Thursday, June 30, 2005

War of the Worlds - My take on it

I remember as a child hearing the radio version of War of the Worlds. Mind you, this was not the original airing but was one done in the early 70's. I remember laying on my mother's bed listening and that I found the story so disturbing.

Then the movie came out. I was young and didn't know the difference so to me, the movie was scary. And a few years later, Justin Hayward came out with his version of the narrating/singing of War of the Worlds. I loved that version and found not only the songs and narration disturbing but also the illustration of the booklet that was enclosed.

And so, here is Steve Spielberg's version. I loved it. I had to remind myself to breathe and found the scenes an interesting combination of different things. I saw the same family interactions that were so familiar in E.T. and Jurassic Park. And the special effects of Close Encounters. And then the cold horrific situation, the reality of the story, felt like a combination of Minority Report and Schindler's List. I think I would like to see it again.

I came out of the theater with a feeling similar to that one when exiting Jurassic Park. I was so relieved that it was just a movie.

Wednesday, June 29, 2005

Business Plan

I've developed a business plan to help me reach some personal and financial goals. The thing about it is that for some reason I'm not excited about the plan. I seem to have this habit of making just enough to survive instead of pushing myself to really make some good money. I have the ability to do it. I just don't know how to push myself up there.

I know what to do. I know how to do the things I need to do. I think if I just focus on doing the things I put on my plan, I'll be ok.

I have bad habits. I come home and sit on the couch and watch T.V. I need to be doing other things. I don't like to get up early in the morning. I don't have good time management skills, I know that for sure.

I also have good habits. I work hard. I work everyday and it's hard for me to take time off. I don't give up. I don't go backwards, though today I feel like I'm going backwards. If I can pay my taxes for 2004, I'll be doing ok.

Sunday, June 26, 2005

Supreme Court OK's granting private property to Private Businesses

I'm surprised that there isn't more fallout from this decision. When I initially read the article on CNN, I kept thinking I was reading about a decision that took place in England...I think because the city in question was New London, CT. It was early in the morning, my mind wasn't totally awake. Does England even have a Supreme Court?

My theory is that people, including myself, are under the impression that once the Supreme Court decides something, it's done. Only the Supreme Court can reverse the ruling. If one doesn't like what the Supreme Court decides, who do they go to to change it?

What most people probably didn't catch is that the conservative judges voted against this. The public's opinion of the conservative party, an opinion that is fed by the left, is that the Republicans are the friends of big business. And here, it is the more liberal judges that voted to grant private property to private businesses.

This ruling is sick.

Thursday, June 16, 2005

Put a fork in him - he's done

Up to this point, Bush could do no wrong, well at least to me he couldn't. And pretty much, he's been low key lately; but Perry our Governor has not been. Though I know Perry is one person and Bush is another, they are both of the same party. So, connecting a few things: 1) Bush's involvement in the Schiavo case; 2) Jeb Bush's statements lately regarding Schiavo, 3) Bush's statements regarding stem cell research , 4) Governor Perry's recent signing of the bill requiring minors to get parental concent prior to abortion,...... I see a pattern. These guys are very much controlled by the Religious Right.

Howard Dean recently stated that the Republican Party was just a party of White Christians. He may have appropriately said White Christian Men....but I think it was just White Christians. Howard Dean has been on target a lot lately. I just hope there is more behind his rhetoric and position than anger and indignation towards the Republican Party.

My anger towards Bush is his stupidity regarding playing along with the Religious Right. Even though he himself hasn't done all the things I listed above, he's the Commander in Chief and he is a Replublican; it may as well be him, it doesn't matter who is doing what. He's turned me away and angered me. If he's turned me away, me being an avid "Bush can do no wrong" "I want to marry the man" supporter, how many others has he concerned with his support of the Religious Right?

So, here we are. He needs Bolton voted on, I don't give a damned what Bush wants anymore. If Bolton isn't nominated is this the end all be all of National Security? No, I don't think so. So if the Dems say we want another candidate, I think they are being reasonable in this request. Hell, I'll just write my senator about it.

As far as I'm concerned, Bush just wants his way; and that's a far cry from "what's best for the country".

So now my anger at Bush is that he has given the Religious Right much of what they wanted and now he expects to be able to take care of the business of running this country with the Democrat's support. I'm not so angry that they don't want to support him. He has shoved his religious principles and rhetoric down our throats; I say "screw you". Look at the position YOU have put us in now.

IT'S NOT OK.

Bush is over there bombing the hell out of Iraq and giving the Religious Right power over here in the U.S. Can anyone say "Hypocrite"? I can't explain it other than this: all the enthusiasm, love and passion I have had for this man has sprouted wings and flown out the window. I hope it was all worth it, George. Because from where I stand, I see you as a sell out.

Monday, June 13, 2005

Michael Jackson - Not Guilty

I am so pleased with the outcome of Michael Jackson's trial. From the very beginning he was a victim of extortion in this case.

I was watching Fox at the time they announced the verdict. Prior to the Jury declaring their verdict, Fox was sure that Jackson's verdict would be guilty. I'm really surprised that they thought the prosecution put forth a valid case. It was so obvious to me that they were lying.

As I've said before, Michael makes too easy a target for such accusations. I know that this whole ordeal hurt him deeply and I wonder if he will ever be able to bounce back from it.

I sincerely hope that he does.

Sunday, June 05, 2005

Abortion - Parental Consent

Well, Gov. Perry signed a bill meant to impose more limitations on abortion and he signed it in a church school gymnasium.

I've been naive. All this time I thought the Republican party courted the religious right, but didn't necessarily want to accommodate them. Signing the bill is one thing; doing it in a church is totally different. They are blatently declaring that they're strings are being pulled by the Religious Right.I have been such an avid supporter of Bush and now I could care less. I know that by supporting them as much as I have been I'm supporting their religious impositions on my life.

I wonder if this actually means I'm going to find myself voting for a Democrat? I've never done it before. But the thing about "swing" voters, if indeed I am one, is that swing voters seem to make their minds up at the last minute. Both parties are aware that whatever they do that turns a swing voter away only matters if elections are close by.

I'm really disappointed with this party.