work. I seem to remember now something about how usually the harder path is the right path. In this case the easy choice is to keep on killing each other until we are all dead. That situation requires no critical thinking (other than of coming up with better ideas as to how to off each other) and will continue to make all the parties benefiting from the current situation more and more reticent to change as well as encouraging those around them to choose a side so as to avoid being killed themselves. That to me is unacceptable and something worth avoiding at all costs. I refuse to aid in passing on such a legacy to the generations that follow mine.
A quick note on the last sentence in Ms. Cheney's quote above. A longer, harder and more deadly struggle if we quit in Iraq now? Well, let's see, when did I hear that before, oh yes, right before we invaded Iraq as to a reason why we needed to dispose of Saddam Hussein. Come on, at least be original in your fear-mongering. Eventually people will catch on you are only saying the same useless drivel as before.
Ms. Cheney goes on from this point to explain why Iraq can not be given up to the terrorists. I am a little confused here, no one in office that I have heard quoted has expressed a desire for Iraq to be controlled by fundamentalist terrorists. I believe what people have voiced is the need to re-appraise our strategy in winning the fight, not in giving up the fight. Maybe Ms. Cheney has access to dialogue I haven't heard, and she probably does, but could it be more likely she simply hopes people will believe that the Democratic Presidential hopefuls want to lose the war against terrorism and leave the middle east in chaos after reading her words. The power of suggestion is never to be under-estimated and since there are many other like minded voices echoing Liz Cheney's outlook, it can be dangerous indeed.
One of my favorite parts of Ms. Cheney's article is when she discusses the danger of losing our "allies" in the war on terror. Do I really have to justify this with a response? We barely have any allies in the war on terror now and we are already losing the ones that we do, not from making overtones regarding breaking away from Iraq, but by insisting that there is only one way to fight this war. Spain has pulled out, Poland will be completely out soon, Italy most likely as well. The only strong ally we can count on is the United Kingdom of Great Britain and I don't think they will be too upset if we change our tactics, something even tells me they will be much more likely to continue to support us.
The truth is we need more allies and desperately in this fight, we have to convince the world that action is the only way to stop these killers, but we can't do that while we act like a cowboy from a John Wayne movie. That is how loner's fight and generally, loners loose.
I am again forced to recall the Cold War, where we systematically aligned the world with the Western political axis, depriving the Soviet Union of support. The same has to be done again, we require an overwhelming surge of countries saying enough is enough to the terrorists, we will not be bullied. However, until the USA provides a plan for practically implementing such a push, without killing everyone, then we can not expect it to happen miraculously and spontaneously on its own.
Here is another superb line from Liz, "Our soldiers will win if we let them." If we let them, if we let them!?! How about before we even begin to talk about letting our soldiers do anything (which I am pretty sure they won't mind if we allow the professionals to decide how best to fight, I am not a soldier and neither are the majority of us) we do the following: properly equip all of our deployed infantry with the combat armor they need to insure their lives are protected to the best of our ability, properly armor our vehicles and desert-proof their engines so they do not explode or break down pre-maturely and you know what, just for kicks why don't we even pay our soldiers properly instead of spending millions on high-tech weaponry research that doesn't even have an implementation in the kind of guerrilla warfare our troops are engaged in. Maybe after we have done all of those things we can deign to offer some advice to our troops on how to wage the war they are fighting for us. Somehow, I think I will still trust their judgment for the most part on how best to do their job.
The next line I am about to quote irks me in more ways than I have the time to expand upon so I will only mention the most general ways in which I find it at fault. The passage is as follows, "And by the way, you cannot wish failure on our soldiers' mission and claim, at the same time, to be supporting the troops. It just doesn't compute."
Confusion is again my first reaction to this troublesome statement, the Democratic leadership, who I assume most of Liz Cheney's article is addressed to, or at least written in protest to, has never said they want the soldiers to fail. I can only conclude then that what Ms. Cheney means is that you cannot express a desire for peace and simultaneously claim to support the troops. Now, why does that have to be the case?
Since the last time I checked the very goal of our troops is to achieve peace for our country why would it be opposing them to desire the same thing for them? Soldiers do not usually fight with the intention of prolonging war, soldiers fight to end wars, and more often than not to protect their loved ones and each other. If a group of people decide that there are other possibilities to resolve a conflict and voice that opinion I am not sure how that hurts our soldiers. This country is a democratic republic and the freedom to speak one's mind is guaranteed again by those same troops fighting for peace.
There are those who are complete pacifists who believe any war is wrong, but I have not yet met one of them who desired defeat and death for our own troops. To do so would be traitorous and to say that there are political leaders who believe such a thing is slanderous beyond comprehension. To me that is what does not compute.
I am going to have to ask your help to understand one of Ms. Cheney's final statements concerning the lack of steel Hilary Clinton and her colleagues have in their spine regarding the fighting in Iraq. Is it just me or does this comment seem to suggest in some way that women do not have the steel in their spine to make a stand different from their male colleagues? I find this especially hard to wrap my head around as Liz Cheney herself has been able to reach this position as a woman, so why couldn't another woman in leadership do the same? Perhaps I am simply mistaken in my reading of her diction.
To conclude I feel compelled to further quote from Ms. Cheney. Here are her closing lines, "America deserves better. It's time for everyone -- Republicans and Democrats -- to stop trying to find ways for America to quit. Victory is the only option. We must have the fortitude and the courage to do what it takes. In the words of Winston Churchill, we must deserve victory. We must be in it to win." In the words of Bart Simpson I am forced to respond by saying, "no duh." However, to be in it to win means more than being willing to blow away our enemies with machine guns. It means that we must be willing to engage in combating the evil influence they have built up over decades in their home countries and show the people of the world that they have everything to gain from eradicating terrorism as a means to protest and everything to lose from allowing it to continue.
For the record, I believe that I personally will never surrender to the forces of darkness and destruction that terrorism represents and I also believe that the people of this world are too brave to give in either.
Follow this link to read the article by Liz Cheney published in The Washington Post.
Good Luck
Lately I have been incredibly lucky with the quality of the films I've watched. I'm becoming apprehensive that this streak will end, but for now I'm thoroughly enjoying it. Most recently I saw Pan's Labyrinth at the AFI in Silver Spring. Directed and written by Guillermo del Toro (Hellboy, The Devil's Backbone), it is Mexico's nomination to the best foreign picture category for the Academy Awards, and for good reason. Set just after the Spanish Civil War Pan's Labyrinth explores the pains and beauty of the human experience through the imagination of a young girl abruptly forced out of her childhood to confront the most troubling of life's choices. I'll stop there as I don't want to give anything away and hopefully you will soon be seeing for yourself what is so good about the movie.
A few weeks ago I was also fortunate enough to pick up a copy of the movie Brick on DVD. I had heard from several of my close friends that this was a good film, but hadn't seen it yet for myself. After checking it out I was definitely happy to have picked it up. A film noir murder mystery set in a high school, there was not much here not to love. Gritty, pointed and full of amazing diction (as well as a great mention of Tolkien, I know, random!) Brick sucks you in fast and leaves you wanting more of this director's gift of storytelling. One of my favorite aspects of the film was that despite the fact that there was no narration the atmosphere of the film was so enveloping I found myself playing my own narration in my head to the events unfolding on screen. Maybe I'm just going nuts, but I think you'll know what I mean if you see it. The main actor also provided a surprising turn from his days as the dorky lover of Bianca from 10 Things I Hate About You. Just goes to show you how you can never tell where people may end up.
The lat film I will mention here is Children of Men. Featuring stellar performances by Clive Owen, Julianne Moore, Michael Caine and Claire-Hope Ashitey, the film shoots you to a near future where humanity is on the brink of extinction as women can no longer bear children. Directed by Alfonso Cuarón (Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Y tu mamá también) and based on a novel by P.D. James the story is brilliant and is particularly effective in displaying the savages of urban fighting. In fact in that aspect the film was in many ways reminiscent of the Battle of Algiers, which along with the recent plot-line in the new Battlestar Galactica involving a freshly colonized human world occupied by hostile androids, are some of the few pieces in pop culture which give anywhere near the sensation of what it would feel like to have your country's sovereignty torn from you and show how even the best intended of occupiers will almost always end up being seen as villains by the occupied.
A few weeks ago I was also fortunate enough to pick up a copy of the movie Brick on DVD. I had heard from several of my close friends that this was a good film, but hadn't seen it yet for myself. After checking it out I was definitely happy to have picked it up. A film noir murder mystery set in a high school, there was not much here not to love. Gritty, pointed and full of amazing diction (as well as a great mention of Tolkien, I know, random!) Brick sucks you in fast and leaves you wanting more of this director's gift of storytelling. One of my favorite aspects of the film was that despite the fact that there was no narration the atmosphere of the film was so enveloping I found myself playing my own narration in my head to the events unfolding on screen. Maybe I'm just going nuts, but I think you'll know what I mean if you see it. The main actor also provided a surprising turn from his days as the dorky lover of Bianca from 10 Things I Hate About You. Just goes to show you how you can never tell where people may end up.
The lat film I will mention here is Children of Men. Featuring stellar performances by Clive Owen, Julianne Moore, Michael Caine and Claire-Hope Ashitey, the film shoots you to a near future where humanity is on the brink of extinction as women can no longer bear children. Directed by Alfonso Cuarón (Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Y tu mamá también) and based on a novel by P.D. James the story is brilliant and is particularly effective in displaying the savages of urban fighting. In fact in that aspect the film was in many ways reminiscent of the Battle of Algiers, which along with the recent plot-line in the new Battlestar Galactica involving a freshly colonized human world occupied by hostile androids, are some of the few pieces in pop culture which give anywhere near the sensation of what it would feel like to have your country's sovereignty torn from you and show how even the best intended of occupiers will almost always end up being seen as villains by the occupied.
Friday, January 19, 2007
The Response
A response to "The Quiz" by Hello Saferide:
You are gorgeous tonight
and I dig that you ask me these questions
as if you really wanted to know my answers
And you are far too kind
when it comes to my music and domestic charms
but you really should give sci-fi more of a chance
There is a story here too and its not all a fairy tale
But I'm hoping right now, so full of hope right now
That I can give you the evidence you need to give me the key
So here is my response to you
I might freak out if you said you liked me
but only a little like you
My IQ's never been tested
but I do have a bachelor's degree
I sleep like a baby through it all
And that you would slob in front of me is really too cute
I would never want to change you, but please don't mistake me for cool
And just so you know, socks are on as we speak
And if you'd fall, I would pick you up
And if you'd fall, I would pick you up
Only to say something that reminds me of you
Like those parts in the two books I read this month
And no, it just makes me smile more at you
And why wouldn't it be fine you make more money than I do?
I haven't slept with anyone you work with
And I wouldn't wish anyone here but you
I do have pictures of old girlfriends
But you are the prettiest one for me
And if you'd fall, I would pick you up
If you'd fall, I would pick you up
Original Lyrics to "The Quiz"
You are gorgeous tonight
and I dig that you ask me these questions
as if you really wanted to know my answers
And you are far too kind
when it comes to my music and domestic charms
but you really should give sci-fi more of a chance
There is a story here too and its not all a fairy tale
But I'm hoping right now, so full of hope right now
That I can give you the evidence you need to give me the key
So here is my response to you
I might freak out if you said you liked me
but only a little like you
My IQ's never been tested
but I do have a bachelor's degree
I sleep like a baby through it all
And that you would slob in front of me is really too cute
I would never want to change you, but please don't mistake me for cool
And just so you know, socks are on as we speak
And if you'd fall, I would pick you up
And if you'd fall, I would pick you up
Only to say something that reminds me of you
Like those parts in the two books I read this month
And no, it just makes me smile more at you
And why wouldn't it be fine you make more money than I do?
I haven't slept with anyone you work with
And I wouldn't wish anyone here but you
I do have pictures of old girlfriends
But you are the prettiest one for me
And if you'd fall, I would pick you up
If you'd fall, I would pick you up
Original Lyrics to "The Quiz"
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Learning
It is a testament to the human will to hope that even in the least hopeful of times gifted people find the heart to produce beautiful music. Some may even say that is the very reason the music is made; to make lightness out of darkness. I know that I am always grateful for it. Though it may just be my youthful readings of fantasy have forever shaped all I see, music is one of the few things that constantly evoke in me the feelings I experienced reading my favorite tales and learning of past cultures' mythology. Perhaps this is because music has been with us as long as history can remember. We can never know for sure.
Recently I read the short story Sonny's Blues by James Baldwin. In it contains one of the most powerful descriptions of music I have ever read. Actually, allow me to correct myself, it is the most powerful description of music I have ever read. To put it quite simply Baldwin was able to describe why music matters in a short, imaginative and inspiring passage. If you ever needed to explain to someone why the music you love is important to you, just repeat to them the words found in the story and they should understand.
Baldwin's writing also serves as the perfect guide on how to critique music. You only have to go through his description of how the music made Sonny's brother feel and compare it to the music you are listening to. You will find your favorite music arouses the same pleasure and symphony as that felt by the narrator. Of course you could also go into further detail by examining the nuances and aspects of the music that are particularly responsible for inspiration. With this guide no music is unreachable to your understanding.
This example of the relationship between literature and music is indicative of the greater need to study things as they connect to the rest of the world, not only in a comforting vacuum by themselves. All things have an impact beyond their original field and intent and we would all be better off if such an outlook was incorporated into our educational and vocational training. Unfortunately, we are far too quick to declare one way of looking at the world as the best and only way to truly fulfill our potential. You do not have to know how to develop a nuclear reactor to be able to understand its use, purpose and effects on the world, just as you would not have to be able to write a novel to appreciate its worth.
Go here to read the short story Sonny's Blues by James Baldwin.
Recently I read the short story Sonny's Blues by James Baldwin. In it contains one of the most powerful descriptions of music I have ever read. Actually, allow me to correct myself, it is the most powerful description of music I have ever read. To put it quite simply Baldwin was able to describe why music matters in a short, imaginative and inspiring passage. If you ever needed to explain to someone why the music you love is important to you, just repeat to them the words found in the story and they should understand.
Baldwin's writing also serves as the perfect guide on how to critique music. You only have to go through his description of how the music made Sonny's brother feel and compare it to the music you are listening to. You will find your favorite music arouses the same pleasure and symphony as that felt by the narrator. Of course you could also go into further detail by examining the nuances and aspects of the music that are particularly responsible for inspiration. With this guide no music is unreachable to your understanding.
This example of the relationship between literature and music is indicative of the greater need to study things as they connect to the rest of the world, not only in a comforting vacuum by themselves. All things have an impact beyond their original field and intent and we would all be better off if such an outlook was incorporated into our educational and vocational training. Unfortunately, we are far too quick to declare one way of looking at the world as the best and only way to truly fulfill our potential. You do not have to know how to develop a nuclear reactor to be able to understand its use, purpose and effects on the world, just as you would not have to be able to write a novel to appreciate its worth.
Go here to read the short story Sonny's Blues by James Baldwin.
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