Excerpts from the article by Andrew Klavan
http://online.wsj.com/article_print/SB121694247343482821.html
There seems to me no question that the Batman film "The Dark Knight," currently breaking every box office record in history, is at some level a paean of praise to the fortitude and moral courage that has been shown by George W. Bush in this time of terror and war. Like W, Batman is vilified and despised for confronting terrorists in the only terms they understand...
And like W, Batman understands that there is no moral equivalence between a free society -- in which people sometimes make the wrong choices -- and a criminal sect bent on destruction. The former must be cherished even in its moments of folly; the latter must be hounded to the gates of Hell.
"The Dark Knight," then, is a conservative movie about the war on terror...
The moment filmmakers take on the problem of Islamic terrorism in realistic films, suddenly those values vanish. The good guys become indistinguishable from the bad guys, and we end up denigrating the very heroes who defend us. Why should this be?
The answers to these questions seem to me to be embedded in the story of "The Dark Knight" itself: Doing what's right is hard, and speaking the truth is dangerous. Many have been abhorred for it, some killed, one crucified...
When heroes arise who take those difficult duties on themselves, it is tempting for the rest of us to turn our backs on them, to vilify them in order to protect our own appearance of righteousness. We prosecute and execrate the violent soldier or the cruel interrogator in order to parade ourselves as paragons of the peaceful values they preserve. As Gary Oldman's Commissioner Gordon says of the hated and hunted Batman, "He has to run away -- because we have to chase him."
That's real moral complexity. And when our artistic community is ready to show that sometimes men must kill in order to preserve life; that sometimes they must violate their values in order to maintain those values; and that while movie stars may strut in the bright light of our adulation for pretending to be heroes, true heroes often must slink in the shadows, slump-shouldered and despised -- then and only then will we be able to pay President Bush his due and make good and true films about the war on terror.
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Bowling Scores
So I started bowling on my lunch break once a week, two weeks ago. I find it very relaxing and a great way to let out stress (though I don't feel much right now, Thanks Jesus!). My first week, if I remember correctly, I bowled three games and got 77, 91 and 104; obviously poor scores. But I have been getting better! Today I bowled 120, 115 and 143! Yes, I enjoy bowling. And I especially enjoy competing against myself... and winning!
Big Storm
About five minutes before we left work yesterday, we noticed it was completely black outside. We all crowded around the shop door (our only window to the outside world) and watched for what we knew was coming. Sure enough, within a couple of minutes the skies opened up. The rain was so thick that we almost could not see our cars on the other side of the parking lot. Dave had his son along, so he sent him out to get his truck and as he was pulling up to the door we heard a new sound, "Tap, tap, taptap, bang, bang bang bang bang!" Yes, the rain had turned to hail and now was pelting Dave's beautiful new truck. We all stood there watching, waiting for the storm to die down... but it never did. Eventually some made the run to their cars, but Dan and I decided to cover up a bit before leaving. So with our upper-bodies stuffed into clear bags, we made our run. Dan had it easy and jumped inside the passenger door (we carpool, by the way). But my door handle is broken, so I had to open the back door and try and get my arms out from under the bag I was inside and reach forward and open the front door from the inside. By the time I got inside my pants were soaked through. We sat back, got our breath, and set off.
I called Hannah to let her know we would be late, I was NOT going to hurry in that weather. We slowly made our way down the hill, trudging through large puddles and small rivers running across the road. At one point we had to squeeze through on the other side of the road because a large limb had fallen off a tree. But the most interesting part of the trip was the shockingly bright orange fire burning in the distance. We only saw it briefly, but it just looked like a fire burning farther down the hill, but somehow up in the sky. It must have been a transformer, and probably partly responsible for the power outage which is still going (Luckily we have a good generator). So in the end, we safely made it home, with only our pants wet. There was only one traffic light out along the way, but people were not following the rules and were blazing through it as if it were a blinking yellow light. That was annoying.
So now this morning I got to work to find that we had flooded out (this is what happens when you work in a basement). As result, I have spent the better part of this morning vacuuming and mopping up water. But that is the easy part. Now I need to empty boxes and dry off the contents, clean off cages that were on the floor, and all sorts of other fun stuff. This is shaping up to be quite an interesting day.
I called Hannah to let her know we would be late, I was NOT going to hurry in that weather. We slowly made our way down the hill, trudging through large puddles and small rivers running across the road. At one point we had to squeeze through on the other side of the road because a large limb had fallen off a tree. But the most interesting part of the trip was the shockingly bright orange fire burning in the distance. We only saw it briefly, but it just looked like a fire burning farther down the hill, but somehow up in the sky. It must have been a transformer, and probably partly responsible for the power outage which is still going (Luckily we have a good generator). So in the end, we safely made it home, with only our pants wet. There was only one traffic light out along the way, but people were not following the rules and were blazing through it as if it were a blinking yellow light. That was annoying.
So now this morning I got to work to find that we had flooded out (this is what happens when you work in a basement). As result, I have spent the better part of this morning vacuuming and mopping up water. But that is the easy part. Now I need to empty boxes and dry off the contents, clean off cages that were on the floor, and all sorts of other fun stuff. This is shaping up to be quite an interesting day.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Prayer
Now is the time,
What should I do?
You have given me the desire,
But not total peace.
Are You going to provide a way for me to go to school this Fall?
Or do You have other plans for me?
If anything, I have learned over the last few years that You want me to just go with Your flow,
Regardless of my pride or self-image.
So is me returning next month to school what You want for me?
It does not look like I will be able to receive any financial aid,
And yet I don't want to go against Your will by going even deeper into debt.
I know it is no Your will for us to go deeper into debt,
So what do You want me to do?
Are You going to provide for this?
If this is not Your desire for me, please let me know and I will change my direction,
Following You is my strongest desire.
I love You and praise You,
Please guide and direct,
Show us Your will and Your way.
All praise be to You.
Amen.
What should I do?
You have given me the desire,
But not total peace.
Are You going to provide a way for me to go to school this Fall?
Or do You have other plans for me?
If anything, I have learned over the last few years that You want me to just go with Your flow,
Regardless of my pride or self-image.
So is me returning next month to school what You want for me?
It does not look like I will be able to receive any financial aid,
And yet I don't want to go against Your will by going even deeper into debt.
I know it is no Your will for us to go deeper into debt,
So what do You want me to do?
Are You going to provide for this?
If this is not Your desire for me, please let me know and I will change my direction,
Following You is my strongest desire.
I love You and praise You,
Please guide and direct,
Show us Your will and Your way.
All praise be to You.
Amen.
Email Forward
My dad forwarded this to me and it is great. Though I don't know where it came from.
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NEW PREAMBLE TO THE CONSTITUTION
This is probably the best e-mail I've seen in a long, long time. The following has been attributed to State Representative Mitchell Kaye from GA. This guy should run for President one day...
'We the sensible people of the United States, in an attempt to help everyone get along, restore some semblance of justice, avoid more riots, keep our nation safe, promote positive behavior, and secure the blessings of debt-free liberty to ourselves and our great-great-great-grandchildren, hereby try one more time to ordain and establish some common sense guidelines for the terminally whiny, guilt ridden, delusional, and other liberal bed-wetters. We hold these truths to be self evident: that a whole lot of people are confused by the Bill of Rights and are so dim they require a Bill of NON-Rights.'
ARTICLE I: You do not have the right to a new car, big screen TV, or any other form of wealth. More power to you if you can legally acquire them, but no one is guaranteeing anything.
ARTICLE II: You do not have the right to never be offended. This country is based on freedom, and that means freedom for everyone -- not just you! You may leave the room, turn the channel, express a different opinion, etc.; but the world is full of idiots, and probably always will be.
ARTICLE III: You do not have the right to be free from harm. If you stick a screwdriver in your eye, learn to be more careful; do not expect the tool manufacturer to make you and all your relatives independently wealthy.
ARTICLE IV: You do not have the right to free food and housing. Americans are the most charitable people to be found, and will gladly help anyone in need, but we are quickly growing weary of subsidizing generation after generation of professional couch potatoes who achieve nothing more than the creation of another generation of professional couch potatoes.
(This one is my pet peeve...get an education and go to work.... don't expect everyone else to tak e care of you!)
ARTICLE V: You do not have the right to free health care. That would be nice, but from the looks of public housing, we're just not interested in public health care.
ARTICLE VI: You do not have the right to physically harm other people. If you kidnap, rape, intentionally maim, or kill someone, don't be surprised if the rest of us want to see you fry in the electric chair.
ARTICLE VII: You do not have the right to the possessions of others. If you rob, cheat, or coerce away the goods or services of other citizens, don't be surprised if the rest of us get together and lock you away in a place where you still won't have the right to a big screen color TV or a life of leisure.
ARTICLE VIII: You do not have the right to a job. All of us sure want you to have a job, and will gladly help you along in hard times, but we expect you to take advantage of the opportunities of education and vocational training laid before you to make yourself useful. (AMEN!)
ARTICLE IX: You do not have the right to happiness. Being an American means that you have the right to PURSUE happiness, which by the way, is a lot easier if you are unencumbered by an over abundance of idiotic laws created by those of you who were confused by the Bill of Rights.
ARTICLE X: This is an English speaking country. We don't care where you are from, English is our language. Learn it or go back to wherever you came from!
(Lastly....)
ARTICLE XI: You do not have the right to change our country's history or heritage. This country was founded on the belief in one true God. And yet, you are given the freedom to believe in any religion, any faith, or no faith at all; with no fear of persecution. The phrase IN GOD WE TRUST is part of our heritage and history, and if you are uncomfortable with it, TOUGH!
If you agree, share this with a friend. No, you don't have to, and nothing tragic will befall you if you don't. I just think it's about time common sense is allowed to flourish. Sensible people of the United States speak out because if you do not, who will?
********
********
NEW PREAMBLE TO THE CONSTITUTION
This is probably the best e-mail I've seen in a long, long time. The following has been attributed to State Representative Mitchell Kaye from GA. This guy should run for President one day...
'We the sensible people of the United States, in an attempt to help everyone get along, restore some semblance of justice, avoid more riots, keep our nation safe, promote positive behavior, and secure the blessings of debt-free liberty to ourselves and our great-great-great-grandchildren, hereby try one more time to ordain and establish some common sense guidelines for the terminally whiny, guilt ridden, delusional, and other liberal bed-wetters. We hold these truths to be self evident: that a whole lot of people are confused by the Bill of Rights and are so dim they require a Bill of NON-Rights.'
ARTICLE I: You do not have the right to a new car, big screen TV, or any other form of wealth. More power to you if you can legally acquire them, but no one is guaranteeing anything.
ARTICLE II: You do not have the right to never be offended. This country is based on freedom, and that means freedom for everyone -- not just you! You may leave the room, turn the channel, express a different opinion, etc.; but the world is full of idiots, and probably always will be.
ARTICLE III: You do not have the right to be free from harm. If you stick a screwdriver in your eye, learn to be more careful; do not expect the tool manufacturer to make you and all your relatives independently wealthy.
ARTICLE IV: You do not have the right to free food and housing. Americans are the most charitable people to be found, and will gladly help anyone in need, but we are quickly growing weary of subsidizing generation after generation of professional couch potatoes who achieve nothing more than the creation of another generation of professional couch potatoes.
(This one is my pet peeve...get an education and go to work.... don't expect everyone else to tak e care of you!)
ARTICLE V: You do not have the right to free health care. That would be nice, but from the looks of public housing, we're just not interested in public health care.
ARTICLE VI: You do not have the right to physically harm other people. If you kidnap, rape, intentionally maim, or kill someone, don't be surprised if the rest of us want to see you fry in the electric chair.
ARTICLE VII: You do not have the right to the possessions of others. If you rob, cheat, or coerce away the goods or services of other citizens, don't be surprised if the rest of us get together and lock you away in a place where you still won't have the right to a big screen color TV or a life of leisure.
ARTICLE VIII: You do not have the right to a job. All of us sure want you to have a job, and will gladly help you along in hard times, but we expect you to take advantage of the opportunities of education and vocational training laid before you to make yourself useful. (AMEN!)
ARTICLE IX: You do not have the right to happiness. Being an American means that you have the right to PURSUE happiness, which by the way, is a lot easier if you are unencumbered by an over abundance of idiotic laws created by those of you who were confused by the Bill of Rights.
ARTICLE X: This is an English speaking country. We don't care where you are from, English is our language. Learn it or go back to wherever you came from!
(Lastly....)
ARTICLE XI: You do not have the right to change our country's history or heritage. This country was founded on the belief in one true God. And yet, you are given the freedom to believe in any religion, any faith, or no faith at all; with no fear of persecution. The phrase IN GOD WE TRUST is part of our heritage and history, and if you are uncomfortable with it, TOUGH!
If you agree, share this with a friend. No, you don't have to, and nothing tragic will befall you if you don't. I just think it's about time common sense is allowed to flourish. Sensible people of the United States speak out because if you do not, who will?
********
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