Tuesday, June 22, 2004

Just two things I'm thinking about.

Where to start ...

I've long thought Micheal Moore is an ass. I watched with ignorant amusment his "documentary" about GM Motors. I was 20 something when "Roger And Me" was released. I treated it as entertainment not a "documentary". I ignorantly missed that he thouht it was a documentary. I thought it was funny. I assumed that was the point. Unfortunately, that was not the point. He was making what he thought was a "documentary". Documentaries usually show both sides of an issue. Rarely did Mike show Roger's side (unless it proved to Mike and us how money grubbing CEO's are. I refuse to think all are).

Mike has made other movies which I have not seen. I read that "Bowling for Columbine" was also filled with inaccuracies and contradictions. What I'm getting at in a round about way is this review/critique of "Farenheit 911" . I read this gentleman's column once in a while. Rarely do I agree with him. His piece on Reagan recently put me though the roof. However, this socialist (Christopher Hitchens) always makes fantastic well thought out arguments. He writes well and is well informed. Micheal Moore must be full of shit if this died in the wool Democrat/socialist thinks he is, too.

I've been fighting internally about what my personal position is on same sex marriages being performed in my church. I recently had a conversation with my Pastor about this. In passing I mentioned that I was still fighting with this. I also mentione several Deacons voicing their concerns about being "pure" in the eyes of the Lord when the meet at the pearly gates. My Pastor agreed that it was a difficult decision and purity in the eyes of the Lord is certainly a valid concern. However, she continued, compassion is also something we could be judged on. If she had to choose between compassion and purity, she would choose compassion. Me too. Thanks Karen. You are wise beyond your years and we are lucky to have you. I hope we have you for a long time.

Good enough for now,
Skip.

Tuesday, June 15, 2004

Uncle Ted

My Great-Uncle Ted was in town this weekend. Always a pleasure to see him. I love to hear his stories. He recounted some of his broadcasting stories this trip. Apparently he was less than enthusiastic about having to have an agent. But then the agent came though with several good jobs for him. One being the voice over for Shafer in the 70's. Imagine having a Shafer type ad today.

"Wanna get drunk? Drink Shafer!"
(Shafer, is the one beer to have when you're having more than one" in case you forgot)


He took the Acela to New Haven from Boston where he was visiting his daughter. Says he didn't like it because it went too fast to see the people and places along the way. In addition he was in the "Quiet Car". In "Quiet Car" you cannot use your cell phone or computer or game boy. No talking, sneezing, belching or farting either. Punishment is banishment to Greyhound for one year or death from boredom, whichever comes first. I'd last 2 hours.
Imagine being Uncle Ted's age. He rode Steam trains when they were the fast way to go. Now he's ridden the Acela. It's an amazing feat of technology. Reagan was right in believing we (the good ole USA) can accomplish anything.

I just re-read above and wondered how I got from Uncle Ted to Reagan. The jump from one very good man to another is pretty simple I suppose. Ron and Uncle Ted had very similar life experiences. They were radio announcers, they are devoted husbands and adore their wives. They saw all the amazing changes that occurred in the 20th century. The 20th century, in my opinion rivals the 14th century renaissance in terms technological improvement.
What a great time to be alive.

update:
I wrote the letters to the editors of the New Haven Advocate and the New Haven Register. I don't expect anything to come of it, but perhaps I'll be surprised.

Friday, June 11, 2004

The New Haven Advocate

I've missed Ronald Wilson Reagan for several years now. His eternal optimism was contagious. It was good for all of us. I'm attempting to flip my switch back to "happy optimist" from "angry pessimist". We'll see if Ron's death reminds me to keep it that way.

Here's the first test:
The print copy of the New Haven Advocate looks very much like this:
however it has a catchy sub-headline "Good Riddance Reagan". Nice. I'm not a fan of Clinton, but if they wrote the same of him when he died I would be equally disappointed. (not that I would expect the advocate to write that of their beloved President) One wonders why the web Advocate does not refer to that headline. At least I do. Trying to stir the pot? Sell some papers? (can't be that they're free) Get people to pick up papers and see the ads that generate the income, then? Are the advertisers pleased with this tactic? Do they want to be associated with that paper now?

Here's the article:

trying so hard not to be pissed. optimism ... optimism ... ok ... I'm back now ....

Mr. Bass takes umbridge with many things relating to Reagan's governing and the news coverage of his death. I suppose we all could have waited a week or so to hear it.

I'm going to have to write to the Advocate I suppose. Perhaps the New Haven Register as well. They might like to bash their competition a little.

quick rants
Why, when one falls asleep with their glasses on, do they end up under you in the morning? yes they're broken

Why does everyone from New York camp in the left lane of the highway?

Why on earth did the weather man say "We'll let you know when you can expect some relief from summer."? We've had summer weather for 30 hours!!!!