Newsday.com - Long Island News
The above article is typical of what I expect most movie-goers are saying with regards to Michael Moore's "Fahrenheit 9/11." Not many people are going to the film with an open mind and after seeing it, most say that their opinion has not changed.
I found some of the quotes rather interesting:
John Berner was especially moved by a scene depicting Bush's initial reaction to news of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks while speaking to a classroom full of children. "The look on his face really showed someone who is not in control," said Berner, 42, of Huntington.
Mr. Berner, I have news for you, no one was in control. How on earth could we expect to be in complete control of an attack that virtually no American could even conceive of before 9/11. I am reminded of a quote from World War Two (attributed to Eisenhower I believe) that "no plan survives first contact with the enemy." It goes without saying that Bush wasn't in "control." No one was.
Michael Freed said people should see the film, regardless of their political leanings. "You have no right to have an opinion unless you see the movie," said Freed, 51, of Plainview, who caught the movie in Farmingdale yesterday. "It's the same way people want to have an opinion about this country, but they don't vote."
I have no right to have an opinion unless I see the movie? What kind of opinion is that? Does Michael Moore have sole and singular control of what has happened in the past three years? Guess what. I have an opinion about what happened because I lived through it. I saw, along with the rest of America, the towers come down. I followed the reports that led to the Taliban. I listened to both Preesidents Bush and Clinton as they said that the removal of Hussien was the proper thing to do. I do not need Moore to tell me what to believe, I thankfully can think for myself. I hope the rest of America willl too.
Monday, June 28, 2004
Friday, June 18, 2004
My Comics
Thankfully, it has been a quiet week. Work has been "normal" since the big push for the ministry heads meeting. Now with that accomplished we have a lull in the action until about mid-July when the church is going to get started to prepare for the Fall schedule (sounds kind of redundant doesn't it).
To reveal a little bit more about me, I collect comic books. I am a big fan of the X-Men, Spiderman, and the Fantastic Four (all from Marvel). Something else that has started this month is DC Comics Identity Crisis. The premise is, "If you can't get the hero, get their family. It looks like it is going to be stunning. Only the first issue has been released but if it sets the tone for the rest of the series, this should be one of the best stories DC has put out (well, Brad Meltzer gets the credit). The repercussions for the DC universe will not be as great as the Crisis on Infinite Earths series but it looks to be quite the shakeup.
I save my anime and Robotech obsession for another day.
To reveal a little bit more about me, I collect comic books. I am a big fan of the X-Men, Spiderman, and the Fantastic Four (all from Marvel). Something else that has started this month is DC Comics Identity Crisis. The premise is, "If you can't get the hero, get their family. It looks like it is going to be stunning. Only the first issue has been released but if it sets the tone for the rest of the series, this should be one of the best stories DC has put out (well, Brad Meltzer gets the credit). The repercussions for the DC universe will not be as great as the Crisis on Infinite Earths series but it looks to be quite the shakeup.
I save my anime and Robotech obsession for another day.
Monday, June 14, 2004
Tickets and Battle Anniversaries
The GMail account has been really the only highlight of my weekend. I did not have a weekend at all essentially. I had to go to work on Saturday morning. On my way around the Baltimore beltway (the west side), I was flagged down by a nice State Police Officer for speeding. I have not gotten a ticket in almost 8 years (since before I was married). Anyway, my commute did not improve.
Long story short, I got to work late. I am glad that my bride did not hold the ticket against me. She knows I have a pretty heavy foot and has been "encouraging" me to slow down for some time. She also thinks I should go to court rather than just pay the fine. I should be able to get probation before judgement, avoiding the points but probably paying the fine.
Had to work Sunday afternoon as well (I do work for a church afterall).
On the history side of things, the 189th anniversary of the battle of Waterloo (or Mt. St Jean). June 18th will mark the end of the Hundred Days that Napoleon was looking to reinstate himself on the throne of Europe. Also, the American Civil War battle of the Seven Days that saved Richmond in 1862 and saw the rise of a man named Robert E. Lee to command of the Army of Northern Virginia took place this month.
Time to head to my other job.
Long story short, I got to work late. I am glad that my bride did not hold the ticket against me. She knows I have a pretty heavy foot and has been "encouraging" me to slow down for some time. She also thinks I should go to court rather than just pay the fine. I should be able to get probation before judgement, avoiding the points but probably paying the fine.
Had to work Sunday afternoon as well (I do work for a church afterall).
On the history side of things, the 189th anniversary of the battle of Waterloo (or Mt. St Jean). June 18th will mark the end of the Hundred Days that Napoleon was looking to reinstate himself on the throne of Europe. Also, the American Civil War battle of the Seven Days that saved Richmond in 1862 and saw the rise of a man named Robert E. Lee to command of the Army of Northern Virginia took place this month.
Time to head to my other job.
GMail pt.2
Well, today it happened. I was able to get a coveted GMail account from a very nice person named Mollie B. I posted my plea on the GMail Swap page and she came through for me. I hope that I will soon be able to invite others so that I can return the favor.
Friday, June 11, 2004
GMail and Hattrick
I know that some of you Blogger users out there have gotten the offer to use GMail. I keep hoping that one day when I login that I will see the mythic invite. Until then, I guess I can always go with GMail Swap. Since I just moved, put everything in storage, and am still looking for full-time employment, there is not anything that I can offer except my thanks. I wonder if anyone will go for that.
On another note, my Hattrick team, Severn United, finally promoted into the next series, IV.48. Of course they will probably be crushed by the teams at this level. It is amazing how addicting a soccer (or Football for the rest of the world) simulation can be. I have played it for a year and a half and finally got my team to move up. Should be interesting next season (which run in 16 week increments). Check it out. It's free, fun, and people from all over the world play it so you can have competitions and matches with other users half a world away. Now I need to concentrate on how to get GMail and keep my team at a competitive level.
On another note, my Hattrick team, Severn United, finally promoted into the next series, IV.48. Of course they will probably be crushed by the teams at this level. It is amazing how addicting a soccer (or Football for the rest of the world) simulation can be. I have played it for a year and a half and finally got my team to move up. Should be interesting next season (which run in 16 week increments). Check it out. It's free, fun, and people from all over the world play it so you can have competitions and matches with other users half a world away. Now I need to concentrate on how to get GMail and keep my team at a competitive level.
My Morning Commute
Anyone familiar with Maryland is probably also aware of the two beltways around Washington D.C. and Baltimore. Fortunately I do not have the "Two Beltway Communte" but today it might as well have been both. I am currently residing in Lutherville, MD and work in Arnold. Basically a 35-45 mile trip one way which takes about one hour depending on traffic. Well, today that trip turned into a two hour crawl around the Baltimore metro area.
I just do not understand. When it rains, it is as if people lose all control of their senses when it comes to driving. Things are bad enough when it is dry, but now it is like they have never driven a vehicle before. It is no wonder there are more accidents, so many people are looking at what has happened in other fender benders (or much worse as was the case this morning) that they get involved in an accident themselves because they are not paying any attention to what they are doing or where they are going, they smack into the person in front of them. Why are people so compelled to look at this wrecks? What could they possibly learn or want to know? It makes my commute longer because of their rubbernecking! I hope going home will be better.
I just do not understand. When it rains, it is as if people lose all control of their senses when it comes to driving. Things are bad enough when it is dry, but now it is like they have never driven a vehicle before. It is no wonder there are more accidents, so many people are looking at what has happened in other fender benders (or much worse as was the case this morning) that they get involved in an accident themselves because they are not paying any attention to what they are doing or where they are going, they smack into the person in front of them. Why are people so compelled to look at this wrecks? What could they possibly learn or want to know? It makes my commute longer because of their rubbernecking! I hope going home will be better.
Monday, June 07, 2004
Memorial Weekend Trip
My wife and I went camping over the Memorial Day weekend. We went to the George Washington National Forest. We stay at the Jellystone Park at Natural Bridge, VA. We went with some friends of ours from church.
While we were down there I got the chance to go to the National D-Day Memorial. Barb, my wife, and I drove to Bedford, VA, where the memorial is located along the Blue Ridge Parkway. If you have never driven along this road, I highly recommend it. It is a fantastic driven with plenty of places to stop and enjoy the natural surroundings of three national forests. It definitely stretches out your drive time (speeds around 45mph with lots of twists and turns; probably not for those who are prone to car sickness), especially compared to I-81 which the parkway parallels.
At any rate, the drive and the memorial were well worth it. The "Landing" portion of the D-Day memorial is particularly poignant. The statues and the sounds with the water (blowers in the water make splashes and sounds that simulate the zip of bullets and the popping of mortar rounds) provide a great effect. Besides those sounds, the park was quiet even though there were hundreds of people present. I guess the approach of the 60th anniversary caused people to pause and take account of what it was the American, British, French and Canadian soldiers accomplished that day.
All in all it was a great trip. This was the first time I had been camping in years, since middle school probably, half a lifetime for me. I would like to make camping a regular event again but for now, it is back to work.
While we were down there I got the chance to go to the National D-Day Memorial. Barb, my wife, and I drove to Bedford, VA, where the memorial is located along the Blue Ridge Parkway. If you have never driven along this road, I highly recommend it. It is a fantastic driven with plenty of places to stop and enjoy the natural surroundings of three national forests. It definitely stretches out your drive time (speeds around 45mph with lots of twists and turns; probably not for those who are prone to car sickness), especially compared to I-81 which the parkway parallels.
At any rate, the drive and the memorial were well worth it. The "Landing" portion of the D-Day memorial is particularly poignant. The statues and the sounds with the water (blowers in the water make splashes and sounds that simulate the zip of bullets and the popping of mortar rounds) provide a great effect. Besides those sounds, the park was quiet even though there were hundreds of people present. I guess the approach of the 60th anniversary caused people to pause and take account of what it was the American, British, French and Canadian soldiers accomplished that day.
All in all it was a great trip. This was the first time I had been camping in years, since middle school probably, half a lifetime for me. I would like to make camping a regular event again but for now, it is back to work.
From Move to Movie
The move is done! Woo Hoo! I hope that this will be the last time I have to move my family on my own.
Anyway, I had a great weekend, even if it was raining and too short. I got the chance to see the new Harry Potter movie at the Muvico at Arundel Mills Mall. The critics are right about it being a darker film than the previous two movies (but I liked both of those as well). From what I have heard, most of the story from the book is left out of this film. The essential elements are there but basically it is only the frame of the story. My sister told me to read the book, which I am planning on doing soon (perhaps before I go and see this one a second time).
As always "your mileage may vary" but I thoroughly enjoyed The Prisoner of Azkaban. I hope that the same director will come back to helm the Goblet of Fire film and maybe Rowling will get the other books done in a couple years.
Anyway, I had a great weekend, even if it was raining and too short. I got the chance to see the new Harry Potter movie at the Muvico at Arundel Mills Mall. The critics are right about it being a darker film than the previous two movies (but I liked both of those as well). From what I have heard, most of the story from the book is left out of this film. The essential elements are there but basically it is only the frame of the story. My sister told me to read the book, which I am planning on doing soon (perhaps before I go and see this one a second time).
As always "your mileage may vary" but I thoroughly enjoyed The Prisoner of Azkaban. I hope that the same director will come back to helm the Goblet of Fire film and maybe Rowling will get the other books done in a couple years.
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