The primaries are coming, the primaries are coming.
And the tv commercials are here to prove it.
To catch you up before I get started: Jim Petro and Ken Blackwell both want to be the Republican candidate for Governor here in Ohio, the Heart of it All.
I cannot stand Ken Blackwell's latest commercial. He's "slamming" Petro for opposing Ohio's Constitutional amendment outlawing same-sex marriage. Yes, that amendment, the one that got Bush elected President. Anyway...
The commercial says that Petro lined up with all kinds of crazy liberals in opposing said amendment. Well guess what? Lots of Republicans and conservatives were against that amendment. Lots of people who are against same-sex marriage were against that amendment. Why? Because it is so poorly drafted that the litigation has already begun and will continue for some time.
Repeat after me: "waste of tax dollars."
Nobody wants their taxes raised, but they have no problem at all voting for an amendment that will eat up untold numbers of their tax dollars.
Ah, the ignorance. Doesn't it make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside?
And while we're talking about Ken Blackwell, current Secretary of State of the great state of Ohio, he's in the news for something else right now. Seems Mr. Blackwell's office gave out more social security numbers.
Yes, that's right.
After getting in some trouble in recent months for having SSNs posted on the Secretary of State's website, his office screwed up again. They've recently given out a list of all registered voters in Ohio that included our SSNs. According to the paper, they gave the list to 20 different people.
Great. Lovely. I don't give out my own SSN. I don't even have it on my driver's license. [In Ohio, the default is for it to be on your license. You have to make a specific request for it not to appear.] And yet, the Secretary of State's office apparently hands it out to whoever asks for it!
If either Blackwell or Petro is elected governor in November, we are screwed. Well, screwed even more than we are now with the Bush-Taft combo, that is. Hard to imagine, I know, but it's true.
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
United93, the movie
So you've heard of this movie, right? If you haven't, come on out of your cave and join the rest of us! Here's a bit from the Internet Movie Database to get you up to speed:
Tagline: September 11, 2001. Four planes were hijacked. Three of them reached their target. This is the story of the fourth.
Plot Outline: A real time account of the events on United Flight 93, one of the planes hijacked on 9/11 that crashed near Shanksville, Pennsylvania when passengers foiled the terrorist plot.
I've heard some random rumblings about people objecting to this movie. Saying it's too soon. Saying it's not right to profit from these deaths. Saying this isn't fair to do to the surviving family and friends.
What I'm trying to figure out is if these rumblings are real or a Media Mirage. The reason I question the rumblings is the story given by the makers of the movie. They're saying that they spoke to family members of everyone on that plane. And they're saying that none of those family members objected to the making of this movie.
Some of the previews for the movie even consist of clips of several of these family members talking about the movie. They're not only not against the movie, they're clearly all for it.
I don't even get the Media Mirage. Hollywood always makes movies about the Bad Things That Happen. What's more, there have already been tv/cable movies about Flight 93. How is this different? The claim is something about being able to just change the channel when it's on tv, whereas you're less likely to walk out of a movie you've paid for. This, of course, is a stupid argument.
The less stupid flip side: those who shell out the money to see it in the theater are more likely to know whether or not they're going to be able to sit through the movie. Sure, sometimes things hit you harder than you anticipated. And if that happens to you, and it's just too much, then leave. You have feet (or if not, you clearly have some way to move around because you got into the theater in the first place), leave if you don't like it.
My point is, if you know from the get go that you're offended by the very making of the movie, don't go. Just don't go. That's a personal choice that you get to make for yourself. You do not get to take that choice away from me. You do not get to take away my freedom to choose for myself.
There's no need to whine to a reporter about the movie having been made.
There's no need to sound all high and mighty.
Just don't go see the movie.
And if you do go and it is too much for you, leave.
Here's the thing that gets me the most: the people on that plane that day were heroes. There is simply no question about that. True heroes.
They were admirable people who did an admirable thing. Something we all wonder if we could do. They risked themselves in order to save many nameless, faceless people.
Why shouldn't a movie be made about them?
In a time of memememe, in a time when too many folks seem to just not care about anything but themselves, in this age of extreme self-centeredness, I think a movie about everyday people acting selflessly is exactly what we need.
Tagline: September 11, 2001. Four planes were hijacked. Three of them reached their target. This is the story of the fourth.
Plot Outline: A real time account of the events on United Flight 93, one of the planes hijacked on 9/11 that crashed near Shanksville, Pennsylvania when passengers foiled the terrorist plot.
I've heard some random rumblings about people objecting to this movie. Saying it's too soon. Saying it's not right to profit from these deaths. Saying this isn't fair to do to the surviving family and friends.
What I'm trying to figure out is if these rumblings are real or a Media Mirage. The reason I question the rumblings is the story given by the makers of the movie. They're saying that they spoke to family members of everyone on that plane. And they're saying that none of those family members objected to the making of this movie.
Some of the previews for the movie even consist of clips of several of these family members talking about the movie. They're not only not against the movie, they're clearly all for it.
I don't even get the Media Mirage. Hollywood always makes movies about the Bad Things That Happen. What's more, there have already been tv/cable movies about Flight 93. How is this different? The claim is something about being able to just change the channel when it's on tv, whereas you're less likely to walk out of a movie you've paid for. This, of course, is a stupid argument.
The less stupid flip side: those who shell out the money to see it in the theater are more likely to know whether or not they're going to be able to sit through the movie. Sure, sometimes things hit you harder than you anticipated. And if that happens to you, and it's just too much, then leave. You have feet (or if not, you clearly have some way to move around because you got into the theater in the first place), leave if you don't like it.
My point is, if you know from the get go that you're offended by the very making of the movie, don't go. Just don't go. That's a personal choice that you get to make for yourself. You do not get to take that choice away from me. You do not get to take away my freedom to choose for myself.
There's no need to whine to a reporter about the movie having been made.
There's no need to sound all high and mighty.
Just don't go see the movie.
And if you do go and it is too much for you, leave.
Here's the thing that gets me the most: the people on that plane that day were heroes. There is simply no question about that. True heroes.
They were admirable people who did an admirable thing. Something we all wonder if we could do. They risked themselves in order to save many nameless, faceless people.
Why shouldn't a movie be made about them?
In a time of memememe, in a time when too many folks seem to just not care about anything but themselves, in this age of extreme self-centeredness, I think a movie about everyday people acting selflessly is exactly what we need.
Saturday, April 22, 2006
Earth Day
Today's Earth Day!
Did you do something kind for the Earth today? I did not fill up my gas tank. I did not run all over town to 10 different places for a bunch of stupid errands that don't really need to be done anyway (at least, not at 10 different places). And I did drop off my recycling when I was out.
What did you do?
Remember to save a few trees with just a click of your mouse:
The Rain Forest Site.
Did you do something kind for the Earth today? I did not fill up my gas tank. I did not run all over town to 10 different places for a bunch of stupid errands that don't really need to be done anyway (at least, not at 10 different places). And I did drop off my recycling when I was out.
What did you do?
Remember to save a few trees with just a click of your mouse:
The Rain Forest Site.
Saturday, April 8, 2006
You said it Harry!
Bush was in North Carolina on Thursday attempting to trump up support for the war. During one of his stops, he faced comments from Harry Taylor. Because I think what the man said was so spot on, I'm quoting him here. Making his comments even more effective, his manner was perfect: calm, rational, respectful.
From hurried transcripts of his comments that I found online:
You never stop talking about freedom, and I appreciate that. But while I listen to you talk about freedom, I see you assert your right to tap my telephone, to arrest me and hold me without charges, to try to preclude me from breathing clean air and drinking clean water and eating safe food. If I were a woman, you'd like to restrict my opportunity to make a choice... about whether I can abort a pregnancy... What I want to say to you, is that I, in my lifetime, I have never felt more ashamed of, nor more frightened by, my leadership in Washington, including the presidency. I feel like, despite your rhetoric, that compassion and common sense have been left far behind during your administration. I would hope, from time to time, that you have the humility and the grace to be ashamed of yourself... I also want to say I really appreciate the courtesy of allowing me to speak... That is part of what this country is about.
To give Bush credit (see, I really can!), Harry was interrupted by the crowd at one point, and Bush hushed them, telling them to let him speak.
If you want to hear Harry himself speaking, CNN has a clip.
From hurried transcripts of his comments that I found online:
You never stop talking about freedom, and I appreciate that. But while I listen to you talk about freedom, I see you assert your right to tap my telephone, to arrest me and hold me without charges, to try to preclude me from breathing clean air and drinking clean water and eating safe food. If I were a woman, you'd like to restrict my opportunity to make a choice... about whether I can abort a pregnancy... What I want to say to you, is that I, in my lifetime, I have never felt more ashamed of, nor more frightened by, my leadership in Washington, including the presidency. I feel like, despite your rhetoric, that compassion and common sense have been left far behind during your administration. I would hope, from time to time, that you have the humility and the grace to be ashamed of yourself... I also want to say I really appreciate the courtesy of allowing me to speak... That is part of what this country is about.
To give Bush credit (see, I really can!), Harry was interrupted by the crowd at one point, and Bush hushed them, telling them to let him speak.
If you want to hear Harry himself speaking, CNN has a clip.
Thursday, April 6, 2006
Don't Look Down
Don't Look Down
Jennifer Crusie and Bob Mayer
A Romantic Adventure
He Wrote, She Wrote
Out now!
It's damn good, so you should read it.
The Crusie/Mayer website, where you can read more about the book.
Their Dueling Blog, which is way too much fun, even on the serious days. Be careful where you read it though, because the laughing out loud tends not to go over well in meetings, classes, and such.
Buy it! You'll like it. Really you will.
Jennifer Crusie and Bob Mayer
A Romantic Adventure
He Wrote, She Wrote
Out now!
It's damn good, so you should read it.
The Crusie/Mayer website, where you can read more about the book.
Their Dueling Blog, which is way too much fun, even on the serious days. Be careful where you read it though, because the laughing out loud tends not to go over well in meetings, classes, and such.
Buy it! You'll like it. Really you will.
Tuesday, April 4, 2006
Buh-bye
Tom DeLay has dropped out of the race for his Senate seat.
Just a sec. I need a moment to wipe away the tear.
Bet he's wishing he had that whole redistricting thing to do over. Looks like he diluted the vote in his own district a tad too much. Left himself with a 54% majority, assuming that would be a slam dunk for him since he's generally such a strong candidate.
Looks like he was wrong. Now he's being a good little party member (which is actually admirable, I'll give him that) and withdrawing from the race in the hopes that a different Repub can hang onto the seat for the party.
Sorry, Charlie, but there are no guarantees this November.
Just a sec. I need a moment to wipe away the tear.
Bet he's wishing he had that whole redistricting thing to do over. Looks like he diluted the vote in his own district a tad too much. Left himself with a 54% majority, assuming that would be a slam dunk for him since he's generally such a strong candidate.
Looks like he was wrong. Now he's being a good little party member (which is actually admirable, I'll give him that) and withdrawing from the race in the hopes that a different Repub can hang onto the seat for the party.
Sorry, Charlie, but there are no guarantees this November.
Monday, April 3, 2006
Guns and trout and hobbits!
I cannot not comment on this. There's this law school I've heard of, and one of their student groups is currently arranging what they're calling "Cheney Day." Free shootin' at the range! Come on by, all you gotta pay for is yer ammo!
Lawyers (well, almost lawyers) with guns. Yeah, the world really needs more of those.
Tip of the hat to you, Trout. Yes, that would be TBS. I know that because they went on to play those commercials 5 million times over about a two-hour span (get a grip, of course I'm not exaggerating). So I do now know that The Lord of the Rings will be on TBS. However, I still can't tell you when!
The other commercials didn't bother me, so maybe it was just that particular cheesy 80's song. Normally I like 80's music just fine. But that song was sort of like nails on a chalkboard when I heard it on the commercial.
Lawyers (well, almost lawyers) with guns. Yeah, the world really needs more of those.
Tip of the hat to you, Trout. Yes, that would be TBS. I know that because they went on to play those commercials 5 million times over about a two-hour span (get a grip, of course I'm not exaggerating). So I do now know that The Lord of the Rings will be on TBS. However, I still can't tell you when!
The other commercials didn't bother me, so maybe it was just that particular cheesy 80's song. Normally I like 80's music just fine. But that song was sort of like nails on a chalkboard when I heard it on the commercial.
Sunday, April 2, 2006
The Girl in the Cafe
Bill Nighy (remember the washed up rocker in Love Actually?) is Lawrence. He's a civil servant, and really, work is it for him. He doesn't have much else in the way of a life. He's a little dorky, a lot awkward, and totally endearing. He meets Gina (Kelly MacDonald) [D, I'm sure you've seen Gosford Park, you'll recognize her from that] in a cafe one afternoon when he's basically skipped out of work for a few. After only a couple of dates, he asks her to go to the G-8 Summit with him. (He works for some Chancellor or other and so is going for work.)
This is not a big action film. Not a lot really happens, yet it's never boring. Once at the Summit, Gina's not so good at keeping her mouth shut. She keeps going off at the Chancellor and various other big wigs there at the Summit.
And yes, her point of view is the ideal: stop making your goal at these conferences to make even more money for your very rich countries. Suck it up, make less money, and save some dying people in this world. Stop patting yourselves on the back for saving a token number and do something real.
This of course puts Lawrence in a hard spot as he has to take a lot of grief from his bosses and coworkers. He agrees with her, but does he stand up with her or keep toeing the line for his boss?
The One campaign folks clearly had a hand in this film. Though I didn't see any white bracelets, the snapping thing was in there at one point.
I'm not really making it sound very good, I realize. But it is good! And you should see it!
It was nominated for things this year. Nighy and MacDonald were both nominated for Best Performance by an Actor/Actress in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television at the Golden Globes this year.
If it helps lure you in, the screenwriter for this film also wrote Love Actually and Four Weddings and a Funeral.
I just learned that this is an HBO film. Those folks really do put on some good movies.
And as a side note, it took me forever to place Nighy. Eventually I placed him as the has been rocker from Love Actually, but I knew I also knew him from something else. I always have the same reaction when I watch Love Actually. Who is that guy?? He's in Underworld (the first one and the second one)! Which I own. And have seen multiple times. But he's just so incredibly DIFFERENT as the creepy brought back to "life" vamp, that it takes me forever to realize who he is (okay fine, I end up having to look it up).
This is not a big action film. Not a lot really happens, yet it's never boring. Once at the Summit, Gina's not so good at keeping her mouth shut. She keeps going off at the Chancellor and various other big wigs there at the Summit.
And yes, her point of view is the ideal: stop making your goal at these conferences to make even more money for your very rich countries. Suck it up, make less money, and save some dying people in this world. Stop patting yourselves on the back for saving a token number and do something real.
This of course puts Lawrence in a hard spot as he has to take a lot of grief from his bosses and coworkers. He agrees with her, but does he stand up with her or keep toeing the line for his boss?
The One campaign folks clearly had a hand in this film. Though I didn't see any white bracelets, the snapping thing was in there at one point.
I'm not really making it sound very good, I realize. But it is good! And you should see it!
It was nominated for things this year. Nighy and MacDonald were both nominated for Best Performance by an Actor/Actress in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television at the Golden Globes this year.
If it helps lure you in, the screenwriter for this film also wrote Love Actually and Four Weddings and a Funeral.
I just learned that this is an HBO film. Those folks really do put on some good movies.
And as a side note, it took me forever to place Nighy. Eventually I placed him as the has been rocker from Love Actually, but I knew I also knew him from something else. I always have the same reaction when I watch Love Actually. Who is that guy?? He's in Underworld (the first one and the second one)! Which I own. And have seen multiple times. But he's just so incredibly DIFFERENT as the creepy brought back to "life" vamp, that it takes me forever to realize who he is (okay fine, I end up having to look it up).
Saturday, April 1, 2006
Lord of the Rings and Secret Lovers
They're advertising Lord of the Rings with the song Secret Lovers (remember that cheesy 80's song?). In reference to Sam and Frodo.
Um, what?
That just isn't right.
And it's not that I'm some crazy homophobe who's all mad at the thought. If Sam and Frodo want to knock boots, that's just fine with me. A little Brokeback action up in the mountains? Go for it. I don't care.
But, advertising Lord of the Rings with that song just isn't right somehow.
And before you say, "But clearly it is terribly affective [effective? hell, I don't know right now, I'm just too tired to think about it] because you noticed and you remembered."
No, no you're wrong. Because though I know that the trilogy is going to be on tv sometime in the near future, I don't know when and I don't know where. I can't even assume it's going to be on on the channel I'm watching, because I'm watching cable. You know how they advertise for each other. So I've actually no clue on the date or the channel. So I can't very well tune in. And since I don't know those two things, I will soon forget that it's even going to be on because my memory is just like that.
So the commercial is not doing it's job. It just freaks me out every time I see it. Yes, I've seen it before, but I forgot that I'd seen it before.
See? I don't remember the when and where so I'll soon even forget the what.
Wait, what was I talking about?
Um, what?
That just isn't right.
And it's not that I'm some crazy homophobe who's all mad at the thought. If Sam and Frodo want to knock boots, that's just fine with me. A little Brokeback action up in the mountains? Go for it. I don't care.
But, advertising Lord of the Rings with that song just isn't right somehow.
And before you say, "But clearly it is terribly affective [effective? hell, I don't know right now, I'm just too tired to think about it] because you noticed and you remembered."
No, no you're wrong. Because though I know that the trilogy is going to be on tv sometime in the near future, I don't know when and I don't know where. I can't even assume it's going to be on on the channel I'm watching, because I'm watching cable. You know how they advertise for each other. So I've actually no clue on the date or the channel. So I can't very well tune in. And since I don't know those two things, I will soon forget that it's even going to be on because my memory is just like that.
So the commercial is not doing it's job. It just freaks me out every time I see it. Yes, I've seen it before, but I forgot that I'd seen it before.
See? I don't remember the when and where so I'll soon even forget the what.
Wait, what was I talking about?
Isn't it too early?
Ted Strickland, for those who don't know, is a Democratic candidate for Governor of Ohio. The two Republican candidates are Ken Blackwell (current secretary of state here in OH... had a rather unfortunate role to play in the last prez election so you may have heard of him) and Jim Petro (OH attorney general... doubt you've heard of him). Strickland is polling ahead of them both; and his lead over both is growing.
Interestingly, Blackwell seems to be doing slightly better than Petro. Not sure how I feel about that. As awful as I think they'd both be for this state, there is no doubt in my mind that Blackwell would completely destroy the state of OH, whereas Petro is a bit more of a question mark to me. I don't think he'd be good for the state, but I don't know how bad he'd be for it. Would he destroy it like Blackwell would, or would he "just" make it lots worse? I don't know.
But... I think Blackwell might actually be easier for the Dems to defeat. Given all of his recent and current issues, he may make for an "easier" opponent. As just two examples of his "issues": the last prez election ('nuff said right there!) and all the SSNs posted on the secretary of state's website that he has refused to have removed (they actually have legislation currently pending that would require that particular office to remove those thousands of SSNs from their website; what a waste of our legislature's time (!!), but they have to do it because he's refusing to remove them).
And then there's Sherrod Brown, Democratic candidate for Senator. He's up against Mike DeWine (probably... DeWine does actually have a couple of Repubs challenging him at the moment). DeWine already has a tv ad out there. Hello? Really? It's March, people! Well, it's April, but the ad started in March. That's early.
It's going to be a very long and very ugly ramp up to the elections this year, I fear.
And given that the Official Dems have ticked off an awful lot of Democratic Ohioans... well, it's just not going to be a pretty political season. Here's to hoping Strickland and Brown (yes really; I'm mad, not stupid) both win. The country and the state should have more mixed leadership. This one party thing is simply not working.
Oh! My point! I had one when I started, really I did. People are all excited about these recent gubanatorial poll numbers that have Strickland so far up (10 pts over Blackwell; 13 pts over Petro). But isn't it a bit early to put much stock in that? There are 8 months left. I really don't think we should be getting cocky or overconfident in April about an election that isn't until November.
I'll probably have an ulcer by election day...
Interestingly, Blackwell seems to be doing slightly better than Petro. Not sure how I feel about that. As awful as I think they'd both be for this state, there is no doubt in my mind that Blackwell would completely destroy the state of OH, whereas Petro is a bit more of a question mark to me. I don't think he'd be good for the state, but I don't know how bad he'd be for it. Would he destroy it like Blackwell would, or would he "just" make it lots worse? I don't know.
But... I think Blackwell might actually be easier for the Dems to defeat. Given all of his recent and current issues, he may make for an "easier" opponent. As just two examples of his "issues": the last prez election ('nuff said right there!) and all the SSNs posted on the secretary of state's website that he has refused to have removed (they actually have legislation currently pending that would require that particular office to remove those thousands of SSNs from their website; what a waste of our legislature's time (!!), but they have to do it because he's refusing to remove them).
And then there's Sherrod Brown, Democratic candidate for Senator. He's up against Mike DeWine (probably... DeWine does actually have a couple of Repubs challenging him at the moment). DeWine already has a tv ad out there. Hello? Really? It's March, people! Well, it's April, but the ad started in March. That's early.
It's going to be a very long and very ugly ramp up to the elections this year, I fear.
And given that the Official Dems have ticked off an awful lot of Democratic Ohioans... well, it's just not going to be a pretty political season. Here's to hoping Strickland and Brown (yes really; I'm mad, not stupid) both win. The country and the state should have more mixed leadership. This one party thing is simply not working.
Oh! My point! I had one when I started, really I did. People are all excited about these recent gubanatorial poll numbers that have Strickland so far up (10 pts over Blackwell; 13 pts over Petro). But isn't it a bit early to put much stock in that? There are 8 months left. I really don't think we should be getting cocky or overconfident in April about an election that isn't until November.
I'll probably have an ulcer by election day...
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