i know. been nearly a week...

i'll be back this weekend later today with another movie review,
and thoughts on Willard.
Relax, have a drink or two,... a bite to eat, take a nap...
i'll be back after i finish the carpet cleaning.

In Pathetic Memory

"I will say then that I am not, nor ever have been in favor of bringing about in anyway the social and political equality of the white and black races -

that I am not nor ever have been in favor of making voters or jurors of negroes, nor of qualifying them to hold office, nor to intermarry with white people;

and I will say in addition to this that there is a physical difference between the white and black races which I believe will forever forbid the two races living together on terms of social and political equality.

And inasmuch as they cannot so live, while they do remain together there must be the position of superior and inferior, and I as much as any other man am in favor of having the superior position assigned to the white race.

I say upon this occasion I do not perceive that because the white man is to have the superior position the negro should be denied everything."
Abraham Lincoln
Source: September 18, 1858 - Fourth Debate with Stephen A. Douglas
at Charleston, Illinois

"My paramount object in this struggle is to save the Union, and is not either to save or to destroy slavery.
If I could save the Union without freeing any slave I would do it, and if I could save it by freeing all the slaves I would do it;
and if I could save it by freeing some and leaving others alone I would also do that.
What I do about slavery, and the colored race, I do because I believe it helps to save the Union;
and what I forbear, I forbear because I do not believe it would help to save the Union.
I shall do less whenever I shall believe what I am doing hurts the cause,
and I shall do more whenever I shall believe doing more will help the cause."
Abraham Lincoln
Source: August 22, 1862 - Letter to Horace Greeley

Letters From Iwo Jima

I ventured to the theater last night to check out Letters From Iwo Jima. Clint Eastwood delivers a real winner here. Set on the island of Iwo Jima, the movie tells the story of the battle from the perspective of the Japanese soldier.

Its a great movie, with lots of fine acting and special effects. There is a share of blood and gore, but not quite as much as say... Saving Private Ryan had. The blood is there,lots of it, but the camera doesn't center on it, instead focusing on the reactions and emotions of the soldiers.
Eastwood manages to pull the humanity out of the characters and draw you in that direction instead. He drags you right into the caves, and makes you a part of the Japanese soldier's life.
Much of the action centers on Saigo, a young draftee who would rather be back home with his wife and the baby daughter he has never seen. He's more of a survivor than a soldier, but he does his duty, flinchingly, looking for a way to escape the horrors around him, even if that escape is only through his memories and letters.

Parallel to Saigo's story, there are the experiences of the commanding General Kuribayashi, as he prepares the island, and it's defenders, for the final battle-to-the-death against American forces. He knows he will die, and is prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice in defense of his people. As he says: "Every day we hold out, is one more day my children will live in peace in Japan". This is his motivation for prolonging the inevitable:defeat and death.

I must admit to large level of emotional discomfort while watching the film. I had an uncle,who I actually did get to know, who fought the island hopping campaign in the USMC. He fought, and survived, every battle,every island, before he was 19yrs old. So, whenever I watch a movie or documentary of the war in the South Pacific, I have this emotional cheering inside my soul. Uncle Vic, at barely 5ft 8in, was larger than Rambo. He never spoke about it, but everybody else did. He was real. In our family, he was a hero. (In his mind, he was just another marine.) Knowing he got 'hit' at Iwo conflicted greatly with my connection to the Japanese soldiers I had developed throughout the film.

This movie is pure art-house war drama. I can appreciate that, but may be a reason why many won't be seeing it. That is a shame.

In short, this movie brings out the humanity and goodness of both sides in a bitter struggle. Instead of the politics, you see the victims of the politics. But that is the way of the history,ain't it? Those who pay the biggest price in war are those who are at the bottom of ladder.

In the end, you walk out knowing this movie isn't about what side of the war was right or wrong. Instead, you understand that what is right or wrong for the individual in his circumstances is what really matters. This, I think, is the real message behind the movie.
"Do what is right. Because it is right." This will be the quote you walk away with, and take with you.

The "O"-Bama-gasm

OK, after much anticipation,liberal drooling and near-begging, this neophyte just announced, and now it's official. Barack Obama, the Illinois half-breed with satellite-dish ears is running for president.

In reality, this is a Main Stream Media created campaign. If Obama was a white man, he'd still be a nothing low-level senator from Illinois. Fact is:the MSM ,and much of liberalism, is so hungry for a black man they can get behind(to prove they don't see color,I guess) they grabbed this smooth talking junior senator with a level of speaking talent, but no real substance on the issues ("We can do better" is not a policy specific, OK? Got it?) and hyped him to the point of no return. It's not all his fault. Having 'done' politics, I can tell ya, ain't nothing stronger than a politician's ego. Having his stroked for so many consecutive months has driven all the blood from his brain, giving himself the impression he's a stud in whorehouse.

This, my friends, is Affirmative Action. The racial quota system in practice by the media. And displays for us all the pitfalls of 'Affirmative Action'. This man is absolutely NOT-qualified for the job of President. Two years in the Senate? Two lousy years with absolutely nothing to show for it 'cept a Presidential Exploratory Committee, a biography, and string of puff pieces? No solutions/policy statements/core beliefs outlined anywhere? ("We can do better" is NOT a solution. Got it?. OK.)But you see, none of this matters...
A smooth talker with a Harvard education and a law degree, growing up wealthy,spending his entire adult life in politics without ever having to hold a real job, or run a business, makes him a perfect Democrat for president. You know, the party of the 'common man'? Add black skin, and he's the perfect prop. If you don't vote for him, you must be racist. Can't you see the appeal?
And his life has been so full, in his forties, he even has a biography. Never in recent history has a few terms in the Illinois statehouse been seen as bonafide certification of a Statesman. The last time we had one of these, millions of Americans started killing each other in human waves to save a presidency and prevent democracy and self-determination.

And what is with the biography? Anybody who writes a biography in his forties is so self-absorbed to be a non-starter for for anybody with a thinking mind.

One of Obama's few strengths is the ability to tell both sides what they want to hear. He's knows the power of validation.Of, course, for this he is well positioned. Growing up rich and white, the son of an absent negro father, I'd say his life is both sides of two cliches. Instead of speaking Truth to Power, he speaks Feelgood without substance. "We can do better". 'Pablum for the Masses' should be his slogan.

Obama has spent much of his formative years living outside the United States. This gives him unique insights to the difficulty of growing up black in America. (It must have been his birth in the Jim Crow state of Hawaii that gives him this level of street cred.) Or maybe his wife told him, since she fears for his safety everyday, presumably by a white guy full of mindless racial hatred(aren't we all?).

"the realities are that... as a black man... Barack can get shot going to the gas station,">link

Has she ever heard of this guy?

My advice to Democrats with a fetish for empty black suits: We can do better.

And Yet Another Stolen From Kal...

You Are Most Like Ronald Reagan

People tend to think you're a god - or that you almost ruined the country. But even if people do disagree with you, they still fall victim to your charms!

What Modern US President Are You Most Like?

hehehe...
Who'da thunk it?

PSA

This blog, in keeping with it's sacred Tradition of always being a cutting edge, march-to-a-different-drummer kinda place, once again breaks away from the pack with absolutely no comment on Anna Nicole Smith.
You're welcome.

Go Bears!

The Super Bowl is about two great teams playing against each other for the big prize.
Contrary to the media buzz, it isn't about what color the coach is, or how many years a supposedly great quarterback has failed to finish the job he started, somehow making him more deserving of The Ring.

The irony here, at least to me, at this moment, is that a much maligned, supposedly suckie quarterback, can very well do in his first full season what the supposedly great quarterback has failed at throughout his career.

When the day is over, the Ring will go to the team that earns it, regardless of who is supposed to be entitled to it.

I'm a little prejudiced here, but I'm predicting the Bears are gonna bring football to the Colts in a way the pundits didnt expect.

Can I hear an AMEN?

Public Service Announcement: Dont Try This At Home

Had some grits left over from last night, so I tried to reheat them in the microwave for breakfast this morning.
It dont work.
Dont do it.
Bad.
Just.
Bad.

Taking a Cue from Kal...

You Are a "Don't Tread On Me" Libertarian

You distrust the government, are fiercely independent, and don't belong in either party. Religion and politics should never mix, in your opinion... and you feel opressed by both. You don't want the government to cramp your self made style. Or anyone else's for that matter. You're proud to say that you're pro-choice on absolutely everything!

What's Your Political Persuasion?

These test are kinda fun, and in this case, I'd say reasonably accurate. Although putting me in a catagory of Libertarian may be a little off base since I havent smoked a joint in what.. 19yrs I think. Also, on this test the questions leave out the details.

The statement: "Religion and politics should never mix" is so far off the mark because it is an impossibilty. Maybe if they said "Church" instead of "religion" it would be more fitting. Political convictions are religiously held if they are to be convictions at all.

For Sharing

Vas has just about said it all in respect to those Lite-Brite non-bombs in Boston.
Link

See? Sometimes I Rethink My Opinion

California law maker Sally Lieber has proposed legislation making it a jailing offense to spank children or "any of that". Although I'm not sure on the specifics of what "any of that" constitutes, this is California, where ,ya know...we just kinda make shit up as we go along. Let the judge figure it out on appeal,I guess.
*link*




As if to compete with Sally, Lloyd Levine, another brilliant California lawmaker, has proposed his own dim-witted legislation to ban traditional light bulbs in the state by 2012.*link*

Though I am still not totally 'on board', these two are really giving me a reason to support a jewish homeland afterall.

Central Florida Ripped By Tornados

Mercy, I pray you and your family are doing ok.