The Fourth of July. A time for BBQ and loud noises and drunken neighbors arguing over who set the dog on fire.
But it's also a solemn holiday as well. It's a time to remember - and remember well - that FREEDOM IS NOT FREE. We have several days a year where we commemorate our war heroes, but for some reason, few people get it through their heads what personal sacrifices must be made in the name of national freedom. In fact, from what I see on the news, a great number of people have absolutely no clue as to what FREEDOM is. So let's take a look at what is freedom as well as the American Pledge of Allegiance and see if we are really living up to the standard (haha, I make joke).
Dictionary.com has several definitions for freedom. First (and most abused in my opinion) is "the condition of being free of restraints." I say abused because I see examples, almost daily, of people who believe that "free of restraints" is synonymous with "free of laws." That they can do whatever they want to do, regardless of who it affects or how, just because they WANT to. People, THAT is not freedom. That is perverse selfishness. I think the better definition is "the capacity to exercise choice." The CAPACITY to exercise choice. Capacity meaning ability, to be able. We in this country are allowed to make personal choices. BUT, just because we're allowed to make choices DOES NOT EXEMPT US FROM SUFFERING CONSEQUENCES FROM MAKING THOSE CHOICES!!!
One of the laws of physics states that every action has an equal and opposite reaction. This holds true in sociology and psychology as well. If someone pushes, someone else is going to push back, usually harder. We're seeing this nightly on the news. A group of people pushed the U.S. hard on September 11, 2001. The U.S. pushed back and were initially successful. But now, people the U.S. really shouldn't have pushed are pushing back at us. These are the consequences of a choice made.
Was it the right choice? I don't know. Was it the wrong choice? I don't know. All I know is that it was A CHOICE. And nobody REALLY knows for sure if the figurehead made that choice. This country is not run by a single individual, but by a committee of men and women who supposedly know what we, as a country, need and make decisions accordingly. They pass these decisions onto the figurehead, our President, who gets the praise or tomatoes for those decisions.
Ok, I'm starting to rant here. Need to back down...
Let's move on to the Pledge. I'm going to break it down by word or phrase.
I - this indicates PERSONAL responsibility. You cannot speak for the guy standing next to you at the ball game.
Pledge - offer or guarantee by a solemn BINDING promise. A solemn oath.
Allegiance - Loyalty or the obligation of loyalty, as to a nation, sovereign, or cause. (Loyalty is synonymous with FIDELITY which is "faithfulness to OBLIGATIONS, duties, or observances."
to the flag of the United States of America - the flag being the best known symbol representing a region or individual ruler, the standard. In this case, a piece of clothe with 13 red and white stripes and an upper left-hand corner in blue with 50 white stars is the world wide representative that the United States of America is in the area. Not the United States of Brazil (as some debate nut tried to put past me some years ago), not the United States of Saudi Arabia, of AMERICA. 'nuff said.
and to the republic for which it stands - a political order whose head is not a monarch and in modern times is usually a president; a nation that has such a political order.
One nation - singular country. We may have 50 parts, but it is still ONE country. And whether or not we want to agree with it, what happens in New Jersey can effect what goes on Oregon, what happens in Montana can effect what goes on in Florida. It's like a car: a bunch of different parts working together to make the machine go in a given direction. If a part breaks down, it effects that WHOLE machine.
under God - I don't care what your religious preference happens to be, this nation was founded on belief of a higher being. The concept of separation of church and state was NEVER intended to get God out of our government, merely to get THE CHURCH out of our government. No one church should run the nation. But God is a BIG part of why the US is the way it is.
indivisible - consisting of a whole whose parts cannot be divided or treated individually. Again, we may be 50 states, but ONE NATION. When we react to a world event, it's as a NATION. The state of Texas cannot go to war with Mexico on it's own. Hopefully we'll never have to see that scenario again...
with Liberty - The right and power to act, believe, or express oneself in a manner of one's own choosing.
and Justice - The principle of moral rightness; equity.
for all - that means EVERYONE, regardless of RACE, CREED, SEX, ORIENTATION, FINANCIAL ABILITY, or MENTAL STATUS. EVERYONE.
So, America... Are we living up to our promise? Is there Liberty and Justice for ALL? Somehow, I don't think so. But we do the best with what we have, and strive to be better.
Then again, I could be a sentimental, naive can of haggis... Let me know.
Sunday, July 04, 2004
Friday, July 02, 2004
Return of the King (of Popcorn Cinema)
Ok, here's how it goes down...
I LOVE movies. All kinds. Mostly those big budget spectacles where you wonder how you managed to eat a dumptruck full of popcorn when it's all over with.
I'm especially tetched when it comes to super hero flix. And let's face it: that's what they are - FLIX. Not "movies", not "films," Heaven forbid they be "cinema..." No, they are FLIX, those flashy pictures that beg you to scarf down garbage-can sized containers of hot buttered popcorn (with or without Hot Tamales) and gargle a gallon and a half of high-sugar carbonated soda water, all in the comfort of a semi-reclined plastic chair designed for kindergarteners and surrounded, in the dark, by 75 of your closest... bodies... that need a French bath at best.
Ok, I went a little off the deep end with that one. My apologies.
But you know what I mean. There's excitement at movie theaters! There's energy! There's pazazz! Especially with a Popcorn Flick.
This week is/was no exception. Wednesday, SPIDER-MAN 2 opened to the general gaping audience, and we ate it up like that big bucket o' corn.
The film takes place two years after the fateful events of the previous film, and we can see how those two years have effected the characters.
Peter Parker is a struggling shlub of a guy. You cannot help but feel for him. He's trying to make ALL his ends meet, and having the worst time of it. His finances are swirling, his education is reaching for the barf bag, and his love life is a non-entity. And through all that, he is STILL Spider-Man: a true hero. And that's part of his problem... so he thinks.
The flip of that coin is Mary Jane Watson. When last we left this damsel, she was having the tough time of it. She was struggling to become successful in the Big Apple, working as a waitress and practically begging for acting gigs. NOW, we see her face on billboards, she's in a successfully (I'm assuming off-Broadway) play, she has a (good looking, successful, popular) boyfriend. She's got it made... or does she?
And then there's Harry Osborne. Poor Harry. He lost his father (who pretty much ignored him most of his life) when daddy was "killed" by Spider-Man. Now Harry is the head of Oscorp. He's rich, he's good looking, and he's miserable as hell. Why? Why, because he knows that Mary Jane really does love Peter Parker, his supposed best friend. And he's obsessed with getting revenge upon Spider-Man for what happened to his father, Norman. What's a poor little rich boy to do?
We also have Aunt May, loving widow of Ben Parker, who was shot and killed during a car-jacking in the previous film - a crime that Peter COULD have prevented. She is trying to cope with the loss of her spouse (not to mention the spouse's income), and trying to help Peter be the good boy she knows he is.
About the only hold-over character who DOESN'T change (much) is J. Jonah Jameson, chief of the Daily Bugle and Peter's boss. He is still a cantankerous fart who loves to stir the pot for his readership. And even HE changes some.
New to the cast is Dr. Otto Octavias (sp?), a brilliant physicist who is preparing to show the world a new power source. Of course, something goes wrong... otherwise we wouldn't have a movie.
This movie has a lot more depth than you would expect. The angst of Peter struggling to find his true place in the world is incredible. The poor guy is just pulled EVERY direction in the worst way. But even when he is in the doldrums, you have to like him, because even when he's giving up... he doesn't give up.
One of the greatest scenes is Pete, as Spider-Man, riding in an elevator (I won't tell you WHY he's in an elevator, that would be giving it away). In comes a guy getting ready to walk his dog. And there's Spidey, riding in the elevator. If you've read the comics, you can almost SEE the thought bubbles over his head as the conversation takes place. Goes something like this: "I'm a hero! I'm a DORK! I'm a HERO! I'm a DORK!!" It's a piece of inspired brilliance.
I LOVED this movie. Roger Ebert called it the best super hero movie ever, and I have to agree with him. Great story, excellent acting, action galore, humor, angst, action, kissing, action (the subway fight is phenomenal).
So here's how it breaks down: 5 stars
Here's the scale:
1 star - tolerable, but JUST barely
2 stars - Ok, will probably watch it on cable if nothing better is on
3 stars - pretty good, willing to spend money to see it
4 stars - great flick, see it several times
5 stars - will be an oft-viewed member of personal collection as soon as it becomes available.
Let me know what you think!
I LOVE movies. All kinds. Mostly those big budget spectacles where you wonder how you managed to eat a dumptruck full of popcorn when it's all over with.
I'm especially tetched when it comes to super hero flix. And let's face it: that's what they are - FLIX. Not "movies", not "films," Heaven forbid they be "cinema..." No, they are FLIX, those flashy pictures that beg you to scarf down garbage-can sized containers of hot buttered popcorn (with or without Hot Tamales) and gargle a gallon and a half of high-sugar carbonated soda water, all in the comfort of a semi-reclined plastic chair designed for kindergarteners and surrounded, in the dark, by 75 of your closest... bodies... that need a French bath at best.
Ok, I went a little off the deep end with that one. My apologies.
But you know what I mean. There's excitement at movie theaters! There's energy! There's pazazz! Especially with a Popcorn Flick.
This week is/was no exception. Wednesday, SPIDER-MAN 2 opened to the general gaping audience, and we ate it up like that big bucket o' corn.
The film takes place two years after the fateful events of the previous film, and we can see how those two years have effected the characters.
Peter Parker is a struggling shlub of a guy. You cannot help but feel for him. He's trying to make ALL his ends meet, and having the worst time of it. His finances are swirling, his education is reaching for the barf bag, and his love life is a non-entity. And through all that, he is STILL Spider-Man: a true hero. And that's part of his problem... so he thinks.
The flip of that coin is Mary Jane Watson. When last we left this damsel, she was having the tough time of it. She was struggling to become successful in the Big Apple, working as a waitress and practically begging for acting gigs. NOW, we see her face on billboards, she's in a successfully (I'm assuming off-Broadway) play, she has a (good looking, successful, popular) boyfriend. She's got it made... or does she?
And then there's Harry Osborne. Poor Harry. He lost his father (who pretty much ignored him most of his life) when daddy was "killed" by Spider-Man. Now Harry is the head of Oscorp. He's rich, he's good looking, and he's miserable as hell. Why? Why, because he knows that Mary Jane really does love Peter Parker, his supposed best friend. And he's obsessed with getting revenge upon Spider-Man for what happened to his father, Norman. What's a poor little rich boy to do?
We also have Aunt May, loving widow of Ben Parker, who was shot and killed during a car-jacking in the previous film - a crime that Peter COULD have prevented. She is trying to cope with the loss of her spouse (not to mention the spouse's income), and trying to help Peter be the good boy she knows he is.
About the only hold-over character who DOESN'T change (much) is J. Jonah Jameson, chief of the Daily Bugle and Peter's boss. He is still a cantankerous fart who loves to stir the pot for his readership. And even HE changes some.
New to the cast is Dr. Otto Octavias (sp?), a brilliant physicist who is preparing to show the world a new power source. Of course, something goes wrong... otherwise we wouldn't have a movie.
This movie has a lot more depth than you would expect. The angst of Peter struggling to find his true place in the world is incredible. The poor guy is just pulled EVERY direction in the worst way. But even when he is in the doldrums, you have to like him, because even when he's giving up... he doesn't give up.
One of the greatest scenes is Pete, as Spider-Man, riding in an elevator (I won't tell you WHY he's in an elevator, that would be giving it away). In comes a guy getting ready to walk his dog. And there's Spidey, riding in the elevator. If you've read the comics, you can almost SEE the thought bubbles over his head as the conversation takes place. Goes something like this: "I'm a hero! I'm a DORK! I'm a HERO! I'm a DORK!!" It's a piece of inspired brilliance.
I LOVED this movie. Roger Ebert called it the best super hero movie ever, and I have to agree with him. Great story, excellent acting, action galore, humor, angst, action, kissing, action (the subway fight is phenomenal).
So here's how it breaks down: 5 stars
Here's the scale:
1 star - tolerable, but JUST barely
2 stars - Ok, will probably watch it on cable if nothing better is on
3 stars - pretty good, willing to spend money to see it
4 stars - great flick, see it several times
5 stars - will be an oft-viewed member of personal collection as soon as it becomes available.
Let me know what you think!
Thursday, July 01, 2004
Children of the 2K's
So here's the deal...
I've got three kids. Love them. Love them like nothing else on this planet. Two boys and a girl. My kiddos.
Doug is the oldest, just turned 10 in April. Now, THAT in an of itself is probably not so terrifying. And truth be told, I'm not that scared. But I get worried. I'm in my mid-30's. My oldest is starting his second decade. I'm unemployed and the boy eats like food grows on trees... ah... wait a sec... Ok, so MAYBE food DOES grow on trees, but if someone would tell me where the Wonder Bread tree grows in my neighborhood, I'd be greatly appreciative.
Jon is the youngest. He turns three in September. Ladies and germs, if you have NEVER butted heads with a two-year-old in the midst of potty training, you are missing out on the fight of your life. Forget financial arguments or sex arguments or who-took-the-trash-out-last fights. You know NOTHING of argument until you try to match wits with a two year old kid who doesn't give a hoot about "going poopy in the toilet." You'd be better off just smacking your head against a brick wall, man. It hurts less.
And then there is Allie. She turned five in March. She is my princess, my darling, my silent angel. Allie has a neurological disorder called Retts Syndrome. It is one of the harshest "diseases" a human could be strapped with I think. It mostly effects girls (the boys with it don't tend to survive birth) and typical early symptoms include loss of language and manual dexterity. They have seizures, they have eating problems (similar to acid reflux), they have splitting headaches. What they don't have is a physical appearance that marks them as being "mentally retarded." Quite the contrary: they are very beautiful girls. Allie has a million dollar smile that lights up her face.
I can't write much more on this critter right now. I'll have to try and take up the thread another time.
In the meantime, those of you with children who read this: thank GOD if they're normal, and thank GOD even if they aren't. Children are special gifts. They show us our immortality, even in the midst of their mortality.
Spag Man
I've got three kids. Love them. Love them like nothing else on this planet. Two boys and a girl. My kiddos.
Doug is the oldest, just turned 10 in April. Now, THAT in an of itself is probably not so terrifying. And truth be told, I'm not that scared. But I get worried. I'm in my mid-30's. My oldest is starting his second decade. I'm unemployed and the boy eats like food grows on trees... ah... wait a sec... Ok, so MAYBE food DOES grow on trees, but if someone would tell me where the Wonder Bread tree grows in my neighborhood, I'd be greatly appreciative.
Jon is the youngest. He turns three in September. Ladies and germs, if you have NEVER butted heads with a two-year-old in the midst of potty training, you are missing out on the fight of your life. Forget financial arguments or sex arguments or who-took-the-trash-out-last fights. You know NOTHING of argument until you try to match wits with a two year old kid who doesn't give a hoot about "going poopy in the toilet." You'd be better off just smacking your head against a brick wall, man. It hurts less.
And then there is Allie. She turned five in March. She is my princess, my darling, my silent angel. Allie has a neurological disorder called Retts Syndrome. It is one of the harshest "diseases" a human could be strapped with I think. It mostly effects girls (the boys with it don't tend to survive birth) and typical early symptoms include loss of language and manual dexterity. They have seizures, they have eating problems (similar to acid reflux), they have splitting headaches. What they don't have is a physical appearance that marks them as being "mentally retarded." Quite the contrary: they are very beautiful girls. Allie has a million dollar smile that lights up her face.
I can't write much more on this critter right now. I'll have to try and take up the thread another time.
In the meantime, those of you with children who read this: thank GOD if they're normal, and thank GOD even if they aren't. Children are special gifts. They show us our immortality, even in the midst of their mortality.
Spag Man
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