Something interesting

I was reading today on one of my favorite Think Tank websites: Heritage.org and I found this:

Heritage foreign policy expert Helle Dale puts the new presidency in
historical perspective. Other new Presidents --Bush, Reagan,
Nixon, and Truman -- faced "raging storms, far more worthy of the
name than the clouds under which Obama's presidency begins," says
Dale.

She continues:

The world Obama inherits today is clearly complex, but thanks to the
tireless efforts of his predecessor, far less dangerous than the
impression created [in his inaugural address on Tuesday]. Indeed,
Obama owes a debt of gratitude to Bush for the tough decisions he has
taken to keep this country safe and the sacrifices he made in
political capital and personal popularity to do so. Bush may be
vilified, even booed by the crowd of Obama supporters on the Mall, but
he kept each and every one of them safe from terrorist attacks for
seven years...Obama of course questioned those very policies
during the campaign and indeed in his speech [Tuesday], postulating a
false dichotomy between our safety and our ideals.

Dale concludes that Obama obviously differs from Bush philosophically,
but that "how far world events will allow the Obama foreign policy to
diverge from that of the Bush years remains to be seen."

Now, I really, really like President Bush (I guess he's our former president now!) I know I didn't agree with everything he did, but I certainly think he was a God-fearing, honest man who did the best he could in a very difficult time in our nation's history. I was proud to support him and proud to call him my president. I'm just glad someone is finally saying what so many conservatives are thinking: "Yeah - you Obama-ites are in for a RUDE awakening when your Messiah suddenly starts whistling a different tune than the idealist, liberal one he tooted during his wacko campaign!"

But maybe he won't sing a different tune. If he doesn't - hopefully the citizens won't reap too many horrific consequences as a result. By the way - did you know that Obama isn't in the Blogspot dictionary? I had to add it just now on my computer! Hahahahaha...oh, I'm not very nice....

Life's Soundtrack

As I walked through the empty campus to my car after class I walked past a young man whistling. He was one of those people who could whistle with vibrato...ya'know? Anyway - he had a beautiful whistle and he was crafting a beautiful tune. It rang through the clear, cold night and made me smile.

What an incredible gift he had - to make cheerful music with the pursing of his lips and the exhale of air. So simple but profound.

I wish I could whistle - alas I do not have that talent. It was really a problem when I was Anna in "The King & I" and I was supposed to be able to whistle my fears away. Hard to do when you purse your lips and nothing comes out. :D

Anyway - I guess I just want to remind everyone to whistle a happy tune and add a solo to the soundtrack of your life.

Let Freedom Ring...wait - what's that noise?

So...Barak Hussein Obama got elected to be president. Hey - don't look at me - I didn't do it!

But seriously - Joey and I voted then watched "The Happening" (which I'd never seen and hated) and "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" (which I love!) and then I cheerfully read "Persuasion" by Jane Austen until I fell asleep.

When I woke up this morning - I'd forgotten about the election. It wasn't until an ignorant and obnoxious morning talk radio host who shall remain unnamed (Chris Walton, stupid idiot on 670 KBOI) was making fun of John McCain and Sarah Palin for thinking they could win when I heard the devastating news.

I've spent the last hour or so thinking: Well - there goes everything right to hell! I unconsciously kicked into "survival mode"... ya know, thinking: "We need to pay off student loans and cars and get some more cash savings. I need to learn how to actually cook with the wheat my mother-in-law gave me for my birthday..." Oy, my panic started suffocating me.

Then I remembered - wait! Joey is getting his masters...we'll be poor for a few years while we're in that life transition! Sweet. Poor people are supposedly going to get money for just being poor under our president elect! Awesome.

But then...I remembered - I'm not that girl. Being poor while my little family goes through a career change is nothing to be worried about. In fact, I think it will be an adventure. So, I'm telling you all now rich people: Keep your money! I don't want it!

My meez...

My political musings from Hollywood's finest

Well, Joey and I just saw "The Dark Knight" last night and....hmmmmmm. That's all that initially came to mind. Seriously. We sat in the theatre after the movie was over in a state of shock. We weren't waiting for something extra...just shocked. Some thoughts to follow:

1. Normally, I love good vs. evil movies. Independence Day, Batman Begins, Iron Man...you name it - I love it. (Note: Good must win for it to qualify.) And in this movie the good was stalwart and honorable, but the bad was so evil and I was awake through half the night, too scared to sleep. I really liked Heath Ledger as an actor. He was super talented and always fun to watch. (I didn't see Brokeback Mountain...so I'm untainted.) But he played The Joker - evil and chaotic - so well...I kept thinking through the movie "No wonder he was on anti-depressants that ultimately killed him! I would be horrified to play this part and get so into it that you start to feel like him a little bit more every day." I would begin to loathe what I was becoming. You hear of lots of actors who will do anything for the love of "the craft", but truly - there are moments where the evil in that movie is just too evil. No talent or award would be worth it.

2. I loved how both of director Chris Nolan's Batman's have been about agency. 'You always have a choice' is the mantra of Bruce Wayne and Alred. What I loved more about this movie is that Batman learns that - even if the choice is unpopular - you MUST do what you know to be right. When he knew that everyone would hate him forever, Batman made the choice to continue on - fighting for what he knew was right. (I know, I know, he's a vigilante and breaking the law, but this point is made from the bigger-picture view.)

3. I read an article in the Wall Street Journal (after briefly hearing about on Rush Limbaugh's program) about the similarities between Gotham/Batman and America's War on Terrorism/GW Bush. No matter how unpopular the decisions may be...(I think) both men knew what was correct and acted appropriately. Very interesting.I give the movie a hesitant 2 thumbs up. But I've been reading that not only was Heath Ledger's death linked to his emotional difficulties in creating the Joker, but Christian Bale has also been "suffering" from some depression/emotional issues spawned from portraying this story. Let me tell you - no gold statue is worth it!!!



(comment posted by Michael - my dad)The movie was too dark for me, although I have to admit that the actor playing the Joker did an amazing job. The principle that I just can't reconcile is that 'means do NOT just the ends'. The movie seems to say that it is ok to do wrong things when good is the motive or the outcome, but I believe that is not a true principle.Cheers

(My response to him) Michelle
Monday, August 4, 2008, 03:29 PM
Dad (Mike),
You said that the movie lacked acknowledgment of the principle: The ends do not justify the means.I believe that this movie was a perfect example of why that principle can be flawed. If killing/terror is wrong - and everyone stands by that principle...then yes - ends/means works. But the Joker didn't care. There are people in this world who do not care. What regular, run-of-the-mill people like you and me are asked to do is what those people on the ferry boats did - do not act to promote their fear. ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS choose life over hate and fear. Always choose love and peace over war and destruction. That is the path of our Savior - one we follow in trust and faith.

However. The part I'm thinking of specifically is when Bruce Wayne created that massive spy machine and Morgan Freeman was like: "No, you've gone too far - I will not be a party to this law breaking." At that point - Batman was walking a fine, fine line between right and wrong. Between standing up for freedom and drinking from the cup of power-mongering. And then - the moment of truth: Christian tells Morgan Freeman that only one man can have access to this power: a man that he knew was good, a man that keenly knew the danger that kind of machine could be - and that man can use it for the good it will do - and that same man who knows so in his being that too much power corrupts - he will then destroy it.I guess that's why the ends/means principle worked for me in this movie. For so long no one stood up to that madman...they chose fear, they chose hate and distrust. It wasn't until the ferry scene when even the worst of that city's citizens chose to not pander to a terrorist. It was when they chose the freedom and safety of their neighbors above themselves that the Joker lost. I guess the key is to elect people to lead us that we trust with the power they have. We need to ask people to lead us that we know are keenly aware of the balance between fighting for liberty and being a dictator. It's easier said than done, I know.

Batman's choice reminded me of the gunslingers in the frontier West. There were those lawless and depraved men who thrived on running rough-shod over hard-working, good people. And they succeeded time and time again until someone came along and cleaned up the mess - that man was usually as violent as those he came to fight. The difference? The cowboy or gunslinger believed in the law-abiding, honest way to live. He always knew their way was the future - not him. He knew once he did the "dirty" work, the people would take over and build beautiful, alabaster cities that would be beacons of liberty and freedom to the entire world. But someone had to start.

That's why the ends justify the means in this movie...and I dare say...the war on terror. Because as a nation, as the armed forces and the Commander-and-Chief - we are committed to freedom for everyone - not spreading our power and might through the world. Just like the cowboys of yore, when the dust has settled and the epitaph's carved - we'll ride off into the proverbial sunset to let the freedom ring.When we choose freedom and liberty over fear - terror loses. When we stand up and support those that fight for freedom and liberty, even if we don't physically fight ourselves - we win. Love and fear cannot coexist.

So Disgusted

My husband and I were watching TV tonight and we saw the new marketingcampaign for Kohl's Department store. The music is Lenny Kravitz's newsong "Love Revolution" and the following lyrics are disturbing - to saythe least:

"It's time for a love revolution It's time for a new Constitution"

I AM NOT JOKING!!!!!

This is going too far. I believe in the FirstAmendment. I believe in the Bill of Rights and I believe in the heroism of millions that have fought and died for that celebrity to voice his opinion. But get a new Constitution? That document makes us the greatestcountry on Earth. That document was inspired by a watchful and caring Godwho KNOWS WHAT HE'S DOING!!! If you don't like the Constitution - leave!

I guess telling people to leave is scary too. It seems more and more people are dividing over the very fundemental principles this country was founded on, and I worry it will lead to a repeat of our civil war in the1860's. But this time...what will we end up with? Dividing our country in half? "Go past this boundary if you believe in the Constitution and gohere if you want a new one?"

Gosh, if that's what it comes to, I hope Boise, ID is in the Constitution-loving section...because my husband and I have almost finished furnishing our house in that city...and I'd like to enjoy it for years to come.

FYI: Here is a description of the campaign I found onMarketWatch.com:

"In addition to artist-inspired denim collections, the fully integrated campaign consists of national advertising, a consumer engagement contest, in store graphics, online and digital media, direct mail and public relations. The new song "Love Revolution" by Lenny Kravitz is incorporated into campaign elements and was selected for its inspiring message of unity, love and infusing passion into all aspects of life."Kohl's will run a combination of 30- and 60-second television spots that leverage the 'Inspired' artists beginning the week of July 27 during popular shows such as Ugly Betty and One Tree Hill. Through a partnership with MTV, a variation of the ads will air on MTV during select primetime and daytime slots beginning July 27. Kohl's banner advertising and links to the 'Inspired' campaign micro site will be featured on MTV.com."

(Last comment - run them during popular shows? Try shows that brainwash our youth and young adults....but whatever!)

Betrayal

When I was in high school I participated like a fiend in the school's theatre program. By the time I was a sophomore - there were very few days during the school year I didn't have a rehearsal or performance of some kind.

One of the members of my ward came to see me in a play and when it was over, she came up to speak with me. I'll never forget what she said:

"I think it's so remarkable...you are so graceful and composed on stage. You would never guess that from how you are in real life!"

I did not take offense to her comment - nor should you reader - because I loved how I felt on stage. She was right! When I was on stage I wasn't dumpy or clumsy or silly or ugly - I was whatever I wanted most my character to be...and that was usually fabulous! Fabulously funny, fabulously wealthy, fabulously beautiful or wonderful or graceful or popular...whatever else but always fabulous.

Toward the end of my senior year I got to be a queen in a play. And not just any queen: Guinevere from "Camelot". That meant I was Vivian Redgrave and Jacquelyn Kennedy and Princess Diana all rolled into one. The young man playing King Arthur told me that one of his favorite memories from that play was watching how - as rehearsals went along - I became that queen, even in the hallways and during classes. That was an awesome compliment b/c I wanted desperately to be Ms. Redgrave and Jackie-O and Princess Di in real life anyway, so I was glad my time on the stage was flowing into my personal life.

After high school I participated in many years of performing. Choirs, touring oratorios, and musicals musicals musicals! I learned that even if I can't dance to save my life - my characters always could and they were good at it! I continued that dichotomy of grace on stage vs. the real clumsy me. It was okay though because I was spending the majority of my time on stage.

Now. Oh now. I'm running into a major dilemma. I have been off stage consistently for quite some time now. Over a year. Almost two. And I finding that I am becoming increasingly accident prone! My stage-created grace is slipping away from me at an alarming rate, and it is reeking havoc on my body! For those of you extremely close to me - you know I'm a bit of a drama-queen. Well, that's probably too modest. I'm a huge drama queen! But I am telling you about this "condition" with out my drama filter. I've have looked at this "situation" through the rational eyes of someone who's never been on stage and I must say...something's wrong with me!

Here is a list of my stupid sicknesses or injuries in the last 7 or so months:

Pink eye (x2)
Bacterial ear infection
Bladder infection
5 spider bites (all gotten at different times) that left me with: fevers, swelling, inability to walk, and one that gave me slurred speech for an afternoon...fun
Cold (x2)
I've cut my hands twice on the pull top lids of canned fruit, this most recent one that slows down my typing considerably
Allergies
Some bouts with heartburn (which I've never had before!)
In one week, my nose bled every morning for 5 straight days
I had a rash on my legs, torso and arms for about 7 days. It turned out to be an allergy to our concentrated laundry detergent.
And last but not least - my lower back! It has been aching for about 4 days now. Come to find out...I wasn't stretching my muscles after tennis like I should be. Luckily my husband gave me some good tips for keeping my back healthy!

A couple of weeks ago, when something new had cropped up, I lost my cool! I flopped down on my bed and cried. I felt like my body was betraying me! Some things were my fault (cutting my hands, not properly using our laundry detergent) but some things were just retarded!!!! There are only two variables that have really changed in my life since all this started: I've stopped actively pursuing theatre and I've gotten married.

Now, haha, it's funny to joke about marriage making me ill, but the truth is that my husband is ever patient and kind with all my ailments. I try not to be over dramatic about them, and he tries to help me get better. He's so good to ask how I'm feeling and let me cuss and swear when I hit my swollen spider bite on the bed frame or hold my hands so I won't itch the skin off my legs. So that leaves the theatre.

I remember those comments from my active theatre days and how I felt...and I must say: I grieve for my apparent loss of grace. It's just too stinkin' bad that I must be an accident prone klutz for the rest of my God-given days. I am very happy with my theatre-less life. I like being married to Joey and having our little house and life together...I suppose he'll have to hazard through ever simple household obstacle with me for - well, for forever. Some day we'll have children and need to baby proof the house. But with how I'm going, I think I'd better start today before I seriously do some bodily harm!