This doesn't get much press, but it's in the congressional record. If it were not, I'd say someone made it up, because it's practically word-for-word a playbook of today's Left. Please copy and distribute as you see fit:
Communist Goals for American Takeover
Communist Goals (1963)
Congressional Record--Appendix, pp. A34-A35
January 10, 1963
Current Communist Goals
EXTENSION OF REMARKS OF HON. A. S. HERLONG, JR. OF FLORIDA IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Thursday, January 10, 1963
Mr. HERLONG. Mr. Speaker, Mrs. Patricia Nordman of De Land, Fla., is an ardent and articulate opponent of communism, and until recently published the De Land Courier, which she dedicated to the purpose of alerting the public to the dangers of communism in America.
At Mrs. Nordman's request, I include in the RECORD, under unanimous consent, the following "Current Communist Goals," which she identifies as an excerpt from "The Naked Communist," by Cleon Skousen: [From "The Naked Communist," by Cleon Skousen]
CURRENT COMMUNIST GOALS:
AMERICA
1. U.S. acceptance of coexistence as the only alternative to atomic war.
2. U.S. willingness to capitulate in preference to engaging in atomic war.
3. Develop the illusion that total disarmament [by] the United States would be a demonstration of moral strength.
4. Permit free trade between all nations regardless of Communist affiliation and regardless of whether or not items could be used for war.
5. Extension of long-term loans to Russia and Soviet satellites.
6. Provide American aid to all nations regardless of Communist domination.
7. Grant recognition of Red China. Admission of Red China to the U.N.
8. Set up East and West Germany as separate states in spite of Khrushchev's promise in 1955 to settle the German question by free elections under supervision of the U.N.
9. Prolong the conferences to ban atomic tests because the United States has agreed to suspend tests as long as negotiations are in progress.
10. Allow all Soviet satellites individual representation in the U.N.
11. Promote the U.N. as the only hope for mankind. If its charter is rewritten, demand that it be set up as a one-world government with its own independent armed forces. (Some Communist leaders believe the world can be taken over as easily by the U.N. as by Moscow. Sometimes these two centers compete with each other as they are now doing in the Congo.)
12. Resist any attempt to outlaw the Communist Party.
13. Do away with all loyalty oaths.
14. Continue giving Russia access to the U.S. Patent Office.
15. Capture one, or both, of the political parties in the United States.
16. Use technical decisions of the courts to weaken basic American institutions by claiming their activities violate civil rights.
17. Get control of the schools. Use them as transmission belts for socialism and current Communist propaganda. Soften the curriculum. Get control of teachers' associations. Put the party line in textbooks.
18. Gain control of all student newspapers.
19. Use student riots to foment public protests against programs or organizations which are under Communist attack.
20. Infiltrate the press. Get control of book-review assignments, editorial writing, policymaking positions.
21. Gain control of key positions in radio, TV, and motion pictures.
22. Continue discrediting American culture by degrading all forms of artistic expression. An American Communist cell was told to "eliminate all good sculpture from parks and buildings, substitute shapeless, awkward and meaningless forms."
23. Control art critics and directors of art museums. "Our plan is to promote ugliness, repulsive, meaningless art."
24. Eliminate all laws governing obscenity by calling them "censorship" and a violation of free speech and free press.
25. Break down cultural standards of morality by promoting pornography and obscenity in books, magazines, motion pictures, radio, and TV.
26. Present homosexuality, degeneracy and promiscuity as "normal, natural, healthy."
27. Infiltrate the churches and replace revealed religion with "social" religion. Discredit the Bible and emphasize the need for intellectual maturity which does not need a "religious crutch."
28. Eliminate prayer or any phase of religious expression in the schools on the ground that it violates the principle of "separation of church and state."
29. Discredit the American Constitution by calling it inadequate, old-fashioned, out of step with modern needs, a hindrance to cooperation between nations on a worldwide basis.
30. Discredit the American Founding Fathers. Present them as selfish aristocrats who had no concern for the "common man."
31. Belittle all forms of American culture and discourage the teaching of American history on the ground that it was only a minor part of the "big picture." Give more emphasis to Russian history since the Communists took over.
32. Support any socialist movement to give centralized control over any part of the culture -- education, social agencies, welfare programs, mental health clinics, etcetera.
33. Eliminate all laws or procedures which interfere with the operation of the Communist apparatus.
34. Eliminate the House Committee on Un-American Activities.
35. Discredit, and eventually dismantle, the FBI.
36. Infiltrate and gain control of more unions.
37. Infiltrate and gain control of big business.
38. Transfer some of the powers of arrest from the police to social agencies. Treat all behavioral problems as psychiatric disorders which no one but psychiatrists can understand [or treat].
39. Dominate the psychiatric profession and use mental health laws as a means of gaining coercive control over those who oppose Communist goals.
40. Discredit the family as an institution. Encourage promiscuity and easy divorce.
41. Emphasize the need to raise children away from the negative influence of parents. Attribute prejudices, mental blocks and retarding of children to suppressive influence of parents.
42. Create the impression that violence and insurrection are legitimate aspects of the American tradition; that students and special-interest groups should rise up and use ["]united force["] to solve economic, political or social problems.
43. Overthrow all colonial governments before native populations are ready for self-government.
44. Internationalize the Panama Canal.
45. Repeal the Connally reservation so the United States cannot prevent the World Court from seizing jurisdiction [over domestic problems. Give the World Court jurisdiction] over nations and individuals alike.
Saturday, September 16, 2006
Note to Muslims: Learn the Definition of "Irony"
So, the Pope reads a quote from a 14th century Byzantine Emperor that says (and I'm paraphrasing) "Show me anything new that Mohammed brought us. You'll find only evil, including conversion by sword to the faith he preaches."
So what do "modern" muslims do? Engage in a debate about the dearth of inventions, literature, art, contributions to medicine, etc. from Islamic lands over the past several centuries? Challenge the "medieval" notion that Islam is violent with examples to the contrary? Laugh at the foolishness of an old man?
No, they protest wildly in the streets, burn things, fire off guns and attack churches.
(A side note: Don't these idiots have jobs? How is it that they are always available to protest in furious numbers at the slightest "offense" against their prophet or their religion? I'm sure the Huffington Post readers or Rosie O'Donnells of the world would say they are unemployed because of George W. Bush, since every malaise worldwide, past, present or future is somehow traceable to his administration.
I'd say they've got so much time on their hands because they are not contributing to literature, art, science, industry, or anything else.)
When you're offended by people saying you're worthless, ignorant, and violent... perhaps ignorant, worthless displays of violence aren't exactly bolstering your argument.
PS: Why don't the gun control freaks in this country ever mention the random, wanton firing of automatic weapons out in the streets of these peaceful hamlets while women and children are outside? Are burkas bulletproof? Do Islamic bullets continue heavenward in their peaceful arc, never returning to earth? How is it that hunters, sportsmen, and people who want to protect their families and property from crime are ridiculed as ignorant rednecks (or worse: Republicans), but maniacs in the streets of populated areas firing indiscriminately are merely "disenfranchised", or "righteously outraged", "misunderstood" people? Silly me, I forgot: the gun control freaks are liberals. Nothing has to make any sense, it just has to make them feel superior.
So what do "modern" muslims do? Engage in a debate about the dearth of inventions, literature, art, contributions to medicine, etc. from Islamic lands over the past several centuries? Challenge the "medieval" notion that Islam is violent with examples to the contrary? Laugh at the foolishness of an old man?
No, they protest wildly in the streets, burn things, fire off guns and attack churches.
(A side note: Don't these idiots have jobs? How is it that they are always available to protest in furious numbers at the slightest "offense" against their prophet or their religion? I'm sure the Huffington Post readers or Rosie O'Donnells of the world would say they are unemployed because of George W. Bush, since every malaise worldwide, past, present or future is somehow traceable to his administration.
I'd say they've got so much time on their hands because they are not contributing to literature, art, science, industry, or anything else.)
When you're offended by people saying you're worthless, ignorant, and violent... perhaps ignorant, worthless displays of violence aren't exactly bolstering your argument.
PS: Why don't the gun control freaks in this country ever mention the random, wanton firing of automatic weapons out in the streets of these peaceful hamlets while women and children are outside? Are burkas bulletproof? Do Islamic bullets continue heavenward in their peaceful arc, never returning to earth? How is it that hunters, sportsmen, and people who want to protect their families and property from crime are ridiculed as ignorant rednecks (or worse: Republicans), but maniacs in the streets of populated areas firing indiscriminately are merely "disenfranchised", or "righteously outraged", "misunderstood" people? Silly me, I forgot: the gun control freaks are liberals. Nothing has to make any sense, it just has to make them feel superior.
Sunday, August 13, 2006
'Easy' Doesn't Enter Into Grown Up LIfe
That's a quote from Michael Caine in "The Weatherman". And, I believe it's true. No one ever promised anyone anything easy (well, except for some infomercials and televangelists... and communist dictators... and... OK, people promise easy all the time!).
I guess that line jumped out at me as I half-watched, bleary-eyed, the movie a couple of days ago. Overtired, but can't sleep, too many things to do, but not getting them done... great fun.
There's a HUGE happy occasion on the horizon, my parent's 50th Anniversary (8/19), and being able to look forward to that is making the current pile of crap that is my worklife easier to bear. We've had someone quit, and his workload has been "democratically" spread amongst the rest of us. That's just dandy. I already have too much on my plate for one person and have been filling 1-1/2 to 2 job positions for the last 2 years. Hey, what's one more responsibility? I'm sure it will all translate into more compensation -- NOT.
At this point, I hope that we "get over this current hump" (something we've been saying pretty much every week for 6 years now) and life will resume some semblance of normalcy.
And, it ain't just work. I try, when I can, to volunteer with things at church, mostly Sound/Light/Video stuff since that is where my skills lie. I will refrain from the details of the latest escapade, because I can't find the positive spin on it and don't want to blast away at our leadership. I guess people are people, no matter in what walk of life, and being in church leadership does not automatically mean you'll have common sense or take people's physical/emotional well-being into account when you come up with grand plans.
I guess there's one other thing that has made the last few months kind of crappy: The idea that I might (just MIGHT) be interested in someone -- for the first time in probably 4 years... and she (is there any other way) had JUST decided to go 'exclusive' with some guy she'd started dating online. I suppose God intends for some people to remain single, but if I'm one of those people, I sure wish He would give me some peace about it. It screams in opposition to the fiber of my being. I know I'm dealing with consequences of stupid choices made earlier in my life, and I suppose the possibility exists that I'll never get an answer. Shit. 'Easy' doesn't enter into grown up life.
I guess that line jumped out at me as I half-watched, bleary-eyed, the movie a couple of days ago. Overtired, but can't sleep, too many things to do, but not getting them done... great fun.
There's a HUGE happy occasion on the horizon, my parent's 50th Anniversary (8/19), and being able to look forward to that is making the current pile of crap that is my worklife easier to bear. We've had someone quit, and his workload has been "democratically" spread amongst the rest of us. That's just dandy. I already have too much on my plate for one person and have been filling 1-1/2 to 2 job positions for the last 2 years. Hey, what's one more responsibility? I'm sure it will all translate into more compensation -- NOT.
At this point, I hope that we "get over this current hump" (something we've been saying pretty much every week for 6 years now) and life will resume some semblance of normalcy.
And, it ain't just work. I try, when I can, to volunteer with things at church, mostly Sound/Light/Video stuff since that is where my skills lie. I will refrain from the details of the latest escapade, because I can't find the positive spin on it and don't want to blast away at our leadership. I guess people are people, no matter in what walk of life, and being in church leadership does not automatically mean you'll have common sense or take people's physical/emotional well-being into account when you come up with grand plans.
I guess there's one other thing that has made the last few months kind of crappy: The idea that I might (just MIGHT) be interested in someone -- for the first time in probably 4 years... and she (is there any other way) had JUST decided to go 'exclusive' with some guy she'd started dating online. I suppose God intends for some people to remain single, but if I'm one of those people, I sure wish He would give me some peace about it. It screams in opposition to the fiber of my being. I know I'm dealing with consequences of stupid choices made earlier in my life, and I suppose the possibility exists that I'll never get an answer. Shit. 'Easy' doesn't enter into grown up life.
Friday, July 14, 2006
My Guitar Gently Weeps on a Ukelele
| Amazing Ukelele player plays George Harrison's 'My Guitar Gently Weeps' on the ukelele. All I can say is... Unbelievable. | |
Thursday, April 13, 2006
C.S. Lewis sums it up...
There's a reason why this guy is revered! What a great quote. Anyone who dares posit such an idea these days is dismissed a "NeoCon", "Right Wing Extremist" or a member of the "Religious Right". Which, in other words, will immediately remove such a thought from the forum of public debate, and certainly eliminate it from any media coverage (unless it's accompanied by someone like Rosie O'Donnell or Whoopie Goldberg ridiculing it for having the audacity to "speak for everyone"). Too bad. Mr. Lewis as usual has been prophetic in his assessment. The comment is as timely as anything making the news cycle today.
“The very idea of freedom presupposes some objective moral law which overarches rulers and ruled alike. Subjectivism about values is eternally incompatible with democracy. We and our rulers are of one kind only so long as we are subject to one law. But if there is no Law of Nature, the ethos of any society is the creation of its rulers, educators and conditioners; and every creator stands above and outside his own creation.” —C.S. Lewis
Wednesday, April 05, 2006
Everything That's Wrong With America
Cynthia McKinney.
OH, maybe I should elaborate. She's the congresswoman who, upon trying to rush by Capitol security with no credentials and no Congressional pin, was asked several times by security to stop. When she didn't (as I'm sure occurred on a daily basis) acknowledge the security officers at all and kept on going, the security officer touched her arm or shoulder to emphasize the fact that he needed her to stop and show some ID. Her response? No, she didn't say "Oh, sorry, I just assumed you'd recognize me", "Oh, I didn't realize you were talking to me" or even "Jeez! OK, here's my ID"... No, she whirled and slugged the guy.
Now, instead of apologies, she and many willing idiots (Danny Glover, Harry Belefonte, etc.) are out saying she's a victim of "Being in Congress while Black" - see, it's a racial thing.
Of course it is. The only person being persecuted due to his race is the Capitol Police officer who happens to be white.
Haven't the Democrats been bending over backwards to prove that they are "tough on security"? Look no further than this example - they are still the party of victimhood and race-baiting, just as they have been ever since they realized that they couldn't maintain the segregationist policies of the Jim Crow era (please remember, it was the Democrats fighting all Civil rights legislation). So, rather than appreciating the brave and (I suspect) underpaid officers for doing a fine job keeping members of congress safe, she's out beating the "Whitey has his foot on my neck" drum (remember, in 1998 two such officers gave their lives in the line of duty when someone tried to waltz past a security checkpoint and began firing a gun in the lobby).
With people like this in the halls of power, is it any wonder why race relations continue to be a scab that just won't be allowed to heal? Pick, pick, pick...
OH, maybe I should elaborate. She's the congresswoman who, upon trying to rush by Capitol security with no credentials and no Congressional pin, was asked several times by security to stop. When she didn't (as I'm sure occurred on a daily basis) acknowledge the security officers at all and kept on going, the security officer touched her arm or shoulder to emphasize the fact that he needed her to stop and show some ID. Her response? No, she didn't say "Oh, sorry, I just assumed you'd recognize me", "Oh, I didn't realize you were talking to me" or even "Jeez! OK, here's my ID"... No, she whirled and slugged the guy.
Now, instead of apologies, she and many willing idiots (Danny Glover, Harry Belefonte, etc.) are out saying she's a victim of "Being in Congress while Black" - see, it's a racial thing.
Of course it is. The only person being persecuted due to his race is the Capitol Police officer who happens to be white.
Haven't the Democrats been bending over backwards to prove that they are "tough on security"? Look no further than this example - they are still the party of victimhood and race-baiting, just as they have been ever since they realized that they couldn't maintain the segregationist policies of the Jim Crow era (please remember, it was the Democrats fighting all Civil rights legislation). So, rather than appreciating the brave and (I suspect) underpaid officers for doing a fine job keeping members of congress safe, she's out beating the "Whitey has his foot on my neck" drum (remember, in 1998 two such officers gave their lives in the line of duty when someone tried to waltz past a security checkpoint and began firing a gun in the lobby).
With people like this in the halls of power, is it any wonder why race relations continue to be a scab that just won't be allowed to heal? Pick, pick, pick...
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
What Part of "Illegal" Don't You Understand?
"Sí se puede" - Yes, we can... Ummmm you can what?
I am not surprised, however sad that is, that hundreds of thousands of Latinos took to the streets to protest against immigration reforms that would make being in this country illegally a felony. It's already against the law, but it's a civil offense, and our politically correct politicians, lobbied heavily by construction, restaurant, and agriculture interests have pretty much been looking the other way for decades.
Now, the illegals have the misguided idea that somehow they are supposed to be allowed to be here indefinitely - like it is an unalienable right. The thought that we might pass a law with teeth is scaring... who, exactly? The illegals? They are already illegal! How dare we enforce or stiffen our laws.
It doesn't help that some of our own elected officials can't draw the distinction between a legal immigrant and an illegal alien. Senator Diane Feinstein, no genius on any level, actually called them "good citizens" today. Someone drag that woman to a civics 101 class! She's ostensibly representing half of California!! OH wait, half of California is illegal aliens. I forgot.
The idea that actually enforcing our laws is somehow "unfair" or "racist" or "backward" in this day and age of ballooning deficits, a war, and hospitals going bankrupt everywhere illegals are is the perhaps the most stupid idea since "hate crimes".
If you're illegal, you're illegal. Period. If you get caught, you should be thrown OUT. Not in a prison where taxpayers feed, clothe and shelter you. Back to Mexico. The great country that you pour into the streets to chant the name of. The one you carry flags for on Cinco de Mayo. The one whose language you refuse to quit speaking. If it's so great, why'd you leave? If you came here "for a better life for your family", what a great example you set by sneaking in illegally. It's just easier to sneak in (since we won't do anything to stop you) than it is to go through the legal process. Wow. Such perserverance. Touching.
Now, we'll get to watch endless Democrats bluster on about "fairness", "compassion", "understanding" etc. Why? Pandering for the Hispanic vote, of course. Hopefully it will backfire. A lot of Latinos voted Republican in the last election because they are (supposedly) tougher on illegal immigration. Why should they go through all the hard work to actually become a citizen and then all these leeches come through the easy way?
This country is doomed unless people start throwing out encumbent "lifelong" congressmen, and actually hold elected officials to what they promised in their campaigns. And since that won't happen, well, we're doomed.
I am not surprised, however sad that is, that hundreds of thousands of Latinos took to the streets to protest against immigration reforms that would make being in this country illegally a felony. It's already against the law, but it's a civil offense, and our politically correct politicians, lobbied heavily by construction, restaurant, and agriculture interests have pretty much been looking the other way for decades.
Now, the illegals have the misguided idea that somehow they are supposed to be allowed to be here indefinitely - like it is an unalienable right. The thought that we might pass a law with teeth is scaring... who, exactly? The illegals? They are already illegal! How dare we enforce or stiffen our laws.
It doesn't help that some of our own elected officials can't draw the distinction between a legal immigrant and an illegal alien. Senator Diane Feinstein, no genius on any level, actually called them "good citizens" today. Someone drag that woman to a civics 101 class! She's ostensibly representing half of California!! OH wait, half of California is illegal aliens. I forgot.
The idea that actually enforcing our laws is somehow "unfair" or "racist" or "backward" in this day and age of ballooning deficits, a war, and hospitals going bankrupt everywhere illegals are is the perhaps the most stupid idea since "hate crimes".
If you're illegal, you're illegal. Period. If you get caught, you should be thrown OUT. Not in a prison where taxpayers feed, clothe and shelter you. Back to Mexico. The great country that you pour into the streets to chant the name of. The one you carry flags for on Cinco de Mayo. The one whose language you refuse to quit speaking. If it's so great, why'd you leave? If you came here "for a better life for your family", what a great example you set by sneaking in illegally. It's just easier to sneak in (since we won't do anything to stop you) than it is to go through the legal process. Wow. Such perserverance. Touching.
Now, we'll get to watch endless Democrats bluster on about "fairness", "compassion", "understanding" etc. Why? Pandering for the Hispanic vote, of course. Hopefully it will backfire. A lot of Latinos voted Republican in the last election because they are (supposedly) tougher on illegal immigration. Why should they go through all the hard work to actually become a citizen and then all these leeches come through the easy way?
This country is doomed unless people start throwing out encumbent "lifelong" congressmen, and actually hold elected officials to what they promised in their campaigns. And since that won't happen, well, we're doomed.
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Holy Haters, Batman, there's no Holy Cities!
It occurred to me today, on this third anniversary of the Iraq war, that the press seems to be resting on its collective laurels a bit.
When the war got going, and we were seeing video bits of spectacular explosions, lighting up the Iraqi skies, the press constantly referred to every city in Iraq as "The holy city of ..." Now, if this was out of some sort of fawning reverence to all things Islam, or even out of respect for "the people of Iraq", they would still be using those four words in reference to the towns.
Since they have taken, over the last year or more, to merely calling the cities by their name, without the distinguishing preamble, one might ask why. I believe the answer is this:
The press couldn't care less if any city or site, in any country, is considered holy. I've never heard "The holy city of Tel Aviv was bombed today..." The reason they kept tagging on "The holy city of..." was to make it sound that somehow we were the bad guys, bombing "holy sites", not terrorists or the followers of a maniacal dictator (who were 'spiritually sensitive' enough to hide in mosques, often behind children, hoping to avoid their doom). Remember, Bush bad, any other world leader, no matter how murderous, good. So why not fuel the fire by pronouncing every military target "holy"? Now that they've done their job, they've made it look like only bad things happen in Iraq, there's an increasing anti-war (and anti-Bush) sentiment growing, there's no need to mention "holy" anymore. It probably came as a relief to not have to utter that word anymore. Because in America, when someone says "holy" the Judeo-Christian deity springs to mind. And we can't have that, now, can we.
When the war got going, and we were seeing video bits of spectacular explosions, lighting up the Iraqi skies, the press constantly referred to every city in Iraq as "The holy city of ..." Now, if this was out of some sort of fawning reverence to all things Islam, or even out of respect for "the people of Iraq", they would still be using those four words in reference to the towns.
Since they have taken, over the last year or more, to merely calling the cities by their name, without the distinguishing preamble, one might ask why. I believe the answer is this:
The press couldn't care less if any city or site, in any country, is considered holy. I've never heard "The holy city of Tel Aviv was bombed today..." The reason they kept tagging on "The holy city of..." was to make it sound that somehow we were the bad guys, bombing "holy sites", not terrorists or the followers of a maniacal dictator (who were 'spiritually sensitive' enough to hide in mosques, often behind children, hoping to avoid their doom). Remember, Bush bad, any other world leader, no matter how murderous, good. So why not fuel the fire by pronouncing every military target "holy"? Now that they've done their job, they've made it look like only bad things happen in Iraq, there's an increasing anti-war (and anti-Bush) sentiment growing, there's no need to mention "holy" anymore. It probably came as a relief to not have to utter that word anymore. Because in America, when someone says "holy" the Judeo-Christian deity springs to mind. And we can't have that, now, can we.
Monday, March 06, 2006
Crash, Pimps, Sheepherders
Oh, the Oscars.
Had it not been for the fact that I belatedly drove to a friend's party to watch the last half, I probably would have dozed through the show. Partly because I wasn't feeling well, and partly because it was pretty lame.
Jon Stewart was passable, but if you watch The Daily Show then you've seen it all before: The rolling of the eyes, the timely raised eyebrow, etc. He must have brought his writers along so he could remain firmly in his routine.
There were, in my opinion, some pleasant surprises, not the least of which was that "Brokeback Mountain" didn't sweep everything. Hell-bent as Hollywood is to rush to embrace anything 'bold', 'maverick', 'progressive', 'enlightening', (read: anti-family, anti-Christian, anti-American), not even the Academy of the Out-Of-Touch could grit their teeth and take it like a man. So, they split - giving Ang Lee Best Director honors and "Crash" Best Picture. I saw "Crash". It was tough to watch in many places (and I'll never think of Sandra Bullock quite the same again - Miss congeniality? More like Miss Opprobrious), but in the end, a well-done movie with a bit of redemption in the end.
I haven't seen and won't see "Brokeback" - there are plenty of great love story movies out there that don't involve M4M relations. I'm no prude, but the hype surrounding this movie was nothing more than a banner for the homosexual agenda -- the one that says that if you don't want your kid's scoutmaster to be gay, then you're the one with the problem. The one that says that if you define marriage as the union between one man and one woman, then you're the pervert. No thanks.
I've got homosexual friends, and have worked and socialized with several over the years. Fine people. But none of them ever tried to 'convert' me or to bully me into some sort of approval of their lifestyle. To the best of my knowledge, none ever walked in a "pride" parade or wore their proclivities on their sleeve. They kept their private lives private, and it didn't need to be the overarching topic of conversation. They were offended by obnoxious homophobes who called them names (or worse) - but then, who isn't offended by someone belittling you and degrading you. On the subject of that sort of morality, we agreed to disagree and let it lie.
But I digress.
It was nice to see Reese Witherspoon win best Actress in a Leading Role. I guess I've just read enough interviews with her to respect the way she and her husband are staying as non-Hollywood as possible. Kudos, and if you need a role model for your "I wanna be an actress" daughter, I think I'd start with Reese.
My favorite "You have GOT to be kidding me" part of the night, however, was a two-fold event. First, the "performance" (using the term loosely) of "It's Hard Out Here For a Pimp" from "Hustle and Flow"... immediately followed by that song WINNING for best original song from a motion picture... HUH? I don't care if a rap song gets nominated or even wins (Eminem did it with "Lose Yourself" what - 2 years ago?), but "Pimp" is a horrible excuse for even a rap song. Let's look at the lyrics (with some 'editing' by me):
Seriously now... Oscar-worthy? Nice to know that in the middle of forcing women to sell their bodies, our hero prays to God that he won't slip - so he can get rich. Priceless. Oh, and I have it on good authority that a Snow Bunny is a white girl, in case you're wondering. So... did somehow only men vote for this vacuous assault on women? In order to win, I'd have to say that plenty of female Academy members had to vote for this 'song'. I will wager that the vast majority of those who voted for this 'song' never even heard it - or if they did, certainly didn't understand the lyrics. That's one advantage of rap, rock-n-roll, and other pop music styles -- people don't generally get the lyrics until after several listens, if even that. Now that the song has won, I'm sure there will be some discussion about it... but I won't hold my breath waiting for the feminists to denounce it. They're too busy railing against South Dakota's abortion ban. Hollywood, I'm putting you on notice -- the next time the cops pull the body of a prostitute or a rape victim out of a dumpster, some of the blood is on your hands. You're standing by applauding the glorification of the degradation of God's most perfect creation, all in the name of 'diversity' and 'tolerance'. You sick freaks. I'm not for censorship (people are free to vote with their pocketbook -- don't by the crap, the crap stops flowing), but HONORING such a vile slime-fest is lowly behavior even by the hedonistic bunch that makes up the majority of the film industry today. Nice try with the cute comparisons to other "strange-sounding song titles" by both Ludacris and Queen Latifah (who, before presenting the award for best song actually said "How was I NOT in that performance?" I guess she hadn't heard the lyrics either. Or were all of her in-your-face, pro-woman rap albums just a way to get paid until her acting career took off and she too could leave her principles at the door) - but I will remain offended by "Pimp" and not too upset over "Bibbity Bobbity Boo". You can bet Verna Felton (voice of the Fairy Godmother) didn't have to be on a six-second delay so the producers could catch her profanity.
I don't know if I'll be watching the self-congratulatory, smarmy, holier-than-thou Oscars next year. Things tend to get worse before they get better, and I'll bet we haven't seen the bottom yet.
Had it not been for the fact that I belatedly drove to a friend's party to watch the last half, I probably would have dozed through the show. Partly because I wasn't feeling well, and partly because it was pretty lame.
Jon Stewart was passable, but if you watch The Daily Show then you've seen it all before: The rolling of the eyes, the timely raised eyebrow, etc. He must have brought his writers along so he could remain firmly in his routine.
There were, in my opinion, some pleasant surprises, not the least of which was that "Brokeback Mountain" didn't sweep everything. Hell-bent as Hollywood is to rush to embrace anything 'bold', 'maverick', 'progressive', 'enlightening', (read: anti-family, anti-Christian, anti-American), not even the Academy of the Out-Of-Touch could grit their teeth and take it like a man. So, they split - giving Ang Lee Best Director honors and "Crash" Best Picture. I saw "Crash". It was tough to watch in many places (and I'll never think of Sandra Bullock quite the same again - Miss congeniality? More like Miss Opprobrious), but in the end, a well-done movie with a bit of redemption in the end.
I haven't seen and won't see "Brokeback" - there are plenty of great love story movies out there that don't involve M4M relations. I'm no prude, but the hype surrounding this movie was nothing more than a banner for the homosexual agenda -- the one that says that if you don't want your kid's scoutmaster to be gay, then you're the one with the problem. The one that says that if you define marriage as the union between one man and one woman, then you're the pervert. No thanks.
I've got homosexual friends, and have worked and socialized with several over the years. Fine people. But none of them ever tried to 'convert' me or to bully me into some sort of approval of their lifestyle. To the best of my knowledge, none ever walked in a "pride" parade or wore their proclivities on their sleeve. They kept their private lives private, and it didn't need to be the overarching topic of conversation. They were offended by obnoxious homophobes who called them names (or worse) - but then, who isn't offended by someone belittling you and degrading you. On the subject of that sort of morality, we agreed to disagree and let it lie.
But I digress.
It was nice to see Reese Witherspoon win best Actress in a Leading Role. I guess I've just read enough interviews with her to respect the way she and her husband are staying as non-Hollywood as possible. Kudos, and if you need a role model for your "I wanna be an actress" daughter, I think I'd start with Reese.
My favorite "You have GOT to be kidding me" part of the night, however, was a two-fold event. First, the "performance" (using the term loosely) of "It's Hard Out Here For a Pimp" from "Hustle and Flow"... immediately followed by that song WINNING for best original song from a motion picture... HUH? I don't care if a rap song gets nominated or even wins (Eminem did it with "Lose Yourself" what - 2 years ago?), but "Pimp" is a horrible excuse for even a rap song. Let's look at the lyrics (with some 'editing' by me):
You know it's hard out here for a pimp (you ain't knowin)
When he tryin to get this money for the rent (you ain't knowin)
For the Cadillacs and gas money spent (you ain't knowin)
[1] Because a whole lot of b****es talkin s**t (you ain't knowin)
[2] Will have a whole lot of b****es talkin s**t (you ain't knowin)
In my eyes I done seen some crazy thangs in the streets
Gotta couple hoes workin on the changes for me
But I gotta keep my game tight like Kobe on game night
Like takin from a ho don't know no better, I know that ain't right
Done seen people killed, done seen people deal
Done seen people live in poverty with no meals
It's f***d up where I live, but that's just how it is
It might be new to you, but it's been like this for years
It's blood sweat and tears when it come down to this s**t
I'm tryin to get rich 'fore I leave up out this b***h
I'm tryin to have thangs but it's hard fo' a pimp
But I'm prayin and I'm hopin to God I don't slip, yeah
[Chorus]
Man it seems like I'm duckin dodgin bullets everyday
Niggaz hatin on me cause I got, hoes on the tray
But I gotta stay paid, gotta stay above water
Couldn't keep up with my hoes, that's when s**t got harder
North Memphis where I'm from, I'm 7th Street bound
Where niggaz all the time end up lost and never found
Man these girls think we prove thangs, leave a big head
They come hopin every night, they don't end up bein dead
Wait I got a snow bunny, and a black girl too
You pay the right price and they'll both do you
That's the way the game goes, gotta keep it strictly pimpin
Gotta have my hustle tight, makin change off these women, yeah
Seriously now... Oscar-worthy? Nice to know that in the middle of forcing women to sell their bodies, our hero prays to God that he won't slip - so he can get rich. Priceless. Oh, and I have it on good authority that a Snow Bunny is a white girl, in case you're wondering. So... did somehow only men vote for this vacuous assault on women? In order to win, I'd have to say that plenty of female Academy members had to vote for this 'song'. I will wager that the vast majority of those who voted for this 'song' never even heard it - or if they did, certainly didn't understand the lyrics. That's one advantage of rap, rock-n-roll, and other pop music styles -- people don't generally get the lyrics until after several listens, if even that. Now that the song has won, I'm sure there will be some discussion about it... but I won't hold my breath waiting for the feminists to denounce it. They're too busy railing against South Dakota's abortion ban. Hollywood, I'm putting you on notice -- the next time the cops pull the body of a prostitute or a rape victim out of a dumpster, some of the blood is on your hands. You're standing by applauding the glorification of the degradation of God's most perfect creation, all in the name of 'diversity' and 'tolerance'. You sick freaks. I'm not for censorship (people are free to vote with their pocketbook -- don't by the crap, the crap stops flowing), but HONORING such a vile slime-fest is lowly behavior even by the hedonistic bunch that makes up the majority of the film industry today. Nice try with the cute comparisons to other "strange-sounding song titles" by both Ludacris and Queen Latifah (who, before presenting the award for best song actually said "How was I NOT in that performance?" I guess she hadn't heard the lyrics either. Or were all of her in-your-face, pro-woman rap albums just a way to get paid until her acting career took off and she too could leave her principles at the door) - but I will remain offended by "Pimp" and not too upset over "Bibbity Bobbity Boo". You can bet Verna Felton (voice of the Fairy Godmother) didn't have to be on a six-second delay so the producers could catch her profanity.
I don't know if I'll be watching the self-congratulatory, smarmy, holier-than-thou Oscars next year. Things tend to get worse before they get better, and I'll bet we haven't seen the bottom yet.
Sunday, March 05, 2006
Live Music - On a Tuesday Night?
So, Tuesday night some friends from church and I went to see a band called "Family Force 5". I hadn't heard of them except for my friend Rob telling me about them (and showing some of us their "Kountry Gentleman" video). They were pretty hilarious! The most refreshing thing about them is that they are Christians, but not a Christian band. What does that mean? In my little definition, it means that they write songs about whatever they feel like, and in their case, goofy songs. It's not 'praise & worship' music. They don't preach from the stage. To me, that's refreshing. So many (OK, nearly ALL) of the bands purporting to be Christian have to go through the Nashville meat grinder, so that no matter what they used to sound like, they all come out neat, tidy, homogeneous, guitars and drums buried in the mix, etc. Family Force 5 may pass through Nashville, but only as a tour stop. They certainly don't fit 'the mold'. What do they sound like? I'd say... a mixture of Limp Bizkit, Rage Against the Machine, Beastie Boys... with a fat greasy side of Atlanta Hip-Hop and above all, a wicked sense of humor.
I don't think they (or the opening bands) were appreciated too much by some in our little group for many reasons, not the least of which was everything was way too loud. And I ain't saying that just because I'm getting old! I do sound. I know sound. This was laziness and apathy on the part of the engineer(s). When a room is practically empty, you're not going to "create energy" by slamming everything to 'eleven'. This night was especially egregious because even the opening bands were full throttle. Who does that? You always "save a little something" for the headliner. Thankfully, most of us were packing earplugs. A life-saver, albeit somewhat annoying. I have been threatening for years to get a pair of Sonic II hearing protectors, but never have. And, every time I've got a pair of foam plugs in, I remember -- "OH yeah, these things kill all the highs & high mids so I can't understand anything being sung". Bummer. Every once in a while I'd loosen one or the other for a minute or two, but... ouch. Stupid sound guy. Just because you've lost half of your hearing doesn't mean you need to inflict it on the rest of the world!
Well, anyway, we talked to some of the FF5 for a second after the show - great guys, very humble (hard not to be when only 55 people show up for your gig). I wish them well, and I guess I should mention local band "Type Nine" who went on before FF5. I think they could stand an infusion of energy, but their songs were pretty well-written and their musicianship was tight. A few technical difficulties marred the performance a bit, but they probably had a 0-minute soundcheck.
I don't think they (or the opening bands) were appreciated too much by some in our little group for many reasons, not the least of which was everything was way too loud. And I ain't saying that just because I'm getting old! I do sound. I know sound. This was laziness and apathy on the part of the engineer(s). When a room is practically empty, you're not going to "create energy" by slamming everything to 'eleven'. This night was especially egregious because even the opening bands were full throttle. Who does that? You always "save a little something" for the headliner. Thankfully, most of us were packing earplugs. A life-saver, albeit somewhat annoying. I have been threatening for years to get a pair of Sonic II hearing protectors, but never have. And, every time I've got a pair of foam plugs in, I remember -- "OH yeah, these things kill all the highs & high mids so I can't understand anything being sung". Bummer. Every once in a while I'd loosen one or the other for a minute or two, but... ouch. Stupid sound guy. Just because you've lost half of your hearing doesn't mean you need to inflict it on the rest of the world!
Well, anyway, we talked to some of the FF5 for a second after the show - great guys, very humble (hard not to be when only 55 people show up for your gig). I wish them well, and I guess I should mention local band "Type Nine" who went on before FF5. I think they could stand an infusion of energy, but their songs were pretty well-written and their musicianship was tight. A few technical difficulties marred the performance a bit, but they probably had a 0-minute soundcheck.
Sunday, January 29, 2006
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