This guy is cruising for a bruising.
Keeping in mind the fact that the Federal Reserve is a PRIVATE entity that does not answer to the U.S. Government in ANY way, what do you think about this gem:Yahoo! News - Greenspan: U.S. May Need to Trim Retiree Benefits
Soooooo, how in heck does this guy get the nerve to say this stuff? He wants to raise the retirement age AND reduce future benefits? Look, for the most part, if we're age 40 or younger, there's NO WAY we'll ever see any decent Social Security benefits when we reach so-called "retirement age". The problem is this: if we won't benefit from SS, WHY should we PAY INTO IT?
If these fools keep talking this madness, they're going to see a revolt the likes of which have not been seen in this country since the days of the Revolutionary War.
More later...
Paul
Wednesday, February 25, 2004
Miracle on Film.
So I’ve seen a few films lately, but I haven’t written much about them. I don’t know why; maybe because they didn’t move me all that much. That is, until last night’s movie.
Last week I saw “The Cooler”, which is actually a very entertaining film, a love story really, that demonstrates how love can conquer all problems. It stars William Macy as a guy who’s such a loser that he’s actually employed by a Las Vegas casino to “cool off” gamblers when they get on hot streaks. This guy’s luck is so bad that it literally rubs off! All he has to do is stand next to you, and no matter what game you’re playing…blackjack, craps, slots…you’ll lose. But when he falls in love, all bets are off….sorry, I couldn’t help myself!
One of the best parts of this film is Alex Baldwin’s portrayal of an old-school casino boss. He was fantastic!
So “The Cooler” was good, but it wasn’t “last night’s movie.”
Then I saw “The Dreamers”, Bernardo Bertolucci’s latest cinematic effort. This is an NC17 rated look at three young adults in Paris in the late ‘60’s, as they….well, as they romp around naked for the most part. An interesting movie for sure, and great gutsy performances by the young unknowns as they bared all…but what was it about? I still don’t know. There were aspects of incest, but to what end I have no idea. If anyone has any idea what Bertolucci was trying to say, please let me know.
So “The Dreamers” was fun to watch, but confusing. And it also wasn’t “last night’s movie.”
I attended “last night’s movie” with a group of friends and business associates who usually don’t have the time to do such frivolous things as go to movies. But when they DO got to see a film, it’s usually an inspirational, positive-message-type of movie. So when they suggested we get together and catch of viewing of “Miracle”, I jumped at the chance, even though I had no interest in seeing the movie until they mentioned it. I guess it really does matter who you see films with.
“Miracle”, of course, is the dramatized re-telling of the story of the 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey team, and their “miraculous” gold medal run in the Winter Olympics at Lake Placid, New York. For those that don’t recall, back in those days the Olympic teams were still made up of amateur athletes…these were college players, not professionals…and the best team in the world was from the Soviet Union, a group of older men who had dominated the sport like no other team for at least 15 years up to that point.
In other words, there was no way in Hell that the U.S. team was supposed to beat them. Of course, what would an inspirational movie be if the underdog didn’t overcome the impossible odds and triumph? One of my movie-going friends joked afterwards “I knew what was going to happen, but I didn’t want to spoil the surprise for you!” Heck, EVERYBODY knows what the outcome will be (or was), but what we DIDN’T know was the story behind the story. And it’s one heck of a story.
Kurt Russell really impressed me as the gruff coach of the team. He’s the only name star in the film, and he’s all that’s needed. I have no idea where they got a bunch of skating actors to play the team, but they must have been real hockey players, and they did just fine with the acting.
Unless you are hopelessly cynical, this is a movie that will make you smile and clap and cheer and even cry. It is a FANTASTIC piece of inspirational material, proving that even the best can be beaten by the ones with the most heart. It showcases the values of determination, persistence, hard work and belief in oneself. The buildup to the showdown was edited perfectly, and even though we all know how it ends, the movie STILL has you sitting on the edge of your seat during the showdown.
“Miracle” is a great movie. Treat yourself to it, and take some youngsters with you. Today’s kids need to see this stuff.
More later…
Paul
So I’ve seen a few films lately, but I haven’t written much about them. I don’t know why; maybe because they didn’t move me all that much. That is, until last night’s movie.
Last week I saw “The Cooler”, which is actually a very entertaining film, a love story really, that demonstrates how love can conquer all problems. It stars William Macy as a guy who’s such a loser that he’s actually employed by a Las Vegas casino to “cool off” gamblers when they get on hot streaks. This guy’s luck is so bad that it literally rubs off! All he has to do is stand next to you, and no matter what game you’re playing…blackjack, craps, slots…you’ll lose. But when he falls in love, all bets are off….sorry, I couldn’t help myself!
One of the best parts of this film is Alex Baldwin’s portrayal of an old-school casino boss. He was fantastic!
So “The Cooler” was good, but it wasn’t “last night’s movie.”
Then I saw “The Dreamers”, Bernardo Bertolucci’s latest cinematic effort. This is an NC17 rated look at three young adults in Paris in the late ‘60’s, as they….well, as they romp around naked for the most part. An interesting movie for sure, and great gutsy performances by the young unknowns as they bared all…but what was it about? I still don’t know. There were aspects of incest, but to what end I have no idea. If anyone has any idea what Bertolucci was trying to say, please let me know.
So “The Dreamers” was fun to watch, but confusing. And it also wasn’t “last night’s movie.”
I attended “last night’s movie” with a group of friends and business associates who usually don’t have the time to do such frivolous things as go to movies. But when they DO got to see a film, it’s usually an inspirational, positive-message-type of movie. So when they suggested we get together and catch of viewing of “Miracle”, I jumped at the chance, even though I had no interest in seeing the movie until they mentioned it. I guess it really does matter who you see films with.
“Miracle”, of course, is the dramatized re-telling of the story of the 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey team, and their “miraculous” gold medal run in the Winter Olympics at Lake Placid, New York. For those that don’t recall, back in those days the Olympic teams were still made up of amateur athletes…these were college players, not professionals…and the best team in the world was from the Soviet Union, a group of older men who had dominated the sport like no other team for at least 15 years up to that point.
In other words, there was no way in Hell that the U.S. team was supposed to beat them. Of course, what would an inspirational movie be if the underdog didn’t overcome the impossible odds and triumph? One of my movie-going friends joked afterwards “I knew what was going to happen, but I didn’t want to spoil the surprise for you!” Heck, EVERYBODY knows what the outcome will be (or was), but what we DIDN’T know was the story behind the story. And it’s one heck of a story.
Kurt Russell really impressed me as the gruff coach of the team. He’s the only name star in the film, and he’s all that’s needed. I have no idea where they got a bunch of skating actors to play the team, but they must have been real hockey players, and they did just fine with the acting.
Unless you are hopelessly cynical, this is a movie that will make you smile and clap and cheer and even cry. It is a FANTASTIC piece of inspirational material, proving that even the best can be beaten by the ones with the most heart. It showcases the values of determination, persistence, hard work and belief in oneself. The buildup to the showdown was edited perfectly, and even though we all know how it ends, the movie STILL has you sitting on the edge of your seat during the showdown.
“Miracle” is a great movie. Treat yourself to it, and take some youngsters with you. Today’s kids need to see this stuff.
More later…
Paul
Tuesday, February 24, 2004
Constitutional Discrimination?
Ya know, I really don't go around looking for things to complain about with regards to our "President", but he's a thought-provoking kind of guy, you have to admit. Now, in a blatantly political attempt to corral his religious right vote, he goes and does this: Yahoo! News - Bush Endorses Amendment Banning Gay Marriage.
There really is no separation of church and state, is there?
Is marriage a religious issue, a spiritual issue or a legal issue? In my mind, marriage begins when two people decide to commit the rest of their lives to each other, with the express intent of becoming a family. To me, marriage isn't about ownership rights, tax advantage (or disadvantages), income-sharing arrangements, census results. As far as I'm concerned, there is no particularly "correct" marriage ceremony; you can get married in a courthouse, your friend's house, or a house of worship; you can jump over a broom, step on a glass, wade in the surf, WHATEVER MAKES YOU HAPPY...IT'S YOUR MARRIAGE!
But when the government steps in to limit WHO you can marry, methinks the government goes too far.
You don't have to support any so-called "gay agenda" to realize that banning gay marriage is simple, blatant discrimination based on sexual preference. Writing this type of discrimination into the Constitution of the United States of America in the 21st Century is criminal. It opens the door wide for even more discriminatory amendments.
Let people be people. Let humans be humans. If you're opposed to gay marriages, fine, DON'T MARRY ANY GAY PERSON! But to make it illegal for one human to make a marriage commitment to another human is to ignore a very simple fact of life: we're all in this together, no matter our age, sex, economic status, race, creed, ethnic background, political belief or sexual orientation. We have been told to love each other as we love ourselves. Why don't we do that?
More later...
Paul
Ya know, I really don't go around looking for things to complain about with regards to our "President", but he's a thought-provoking kind of guy, you have to admit. Now, in a blatantly political attempt to corral his religious right vote, he goes and does this: Yahoo! News - Bush Endorses Amendment Banning Gay Marriage.
There really is no separation of church and state, is there?
Is marriage a religious issue, a spiritual issue or a legal issue? In my mind, marriage begins when two people decide to commit the rest of their lives to each other, with the express intent of becoming a family. To me, marriage isn't about ownership rights, tax advantage (or disadvantages), income-sharing arrangements, census results. As far as I'm concerned, there is no particularly "correct" marriage ceremony; you can get married in a courthouse, your friend's house, or a house of worship; you can jump over a broom, step on a glass, wade in the surf, WHATEVER MAKES YOU HAPPY...IT'S YOUR MARRIAGE!
But when the government steps in to limit WHO you can marry, methinks the government goes too far.
You don't have to support any so-called "gay agenda" to realize that banning gay marriage is simple, blatant discrimination based on sexual preference. Writing this type of discrimination into the Constitution of the United States of America in the 21st Century is criminal. It opens the door wide for even more discriminatory amendments.
Let people be people. Let humans be humans. If you're opposed to gay marriages, fine, DON'T MARRY ANY GAY PERSON! But to make it illegal for one human to make a marriage commitment to another human is to ignore a very simple fact of life: we're all in this together, no matter our age, sex, economic status, race, creed, ethnic background, political belief or sexual orientation. We have been told to love each other as we love ourselves. Why don't we do that?
More later...
Paul
Friday, February 13, 2004
More proof that Bush is brain-dead.
The "edumacation" president is at it again. He's come up with his perfect solution for preventing unwanted teenage pregnancies and the spread of STD's among teens: Bush Advocates Abstinence-Only Education.
Here's a man who listens to the experts...and then ignores what they recommend.
You know, I really don't think he TRULY believes the things that he lets escape from his own mouth. I think he says just what he thinks his voters want to hear. Not that his voters really matter...if he finds himself behind in the vote count in November, he'll just have the Supreme Court install him again.
Shame on us if we let this happen.
More later...
Paul
The "edumacation" president is at it again. He's come up with his perfect solution for preventing unwanted teenage pregnancies and the spread of STD's among teens: Bush Advocates Abstinence-Only Education.
Here's a man who listens to the experts...and then ignores what they recommend.
You know, I really don't think he TRULY believes the things that he lets escape from his own mouth. I think he says just what he thinks his voters want to hear. Not that his voters really matter...if he finds himself behind in the vote count in November, he'll just have the Supreme Court install him again.
Shame on us if we let this happen.
More later...
Paul
Monday, February 02, 2004
Houston, we have a problem.
Talk about dumb. Talk about not thinking. Talk about selfish, self-conscious, self-promoting silliness. What were they thinking?
In an obvious attempt to outshine the now-infamous Britney/Madonna "kiss", Justin Timberlake exposed one of Janet Jackson's breasts...not only on national television, but during the Superbowl, the most watched tv broadcast in the world! Now, I'm no prude and I think the human body is beautiful and should be celebrated, but last night's cynical display only appeals to the worst. Innocent? Get real.
My biggest problem with it is the denial. All parties involved say they had no idea it was going to happen. Someone should go to jail just for lying so brazenly. OF COURSE it was planned; lil' Timberlake doesn't have enough strength in his hands to tear a leather bustier, or whatever the heck it was she was wearing. Look at the photos: the damn bra had tear off snaps! Janet and Justin at the Superbowl. Isn't it obvious that she wanted to flash that hideous nipple ring all along?
See, in an enlightened society, she would have come out naked anyway, and no one would have minded. In our current, still pretty much puritanical society, during our yearly beer and pizza party that we call the Superbowl, well...well, CHILDREN are watching, fer chrissakes! Keep your clothes on and finish the damn song...we want to watch the rest of the game.
It wasn't that long ago that Janet could get by on her music. Looks like she's going the way of her sister, LaToya...wonder when she'll appear in Penthouse...
More later...
Paul
Talk about dumb. Talk about not thinking. Talk about selfish, self-conscious, self-promoting silliness. What were they thinking?
In an obvious attempt to outshine the now-infamous Britney/Madonna "kiss", Justin Timberlake exposed one of Janet Jackson's breasts...not only on national television, but during the Superbowl, the most watched tv broadcast in the world! Now, I'm no prude and I think the human body is beautiful and should be celebrated, but last night's cynical display only appeals to the worst. Innocent? Get real.
My biggest problem with it is the denial. All parties involved say they had no idea it was going to happen. Someone should go to jail just for lying so brazenly. OF COURSE it was planned; lil' Timberlake doesn't have enough strength in his hands to tear a leather bustier, or whatever the heck it was she was wearing. Look at the photos: the damn bra had tear off snaps! Janet and Justin at the Superbowl. Isn't it obvious that she wanted to flash that hideous nipple ring all along?
See, in an enlightened society, she would have come out naked anyway, and no one would have minded. In our current, still pretty much puritanical society, during our yearly beer and pizza party that we call the Superbowl, well...well, CHILDREN are watching, fer chrissakes! Keep your clothes on and finish the damn song...we want to watch the rest of the game.
It wasn't that long ago that Janet could get by on her music. Looks like she's going the way of her sister, LaToya...wonder when she'll appear in Penthouse...
More later...
Paul
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