So I came across the below on Facebook, and the more I looked at it, the more it was pissing me off, until I thought, hey, that's what my blog is for, getting out things that piss me off in a hopefully respectful and coherent way. Well, maybe not always respectful, but sometimes snark is warranted.
This has been attributed to Bill Cosby, but Snopes says it's not his. Thank God, because I do have respect for Bill Cosby.
So, here's the strawman-filled "social commentary" and my response in bold:
I'm 83. Except for brief period in the 50's when I was doing my National
Service, I've worked hard since I was 17. Except for some some serious
health challenges, I put in 50-hour weeks, and didn't call in sick in nearly
40 years. I made a reasonable salary, but I didn't inherit my job or my
income, and I worked to get where I am. Given the economy, it looks as
though retirement was a bad idea, and I'm tired. Very tired.
I'm tired of being told that I have to "spread the wealth" to people who
don't have my work ethic. I'm tired of being told the government will take
the money I earned, by force if necessary, and give it to people too lazy
to earn it.
Uhhh.....good for you? Do you think you are owed a pat on the back for your hard work? Isn't that rather entitled, and shouldn't hard work be it's own reward? Snark aside, I do understand your pride in hard work. However, know that there are people who put in that same hard work at multiple low-wage jobs just to make ends meet. I think perhaps they might be as tired as you, if not more.
And good for you not calling in sick, but I hope you have some gratitude for the good health you have apparently been blessed with. If you were going to work sick and spreading germs instead of taking a sick day lest you be labeled lazy, then shame. At least you had sick days to use.
I'm tired too...tired of the assumption that the poor are poor because they are lazy and unwilling to work hard.
I'm tired of being told that Islam is a "Religion of Peace," when every day I
can read dozens of stories of Muslim men killing their sisters, wives and
daughters for their family "honor"; of Muslims rioting over some slight
offense; of Muslims murdering Christian and Jews because they aren't
"believers"; of Muslims burning schools for girls; of Muslims stoning
teenage rape victims to death for "adultery"; of Muslims mutilating the
genitals of little girls; all in the name of Allah, because the Qur'an and
Shari'a law tells them to.
I'm tired of being told that out of "tolerance for other cultures" we must let
Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries use our oil money to fund mosques
and Madrasa Islamic schools to preach hate in Australia , New Zealand ,
UK, America and Canada , while no one from these countries are allowed to
fund a church, synagogue or religious school in Saudi Arabia or any other
Arab country to teach love and tolerance..
I am Christian, albeit a progressive/liberal-leaning one. I bristle at the hatred that goes on in the name of my religion, so I similarly bristle when Islam is given a bad name by zealous fundamentalists who in no way represent moderate faithful Muslims. Any religion can be used to promote hatred, violence and destruction or love, so I don't understand why you think "churches and synagogues" teach love and tolerance but Islamic schools and temples promote hate.
And "our" oil money? Perhaps maybe we should stop depending on Islamic militants for oil.
Finally, the populations of Australia, etc. are much more religiously diverse, thankfully so, than is Saudi Arabia. This is part of our freedom of religion.
I'm tired of being told I must lower my living standard to fight global
warming, which no one is allowed to debate.
I personally am always open to reasonable and respectable debate, but why does everything for you boil down to your personal living standard? Climate change, whether man-made or not, is pretty established among most scientists, and if we ARE able to do something about it and fail to, then everyone's standard of living will decline.
Everyone. As in, you are not the only one whose needs and wants need to be taken into consideration.
I'm tired of being told that drug addicts have a disease, and I must help
support and treat them, and pay for the damage they do. Did a giant germ
rush out of a dark alley, grab them, and stuff white powder up their noses
or stick a needle in their arm while they tried to fight it off?
As someone who has witnessed people I care about struggle with addiction, I can tell you that it is in fact a disease, a devastating one. No, that doesn't absolve addicts of all responsibility for their actions, but it's still a disease. The addict made the choice to start using, whatever compelled that choice, but after that it becomes harder and harder to quit not only psychologically but also physiologically. Hence, disease.
I'm tired of hearing wealthy athletes, entertainers and politicians of all
parties talking about innocent mistakes, stupid mistakes or youthful
mistakes, when we all know they think their only mistake was getting
caught. I'm tired of people with a sense of entitlement, rich or poor.
So am I, but I wish we could admit that all people make mistakes, even you. The key is taking responsibility for your mistakes. Glad you could admit it's not only, or primarily, the poor with a sense of entitlement.
I'm really tired of people who don't take responsibility for their lives and
actions. I'm tired of hearing them blame the government, or discrimination
or big-whatever for their problems.
*Shrugs* Yeah, I get it, I am pro-responsibility too, but life is complex, not black-and-white. Most people's problems are a mix of their own choices and environmental factors beyond their control.
I'm also tired and fed up with seeing young men and women in their teens and
early 20's be-deck them selves in tattoos and face studs, thereby making
themselves unemployable and claiming money from the Government.
I don't have any tattoos myself, but I am tired of anti-tattoo prejudice. What is it that offends you so much about them? Virtually all the people I know with tattoos, and I know several, are able to cover them when working with the public or in a corporate environment. Same with studs. My brother has a lip ring; he removes it when a situation calls for professional dress. People who do have large and/or visible tattoos tend to get employment in environments acceptable of them. Someone needs to work in the tattoo parlors, after all. I have never in my life heard of anyone claiming government assistance because they are "unemployable because of tattoos and face studs."
Yes, I'm damn tired. But I'm also glad to be 83.. Because, mostly, I'm not
going to have to see the world these people are making. I'm just sorry for
my granddaughter and their children. Thank God I'm on the way out and not
on the way in.
So you have enormous prejudice against "these people." Are "these people" the poor, addicts, tattooed people, Muslims, athletes, or just anyone you happen to dislike? Newsflash, being 83 does not mandate having contempt of society except your own kin.
There is no way this will be widely publicized, unless each of us
sends it on!
This is your chance to make a difference.
" I'm 83 and I'm tired. If you don't agree you are part of the problem!
I can agree that you are tired. Whoever you actually are. And there is a chance this might actually be widely posted, but I'm not sure to the effect you were going for. Glad I "made a difference;" I feel better now.
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Friday, January 25, 2013
American Idol Auditions
I've been watching American Idol for 12 seasons now (yeesh), and every year when I watch the auditions there are contestants that I really like but then forget all about after Hollywood week. So this year I decided I would keep track of them here. I missed the first day of auditions, but here are my favorites from the rest:
From the Chicago auditions:
Mariah Pulice, who described her journey as a recovering anorexic. Yes, it was a typical Idol "sob story," but an emotionally compelling one that I'm sure many in the audience related to. I was really excited that she chose to sing my favorite Beatles' song, Let It Be, which I always find so powerful and moving. As the get judges noted, the strength of her performance was the emotion that came through in her delivery.
Isabell Parell, just 15 years old. When she asked Keith Urban to sing a duet with her, I was a little annoyed, but she was singing Baby It's Cold Outside, and it is a duet. She was actually cute and charming, and what's more, she could sing. Her soulful voice was well-suited to the song and different than that of every other pop-star wannabe out there.
Kiara Lanier. When she said she sang for an Obama fundraiser, I thought she's gotta be good, and she was, managing to pull off Celine Dion's The Prayer with beautiful tone and control. The only thing that annoyed me was how she stuck a billion runs in practically every line, but that seems typical of a lot of today's singers. I can definitely see her in the top 12.
Clifton Duffin, who, according to his story, had never sung in front of anyone before, not even his parents. Well, his parents were in the audience for his audition, when he proved to them and to the world that he can indeed sing. Yeah, I'm a sucker, but it was moving watching his mother's reaction to hearing him for the first time.
Lazaro Arbos, who revealed a severe stutter when he spoke but smoothly delivered a beautiful rendition of the Simon & Garfunkel classic Bridge Over Troubled Water.
From the Charlotte auditions:
Twenty-seven year-old Brian Rittenberg, who also sang Let It Be. Is that gonna be the song of the auditions this season? His rendition was a lot different than Mariah Pulice's, with more soul and rasp. I think I preferred Pulice's version actually, but he wasn't bad.
High school student Isabel Gonzalez, who was nominated by her aunt. She sang a Sam Cooke song, and if I hadn't known, I would not have thought this girl was only 16.
Taisha Bethea,a young black rocker chick who sings in a band. Yes, "black girls can rock," as Randy said. The judges were torn on her but Keith Urban cast the deciding vote and sent her to Hollywood. It could be interesting to see how far she goes in the competition.
Formerly homeless Rodney Barber, who sang Edwin McCain's I'll Be with soul and a lot of dynamic range.
Seretha Guinn, who came to the auditions with her (adorable) 3-year-old daughter. I have to say I was a little disturbed when she revealed that her little girl (key word "little") "idolizes" Nicki Minaj. But Seritha was at the auditions to surprise her boyfriend, who had recently been in a serious accident. She sang a jazzy, non-rap version of the Fresh Prince of Bel Air theme song, in addition to a bit of Lee Ann Rhymes' How Do I Live. The former was probably the most unique song choice of the night, but it was the latter that really showed off the beauty of her voice.
From the Baton Rouge auditions:
Charlie Askew, who described himself as having "always been socially awkward," but said music was his outlet. Socially awkward or not, this kid (17-years-old) was endearing. He sang Breakthrough, a Queen song that I do not actually know, and then Nature Boy, which I do know thanks to the Moulin Rouge soundtrack. I'm totally rooting for him.
Maddie Assell, nominated by her grandmother. Another one of those old-fashioned/soulful voices. She sang a Beatles song (that I was once again unfamiliar with; I need to expand my music horizons), but her voice reminds me of Adele's in some ways. Oh, wait..she just said she was influenced by Adele and Keith replied that he doesn't think she sounds like her or like any other artist. Whatever. I still hear the Adele, and that's not a bad thing.
Paul Jolley, who sang a Rascall Flats song. He was cute, had a really strong voice, and sounded like could do well in a variety of genres beyond just country. Oh, and he was cute ;).
Dustin Watts, a fireman and another country singer who I, like Nicki Minaj, can already see as a star in the genre.
Bernell Taylor,who lived through Hurrican Katrina. He sang a song from The Color Purple and seemed to have an extremely versatile voice: I can hear him doing old-school R & B, gospel, musical theater...
From the Chicago auditions:
Mariah Pulice, who described her journey as a recovering anorexic. Yes, it was a typical Idol "sob story," but an emotionally compelling one that I'm sure many in the audience related to. I was really excited that she chose to sing my favorite Beatles' song, Let It Be, which I always find so powerful and moving. As the get judges noted, the strength of her performance was the emotion that came through in her delivery.
Isabell Parell, just 15 years old. When she asked Keith Urban to sing a duet with her, I was a little annoyed, but she was singing Baby It's Cold Outside, and it is a duet. She was actually cute and charming, and what's more, she could sing. Her soulful voice was well-suited to the song and different than that of every other pop-star wannabe out there.
Kiara Lanier. When she said she sang for an Obama fundraiser, I thought she's gotta be good, and she was, managing to pull off Celine Dion's The Prayer with beautiful tone and control. The only thing that annoyed me was how she stuck a billion runs in practically every line, but that seems typical of a lot of today's singers. I can definitely see her in the top 12.
Clifton Duffin, who, according to his story, had never sung in front of anyone before, not even his parents. Well, his parents were in the audience for his audition, when he proved to them and to the world that he can indeed sing. Yeah, I'm a sucker, but it was moving watching his mother's reaction to hearing him for the first time.
Lazaro Arbos, who revealed a severe stutter when he spoke but smoothly delivered a beautiful rendition of the Simon & Garfunkel classic Bridge Over Troubled Water.
From the Charlotte auditions:
Twenty-seven year-old Brian Rittenberg, who also sang Let It Be. Is that gonna be the song of the auditions this season? His rendition was a lot different than Mariah Pulice's, with more soul and rasp. I think I preferred Pulice's version actually, but he wasn't bad.
High school student Isabel Gonzalez, who was nominated by her aunt. She sang a Sam Cooke song, and if I hadn't known, I would not have thought this girl was only 16.
Taisha Bethea,a young black rocker chick who sings in a band. Yes, "black girls can rock," as Randy said. The judges were torn on her but Keith Urban cast the deciding vote and sent her to Hollywood. It could be interesting to see how far she goes in the competition.
Formerly homeless Rodney Barber, who sang Edwin McCain's I'll Be with soul and a lot of dynamic range.
Seretha Guinn, who came to the auditions with her (adorable) 3-year-old daughter. I have to say I was a little disturbed when she revealed that her little girl (key word "little") "idolizes" Nicki Minaj. But Seritha was at the auditions to surprise her boyfriend, who had recently been in a serious accident. She sang a jazzy, non-rap version of the Fresh Prince of Bel Air theme song, in addition to a bit of Lee Ann Rhymes' How Do I Live. The former was probably the most unique song choice of the night, but it was the latter that really showed off the beauty of her voice.
From the Baton Rouge auditions:
Charlie Askew, who described himself as having "always been socially awkward," but said music was his outlet. Socially awkward or not, this kid (17-years-old) was endearing. He sang Breakthrough, a Queen song that I do not actually know, and then Nature Boy, which I do know thanks to the Moulin Rouge soundtrack. I'm totally rooting for him.
Maddie Assell, nominated by her grandmother. Another one of those old-fashioned/soulful voices. She sang a Beatles song (that I was once again unfamiliar with; I need to expand my music horizons), but her voice reminds me of Adele's in some ways. Oh, wait..she just said she was influenced by Adele and Keith replied that he doesn't think she sounds like her or like any other artist. Whatever. I still hear the Adele, and that's not a bad thing.
Paul Jolley, who sang a Rascall Flats song. He was cute, had a really strong voice, and sounded like could do well in a variety of genres beyond just country. Oh, and he was cute ;).
Dustin Watts, a fireman and another country singer who I, like Nicki Minaj, can already see as a star in the genre.
Bernell Taylor,who lived through Hurrican Katrina. He sang a song from The Color Purple and seemed to have an extremely versatile voice: I can hear him doing old-school R & B, gospel, musical theater...
Monday, January 21, 2013
MLK Day and Inauguration Day
In honor of MLK Day, I give you a collection of some of my favorite quotes from Dr. King.
"Faith is taking the first step even when you can't see the whole staircase."
"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."
"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter."
"We must accept finite disappointment, but we must never lose infinite hope."
"We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools."
"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."
"The good neighbor looks beyond the external accidents and discerns those inner qualities that make all men human and, therefore, brothers."
"Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars... Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that."
Watching President Obama's inaugural speech from the comfort of home: he is quite the inspiring speaker himself. And whatever your views of the President, may we use these next four years to come together as a nation rather than focusing on what divides us.
"Faith is taking the first step even when you can't see the whole staircase."
"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."
"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter."
"We must accept finite disappointment, but we must never lose infinite hope."
"We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools."
"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."
"The good neighbor looks beyond the external accidents and discerns those inner qualities that make all men human and, therefore, brothers."
"Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars... Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that."
Watching President Obama's inaugural speech from the comfort of home: he is quite the inspiring speaker himself. And whatever your views of the President, may we use these next four years to come together as a nation rather than focusing on what divides us.
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Time for a New Blog Start...
I first started blogging on livejournal when I was a sophomore in college...so way back in 2002. My livejournal blog started out largely as a place to rant, as I did a lot of ranting back in those days. It turned into a place to keep in touch with people as well as to write whatever and whenever the urge struck. Then livejournal started slowly dying. The people I was using it to keep in touch with either stopped blogging or moved on to other platforms, and I lost the drive to keep my livejournal current.
I'm thinking that now is the time for me to start a new blog. This one will focus more on social and political commentary and reviews of music, movies, restaurants, etc., but it will also feature the occasional meme, update on my life, and yes, rant/venting. And hopefully I will post at least semi-regularly.
So...welcome!
And to start with, I give you my write up on Les Mis. For some reason, Yahoo Voices, another writing outlet of mine, wouldn't publish this, although they did publish this one of mine. If you think you detect some bitterness there, you would be right. Ahem. Anyway.
Voila:
I’ve been a fan of Les Miserables since I saw the stage musical in 2002 at DC’s National Theater, so I was excited when I heard the movie version would be hitting theaters on Christmas day. Overall, I thought the film, directed by Tim Hooper (The King’s Speech), did the stage version justice and in some cases even improved upon it.
My review will focus largely on casting choices and the actors’ performances. When I first saw the cast list for Les Mis, I thought the choices were suberb, and most performances did not disappoint. There’s a meme going around describing the movie’s plot as “Wolverine vowing to raise Catwoman’s daughter while being hunted down by Gladiator,” and I admit it made me chuckle. Yes, sometimes there is a drawback to casting well-known Hollywood stars who are identified with a particular role. However, the acting abilities of Anne Hathaway, Hugh Jackman et al. outweigh their “big name actor” status for me. Jackman, who has a Broadway background in addition to his film experience, becomes whatever character he plays and was entirely convincing as Les Miserables’ lead, reformed convict Jean Valjean. Anne Hathaway I have typecast in my head as a Disney princess since 2001’s the Princess Diaries, but her outstanding, emotional performance as the tragic Fantine was Oscar-worthy.
Wide-eyed Amanda Seyfried, who showed her singing chops in 2008’s film version of Mamma Mia, was exactly how I pictured the adult Cosette. With all the big name stars, though, I was glad unknowns were chosen to play Marius (Eddie Redmayne) and Eponine (Samantha Barks). Barks especially excelled as Eponine; she has one of the strongest singing voices in the cast and truly delivered both musically and emotionally in her wistful performances of On My Own and A Little Fall of Rain.
There were a few disappointments. Sacha Baron Cohen (Borat) and Helena Bonham Carter (Dark Shadows) provided much-needed comic relief as the sleazy inn-keepers the Thenardiers, but their musical numbers lacked energy. I know both are capable of delivering more, as they did in 2007’s film version of Sweeny Todd.
The biggest letdown for me was Russell Crowe as Javert. I thought his singing voice was weak, but more importantly, he lacked the intensity, self-righteousness and single-minded drive of a man who spends half his life tracking down a man who broke parole after stealing a loaf of bread.
Other notes:
• The movie version of Les Miserables features a new song, “Suddenly.” Sung by Hugh Jackman as Valjean, it is a moving and emotional portrayal of the beginning of his life as father to Cosette. The music and lyrics fit well into the existing Les Mis score, and the song and the scene add a depth to Valjean’s character and relationship with Cosette that was missing from the stage musical.
• Empty Chairs at Empty Tables has to be one of the saddest songs ever written, and Eddie Redmayne as Marius delivers all the mournful intensity it requires.
• In many ways, Les Miserables is ideal for film adaptation. The filmmakers took full advantage of the medium with well-drifted action sequences and sweeping views of Paris from above mixed with more intimate shots of city and village streets.
So, do go see Les Mis, whether you are familiar with the stage musical or not. Next on my list: to read the book.
I'm thinking that now is the time for me to start a new blog. This one will focus more on social and political commentary and reviews of music, movies, restaurants, etc., but it will also feature the occasional meme, update on my life, and yes, rant/venting. And hopefully I will post at least semi-regularly.
So...welcome!
And to start with, I give you my write up on Les Mis. For some reason, Yahoo Voices, another writing outlet of mine, wouldn't publish this, although they did publish this one of mine. If you think you detect some bitterness there, you would be right. Ahem. Anyway.
Voila:
I’ve been a fan of Les Miserables since I saw the stage musical in 2002 at DC’s National Theater, so I was excited when I heard the movie version would be hitting theaters on Christmas day. Overall, I thought the film, directed by Tim Hooper (The King’s Speech), did the stage version justice and in some cases even improved upon it.
My review will focus largely on casting choices and the actors’ performances. When I first saw the cast list for Les Mis, I thought the choices were suberb, and most performances did not disappoint. There’s a meme going around describing the movie’s plot as “Wolverine vowing to raise Catwoman’s daughter while being hunted down by Gladiator,” and I admit it made me chuckle. Yes, sometimes there is a drawback to casting well-known Hollywood stars who are identified with a particular role. However, the acting abilities of Anne Hathaway, Hugh Jackman et al. outweigh their “big name actor” status for me. Jackman, who has a Broadway background in addition to his film experience, becomes whatever character he plays and was entirely convincing as Les Miserables’ lead, reformed convict Jean Valjean. Anne Hathaway I have typecast in my head as a Disney princess since 2001’s the Princess Diaries, but her outstanding, emotional performance as the tragic Fantine was Oscar-worthy.
Wide-eyed Amanda Seyfried, who showed her singing chops in 2008’s film version of Mamma Mia, was exactly how I pictured the adult Cosette. With all the big name stars, though, I was glad unknowns were chosen to play Marius (Eddie Redmayne) and Eponine (Samantha Barks). Barks especially excelled as Eponine; she has one of the strongest singing voices in the cast and truly delivered both musically and emotionally in her wistful performances of On My Own and A Little Fall of Rain.
There were a few disappointments. Sacha Baron Cohen (Borat) and Helena Bonham Carter (Dark Shadows) provided much-needed comic relief as the sleazy inn-keepers the Thenardiers, but their musical numbers lacked energy. I know both are capable of delivering more, as they did in 2007’s film version of Sweeny Todd.
The biggest letdown for me was Russell Crowe as Javert. I thought his singing voice was weak, but more importantly, he lacked the intensity, self-righteousness and single-minded drive of a man who spends half his life tracking down a man who broke parole after stealing a loaf of bread.
Other notes:
• The movie version of Les Miserables features a new song, “Suddenly.” Sung by Hugh Jackman as Valjean, it is a moving and emotional portrayal of the beginning of his life as father to Cosette. The music and lyrics fit well into the existing Les Mis score, and the song and the scene add a depth to Valjean’s character and relationship with Cosette that was missing from the stage musical.
• Empty Chairs at Empty Tables has to be one of the saddest songs ever written, and Eddie Redmayne as Marius delivers all the mournful intensity it requires.
• In many ways, Les Miserables is ideal for film adaptation. The filmmakers took full advantage of the medium with well-drifted action sequences and sweeping views of Paris from above mixed with more intimate shots of city and village streets.
So, do go see Les Mis, whether you are familiar with the stage musical or not. Next on my list: to read the book.
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