Yearly Archives: 2003

Have you heard about this controversial Mel Gibson movie due out in 2004 called “The Passion”?
The major Hollywood film studios have alienated the movie because it is feared that this graphic portrayal of Jesus Christ’s last 12 hours of life will foster anti-Semitism–a concern for an industry that is significantly Jewish.
We should ban all movies that offend a ruling class maybe? And I see Americans pointing fingers at China.
If you think this is a movie for Christians only, let me tell you I did not convert to Hindu after seeing the film “Gandhi”.
A 1988 film by Martin Scorsese, “The Last Temptation of Christ,” was banned and boycotted by many different groups, even before some of them saw the film. However, a rather thoughtful criticism about the film came from movie critic Gene Siskel, when he said: “If Jesus Christ can overcome temptation after really struggling with it, maybe WE can, too.”
And maybe this most recent Gibson film will kindle the spirit, fire the soul, and ignite a passion within us all? Maybe it will spark debate about who we are and what we believe. Is that a terrible crime or some necessary evil? There is nothing evil about such debate, if we hope to live on this planet with other people who believe differently than we do. If we hope to leave our children the chance to exist together with others, then we must communicate ourselves. Our likenesses and our differences. We can not and must not think for a moment that the effective way to address conflicting views is with silence. Silence harbors ignorance, and ignorance begets violence. Violence legitimizes war and authorizes the murder and torture of our human family.
It is imperative that we communicate ourselves to eachother. We need not fear the discomfort of ourselves.

There’s an interesting show on The National Geographic Channel. The show is “Worlds Apart”: http://www.nationalgeographic.com/channel/worldsapart/
National Geographic takes your typical clueless whitebread American family and throws them into a foreign culture. Literally. According to National Geographic:
“Worlds Apart is a new adventure series only on the National Geographic Channel that transplants American families into remote cultures to experience authentic lifestyles firsthand. Beginning October 6, 2003, each week of the series a different family is airlifted to another corner of the globe. It’s not a game show.”
If nothing else, this sounds like entertaining or even somewhat educational TV and enough for me to recommend to you, but what’s more is that you can nominate a family to be on the show. Nominate a family at http://www.nationalgeographic.com/channel/worldsapart/signup.html
Even the idea of this show is enough to start a discussion of ourselves in relation to our international neighbors because, as you watch, you’re likely to say “gee, what would my family do in that situation?” And looking outside the US is something not done often by people in the US, which tends to lead to assumptions of the world around us, which leads to stupid decisions on our part, which leads to trouble and heartache for us and many others.
Watching a TV show isn’t going to make the world a better place; Doing something to learn about the world in which you live is worthwhile.

Our economy is so successful because of the laws that govern how to conduct business. From writing a contract that outlines your agreement, to insuring yourself, your property or your product and service, to the return of faulty merchandise you purchase. Laws define protections and privileges. Law is the cornerstone of business. The American dream of owning a home would not be possible without laws protecting private property. Go to church, to school, to the mall, to work or back home and know that what you do is regulated by laws. Sounds messy but these laws were written by people, for people, with the general intent of offering equitable treatment and protections for all. More times than not, it works.
That Iraq is now a “free society” and is free to establish a democracy is not the department store Christmas window display that it appears to be. Remember Russia after the fall of Communism. The Russian people were free at last too. Was there fair and equitable treatment to parties in business? What about personal and labor disputes, arbitration and litigation? There was and still is a thriving black market. Without the law to outline how people and businesses interact, there are limits and frivolities to freedom; there is anarchy.
Iraq is not going to democratize soon or quickly. Removing a tyrant does not ensure democracy nor does democracy without law necessarily represent an improvement. In order for people to know how to conduct business with one another, how to interact with and treat each other, they must first establish the rules for doing so. There must first be laws that establish the rights and protections of business and people. There must be laws that limit the power of any one political body or person, or democratic elections only validate people like Hitler and Milosevic.
Law must establish the limits of power, outline the rights of people and the protections for the minority. That recipe has made the US strong. Iraq is not America. Even if it wishes these changes, Iraq has a long way to go.

16 Americans were killed in Iraq on Sunday when their helicopter was attacked. The helicopter was carrying soldiers on their way to “rest and recuperation” leave. This makes it the greatest single-day loss of American life since President Bush declared the end of major combat operations on May 1st. In Washington, those 16 American lives carry political spin potential. Suddenly they are a “test of our resolve”.
We’re between a rock and a hard place in Iraq. Maybe there was no plan for life after war, but can we just leave when so much is at stake?
I wonder if a definite plan of troop withdrawal would be wise; suppose that we have such a plan but it is a strategic decision we’ve made not to disclose this information. Bush takes the hit in polls but gets reelection victory after raising record-setting campaign money from allied voting blocks and new Wall Street friends. Politics have been stranger.
Is it an option to beef up the numbers of our troops in Iraq? The kind of democracy we have envisioned for Iraq will not happen overnight. So if we plan to stay for a couple of years, assign more resource to that project.
Long term, the US will say that it made this great sacrifice to help its fellow man and to rid the world of a nuclear-armed madman. Are we Americans going to be the only ones who believe that?

On September 17, 1787, 39 representatives from 13 states signed the Constitution of the United States.
Ratification actually was not an easy thing to do, but 206 years later, this document is the world’s oldest written constitution still in effect.
The Constitution’s checks and balances limits the power of the legislative, judicial, and executive branches. The Bill of Rights protects personal liberties. For its flaws and inadequacies, this document remains today because of our ability to amend it and because of a simple practicality that keeps it adaptable to extraordinary and always-changing times.
Take a look at this Constitution: http://memory.loc.gov/const/const.html (link off Thomas legislative website).
Skim over the document and get to know what so many people have died to protect and serve.

I made myself clear about how I felt about the last war. I was there for the troops, and wanted to rally, hit once and hit hard. As a vet, I was behind the President too. I think President Bush did what he believed was the right thing and that he had and has good intentions. Trouble is, the post-war President’s toughness, determination and directness are being replaced by something stubborn, bullheaded, and steamrolling, and–good man or bad–I won’t back a bad idea. The right to fair trial and its presumption of innocence must be protected.
President Bush is attempting to expand on the US Patriot Act of 2001. In a new “3 point” plan, he is seeking to include measures that give further authority to federal agents to demand private records and compel testimony without the approval of judges or federal prosecutor. There’s more: President Bush also wants to expand the death penalty for terrorist-financing crimes and reduce opportunities for bail.
So why should you care? The Patriot Act requires the typical judge or grand jury approval for subpoenas. President Bush is wanting to change that, greatly expanding the powers of law enforcement. Law enforcement is not bad, neither is fighting terrorism, but the method the President offers is a corrective quick fix that fails to address the nature of the crime, at the expense of the rights of the accused. These types of measures work to reduce the rights ensured to all Americans. Fair trials and rights for the accused have long been a hallmark of our democracy and of a civil society. Reducing these rights means that we are no longer innocent until proven guilty; the burden of proof moves onto the defense and so instead you must prove your innocence!
Skim over the Partiot Act and see what “enhanced surveillance procedures” you’ve already approved. Find out for yourself if enough is enough.
rickymay
p.s. I was reading an article about a popular, independent newspaper in Zimbabwe that was shut down by a court order. Apparently there’s suspicion this event is related directly to the increasingly-authoritarian leadership of Robert Mugabe. Especially before September 11, the problems of other, non-American countries could be easily if not conveniently disregarded as someone else’s problems. Not anymore. America has never been an island and the forces that could dissolve a peoples’ rights in Zimbabwe can act as effectively anywhere in the world.

If again you are exposing yourself to the news and images of the suffering and death experienced on 9/11/2001, don’t forget to acknowledge the living. Through that horrible experience, you and I were saved a little suffering when Tom Napoles escaped. He has asthma you know, and if he’d known about the true nature of the incident, there’s a good chance he would have had an attack and rendered helpless.
If you don’t know Tom, then let my big mouth tell you that he’s a little guy with a big heart and you should know him. A friend from my military days, Tom and I go back about 14 years. I might be wrong, but I think his office with Guy Carpenter was on the 50th floor of the south tower (last hit, first fallen). Tom remains the office funny guy and probably won’t be caught living anywhere but near the world’s financial capital: New York City. Recently he married and will hopefully have kids by next year so I can win the bet.
Last year I hid from the anniversary of this day. Didn’t watch TV or listen to radio or read any papers. Didn’t even go online. This year I’m taking a different approach and offering a subtle reminder. This year I get to speak well about somebody while they’re still alive. I don’t think I do that enough, but there lies the silver lining. From this experience, I’m reminded to appreciate people and I’m given a second chance to practice that anytime I talk with anyone in the world–and every time I now talk with Thomas.
Call old Thomas today. Say hello, and into the face of the loss and nightmarish images, speak of the life that we share on Earth. It’s easy to be swept into the great sadness that prevails this day and that event of 2001, so tear a little hole in that sadness, renew a little hope and say hello to someone that is still very close to us, still very funny, and still very much alive.

Iraq: birthplace of civilization and home to some of the world’s oldest and most exquisite art. During the American invasion, much of that art was looted. Not by Americans of course. Not directly anyway. But entire museums and historical artifacts warehouses were robbed and emptied. Fortunately, I’ve read reports that claim much of the art is sold on the black market and will, in one way or another, continue to amaze and educate people. It just finds a new home and owner.
Wondering who made some of those hot purchases? Check out “Art of the First Cities” — the exhibition now on view at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in–where else–New York city. Conspiracy theorists unite!
So how could such priceless, precious, and preowned artwork exchange hands without being noticed? Well, I understand that there are literally thousands of pieces, and though they may be meticulously catalogued, the catalogues were damaged or stolen too, and no group or any one person will be familiar with every single piece and its original location. Chances are good that the works displayed will be completely unrecognized–wherever in the world they go. Ta-da!
Yes I’m having some fun here, but the exhibit should be amazing, and for what they charge for tickets, it’s a steal!

From a veteran to the man who entertained thousands overseas: one last, heartfelt “bravo” for a lifetime of laughs and comical service.
I recently read a report that stated Bob Hope spent 25 years overseas–including 9 Christmas holidays–entertaining US Troops. That’s quite a sacrifice, when you consider the typical lifestyle of today’s primped and privileged entertainers; such an active display of devotion and support would be rare and unusual today. But Hope was always there to offer the medicine of laughter and provide an escape–if only for a few laughs–for the troops, from their daily tragedies of war.
Bob Hope passed away this past Sunday. He was a hearty 100 years old. No spring chicken but definitely a creative force that not only influenced generations of comedians but entertained thousands of ordinary people as well. Ordinary people that love their country and go to war and fight for stuff they sometimes don’t understand. Ordinary people who follow orders and take the brunt of war’s suffering. Good, decent people. People who would now salute the funny guy who so often chose to be with them in Hell rather than safe and comfortable at home.
Thanks for serving Mr. Hope and Godspeed to you. Better get lots of rest on your way to heaven. You’re going to have a HUGE audience.

Iraq and America. Oil and water. Well my bet that protests would start after 2 weeks proved wrong. As you know, protests started within days after the Iraqi people were shown waving American flags. (It was nice to see the practices of the long-oppressed religious freedom but it adds one more to the mix; “will the REAL chosen people please stand up.”)
If I were Iraqi, I would be protesting too. I think lots of Americans would say the same, given our history. The US violently revolted against British occupation in the 18th century. I doubt we’d have it any other way now. As is typical with history, history is nationalized and we romanticize that period of our history while condemning others for similar behavior.
But America isn’t leaving Iraq any time soon. We never intended to. We’ll have a military presence there for years, and we’ll be “looking for WMDs” for equal amounts of time. America established a precedent by invading the mideast; World history shall go the way of Burger King and we will have it our way.
This isn’t bad. After all, I’m American. Secondly, I have to romanticize about the potential that exists in Iraq and that region. How many medical doctors are waiting to happen, how many poets and professors and architects? How much talent, skill, and natural ability is waiting to be discovered and realized, and how shall that impact the world as a whole? That thought is fantastically inspiring to someone like me.
I’m sorry the world is one in which people go to war and die. I’m sorry the world is one in which people can not exclusively address and extinguish all conflict with peaceful compromise. I’m sorry the world is one in which the world is not one. I’m sorry I had to take sides and verbally divide our species, but conflict occurs constantly in nature and from that conflict often is born the most beautiful things. (Look at the Hawaiin island paradise and the volcanic eruptions that created that.) I am not sorry for the way that I hoped for quick defeat, exclusively as a lesser of 2 evils. From the Iraqi war too something really beautiful may grow.
Not an optimist; a believer,
Rick