This is BO WAH MEI, she's from Viet Nam and now lives on the perch overlooking my Jewbical. Thank you Allie Lipner for bringing her legally into the States.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Coming to America
This is BO WAH MEI, she's from Viet Nam and now lives on the perch overlooking my Jewbical. Thank you Allie Lipner for bringing her legally into the States.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Liberty vs. Something like it...
Liberty has a price most of us will never pay, but enjoy to the fullest. Lately the scuttlebutt over the mosque being built near the 9/11 site has brought people to fisticuffs over whether or not it is appropriate to allow this place of worship to be erected. That it is an offense to the families of those killed in the attack. That somehow the whole of Islam is out to get us and if we let them pray near the World Trade Center, in some bigger picture that only the myopic can see, “they” win.
I’m sorry I guess we’ve all forgotten that this is America and that we do NOT discriminate against other people’s beliefs or where, when & how they worship. We swallow a lot of bullsh*t for this freedom. Think of the Civil Rights Movement which still to this day has to be vigilant in its pursuit of equality. It’s frightening to learn that in Charleston, Mississippi, Charleston High School just had their first integrated Prom in 2008. That’s right ya’ll 2008!!!
However, in America you have the right to be closed minded, bigoted and racist. You can spew your negativity and hate to anyone and on any media outlet who will listen. You also have the right to open your thoughts, to embrace your fellow man, respect his or her rights and try tolerance. Think of it as a lifestyle choice.
“They” only win if we don’t build the mosque. If we fold our arms and say, “no” then we become hypocrites wrapped in a flag of our own indignation. Moralizing that the families of these victims would be hurt or disrespected isn’t consistent with history. Look at Nathan Hale, one of Americas first true patriots, you remember him from 5th grade history class, right? He uttered, “I only regret that I have but one life to give for my country,” at his hanging which occurred on 66th & Third Avenue there’s no monument or statue of him, only a small plaque that hangs on the Banana Republic occupying that “sacred” ground.
Never forgetting doesn’t mean turning Ground Zero into a tourist attraction and using its sentimentality to bully your way over other people’s rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. No one said this grand ideal etched in parchment would be easy, it's often a hard pill to take, and we've made mistakes, but I wouldn't have it any other way. Would you?
I’m sorry I guess we’ve all forgotten that this is America and that we do NOT discriminate against other people’s beliefs or where, when & how they worship. We swallow a lot of bullsh*t for this freedom. Think of the Civil Rights Movement which still to this day has to be vigilant in its pursuit of equality. It’s frightening to learn that in Charleston, Mississippi, Charleston High School just had their first integrated Prom in 2008. That’s right ya’ll 2008!!!
However, in America you have the right to be closed minded, bigoted and racist. You can spew your negativity and hate to anyone and on any media outlet who will listen. You also have the right to open your thoughts, to embrace your fellow man, respect his or her rights and try tolerance. Think of it as a lifestyle choice.
“They” only win if we don’t build the mosque. If we fold our arms and say, “no” then we become hypocrites wrapped in a flag of our own indignation. Moralizing that the families of these victims would be hurt or disrespected isn’t consistent with history. Look at Nathan Hale, one of Americas first true patriots, you remember him from 5th grade history class, right? He uttered, “I only regret that I have but one life to give for my country,” at his hanging which occurred on 66th & Third Avenue there’s no monument or statue of him, only a small plaque that hangs on the Banana Republic occupying that “sacred” ground.
Never forgetting doesn’t mean turning Ground Zero into a tourist attraction and using its sentimentality to bully your way over other people’s rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. No one said this grand ideal etched in parchment would be easy, it's often a hard pill to take, and we've made mistakes, but I wouldn't have it any other way. Would you?
Friday, September 3, 2010
VHS vs. DVD
Time Warner Cable can suck it. Really, after losing my cable last Saturday night and the 5 subsequent days following I have revisited the permanent "disconnect" from the Matrix. After the season finale of Mad Men in early October of course.
However, during that time I filled the void by watching a few of my favorite VHS classics. WOW! VHS does not hold up after years of sitting on a shelf. The pictures were grainy and the color faded. Why I thought tape was forever I don't know, I guess the AFI really does keep cinema alive and well preserved for future generations.
I'm not a fan of hi-def anything, I want to watch the movie or show not “be” in it. Occasionally it even makes me queasy. DVD’s are by far a better product; they are smaller, if you spill something on them you just wipe it off, scratching seems to be the only nemesis haunting the avid collector. Only, you know there’s something in the wings waiting to take its place. Blue Ray is just an enhanced DVD right? It’s not actually a ray that projects images in your mind.
I will say this though, my VHS copy of Soapdish has the classic continuity flub, of Sally Fields going from heels to tennis shoes….makes me laugh every time so I think I’ll hold onto it.
However, during that time I filled the void by watching a few of my favorite VHS classics. WOW! VHS does not hold up after years of sitting on a shelf. The pictures were grainy and the color faded. Why I thought tape was forever I don't know, I guess the AFI really does keep cinema alive and well preserved for future generations.
I'm not a fan of hi-def anything, I want to watch the movie or show not “be” in it. Occasionally it even makes me queasy. DVD’s are by far a better product; they are smaller, if you spill something on them you just wipe it off, scratching seems to be the only nemesis haunting the avid collector. Only, you know there’s something in the wings waiting to take its place. Blue Ray is just an enhanced DVD right? It’s not actually a ray that projects images in your mind.
I will say this though, my VHS copy of Soapdish has the classic continuity flub, of Sally Fields going from heels to tennis shoes….makes me laugh every time so I think I’ll hold onto it.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
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