Just returned from watching the midnight screening of the last Star Wars movie. Overall I give it a thumbs up, mainly for the lack of awkward acting that has marred some of the first two movies and the amazing special effects. Also the acting by key characters like Darth Sidious (AKA Chancellor Palpatine, the Emperor), Obi Wan Kenobi, Mace Windu, and even Anakin Skywalker was very good. The problem with the movie, as with all Star Wars movies, is Yoda and the ridiculously lousy (if hilarious) Jedi philosophy (boiled down to its essentials: selfless = good, Jedi, selfish = bad, Sith) and the inability of George Lucas to write philosophy into a script in any consistent, rational, intelligent, or coherent way.
For instance, the most talked about lines leading up to the release occur towards the end of the film when Anakin, after having turned to the dark side and joined the emperor (taking the Sith name Darth Vader) tells Obi Wan, "If you're not with me then you are my enemy." To which Obi Wan replies, "Only a Sith speaks in absolutes." Problems are obvious with this exchange, going far beyond any dopey connections to George W. Bush and the war on terrorism. My main problem with this within the movie is that not more than ten minutes later, while they are trying to kill one another, Obi Wan and Anakin are exchanging words about good and evil. Instead of remaining Mr. Absolute, Anakin tells Obi Wan that from his perspective he is good and the Jedi are evil. To which Obi Wan concludes, in an absolutist fashion, that Anakin is truly "lost." When it comes to politics and philosophy, Lucas is in way over his head because he simply isn't capable or smart enough to write them into the script intelligently, let alone chose the correct politics and philosophy. He would have been better off leaving things in a simple and essential basic form, the good guys being good because they respect the rights of others and don't run around killing people, and the bad guys being their exact opposites. The majority of people going to these movies aren't interested in the balance of the force or trying to insult current political leaders in sci-fi fantasy dialogue that contradicts itself, they are coming to watch what is, in essence, a series of war movies with the triumph of good over evil through force of arms.
That is ironic considering Mr. Lucas has clearly put himself in the pacifist psycho wing of the universe politically. His greatest legacy will be for creating a narrative of war, and a good war at that.
Thursday, May 19, 2005
Monday, May 16, 2005
Announcement
I will be attending Clark University for graduate school in U.S. History in August. The school is in Worcester, MA and I will be studying under Dr. Drew McCoy. You can check the school out at www.clarku.edu.
Sorry for the lack of posts as of late. I have been taking a break, mainly because I have been substitute teaching everyday since the end of March, saving up money for the fall. Anyway, I will be posting regularly again, and working to finish my book. I have a commissioned article to write on the education system here in Clark County and some changes that the geniuses running it are making for the next school year. I hope to have it printed in the Las Vegas Review-Journal, but it will certainly be posted here when finished. After that I will run my regular articles and comments until the book is done and copyrighted, at which point I will start posting chapters. It's good to be back.
Saturday, April 02, 2005
Thursday, March 31, 2005
Schiavo Case
I have held off on this story because I think it is totally overblown and it is highly irresponsible on the part of the media and government to devote so much time and so many resources to it, especially when you consider that religious fanatics in Tehran, not outside the hospice, are plotting the deaths of thousands of Americans. That being said, I think this issue has some points upon which some comment may be helpful.
First of all, the national government overstepped its bounds, which is no surprise, by interfering in this case. The legislation passed was an unconstitutional bill of attainder, it was meant and drafted for one person only and as such it is clearly illegal.
Second, the only issue here is what the woman would have wanted. Secondary to that is what other people want, no matter who they are. A trial was conducted to determine what her wishes were, to find out what her condition was exactly, etc. It was a finding of fact, with input from all sides and certain things were established. It was established with testimony from the husband and other people whom the media has entirely ignored, that this woman would not want to live as a vegetable and by artificial methods with no hope of recovery. It is hard to imagine anyone wanting to exist in such a state, but apparently some people think that such a state is ok, even for people they allegedly love. It was further established that, indeed, Mrs. Schiavo was in a persistent vegetative state and a quick look at her CAT scan will indicate why. Much of the interior region of her brain was missing, it had atrophied like her other muscles and in place was inert spinal fluid. This situation was irreversible, her state could never have improved no matter how many mystics her parents decided to consult. With these facts established by an impartial arbiter (the court) it is patently obvious that the only proper result is what occurred, the removal of the artificial life support (which contrary to the wise words of the POPE!!!, is an extraordinary step to keep someone alive).
Her parents were given ample legal appeals to demonstrate how justice had miscarried and contrary to the media, they could argue evidence and present new evidence if they ever had any. They failed in all these respects and then proceeded to slander Mr. Schiavo in the media and rake mud over every conceivable issue in this case, except (tellingly) her CAT scan. This "culture of life, culture of death" tripe is clearly tied to religious mysticism hovering around the abortion issue. President Bush foolishly defined civilization as the strong realizing they had a duty to the weak. Such a concept is absolutely absurd for any civilization, let alone ours. The protection and upholding of individual rights, including the individual right to die when and as one pleases (assuming it violates no one else's rights), is the essence of civilization. The degree to which any culture meets that standard is its level of civilization.
If we are to be subjected to ridiculous and foolish stories like this instead of important stories it almost makes one wish for a terrorist attack to refocus everyone's attention on what is important. But if it takes that to do the elementary then we have almost lost from the outset.
I have held off on this story because I think it is totally overblown and it is highly irresponsible on the part of the media and government to devote so much time and so many resources to it, especially when you consider that religious fanatics in Tehran, not outside the hospice, are plotting the deaths of thousands of Americans. That being said, I think this issue has some points upon which some comment may be helpful.
First of all, the national government overstepped its bounds, which is no surprise, by interfering in this case. The legislation passed was an unconstitutional bill of attainder, it was meant and drafted for one person only and as such it is clearly illegal.
Second, the only issue here is what the woman would have wanted. Secondary to that is what other people want, no matter who they are. A trial was conducted to determine what her wishes were, to find out what her condition was exactly, etc. It was a finding of fact, with input from all sides and certain things were established. It was established with testimony from the husband and other people whom the media has entirely ignored, that this woman would not want to live as a vegetable and by artificial methods with no hope of recovery. It is hard to imagine anyone wanting to exist in such a state, but apparently some people think that such a state is ok, even for people they allegedly love. It was further established that, indeed, Mrs. Schiavo was in a persistent vegetative state and a quick look at her CAT scan will indicate why. Much of the interior region of her brain was missing, it had atrophied like her other muscles and in place was inert spinal fluid. This situation was irreversible, her state could never have improved no matter how many mystics her parents decided to consult. With these facts established by an impartial arbiter (the court) it is patently obvious that the only proper result is what occurred, the removal of the artificial life support (which contrary to the wise words of the POPE!!!, is an extraordinary step to keep someone alive).
Her parents were given ample legal appeals to demonstrate how justice had miscarried and contrary to the media, they could argue evidence and present new evidence if they ever had any. They failed in all these respects and then proceeded to slander Mr. Schiavo in the media and rake mud over every conceivable issue in this case, except (tellingly) her CAT scan. This "culture of life, culture of death" tripe is clearly tied to religious mysticism hovering around the abortion issue. President Bush foolishly defined civilization as the strong realizing they had a duty to the weak. Such a concept is absolutely absurd for any civilization, let alone ours. The protection and upholding of individual rights, including the individual right to die when and as one pleases (assuming it violates no one else's rights), is the essence of civilization. The degree to which any culture meets that standard is its level of civilization.
If we are to be subjected to ridiculous and foolish stories like this instead of important stories it almost makes one wish for a terrorist attack to refocus everyone's attention on what is important. But if it takes that to do the elementary then we have almost lost from the outset.
Thursday, March 10, 2005
I have been accepted to Clark University with full tuition remission for their history graduate program starting in the Fall of 2005, I have to answer by April 15. More news should be coming in from the other schools (I have already been accepted to Brandeis but am on the waiting list for full remission, if I don't get that I doubt I will go there as it is around $30,000 a semester) the next couple of weeks before I make my decision. I'll let you all know what is to happen to me when I know.
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