A 12 year old boy is being charged as an adult for a murder he committed at age 11. I understand that its the law that they charge anyone over 10 as adults for such violent crimes, but does anyone actually believe that a kid that age is capable of understanding the world?
Most kids his age are still trying to convince teachers that the dog ate their homework and get their parents to let them play outside after dark. Well-adjusted, properly supervised children are not shooting people with shotguns. Obviously, something went rather wrong there.
Furthermore, what kind of moron came up with the idea of a "youth model 20-gauge shotgun" and what kind of idiot thinks they should give one to their kid? What did they think he was going to do with it if not shoot something? Why would anyone that young need a shotgun in the first place. If they're too tiny to hold a real gun, they're too young to be using one.
This seems to be a failure of just about every level possible. Bad parenting raised a kid to do something horrible which is now going to let society do something else brutal. It's a plague on all their houses.
Cite your source:
http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/03/29/boy.homicide/index.html?hpt=T2
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Friday, March 26, 2010
Avatar
I know I'm a bit behind the times, but I finally saw Avatar this week.
Not to say that it wasn't good or that there wasn't an important message buried (or rather, smacking you right in the face) in there, but I had some questions. For instance- WTF?
Well done with the special effects. Everything was gorgeous. Great. Brilliant.
But, for originality, way to fail. That was like the hippie bastard child of Dances with Wolves and Apocalypse Now. They even got a Ride of the Valkyries reference in there. Not sure how many ways there are to say predictable, but that movie was an ode to cliche plot lines.
Also, frankly, blaming everything on the US military was unfair. First he establishes an amorphous corporation, but he ignores them entirely and focuses on the Colonel. Everyone is referred to by military ranks, even though they are supposedly retired, and is wearing camouflage gear. Just for the sake of not beating up on people fighting for freedom and their lives in the real world, it might have been nice for Cameron to show someone somewhere in a suit making a decision.
Nevertheless, I like the movie. It did run a little long but not excessively so. Apocalypse Now definitely felt longer (read: it never freaking seemed to end), so if you want the short remake, here it is. Titanic fans, this one is right up your alley (and if you cried for Jack: one, you should be ashamed of yourself; two, you'll probably cry for Jake). If you are into language, anthropology, or just want to stare at something pretty for a while, this is for you.
Especially if you don't mind getting hit over the head with the Symbolism Stick.
Not to say that it wasn't good or that there wasn't an important message buried (or rather, smacking you right in the face) in there, but I had some questions. For instance- WTF?
Well done with the special effects. Everything was gorgeous. Great. Brilliant.
But, for originality, way to fail. That was like the hippie bastard child of Dances with Wolves and Apocalypse Now. They even got a Ride of the Valkyries reference in there. Not sure how many ways there are to say predictable, but that movie was an ode to cliche plot lines.
Also, frankly, blaming everything on the US military was unfair. First he establishes an amorphous corporation, but he ignores them entirely and focuses on the Colonel. Everyone is referred to by military ranks, even though they are supposedly retired, and is wearing camouflage gear. Just for the sake of not beating up on people fighting for freedom and their lives in the real world, it might have been nice for Cameron to show someone somewhere in a suit making a decision.
Nevertheless, I like the movie. It did run a little long but not excessively so. Apocalypse Now definitely felt longer (read: it never freaking seemed to end), so if you want the short remake, here it is. Titanic fans, this one is right up your alley (and if you cried for Jack: one, you should be ashamed of yourself; two, you'll probably cry for Jake). If you are into language, anthropology, or just want to stare at something pretty for a while, this is for you.
Especially if you don't mind getting hit over the head with the Symbolism Stick.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Not All News is Created Equal
As has been widely covered in the news lately, the District of Columbia will become the sixth, well it’s not a state, but close enough maybe, to allow gay couples to marry. Fantastic news. No problems here. Not really any of my business.
What is interesting, though, amid all this hubbub, when every serious reporter and his brother was trying to cover this, is the still present fact that not all coverage is created equal. Fox News’ article chimed in at a mere 75 words. The extended edition managed to scrape up 124 words. Faulkner wrote sentences longer than that. Dictionary definitions are longer than that. CNN at least managed to find space for about 300 words on the same story. The Washington Post takes the cake with over 1100. I’m not sure what Westboro Baptist Church wrote on the subject, but they were there protesting in person, so their voices were certainly heard.
Fox News did, however, find space for 750 words remind us all that Hollywood prefers skinny girls. As it turns out, most media does. If you needed Fox to remind you, then you just don’t get out enough because a magazine cover could do the same thing.
I know everyone has different passions, but some equity wouldn’t kill you, right? So let’s try giving more focus to major events, even if we don’t always agree. Especially when it’s real news.
(By the way, in case you're interested, the word count on the above comments: 234)
Cite your source:
http://www.myfoxdc.com/dpp/news/dc/dc-gay-marriage-030310
http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2010/03/05/gabourey-sidibes-oscars-dress-mystery-big-hollywood/
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/03/AR2010030300654.html
http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/03/02/dc.same.sex.marriage/index.html
What is interesting, though, amid all this hubbub, when every serious reporter and his brother was trying to cover this, is the still present fact that not all coverage is created equal. Fox News’ article chimed in at a mere 75 words. The extended edition managed to scrape up 124 words. Faulkner wrote sentences longer than that. Dictionary definitions are longer than that. CNN at least managed to find space for about 300 words on the same story. The Washington Post takes the cake with over 1100. I’m not sure what Westboro Baptist Church wrote on the subject, but they were there protesting in person, so their voices were certainly heard.
Fox News did, however, find space for 750 words remind us all that Hollywood prefers skinny girls. As it turns out, most media does. If you needed Fox to remind you, then you just don’t get out enough because a magazine cover could do the same thing.
I know everyone has different passions, but some equity wouldn’t kill you, right? So let’s try giving more focus to major events, even if we don’t always agree. Especially when it’s real news.
(By the way, in case you're interested, the word count on the above comments: 234)
Cite your source:
http://www.myfoxdc.com/dpp/news/dc/dc-gay-marriage-030310
http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2010/03/05/gabourey-sidibes-oscars-dress-mystery-big-hollywood/
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/03/AR2010030300654.html
http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/03/02/dc.same.sex.marriage/index.html
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
A Town by Any Other Name
Topeka, Kansas recently announced that it is temporarily changing its name to Google.
You have got to be kidding me!
When did we abandon the real world and move into the Sims? You don't rename a town just because you got bored (or because you want to win a contest sponsored by certain corporations which cannot for obvious reasons remain nameless). This isn't even Topeka's first time at the rodeo. Apparently, they had another go at this a few years back when they renamed the town ToPikachu. Clearly, they didn't get mocked enough the first time around.
Either this is a sincere, but misguided, attempt to steer some development to a smallish city in Kansas, or its a smallish city in Kansas being an attention whore. Either way, they're being ridiculous.
What's next? Renaming the capitol after whichever rock star we like best this month? I want to rename New York after one of the Muppets. Why not rename Arkansas while we're at it. Any suggestions? In the spirit of the Oscars, let's temporarily rename it Avatar.
Am I sensing a pattern of ridiculous?
Kansas, I'd like to rewelcome you to the real world, that is, if you ever find it. Maybe you should spend some time Googling the directions.
Sign off the Sims and do some real governing.
Cite your sourcehttp://www.cnn.com/2010/TECH/03/02/google.kansas.topeka/index.html
You have got to be kidding me!
When did we abandon the real world and move into the Sims? You don't rename a town just because you got bored (or because you want to win a contest sponsored by certain corporations which cannot for obvious reasons remain nameless). This isn't even Topeka's first time at the rodeo. Apparently, they had another go at this a few years back when they renamed the town ToPikachu. Clearly, they didn't get mocked enough the first time around.
Either this is a sincere, but misguided, attempt to steer some development to a smallish city in Kansas, or its a smallish city in Kansas being an attention whore. Either way, they're being ridiculous.
What's next? Renaming the capitol after whichever rock star we like best this month? I want to rename New York after one of the Muppets. Why not rename Arkansas while we're at it. Any suggestions? In the spirit of the Oscars, let's temporarily rename it Avatar.
Am I sensing a pattern of ridiculous?
Kansas, I'd like to rewelcome you to the real world, that is, if you ever find it. Maybe you should spend some time Googling the directions.
Sign off the Sims and do some real governing.
Cite your sourcehttp://www.cnn.com/2010/TECH/03/02/google.kansas.topeka/index.html
Babes in Bars
Apparently there is a new trend in New York of yuppies bringing their kids with them when they go out clubbing. Now that's some responsible parenting if I've ever heard of it. Why on Earth would it make sense for parents to allow their infants into bars that wouldn't let a teenager in? No parents are encouraging their 16 year-old to go into these places so why would they want to bring a two year old. Kids get enough bad habits without being in rooms where people go to smoke, drink, and hook-up. Unless you want your kid to learn that its fun to swear like a (drunken) sailor or to be moody and hit people, you better leave them at home when you go partying. Can't afford a sitter? Give me a break. You can afford to go clubbing, you can cough up for the child care. When did New York City run out of thirteen year old girls who would babysit for five bucks an hour and rights to raid your fridge? That's right. It didn't. Maybe you should rent a movie and kick back in your own apartment where you can watch your kid yourself, instead of leaving that to the hapless drunk or the college kid next to you at the bar. Those people are there for a good time too, remember. Come to think of it, maybe that's the problem. These yuppies forgot that eventually everyone needs to stop being that party animal.
Parenthood is about making choices, hopefully good ones, and taking care of your kids. Next time you need to relive the glory days, leave the kids with a sitter.
Cite your source:
http://www.cnn.com/2010/LIVING/03/02/brooklyn.babies.in.bars/index.html?hpt=C1
Parenthood is about making choices, hopefully good ones, and taking care of your kids. Next time you need to relive the glory days, leave the kids with a sitter.
Cite your source:
http://www.cnn.com/2010/LIVING/03/02/brooklyn.babies.in.bars/index.html?hpt=C1
In the Beginning
With all the craziness going on in the world, everyone has an opinion. This is mine.
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