He may have lost his soul with that speech at the UN prior to the war, but I've always known his redemption would come. Nice to see it. Welcome to the light, General.
Listen to This: The Race To Ban Abortion
4 years ago
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Friday, October 17, 2008
W.
I went to see the new Oliver Stone movie last night during a midnight screening. I already knew that Stone was not going to try and bash Bush too badly, which seemed fairly obvious from the initial trailers. Stone presented George W. Bush as a man who was a screw-up his whole life, a blight to the family tradition, somehow become the leader of the free world and fundamentally change the course of history (not in a good way, that's for sure). Stone presents Bush as a likable dude, which is pretty much the reason he appealed to those who voted for him (the whole, "guy to have a beer with" deal). In the film, Bush was the runt of the litter. Picked on by his family for not amounting to much, partying hard and getting rescued by his father's influential friends. Stone doesn't seem to be passing judgment on Bush for that, or even for the war, and everything else that came after his inauguration. Bush is presented as a victim of his circumstance, but not necessarily a passive passenger (if that makes sense). The true tragic actor in the White House farce was Colin Powell, according to Stone. Powell tried and failed to get the madmen at the White House to see sense (some obviously didn't want to and those had the President's ear). The film seems to play, in my opinion, as a tragic-comedy.
Josh Brolin gives another winning performance, this time as the title character. Has the mannerisms, speech and facial ticks of W. One thing I didn't really notice too much, probably because it became more evident AFTER the time portrayed in the film (2004), was Bush's annoying "chuckle" laugh. But, I digress... Brolin is certainly coming along as a fine actor, with a lot more to offer. I'm looking forward to his performance in Milk, opposite Sean Penn.
The supporting cast is downright outstanding. Jeffrey Wright plays Colin Powell in a very understated manner, but you can't help but feel his utter dismay at the way things seemed to be going around him. Thandie Newton completely disappears as Condi Rice. Scott Glenn plays Rumsfeld in all his smirking glory. Richard Dreyfuss steals it all as Dick Cheney. He gets the most chilling line of the film when after being asked what the exit strategy would be for Iraq by Colin Powell, he responds : "There is no exit."
All in all, not a perfect film, but a fine attempt by Oliver Stone. A bit of a departure for him. Nicely done.
W. Official Website
Edited because I can't spell...
Josh Brolin gives another winning performance, this time as the title character. Has the mannerisms, speech and facial ticks of W. One thing I didn't really notice too much, probably because it became more evident AFTER the time portrayed in the film (2004), was Bush's annoying "chuckle" laugh. But, I digress... Brolin is certainly coming along as a fine actor, with a lot more to offer. I'm looking forward to his performance in Milk, opposite Sean Penn.
The supporting cast is downright outstanding. Jeffrey Wright plays Colin Powell in a very understated manner, but you can't help but feel his utter dismay at the way things seemed to be going around him. Thandie Newton completely disappears as Condi Rice. Scott Glenn plays Rumsfeld in all his smirking glory. Richard Dreyfuss steals it all as Dick Cheney. He gets the most chilling line of the film when after being asked what the exit strategy would be for Iraq by Colin Powell, he responds : "There is no exit."
All in all, not a perfect film, but a fine attempt by Oliver Stone. A bit of a departure for him. Nicely done.
W. Official Website
Edited because I can't spell...
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
The Last Presidential Debate...
OK, I must confess, I didn't watch the debate. My mind is made up, and has been for months, so I didn't think it necessary to have to sit through 90 minutes of John McCain. Having said that, I couldn't resist checking the blogs to see the reactions and it seems like I missed another crash and burn performance by Senator POW. He just could not hide his derision and just outright hate for Barack Obama. Check out this clip...
So, what say you?
So, what say you?
Women for McCain.
McCain certainly thinks women are stupid if he ever thought getting Palin on his ticket would get him the supposedly disaffected Hillary supporters, he only needs to look at his own record to see how WRONG he is.
Two in a row... what do you know?
So I'm still getting over a nasty bout with a cold. The fact that the weather here in California has been so DRY is not helping matters. What also has not helped in the improvement of my health is the fact that I haven't stopped my Wing Chun training. It was hard, but I didn't hit the gym, nor the academy yesterday. I'm going to ease my way back in tonight and be back in fighting shape by Friday (Chinese Boxing rules and I can't miss it).
Tonight is debate night. The final debate of the Presidential Election Campaign. I can't say I remember a time when we were not in a Presidential Campaign. I heard Obama say the other day that he's been running for President for 2 years (and he wasn't the first one to announce a candidacy!). Being a politics buff (also, Political Science was my major in college), I should be in my element, but the crap in this campaign has been wearing me down and I think that's one of the reasons I've been so gung-ho with my training. I can't wait for this to be over so that we can look to the future and have some hope for a change.
What's going to happen to President Bush. I've found myself asking that question out-loud lately. Not to anyone in particular, just to myself. I can't help but feel a bit sorry for the man. Hear me out before you bite my head off. I've always viewed the man as more of a puppet whose intentions were used by people with far less scrupules for far more sinister ends. Sure, the argument could be made that W. should've had more of a conscience and known that he was selling the American people a bill of goods, but he strikes me as someone who would rather be lead than actually make a decision of his own. Again, don't get me wrong, this is not meant as an excuse for the last 8 years, it is merely a thought.
What's going to happen to Dick Cheney? Does anyone care? I do. I happen to think, along with many others out there, that Dick was the real puppet master. This guy has been behind the scenes in one way or another for nearly 40 years. It looks, by the way things seem to be turning out, that he'll get away scott-free and a lot richer. How will history remember Dick?
That leads me into movies. I bought tickets to the midnight screening of Oliver Stone's "W." I've never been a HUGE fan of Stone. Not because of the claims he monkeys around with the facts in his movies by the far right and so-called historians. He's just not among my favorites. This film, seems a bit more intriguing for me. Maybe it is because of the subject matter and the timing of its release. Well, not maybe... certainly. I'll report on that this Friday.
More movies. Last film I saw was Blindness. Dreadfully ham-handed allegorical film directed by the man behind City of God (which I actually LOVED). I'm still trying to figure out what the filmmaker was trying to tell us and why he chose the way he did to say it. One other thing, I don't think he actually said anything. I need to find an interview with Julianne Moore to find out what exactly she saw in the script. Maybe the script they shot and what ended up on the screen were two different things. Certainly, the ad campaigns for the film changed drastically the closer we got to release date. The later ads sold the film as a story of a gov't conspiracy of sorts, which never materialized in the film. Gael Garcia Bernal plays an evil beyond evil character, with no real explanation why he is that way. Moore, the only sighted person in the film, hides the fact that she can see from her sightless prisoners... Oh, I forgot to tell you that these blind people are prisoners. OK, I'm tired of talking about this movie. Maybe I've intrigued you enough to go see it and you can come back here and explain it to me.
Even more movies. Religulous is a "documentary" starring Bill Maher. He goes around the world asking questions of religious leaders. These questions are designed to try and poke holes in their belief structure. You see, Bill Maher is an atheist (you could've have fooled me with his constant defense of Israel on his show, but I digress) and in his inimitable style, he showcases the most ridiculous things on which people place blind faith. One of the most telling bits is his visit to a theme park in FL based around the crucifixion. Don't believe such place exist? I shit you not, it does. Here's a tralier
Tonight is debate night. The final debate of the Presidential Election Campaign. I can't say I remember a time when we were not in a Presidential Campaign. I heard Obama say the other day that he's been running for President for 2 years (and he wasn't the first one to announce a candidacy!). Being a politics buff (also, Political Science was my major in college), I should be in my element, but the crap in this campaign has been wearing me down and I think that's one of the reasons I've been so gung-ho with my training. I can't wait for this to be over so that we can look to the future and have some hope for a change.
What's going to happen to President Bush. I've found myself asking that question out-loud lately. Not to anyone in particular, just to myself. I can't help but feel a bit sorry for the man. Hear me out before you bite my head off. I've always viewed the man as more of a puppet whose intentions were used by people with far less scrupules for far more sinister ends. Sure, the argument could be made that W. should've had more of a conscience and known that he was selling the American people a bill of goods, but he strikes me as someone who would rather be lead than actually make a decision of his own. Again, don't get me wrong, this is not meant as an excuse for the last 8 years, it is merely a thought.
What's going to happen to Dick Cheney? Does anyone care? I do. I happen to think, along with many others out there, that Dick was the real puppet master. This guy has been behind the scenes in one way or another for nearly 40 years. It looks, by the way things seem to be turning out, that he'll get away scott-free and a lot richer. How will history remember Dick?
That leads me into movies. I bought tickets to the midnight screening of Oliver Stone's "W." I've never been a HUGE fan of Stone. Not because of the claims he monkeys around with the facts in his movies by the far right and so-called historians. He's just not among my favorites. This film, seems a bit more intriguing for me. Maybe it is because of the subject matter and the timing of its release. Well, not maybe... certainly. I'll report on that this Friday.
More movies. Last film I saw was Blindness. Dreadfully ham-handed allegorical film directed by the man behind City of God (which I actually LOVED). I'm still trying to figure out what the filmmaker was trying to tell us and why he chose the way he did to say it. One other thing, I don't think he actually said anything. I need to find an interview with Julianne Moore to find out what exactly she saw in the script. Maybe the script they shot and what ended up on the screen were two different things. Certainly, the ad campaigns for the film changed drastically the closer we got to release date. The later ads sold the film as a story of a gov't conspiracy of sorts, which never materialized in the film. Gael Garcia Bernal plays an evil beyond evil character, with no real explanation why he is that way. Moore, the only sighted person in the film, hides the fact that she can see from her sightless prisoners... Oh, I forgot to tell you that these blind people are prisoners. OK, I'm tired of talking about this movie. Maybe I've intrigued you enough to go see it and you can come back here and explain it to me.
Even more movies. Religulous is a "documentary" starring Bill Maher. He goes around the world asking questions of religious leaders. These questions are designed to try and poke holes in their belief structure. You see, Bill Maher is an atheist (you could've have fooled me with his constant defense of Israel on his show, but I digress) and in his inimitable style, he showcases the most ridiculous things on which people place blind faith. One of the most telling bits is his visit to a theme park in FL based around the crucifixion. Don't believe such place exist? I shit you not, it does. Here's a tralier
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
A Return...
Well, a lot has happened in my life and in the world since my last and only post.
In June of this year, I joined the Wing Chun Kung Fu Academy in Los Angeles and I've never looked back. It has been a great learning experience in more ways than one. I'm learning a lot about myself, what I can push myself to do, and about other people. It can be frustrating, but in such a way that when I fail, I can get up and try again. I have some great instructors who really know how to find a person's strength and nurture that strength to help the person on that path to self-mastery. During the time I've been attending the Academy, I've lost 20 lbs. I feel lighter, more agile and much, much happier. I can see Wing Chun as part of the rest of my life.
Seems like for years (not seems, really, years) we have been watching the Presidential campaign and patiently waiting for November 4 (which is now just 21 days away). As the candidates slowly, but surely got down to the final 2, McCain and Obama (Other parties? Cynthia McKinney for the Greens, Bob Barr for the Libertarians, Ralph Nader as an Independent), an ugly side of our long history started to reveal itself again. Barack Obama has been accused of everything, short of being the Anti-Christ (oh, wait, there was talk about THAT too). I actually had a long, civil conversation with a lovely Jewish lady who actually said that she was terrified of Obama because black people would then want to exact revenge for slavery. I actually thought that she was a bit of an outlier with her attitude, but I was wrong.
John McCain, the once revered war hero, had the pick of the litter when he had to choose his VP. Unfortunately for Republicans, Senator McCain went for the runt. In a desperate attempt to appeal to the loony Christian right, John McCain picked an neophyte politician with a corruption probe on her back, connections to a secessionist organization, and someone eager to reignite the culture war. So much for being the "Maverick."
Enough about Politics... How about Iron Maiden? When I last wrote, I mentioned that I had just attended my 9th Maiden show. Well, I attended 3 more this summer. My friend Maria and I went to Phoenix and watched Maiden from the mosh pit. I wish I'd been taking Wing Chun then, that was a violent experience. I had trouble breathing normally for weeks after that (and bruises... EVERYWHERE). Later that same week, my sister and friends attended 2 sold-out shows at Irvine Meadows (no, I will not call it by its corporate name and you can't make me). Brilliant, brilliant evenings. The boys were ON FIRE both nights, and the crowd repaid them in kind.
Thanks for listening. I'll try to keep this thing up.
In June of this year, I joined the Wing Chun Kung Fu Academy in Los Angeles and I've never looked back. It has been a great learning experience in more ways than one. I'm learning a lot about myself, what I can push myself to do, and about other people. It can be frustrating, but in such a way that when I fail, I can get up and try again. I have some great instructors who really know how to find a person's strength and nurture that strength to help the person on that path to self-mastery. During the time I've been attending the Academy, I've lost 20 lbs. I feel lighter, more agile and much, much happier. I can see Wing Chun as part of the rest of my life.
Seems like for years (not seems, really, years) we have been watching the Presidential campaign and patiently waiting for November 4 (which is now just 21 days away). As the candidates slowly, but surely got down to the final 2, McCain and Obama (Other parties? Cynthia McKinney for the Greens, Bob Barr for the Libertarians, Ralph Nader as an Independent), an ugly side of our long history started to reveal itself again. Barack Obama has been accused of everything, short of being the Anti-Christ (oh, wait, there was talk about THAT too). I actually had a long, civil conversation with a lovely Jewish lady who actually said that she was terrified of Obama because black people would then want to exact revenge for slavery. I actually thought that she was a bit of an outlier with her attitude, but I was wrong.
John McCain, the once revered war hero, had the pick of the litter when he had to choose his VP. Unfortunately for Republicans, Senator McCain went for the runt. In a desperate attempt to appeal to the loony Christian right, John McCain picked an neophyte politician with a corruption probe on her back, connections to a secessionist organization, and someone eager to reignite the culture war. So much for being the "Maverick."
Enough about Politics... How about Iron Maiden? When I last wrote, I mentioned that I had just attended my 9th Maiden show. Well, I attended 3 more this summer. My friend Maria and I went to Phoenix and watched Maiden from the mosh pit. I wish I'd been taking Wing Chun then, that was a violent experience. I had trouble breathing normally for weeks after that (and bruises... EVERYWHERE). Later that same week, my sister and friends attended 2 sold-out shows at Irvine Meadows (no, I will not call it by its corporate name and you can't make me). Brilliant, brilliant evenings. The boys were ON FIRE both nights, and the crowd repaid them in kind.
Thanks for listening. I'll try to keep this thing up.
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