Watchmen

I watched the movie Watchmen tonight. I never read the comic book so I'm looking at the film as it stands on it's own. However, since I have a long history of reading comics, novels, and other assorted disreputable literature, I felt very at home in the genre. I even caught a lot of the cultural references.

But it's the presupposition upon which the story rests that bothers me. I was reminded of that time back in the late 70s when nuclear war was still a grave threat in the public mind. Watching how the author of Watchmen worked out the situation made me smile as I remembered how the real Cold War was ended... without the sacrifice of Ozymandias. Just the determination and commitment of Reagan, Thatcher and John Paul II. Who'd'a thunk it?

When it comes down to it, most of these science fiction and superhero stories are flawed at the premise. I see a way out because I know that there is a God and I know He is Good. And I know He can and will involve himself in our lives. God is more powerful than Dr. Manhattan, and even with that power is more intimately involved in our lives than we can imagine. And what's most amazing, He loves us.

Watchman builds a logical story, showing several points of view and their various ideas and opinions of how the world functions, and brings it to a conclusion that isn't really satisfying. After all, didn't you want Dr. Manhattan to disassemble Adrian?

The success of the movie is in it's illustrating the flaws of those world views and leaving few behind... one of which jumps out at me.

So, the movie satisfies, but only as a complete whole. And also knowing that it's just a movie and the XXII amendment is still in place.

From here...

I've been trying to compose more posts and hoping that I could post some clear thinking on the current political debates. I just posted one, it's rough, but it's a start.

Looking Leftward

I’ve been reading stuff from the Left, regarding the Health Care Debate… It helps me understand their presuppositions, which helps me understand better how to counter their ideas… and it clarifies my own thinking so I can come up with better ideas to help bring freedom, choice and savings to the issue.

What most interests me are the falsehoods that the Left apparently believes. Here’s a letter from a woman of the Left:

There are so many lies and myths about national health care reform floating around. This is no accident. It is a deliberate campaign of misinformation. The e-mails are made to look like they come from concerned individuals, but in fact most of these originate in elite ad agency offices where young advertising execs are staying up late thinking of ways to convince you and me that healthcare reform is not in our best interest.

In fact, reform is not in the best interest of big insurance and drug companies who have hired these advertising wizards to do their dirty work. The bottom line is that if true health care reform comes to the US, these companies will finally have to compete for our business and their outrageous profits will be cut. They like the money they are making off of us and they will stop at nothing to keep things as they are. So it is up to us to get the real facts on health care reform and not just believe the lies.

This amazes me. She believes that drug and insurance companies, with the help of ad agencies, are behind the current uprising against health care reform, because they want to keep their ‘outrageous profits’. Or, since this letter is floating around the Internet (I got it from Facebook), perhaps ‘she’ is actually a young man working in the West Wing, helping the Obama administration get their message out. The letter writer claims to be an RN, so she assumes we accept her authority for what she goes on to say… a quick listing of the Democratic talking points is. She ends her letter this way:

If you are really against health care reform after knowing the facts, that is one thing. But if you are falling victim to the lies generated by the big insurance and drug companies and dispensed by their patsies like Sarah Palin, then that is a real shame. It is your patriotic duty to learn the truth and speak the truth about this important national issue. Don’t be fooled. It is too important. I could only begin to address the lies here.

This makes me believe that the author truly is a sincere Leftist… that attitude of ‘listen to Mommy, I’m the expert’ marks her.

Here’s another letter from the Left; this one is from Sojourners:

Two weeks ago, Sam* died suddenly. He was only 21 years old, strong and healthy, preparing for a life ministering to youth.
Cause of death: acute pancreatitis and previously undiagnosed diabetes.
Reason for death: no access to health care to treat the incredible pain in his stomach - until it was too late.
The bottom line: While angry protesters disrupt town hall meetings and national organizations spread fear-based lies, lives are lost.
It’s time for the truth to be told. Sojourners is working to encourage prayer, dialogue, and truth in political debates in our country. We need your help. Can you contribute $25, $50, or $100 to fund our efforts?
We’re working with several partner organizations to make sure that our Congress and nation know that faith leaders do not want to be misrepresented. They want a health-care system that is available and affordable for all.
The current health-care system leaves you and me just as vulnerable to lack of care as Sam was. Health-care reform is just as much an issue of justice, of preserving and celebrating life, as it is an issue of caring for the vulnerable.

Again, the Leftist who wrote this expects us to believe her story just because she’s telling us. Me, I’m appalled at the callousness of this story. If they know so much about “Sam” and his problems, why didn’t they raise money for his health care rather than wait for him to die so they could raise money for themselves?

Sam probably didn’t have time to do anything but die and allow Sojourners to capitalize on his death in a callous manner.

I hate to read too much into Sam’s plight, but how could our spending trillions of dollars on health care ever help a young man who didn’t go to the doctor when he should? No matter the expense? Stupidity can never be cured.

To sum up, the Left approaches this debate with an attitude that they are right and have the moral high ground. Therefore, they don’t have to prove anything. Just state the facts and point out the evils of the Right.

Their view of the Right seems to be that we are all greedy capitalists or moronic dupes. And once that bright, shiny future comes when we all have health care and the evil capitalists are making minimum wage working for the Left; Jesus, Mohammad and Buddha will all arrive to lead us to Nirvana.

Unfortunately for them, it’s the Right with all the guns… so far.

The Kindle

I've been wanting an electronic book reader for years. If you could see my basement... with 4,000 books in boxes waiting for places to shelve them, you'd understand. (I'll never stop reading on paper though.) So I've watched the Kindle and figured someday.

Here's a recent review of the second generation Kindle:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/24/technology/personaltech/24pogue.html?em

I was looking at Kia's book bag and realized that the best use for something like this would be at schools. Put those monster text books in a Kindle, teach the kids how to use it to read, study, take notes, do homework, etc. and not only will they learn, they'll have better posture.

Perhaps my grandkids will do this.

Taking Chance

I watched the HBO movie, Taking Chance tonight. It's the story of a Marine Lt. Col.'s journey as he escorts a Marine PFC KIA from Dover, Delaware to the funeral in Wyoming. I found it moving and was rivited. My eyes teared up during most of the film as it portrayed common Americans who crossed paths with the body of Chance Phelps. The respect and honor given was a joy to my heart, knowing that there are so many people out there in my nation who feel as I do. People who want to honor those who serve, and give great honor to those who have died.

I read a review from some movie reviewer and he just didn't get it. I think he was looking at the movie as a movie without a message... because he is blind to the truth of our nation. He's a man who doesn't have patriotism and doesn't know anything about the sacrifice and dedication of our soldiers, so he sees the movie as empty. This movie reflects who we are. If you see it as empty, then you are empty. If you feel the emotions of a proud American who feels keenly the loss of one of our beloved sons... then you are a normal human being.

Washing hats

Maddy was looking at some dingus on ebay that you put your ball cap into and throw into the dishwasher in order to clean the hat. Shipping was three times the cost and I decided I didn't really need one. So then the conversation turned to what to do with all the dirty caps I have.

I told Maddy I'd gladly throw away all the other caps as long as the one I'm now wearing could be duplicated. She asked why I like it so much. It's a grey cap that says "St. Jude 1962". She got it after donating to St. Jude's Children's Hospital.

I get a lot of comments on the hat (which I wear to work), all of them from people who say very nice things about St. Jude's. I keep wearing it mostly for the comfort. It's simply the most comfortable cap I've ever worn.

In addition, I realized that the cap is good because it sit's lightly on my head. It's a guilt-free hat! Since it came from St. Jude's, as a result of a donation to help children, I figure this hat must have plenty of virtue in it. And whether you're conservative or liberal, having at least one article of clothing that is 100% guaranteed guilt-free is a blessing.

So, if you need a cap and want one that everyone will see as a cap of virtue, one that will ride easily and keep your bald spot from getting cold... donate to St. Jude's and ask them for a cap.

Too Much Thinking, Not Enough Writing

As I drive around doing my job I have time to listen to talk radio and time to think about stuff. However, when I get home I seem to spend more time watching TV and playing Spades than writing my thoughts down. I think what bothers me is that I get the flashes of ideas, and I think they are pretty good ideas, but I find it very hard to put them into words. So I dally and do nothing. Let's see if I can change that.

So, my last couple posts had to do with the culture wars. I've come to the conclusion that the venom, hatred, fighting and all the other nasty, mean part of the war of cultures all comes from the Left.

I know that there are Conservatives and Republicans who aren't angels, but most of the tough fighting is fighting back. Ann Coulter comes to mind. I had a friend like her when I was young. We were out doing evangelism one day and some guy accosted us and started telling us about his belief in Gnosticism. (This was in Santa Cruz, California.) My friend Chris started ripping the guy apart and wasn't exactly polite about it. He had me laughing because he was ridiculing this ignorant Gnostic (yeah, I know) and showing him for the pompous fool he was. Later my friend told me he felt the rules had changed and he didn't need to be polite and listen to the guy because he had approached us.

I've remembered that lesson. And most of our commentators and politicians on the Right should take it to heart. They are trying to stay 'above the fray' when the very people they need to do battle with are reporting on them and slandering them.

Part of the culture war needs to be targeting the guardians of the news portals. We complain of the media, and rightly so, but there are many reporters and a few senior editors. Those senior editors make the decisions as to what is news and what isn't. They decide on the slant and encourage young reporters to write a certain way, allowing the liberal ones to pass muster, while any conservatives or balanced writing never sees the light of day.

It's time for the Right to rally together and go after the Left with all they've got. We have facts on our side. If we present ourselves in line with the truth, we will have the majority and will be able to guide our nation away from the disaster the Left is heading for.

Ongoing cogitation

I want to read a book on what is going to be happening to our political and cultural disputes over the next few years but I don't think the right book has been written yet. Perhaps I'll work on it by blogging my ideas here. More than likely I'll start and not finish... but if I keep trying eventually I'll do something useful.

We are in the final stages of the Culture Wars. (I should note that I am heavily influenced by Generations and The Fourth Turning by Strauss and Howe.) Politically the Liberal/Leftist culture has the upper hand. Socially, they seem to, but I doubt that it's that clear. Victor Hanson says that there will be a conservative revolt if the Democrats continue as they have, but without some serious thought and some serious candidates, the revolt will be shallow. The 1994 Republican takeover of Congress turned out to be shallow. We need to do better.

I'm looking at myself as part of the problem. I'm not in politics, but just by being a parent and a taxpayer I'm involved in this war. Unless I do something I'll end up as a casualty.

The Left has the advantage in this battle. They appeal to the basest instincts we have. If I want to be a lazy bum, not work too hard, not worry about excellence, not care what happens to my kids, not try to do anything to secure a future... the Democrats will provide what I want. Or, at least they will tell me that I'm a victim and they will say they will help.

In order to be a good conservative I need to work hard, try to be honest and upright in my dealings, be a good father to my children, love my wife, overcome adversity and perhaps receive no credit for any of this. If I try to stick my neck out and get involved in politics, the higher I rise, the greater the danger. The Left has proven to me that I need have NOTHING in my past that I could be embarrassed about, but they will still attack and defame and destroy me. They know that we're in a war and they take no prisioners.

More later...

BDS

I was listening to Joe Scarborough on WABC and he had a caller ranting and raving about how Joe is a traitor because he supports waterboarding. I'm not sure I go for our use of it, but this caller was nuts. However, he does seem to represent many on the Left and their views of the Right.

What puzzles me though is the apparent disconnect between those on the Left, who mostly are Post-Christian, anti-Western Civilization, Westerners, and the foundations of their morality. This caller was saying that any form of torture (which he seemed to define rather broadly) was not moral, and he said so in as violent a diatribe as I've ever heard on the radio--that wasn't bleeped.

But where does the Left get their morals? Since most of the ones I meet or hear from are non-believers, what's their moral center? Sure, lots are still believers, but when those ones rant I really get upset. I get upset with myself for wanting to rant against the Left because I know it's wrong.

I think I understand where the Bush administration got its thinking that supported their policies for dealing with enemy combatants, but where does the Left get its ideas for standing against it? Mostly I think they are just upset because the Europeans are mad. But that doesn't seem right as the Europeans are very post-Christian.

I am coming to the conclusion that most of the war in the culture wars comes from the Left. They are very angry and hate on the Right. Until they get over it, this battle will continue.

Initial Post

I feel the need to write, but I'm not secure enough to write in Word and store it where no one will ever read it. So, though the odds of this being seen anytime soon are pretty slim, I'm going to post for all the world to see.

I drive around on my job and spend a lot of time listening to the radio and find that I need feedback. Usually I just turn off the radio and rant at the imaginary listeners but that isn't enough. I think about things and wish to say something. I also need to practice writing if I'm ever going to write a book, so this would be good practice in getting my thoughts down on paper. I used to be a pretty good writer. Let's see if I can get it back. (Already my arms are sore from typing, so I can see there's some work I need to do just to be able to type again.)

I like to listen to talk radio so most of my thoughts will be about politics. I'm kind of conservative so that's where I'll come from. I may post responses to my brother's thoughts so that we can have an ongoing dialog, but he is kind of busy and doesn't write often.