Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Carbon belching

It's more than just the proverbial devil in me that is laughing hysterically at this story.

Grassfire.org is promoting the Carbon Belch Day!
"Grassfire.org wants people to waste as much energy as possible on June 12 by 'hosting a barbecue, going for a drive, watching television, leaving a few lights on, or even smoking a few cigars.'

The point: the group wants to 'help Americans break free from the "carbon footprint guilt" being imposed by Climate Alarmists.'"
Then there is this gem...
"London's Daily Telegraph this week called environmentalism 'the new secular faith.'

The paper said the United Kingdom's carbon credits program for industry is 'just like the medieval trade in indulgences, where remission for sins was granted by the Church once the sinner confessed and received absolution.'"
Nice. The article goes on to detail some of the high-profile scientists who aren't swallowing global warming hype.

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Beyond words

I still meet conservatives all around me who don't know why Barack Obama would make a bad president. How do you explain to people that besides his almost Huckabeeish ignorance of history and foreign affairs and policy, he's just ridiculously socialistic. We have never had a president even close to as far left as he is.

Why doesn't anyone realize it? Probably because no one is asking him. Here's a good piece on the man behind the veneer.

Excerpt:
...the truth is that Mr. Obama is the single most liberal senator in the entire U.S. Senate. He is more liberal than Ted Kennedy, Bernie Sanders, or Mrs. Clinton.

Never in my life have I seen a presidential frontrunner whose rhetoric is so far removed from his record. Walter Mondale promised to raise our taxes, and he lost. George McGovern promised military weakness, and he lost. Michael Dukakis promised a liberal domestic agenda, and he lost.

Yet Mr. Obama is promising all those things, and he's not behind in the polls. Why? Because the press has dealt with him as if he were in a beauty pageant.

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Friday, May 23, 2008

Guest review of 'Prince Caspian'

Editor's note: My friend Jackie has shared her thoughts regarding the second installment in the cinematic Narnia series, "Prince Caspian." I had planned to write one myself, but honestly, most of my additional thoughts would be filed under "things not worth quibbling about."

***
I cannot agree with the "complete disaster" view but neither can I subscribe to the "totally successful" attitude either. As far as Prince Caspian as a movie goes, it was a very well-done, entertaining, realistic, decently-scripted film. I enjoyed it on the strictly entertainment level.


As far as Prince Caspian the book-goes-movie aspect, it was a certain disappointment. For the most part, my complaints weren't so much the major additions; because even though the film makers weren't "purists," I can appreciate the difficulty of making the shortest book of the entire series into a two-hour flick (much less the 2 1/2 hour one it was).

Rather, my primary beef was with what they left out.

In the book, the children's journey to meet Caspian with Trumpkin was highlighted with the "Aslan sightings." Through the entirety of their travels, each character has to first see Aslan, i.e. submit to and recognize the Mover of events in Narnia. They have to personally dedicate their purpose and will to Him before they are ready to enter into battle for His kingdom. Only then, fighting in Aslan's name, is there any true hope to win against the Telmarines. Because the Pevensies have gotten their perspective straightened out before they enter battle, their conduct through the rest of the story is noble, courageous, purposeful, and humble.

Notably, the movie did not even have Aslan appear until the virtual end and was, for me at least, a crucial missing element. However, being the optimist that I generally am, I must say one final redeeming word for the movie. The script writers (and I wonder if Gresham had a hand in this) confirmed the above-mentioned truism by their re-writing. It was very obvious that, since the children (Lucy always excepted) did not get their perspectives straightened out by Aslan before joining up with Caspian -- because they did not rededicate their purposes to Him -- everything they did turned out bad. Naturally they would fail militarily and, more importantly, personally. Example: Peter's purpose isn't for Aslan, it's for himself. Hence he and Caspian naturally butt heads.

However, I don't believe the solution was expressed strongly enough. Yes, the characters were finally brought to the point where they knew they needed Aslan and they knew that only he had the ability to get them out of their mess. However, the turning point wasn't strong enough for my taste. It was nothing like that great scene in the book where everyone can finally see him!

Also, on a minor note, the whole Caspian-Susan thing was so predictable and so ridiculous -- not in the least-wise for its predictability. I could quibble about other things that I was not happy with but I won't waste time on it. I'm sure there are other major things missing but this is what stood out the most to me.

-jackie

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Saturday, May 17, 2008

Of Narnia 'fans'

I'm going to have fun with it this time around.

Yes, I saw Prince Caspian last night. I'm not ready to say something yet because I know as soon as I do bother to THINK about what I saw, raving animalistic fans will start literally pulling my hair out. I need to get some implants ready.

Honestly, someone needs to get control of these people -- oh wait, Disney already did. To quote Trumpkin from the movie: "you get treated like a dumb animal long enough, you become one."

I'm getting sick of reading comments like this from people on the fan sites. These are just for the trailer:
This trailer has literally brought tears to my eyes each of the gazillion times I have seen it at this point and I am not ashamed to say it! This looks like it is going to be a brilliant sequel to LWW...

i'm crying crying crying!!!!!!! ahhhhh! omg omg omg that was soooooooooooooooooooooo GOOOOOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! chills, goose bumps, ohhhhhh

Hallelujah

I am in tears also, I really am. Tears of pure joy. I am so glad I love Aslan and Narnia! It's the greatest feeling of all.

Oh...My...Aslan! This is so fantastic, i cant WAIT for it! I think I'm gonna have a hard time waiting for it to come out! Wow.....OMG THIS IS SOOO GOOD!! IT'S SO MUCH LIKE I IMAGINED IT TO BE!!!!!

Omg it was up on my bday yesterday! Thank u Disney!!!! Having trouble breathing at the moment!

AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!! *tries to calm breathing* I CANNOT BELIEVE IT!!! IT'S AMAZING!!!

That trailer gave me the chills. I know the movie is going to be simply amazing. I can't wait 5 months for this. I want it now.


DISCLAIMER: Remember what I said at the beginning. Please be assured I will not take you seriously if your language at all reminds me of the above quotes. I reserve the right to decide what kind of language reminds me of the above quotes. Remember to wipe your sword after you are done slaying me -- it's a good thing to have a clean skewer for barbecuing this weekend and the next.

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