tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31931053847002710082024-02-19T07:51:19.306-08:00Eternally CriticalMy views on politics, movies and the world in general.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger55125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193105384700271008.post-737290130078490662017-02-03T12:54:00.000-08:002017-02-03T12:54:00.637-08:00Of Innocent Mistakes and Political Lies
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Kellyanne Conway strikes again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shortly after entertaining the nation with
the notion of “alternative facts”, she regales us once more, this time with
tales of a massacre that never was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The
Bowling Green massacre”, which Kellyanne referenced in an interview on MSNBC’s “Hardball”
with Chris Matthews, never happened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She
was trying to defend President Trump’s migration ban, but delivered the next
chapter in what is fast becoming a ridiculous comedy of PR errors.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Yes, Ms. Conway has owned up to part of this mistake and
said she was referring to the “Bowling Green Terrorists”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, the point of her message was to
justify Trump’s ban by saying that Obama had done something similar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The whole attempt fell flat on its face
because:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There was no Bowling Green Massacre<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The terrorists were not planning an attack in
the U.S., but were planning to ship weapons to Iraq<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Obama’s administration did not at any time place
a ban on refugees from Iraq.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They did however
review vetting procedures for Iraqi refugees and Special Immigrant Visa
applicants in 2011, which slowed down the process.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I can see how one could make a mistake on live TV and say “Massacre”
instead of “Terrorist”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Totally.
Almost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyway, that doesn’t address the
rest of the issue; the total basis for the statement was untrue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But of course, we don’t use the word “lie”
anymore, do we? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Another case of "alternative facts" perhaps?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span> </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193105384700271008.post-48466992218375952382017-01-24T19:19:00.000-08:002017-01-24T19:19:17.063-08:00Trump vs. Putin<span style="font-family: "calibri";">So, in 2014 Trump called Russia a threat, but now if we got
along with Russia “it wouldn’t be so bad”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I sort of agree with that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
would be great if the US and Russia were to work together towards the furtherance
of world peace and stability.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It would
be an absolute nightmare if the two countries where to work together to
nefarious self-serving ends, such as colonizing countries and “taking their oil”.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, I strongly suspect that the
reality will be very different.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I don’t think either Donald Trump or Vladimir Putin trust
each other very much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think there is
the hope that they will get along, but I’d be very surprised if Russia’s
interests are found to align with those of the United States in most
cases.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Consequently, with Donald Trump
pursuing an aggressive isolationist philosophy, I expect “America First” to
ultimately fly in the face of any proposed long term alliance with Russia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Does Vladimir Putin hope to profit from the Presidency of
Donald Trump?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m quite sure that he
does. Will he do so?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe for a while,
maybe for no period of time at all. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once
the dust clears, words turn into action, speeches turn into policy and Twitter
diplomacy gives way to real substantive conversations, I expect both sides to
have a rude awakening; and that awakening will probably be ruder on Putin’s
side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Donald Trump remains unpredictable
on the world stage and if Russia banks on his support and friendship, they’d
better have a good back-up plan.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193105384700271008.post-64792111903869428502017-01-23T09:06:00.000-08:002017-01-23T09:06:42.097-08:00Alternative Facts – The New United States of America<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of authorities"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="macro"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="toa heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Closing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I have lived under several
governments in 3 continents and am sad to say that the present U.S. one already
reminds me of a third world dictatorship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
Am I being o</span>verly dramatic?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Probably</span>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, when I hear things like<a href="https://www.rawstory.com/2017/01/kellyanne-conway-snaps-at-chuck-todd-sean-spicers-lies-about-crowd-size-are-alternative-facts/">
Kellyanne Conway’s defence</a> of White House Press Secretary <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/01/22/us/fallon-reliable-sources-cnntv/">Sean
Spicer’s bold-faced lie</a>, I can’t help but draw strong comparisons
in my head to what I've seen before. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Think about everything we’ve heard through the campaign, on inauguration day and now: bombastic rhetoric, over
blown promises, overt and covert bullying (allegedly), brazen untruths that not
only insult the viewer’s intelligence but takes said intelligence round the
back shed and gives it a solid beating …<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I feel like I’m in the Twilight Zone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Is this the United States of America? Is this real?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It all sounds disturbingly similar to what we’re
accustomed to seeing from African and Middle-Eastern despots (among others.)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Kellyanne Conway is a bad
liar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She visibly flinched as she talked
about “alternative facts” and clearly didn’t believe what she was saying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even Sean Spicer looked unconvincing in his
speech.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why can’t any of these folks
positively influence the President when he sets off on one of his tours of
alternate reality? His loose relationship with the truth was on full display
during the elections, and didn’t seem to stop him from ultimately winning the
race.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps that’s why he thinks he
can keep going in the same direction.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Arguably, all politicians
lie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Certainly, all politicians present
the facts in a way that favors them most.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>However, most credible politicians do not make bold-faced lies which are
easily controverted by a simple google search, a publicly available video
recording or listening to an audio archive.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
As a man of faith, I believe God
can use anyone to fulfill His purposes on the earth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And yes, God can use Donald Trump.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some days however, it’s easier to believe than
others.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
May God continue to bless the United States of America. </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193105384700271008.post-77305808698942503322017-01-15T19:09:00.001-08:002017-01-15T19:09:33.971-08:00We Shall OvercomeWe shall overcome<br />
We shall overcome<br />
We shall overcome someday<br />
Deep in my heart<br />
I do believe<br />
We shall overcome someday<br />
<br />
So starts the popular anthem that inspired a generation of civil rights activists, and still lives on today. My daughter came home from school singing the song, and I marveled. They're teaching this in schools? Wow, things have really come a long way. Having only recently seen the movie "Selma", one is reminded of the struggles at the heart of the civil rights movement in the '60's. Of course struggles remain today and we only need to watch the news to see that. The damning report on policing in Chicago, the spate of violence that has given rise to the "Black Lives Matter" movement, the intolerance which many Donald Trump supporter have unleashed on the diverse public in the light of his election victory, inflamed by the divisive rhetoric of the President-elect's campaign itself... yes, America still has a very long way to go before racial prejudice and attendant violent conflict is truly overcome.<br />
<br />
Martin Luther King day is a good opportunity to reflect on the positive steps that America has taken towards racial equality, and to honor the memory of the man who, among others, gave his life in pursuit of that dream. Dr. King was a flawed man, as we all are, but he was instrumental in his life and in his death, in bringing the issue of racial inequality to the consciousness of a complacent nation.<br />
<br />
Now, as America bids a long goodbye to its first African American President, it says hello to a new and uncertain era, where key participants in the incoming administration are dogged by accusations of racism and association with openly racist organizations. Will the new administration sincerely seek to govern in the interests of all Americans? I sincerely hope so, and we may all be about to find out.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193105384700271008.post-72665924132407662842017-01-11T12:42:00.000-08:002017-01-11T12:43:11.351-08:00The Crown (TV Series - 2016) - A Review<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The Crown is a Netflix series
which chronicles Queen Elizabeth II’s reign.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The beloved British Monarch is portrayed by Claire Foy (Anne Boylen in
the fantastic “Wolf Hall”), first as the Princess Elizabeth just before her
marriage to Prince Philip, and Season One ends a few years into her reign.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Matt Smith (a former Dr. Who) plays the young
Prince Philip.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I came to the series with very
high expectations, not all of which were met.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Some episodes were positively riveting and I came away with a fresh
appreciation of the humanity of the Queen’s father, King George VI.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A couple of episodes verged on being slow,
though being a keen lover of historical drama I never did feel like switching
off and walking away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">When Season one was done, I felt
as if not enough ground had been covered and there was still too much shut away
behind closed doors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was left wanting
more depth to the story, to some of the characters, as much as is possible when
dramatizing real events.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Having said
that, with multiple Golden Globe nominations and wins including best drama and
best actress in a Drama series, Netflix has clearly done something right here.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Would I watch a Season 2?
Certainly. Would I recommend the Crown to others?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes I would, but with a caveat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You probably need to be a fan of historical
drama, or an avid Anglophile to really enjoy this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s not even particularly Royalist in its
treatment of the family; if anything I wouldn’t be surprised if it was made by
people with Republican leanings (in the Monarchical sense).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Check it out, and let me know
what you think!</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193105384700271008.post-45440137684020914782017-01-06T12:35:00.000-08:002017-01-06T12:35:29.137-08:00Annie (2014) Movie ReviewI feel quite strongly about this one. Annie is a story about an optimistic young foster child who dreams of reuniting with her parents one day, and crosses paths with a rich man who is himself incomplete. The tale follows their interractions and effect on each other's life and world. The 2014 adaptation of the much-loved musical was almost universally panned by critics, and as I direct result I didn't bother to see it until recently. A quiet holiday afternoon afforded the perfect opportunity and I sat down to view this with the family. Despite the critical consensus, we all quite enjoyed this movie.<br />
<br />
Let's get one thing out of the way right now. The voices are auto tuned, and I think this greatly detracts from the viewer's experience. You can't beat great, natural voices, but for whatever reason, this musical decided to go down the robotic route. This is my biggest criticism of the movie, and it's a big one for a musical. <br />
<br />
Having said that, I enjoyed the modern take on the story, the reworked old songs, as well as the new ones. Stand out song for me is "Who am I" which features a sweet harmonic blend between Jamie Fox, Cameron Diaz and Quvenzhane Wallis. Yes, it's auto tuned as well but I really love the harmonies and it still sounds beautiful.<br />
<br />
Cameron Diaz overreacts as Miss Hannigan, intentionally so, but I'm not sure it always works. I didn't always find Quvenzhane believable in the title role, but overall she did a good job. I think Jamie Foxx was excellent as Oliver Warbucks, and clearly the best singer of the main cast.<br />
<br />
Why did critics hate this so much? I suspect nostalgia had a lot to do with it. This Annie did not pay enough deference to the 1982 version - indeed it was perceived by some to have poked fun at it - and I believe that most critics found the change too radical to endure. Some decried the movie's apparent materialistic message, but it's difficult to unreservedly side with that criticism, considering the fact that the film did try rather unsubtly to praise the value of integrity above financial gain. Quoting a couple of lines:<br />
<br />
"Who am I, what have I become?<br />
Do I stand for something, or for money?"<br />
<br />
So, Annie 2014 is not a perfect movie, but it does not deserve 27% on rotten tomatoes. 56% would have been more in order, which is about where IMDB sits (5.3/10).<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193105384700271008.post-5909075296662563812017-01-02T16:02:00.002-08:002017-01-03T10:44:23.648-08:00The Trouble With North KoreaSo, Kim Jung Un is now planning to test a nuclear launch missile which could potentially reach the United States. How did we get here? I remember the days when the UN was inspecting sites in North Korea; you know, those days before the second war in Iraq. North Korea asserted its rights to use nuclear power, and after a brief cat-and-mouse game, kicked the inspectors out of the country and re-opened their nuclear research facilities.<br />
<br />
What did the UN do about it? Oh, the usual... strongly denounced North Korea's actions, tabled sanctions, then sat impotently by as North Korea gleefully progressed its nuclear programme. What did the United States do about it? Not much. They were too busy planning to invade Saddam Hussein in order to divest him of ... wait for it ... weapons of mass destruction.<br />
<br />
There is something very wrong with your foreign policy if you ignore a country that's kicking out nuclear inspectors and openly restarting nuclear facilities, and attack the country that insists it has no weapons and is at least making a show of a last-minute attempt to cooperate with the international community. <br />
<br />
All that is ancient history... except that it isn't. The effects of those decisions, actions and distinct inaction from 14 years ago are still felt today, and may reverberate far into the future if nothing is done about it now. What does one do about North Korea? Dismiss and ignore the leader's statements? Assume they're just rhetoric, politically motivated and only loosely based on facts? Charge in with military might and risk destabilizing the Korean Peninsula - again? <br />
<br />
I think it's a very bad idea to keep standing by while a notoriously reclusive and potentially unstable regime gets its hands on long-range nuclear capabilities. However, it's equally -if not more- dangerous to destabilize strong regional/national leadership and unwittingly unleash a flood of potentially disgruntled formerly suppressed militant groups upon the region and the world. Perhaps it's time for a proper negotiation with North Korea which will ease economic sanctions in return for a cessation of nuclear activities.<br />
<br />
I pray for wisdom for those who do have to make the decisions in today's perilous world. May God help them, and us.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193105384700271008.post-10157695981193041062016-12-29T11:06:00.000-08:002016-12-29T11:08:11.158-08:00Is Russia in Charge Right Now?<span style="font-family: "calibri";">So, Vladimir Putin has announced a
Syrian Ceasefire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Was the United States anywhere
near that negotiation table?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The UK? Not even remotely so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>France? (What, who?)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No, Russia and Turkey have apparently ground
down their enemies and worked together to negotiate a ceasefire in Syria while
the West stares impotently on.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Am I the only one who feels like
he’s witnessing a changing of the guard?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Is Russia in charge right now?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
a potential close relationship between the United States and Russia, would this
be a marriage of equals or the capitulation of a superpower to a re-emerging
one?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I have the distinct fear that
President-elect Trump’s lack of experience will play into the superior scheming
hands of the Russian strongman.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t
know Mr. Putin; I can’t claim to understand his deeper motivations or
intentions for Europe, the Middle East or the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just know that he appears to be built in
the mold of dictators past; strong, awe-inspiring to an extent, unassailable and
well-loved by a solid cross-section of his people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the surface there appears to be much to
admire, but not far beneath there seems to lurk the threat of something more
sinister.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Real, or imagined?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who knows?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I remember an article about 20
years ago in Time Magazine which started something like this: “America rules
the world, and that’s good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who would
you rather have in charge? China…?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Well, Donald Trump ran a campaign to “make America great again.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With Europe glancing nervously at its
long-time ally, uncertain of what the future brings and where its true ideological
allegiance will lie, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>with a resurgent –
no – dominant Russia strutting the world stage and reshaping the global
conflict landscape, with a strong China slowly buying out Africa and courting
new friends and allies in South America, Donald Trump has his work cut out for
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193105384700271008.post-27320379390805818692016-12-27T11:46:00.000-08:002016-12-27T11:47:48.618-08:00The Future of the United Nations<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I remember watching an
episode of Dick van Dyke's “Diagnosis Murder” many years ago, in
which a terrorist conspiracy theorist accused the “United Nations
shadow government” of influencing US affairs. Watching that, I
laughed as I considered how such a story line would not make it to
the screen today. I would be surprised if even conspiracy theorists
thought so much of the UN today as to presume that they could have a
shadow government in place in any major nation.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Donald Trump has said
that the UN is a club for people to “have a good time”. He has
also said that “things will be different” after he takes office.
What exactly does he mean? Of course, we can't be sure. But we can
be sure that the UN cannot survive as a viable international body
without the financial and moral support of the United States.
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The US pays 22 percent
of the world's contributions to the UN budget, 28 percent of the
peacekeeping budget and is one of the 5 permanent members of the
security council. The UN headquarters itself is located in New York
City. It must be quite troubled for the UN leadership to witness the
growing schism between the organisation and its primary benefactor.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I expect a Trump-led
United States to be much more nationalistic than the Obama
administration; President-elect Trump doesn't seem to take much
interest in being the “leader of the free world”. On the
contrary, he clearly stated during his ultimately successful election
campaign: “I'm not running to be President of the World”. Where
does this leave bodies devoted to international cooperation such as
the UN? I submit that it puts those bodies on the path to
quasi-irrelevance unless and until they fall in line with the will of
the US Government. And if truly the UN cannot function without
towing the US's diplomatic line, then what is the point of the body
except as a thinly veiled cover aimed at legitimising US global
foreign policy?</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The new world order
commences on January 20<sup>th</sup>. What exactly will it look
like? None of us knows for sure, but I bet it's going to be
interesting!</div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193105384700271008.post-71664961743486827362016-12-26T09:24:00.000-08:002016-12-26T09:25:02.178-08:00The Little Prince (2015) - Movie ReviewMy wife and daughter
watched the little prince several weeks ago and were very moved by
it. Over Thanksgiving and Christmas, my daughter's gifts have centred around Little Prince merchandise including a stuffed Mr. Fox,
a star night-light and principal character figurines. Feeling rather
left out, I decided to watch the recent Netflix production of the
Little Prince this morning. I went into the movie not totally
unaware of the story, having watched a Japanese Anime version as a
child (which by the way only retains some characters, not the story)
and having been told the end by a friend a few months ago. (Thanks
pal).
<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The Netflix version is
more closely based on the immensely popular book by Antoine de
Saint-Expuery, and stars the voice-over talents of James Franco, Rachel McAdams, Marion Cotillard, Benicio del Toro and Paul Giamatti. It tells the tale of a little girl, burdened by the
lofty expectations of a controlling but well-intentioned mother, who
accidentally makes a friendship with an old man in the eccentric
house next door. The old man proceeds to tell her of the little
prince, a little explorer from another planet, who he met in the
Sahara desert decades earlier.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The tale is
fantastical, multi-layered and emotional. This version beautifully
blends the original tale with a modern story, which offers up
additional tools to help with interpreting the story; and yes, this
story does require interpretation – a lot of it. This is the chief
strength of the Little Prince. It's not just an entertaining tale
for children; in fact, I wonder if it was ever truly intended to be a
children's story at all. I encountered multiple layers of meaning in
the story and found myself quite seriously contemplating my life at
the end of it. The themes are not new, but they are beautifully and
artistically considered and delivered.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I will say that I
questioned the suitability of one of the themes for children (again
lending credence to my theory that this was never intended to be a
children's story) but the treatment of that theme was done tastefully
and artistically, in such a way that the impact on young minds would
be minimized.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
All things considered,
I thoroughly enjoyed this movie and would give it 5/5.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193105384700271008.post-14753995672576139242016-12-24T09:35:00.005-08:002016-12-24T09:36:10.983-08:00The New Nuclear World – Of Putin, Trump and the Power of a Tweet<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Earlier this Thursday,
Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed the need for Russia to
“strengthen the military potential of strategic nuclear forces,
especially with missile complexes that can reliably penetrate any
existing and prospective missile defense systems.” U.S.
President-elect Donald Trump responded (at least it appeared to be a
response to Putin's statement) with the following tweet:
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<i><b>the United
States must greatly strengthen and expand its nuclear capability
until such time as the world comes to its senses regarding nukes.”</b></i></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The world reacted with
disbelief. Putin and Trump? Aren't they supposed to be on good
terms? Did the President-elect of the United States just start a new
nuclear arms race <b>with a tweet?! </b><span style="font-weight: normal;">If
there is any reason to take away the President-elect's mobile devices
for a while, this is one. Did he intend to be provocative? Did he
mean to send a message to the world that America is strong and won't
be bullied and will never back down? Or was he simply emphasising the
need to modernize and maintain America's existing nuclear
capabilities?</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">The
fact that the tweet is so ambiguous about such a sensitive matter
affecting world peace and security is extremely troubling. Is this a
foretaste of things to come? I view President Putin as a reasonably
sensible leader. Strong, authoritarian and certainly not to
everyone's taste, but he's no Kim Jung-Il. What happens down the
line if the US President engages in loose or ambiguous exchanges with
a more volatile nuclear regime? Isn't this the very thing the
Clinton Campaign warned America about?</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Trump
reportedly gave further colour to his tweet in a telephone
conversation with MSNBC's Mika Brzezinski:</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<b>Let it be an arms
race. We will outmatch them at every pass and outlast them all.”</b></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">There's
no need going on about the US 2016 elections anymore. They are past,
Trump is President-elect and he will become the 45</span><sup><span style="font-weight: normal;">th</span></sup><span style="font-weight: normal;">
President of the United States. The world must wish him well and
work with him for all our sakes, or the consequences could be very
dire indeed. My generation has been very lucky, in not having seen
any major global conflict - yet. However, such conflicts are not
necessarily consigned to the history books; it would not be the first
time that millions have been led to their doom on the back of a
leader's avoidable mistakes.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">This
is where we must look to those who surround the President-elect;
those who are more diplomatic, who have more experience of the
reality of world affairs beyond the cold hard world of
business-driven brinkmanship. This is where the team around Trump
will need to step in, to bring out the best in the man, and keep the
worst at bay.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">I
wish them well. I wish us all well.</span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193105384700271008.post-5093084143326073692016-12-23T08:10:00.000-08:002016-12-23T08:10:31.180-08:00Adam Saleh, the Boy Who Cried الذئب (Wolf) ? #Boycott Delta
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The “Youtube sensation” Adam Saleh recently made an
accusation that he was </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43RgvVY_wvQ"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">kicked
off a Delta Airlines flight for speaking Arabic</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My first reaction to this story was utter
shock and horror.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>According to Mr.
Saleh, he was speaking on the phone to his mother when a “white” lady nearby
said she was uncomfortable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a
verbal altercation, and he and his friend got kicked off the plane.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adam Saleh recorded part of the episode, and
aired it on his popular Youtube channel.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">What is or was your reaction upon hearing this story for
this first time?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anger? Sadness?
Confusion?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What is the world coming to,
right?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, this is one of those
situations where it pays to check the facts before drawing a conclusion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who exactly is Adam Saleh?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My independent research (cough… Google) has
shown that he is a young man well known for “crying wolf.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For example, he once published a video of
himself being allegedly frisked by a policeman for dressing like a Muslim. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It later emerged that this video was faked and
that the “policeman” was an actor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKXicEB15YM"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">Adam’s defence</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">? Apparently
it was a re-enactment of what had happened earlier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I agree that a person’s prior wrongdoing does
not conclusively prove that their current action is wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It does however make you think twice, thrice
and even four times about the integrity of their current position.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">An alternative version of events, according to a witness on
the plane, is that Adam Saleh randomly pumped his first in the air and shouted
in Arabic on 3 occasions, causing her to state that she was uncomfortable, and
that this is what kicked off the whole debacle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Now that puts a whole different spin on things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know I would feel extremely uncomfortable
under those circumstances!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here is a
great summary by </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PkGcALRJRd4"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">David
Wood</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Whatever the facts, this is a lesson that life has taught me
well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s always another side to the
story, and you are forming your opinion on incomplete facts, if you have not
heard that other side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As much as
possible, always seek out both sides of the story, digest them, and then decide
what you believe.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">What is your opinion of Adam Saleh and the #boycott Delta
trend?</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193105384700271008.post-13911901929169875442016-12-21T20:55:00.001-08:002016-12-21T20:55:20.941-08:00Max Lucado's The Christmas Candle - 2013 - Movie reviewI saw Max Lucado's "The Christmas Candle" last night on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Lucados-Christmas-Candle-Samantha-Barks/dp/B00O2ENK84/ref=sr_1_1?s=instant-video&ie=UTF8&qid=1482381102&sr=1-1&keywords=the+christmas+candle" target="_blank">Amazon Prime</a> and quite enjoyed it. The story, based on Mr. Lucado's book, starts off with a tale about a candle which is touched by an angel once a year; whoever lights that candle and prays is sure to get an answer. It then moves on to a subsequent generation and follows the tale of a preacher whose faith has been derailed by personal tragedy, and looks to find it again in the small town from which - coincidentally - originated the legend of the Christmas Candle.<br />
<br />
Ultimately this is a tale about faith and doubt, reason and superstition, and the discerning viewer can draw lessons from the parable even where they are not clearly stated. While I enjoyed the movie and it delivered more than I expected (for I grant I expected a simpler, lighter Christmas tale), I do think it lost an opportunity to clearly articulate a particular lesson; I would have written the end slightly differently, to accentuate the message that had been implied by other events in the movie.<br />
<br />
Hans Matheson shines in the lead role as the preacher David Richmond, while Sylvester McCoy (Dr. Who 1987 - 1989!) also does a fantastic job as Edward Harrington, the old keeper of the candles, supported by Leslie Manville. Susan Boyle's debut movie performance leaves much to be desired; she's a truly gifted singer, but she seemed stiff and uncomfortable on set, and I even suspected that her speaking voice had been dubbed over - even if by herself - in a couple of scenes.<br />
<br />
The critics hated this movie - not a surprise given the subject matter and the way it was treated - but most audiences responded positively according to the scores on <a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_christmas_candle_2013/" target="_blank">Rotten Tomatoes</a>. I'm with the audiences on this one. It could have been executed better, but it was entertaining and inspiring, without being saccharine.<br />
<br />
If you get the chance to see it, let me know what you think!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193105384700271008.post-70506567665514920112016-12-20T14:14:00.002-08:002016-12-20T14:16:02.155-08:00Murder in Ankara<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The assassination of the Russian Ambassador in Turkey is a
cruel, senseless act which cannot be justified by Russia’s actions in
Syria.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>War is a complicated and brutal
thing, and it’s difficult to summarize the rights and wrongs of any conflict –
where they can be defined at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Regardless of the merit or otherwise of Russia’s actions in supporting
Bashar Al-Assad, the taking of a life outside of legitimate combat is nothing
short of murder, and the main actor(s) in such an affair are nothing but cold-blooded
killers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is no honor in shooting a
man in the back and then ranting like a lunatic waiting to be taken out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is no glory in robbing a wife of her
husband and a son of his father. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The killer has wasted his own life, as well as Andrei Karlov’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has changed nothing in Syria and his actions
will do nothing to further the interests of the besieged, persecuted and
oppressed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has only taken a life,
lost his own and thrown his own family and friends as well as Mr. Karlov’s into
disarray. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">What a broken world we live in, and how sad that people are
moved to treat their fellow man so.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">What a broken world we live in.<o:p></o:p></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193105384700271008.post-37823500856079952242016-12-19T21:43:00.000-08:002016-12-21T10:40:45.179-08:00I Love Lucy (TV Series 1951 - 1957) - Brief Review<div>
<div>
For a comedy series this old, it's amazing how current and funny the jokes are. Of course I've heard about the series since I was a child, but never had the opportunity of watching it. Having recently discovered it on Hulu, it's become one of my favorite comedies. There are 4 main characters; Lucy (Lucille Ball) - a wide-eyed slightly neurotic housewife; her husband Ricky Ricardo (Desi Arnaz), and their landlord & landlady, Fred (William Vance) and Ethel (Vivian Vance).</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Lucy is the main comical character, with Ricky playing the sensible one. Neither Fred nor Ethel are particularly sensible, which adds to the fun. The series is fully scripted, but you wouldn't know it; wonderfully acted, genuinely funny (and not much is these days) and full of old-fashioned heart, I whole-heartedly recommend this to lovers of clean family comedy.</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193105384700271008.post-5487956537040233842016-12-18T20:58:00.000-08:002016-12-18T20:58:04.377-08:00Black or White (2014) Movie ReviewBlack or White stars Kevin Costner, Octavia Spencer and Gillian Jacobs in a drama about a custody battle for Elliott Anderson's (Costner's) mixed race grand-daughter. I watched this yesterday on Netflix - after much procrastination - and enjoyed it. The casting of the little girl was impeccable; totally believable as the child torn between loyalty to and love for her grandfather, and her love for her wider African-American extended family. Add to this the longing for a father she never knew and you have the makings of a good dramatic tale.<br />
<br />
I had feared that this movie would be predictable and preachy, but I was wrong. The subject matter, I feel, was appropriately handled with a good dose of realism mixed with smatterings of Hollywood caricatures and absurdities, for dramatic and sometimes comic effect.<br />
<br />
Having said that, I didn't find myself as emotionally invested as I should have been, and I'm not sure why. There was plenty of emotional bait drip-fed to the viewer, so perhaps this speaks more to my state of mind while watching than to the movie's power to engage its audience and make them feel something.<br />
<br />
If you like dramas and movies about race/ racial identity, then you might well enjoy this one.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193105384700271008.post-27733194772970574182016-12-16T23:39:00.000-08:002016-12-18T20:58:26.844-08:00This Is Us (TV Series - 2016) - A Brief Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I first encountered this delightful drama after my wife started watching it on Hulu several weeks ago. I started from the last 10 minutes of Episode one, got busy, and dropped in again halfway through Episode 3. A couple of episodes later, I realized that this show was a keeper. If you've been lucky enough not to have not had the story spoilt, then please start from Episode one, pay attention and enjoy the unfolding drama.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This is us is well acted - the entire cast is strong - well written and layered with emotion. It's exactly the sort of program I enjoy watching; definite progress is made each week as the story unfolds, as opposed to some dramas which stretch out a theme or premise like some sort of never-ending cliffhanger. This show is one that satisfies, episode after episode, and yet simultaneously leaves you questioning and wanting more.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
If I have a criticism of the show, it's that a story arc was inserted towards the end of the season that I found difficult to reconcile with a character we had slowly grown to and love. It wasn't believable to me and seemed to have been written in as an after-thought.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Season one is now over in the US, and I can't wait for season two. Hopefully the show will not falter, stumbling down unnecessary routes but will stick to heart of the compelling unfolding tale which has gripped many fans, including this one, for the last several weeks.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193105384700271008.post-82494342786431516912016-12-14T08:28:00.001-08:002016-12-18T21:01:24.771-08:00What Does it Take To Be President? The Playbook from 2016<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<a href="https://verocommunique.files.wordpress.com/2016/07/campaign.jpg?w=676" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="CAMPAIGN" border="0" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-11114" data-attachment-id="11114" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="CAMPAIGN" data-large-file="https://verocommunique.files.wordpress.com/2016/07/campaign.jpg?w=676?w=639" data-medium-file="https://verocommunique.files.wordpress.com/2016/07/campaign.jpg?w=676?w=300" data-orig-file="https://verocommunique.files.wordpress.com/2016/07/campaign.jpg?w=676" data-orig-size="639,426" data-permalink="https://verocommunique.com/2016/07/21/steve-meyer-part-three-presidential-campaigns-are-insignificant-in-determining-election-outcomes/campaign/" height="213" src="https://verocommunique.files.wordpress.com/2016/07/campaign.jpg?w=676" width="320" /></a><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Speak with confidence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It doesn’t matter if you know what you’re
talking about, or if what you’re saying makes sense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just say it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Say it loud, and say it like you mean it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(No, it doesn’t matter if you mean it
either).</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>Take every opportunity that comes your way to
drum up publicity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Think of the most
outlandish thing you can say, and just say it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Okay, it may hurt you for a while but folks can be pretty forgiving; you’ll
be okay.
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Grab cats.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Lots of them. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Work it out.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Be a master of social media.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t worry about looking a bit odd sending
random tweets in the middle of the night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It shows you’re engaging with your public and what’s more, that you’re
entertaining!</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Appear different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Promise to drain swamps or something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again, you don’t have to think through what
this means in detail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’ll sound great.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
And if you follow these steps and do become president?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tear up the playbook and start from
scratch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just hire smart folks and let
them run the country for you, freeing up your time to remotely manage your
business investments and produce celebrity reality shows.
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Done deal!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Based on a
true story.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193105384700271008.post-89701674763759465392016-12-12T09:13:00.000-08:002016-12-12T09:13:46.629-08:00America is Good and Russia is Bad. Right?
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I grew up in a world where Russia was bad and America was
good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These were the final cold war years, the
time of Gorbachev and Reagan, when even superhero comic books had our caped
wonders battling the evils of communism and contemplating the assassination of
Soviet leaders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How times have changed.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLMLZgy6Ogm1rwdCxhu-hxF5qtOaMf91_7U_d_wx3NE7ZEmm4_ou97U-Df6ek3gvS4ggleFizSvqhJICnWbNyHtDubzQnUcNXLdIopDpu7RWIWNbjccWlUFm0IVU5zO1xj5hvEZt64-U20/s1600/usa-vs-rusko.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLMLZgy6Ogm1rwdCxhu-hxF5qtOaMf91_7U_d_wx3NE7ZEmm4_ou97U-Df6ek3gvS4ggleFizSvqhJICnWbNyHtDubzQnUcNXLdIopDpu7RWIWNbjccWlUFm0IVU5zO1xj5hvEZt64-U20/s320/usa-vs-rusko.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The election of Donald Trump in the United States has made a
lot of people question the future of the established world order.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That settled state of affairs where America
stands for freedom and tolerance and democracy, against despots and tyrants and
terrorists, is a thing which can no longer be taken for granted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In this writer’s opinion, President-elect Trump said and did
many troubling things during his successful presidential campaign, two of which
were to publicly speak in favor of Russia’s Vladimir Putin and suggest his
(Trump’s) support of Russia’s alleged hacking into the Democratic Party’s
emails.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He stated clearly that he admired
the Russian strongman, and that Putin had bested Obama at every step.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now that Trump is weeks away from being sworn in as the
President of the United States, what are we to expect from the United States –
Russia relationship?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is this apparent
chumminess a good thing?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Does it signal
the start of a safer more coordinated era of peaceful diplomacy among major
world powers? Or is it the start of a troubling decline towards pragmatism and
away from social and philosophical ideals that have held sway in Western world politics
since the end of World War II?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Only time will tell. </span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193105384700271008.post-8098412030869023752014-07-15T00:09:00.000-07:002014-07-15T00:09:43.730-07:00An Eye For An EyeAn eye for an eye makes the whole world blind. So said India's spiritual leader, Mahatma Gandhi. I can't help but remember this quote as I watch events unfold in the Middle East. I speak particularly of the on going escalation of conflict between Israel and the people of Palestine.<br />
<br />
In June this year, 3 Israeli teenagers were kidnapped and cruelly murdered by as yet unknown criminals. Israel blamed Hamas for the horrific act, and warned of retribution. Shortly afterwards, a Palestinian teenager was dead. Tensions escalated in Palestine, rioting ensued. Israel threatened Hamas, while Hamas threatened Israel. Cue the firing of rockets from Hamas, air and naval attacks from Israel, and multiple Palestinian deaths. My heart bleeds for the parents of the three murdered teenagers. I weep for the parents of the murdered Palestinian teenager. I cry for the families of the 180 people who have reportedly been killed as a result of Israel's attacks in Palestine. There are no winners in this. Killing one more, or hundreds of people will not bring back those poor boys. Rather, the continued bombardment of a people who consider themselves to be under oppression, is more likely to breed further resistance, hate and revenge down the line. On the other hand, the continued firing of tickets towards Israel will only serve to increase that country's reserve to defeat the "terrorists". <br />
<br />
An eye for an eye will keep the middle east in a perpetual state of war, unless one side succeeds in completely destroying the other. Palestine is not capable of destroying Israel, and Israel is not likely to pursue full-fledged genocide against Palestine. Therefore, the current course of action is destined to fail and to be self-defeating for both sides.<br />
<br />
The only hope for peace in the region is the same path that brought about the end of apartheid in South Africa; forgiveness, truth and reconciliation. The chances of this happening seem very slim indeed, but until this prospect is entertained by both sides, we are likely to keep seeing this cycle of violence played out over and over again. <br />
<br />
I wish it were different. I wish we would "turn the other cheek" instead of seeking "an eye for an eye". I wish for peace in a broken world.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193105384700271008.post-32921048857970089062014-07-13T14:00:00.000-07:002014-07-13T14:00:01.623-07:00Why I Pray For The PopeI am a Christian and make no secret of this. I believe, whole heartedly, in the birth, death, resurrection and future return of Jesus Christ. I attended a Roman Catholic primary school and was brought up in Protestant churches. I have lost count of the number of churches I've regularly attended, but I'll take a stab at naming the denominations: Catholic, Presbyterian, Evangelical, Methodist, Non-denominational (independent), Anglican and Baptist. I currently attend a Pentecostal church, but I do not accept the label for myself. The only labels I generally accept are "Christian" and "believer (in Christ)". I advocate to all who will listen, that we have to look for, celebrate and preserve the things that bind us Christians together, and not those which pull us apart. After all, Jesus himself prayed that we all should be one, as he and the Father are one.<br />
<br />
Why do I pray for the Pope? Not because I consider him to be <b><i>my</i></b> leader, or the successor to St. Peter, or the head of the church. Not because I believe in the exultation of Mary, prayer to saints and angels, or any of the usual doctrinal issues that separate a "Catholic" from a "Protestant". I pray for the Pope because he is <b><i>a</i></b> leader and is my brother in Christ. He professes to believe in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ as the hope of salvation for himself and for the world, and this fact alone makes him my brother. The Pope wields enormous influence over large swathes of the world's population. He was named in 2014 by Twiplomacy as the most influencial person on Twitter, measured not just by the number of people following him (over 14 million) but by the number of times his tweets are retweeted (17,000 times per tweet). His words carry far and are heard by millions, and his opinions and decisions have the potential to affect the lives of so many, that it would simply be irresponsible not to pray for him.<br />
<br />
The Apostle Paul wrote that we ought to pray for our leaders, and this injunction clearly extends to praying for both political and spiritual leaders; praying for them to speak and act with wisdom and to rule justly. I encourage all who share my faith to take some time each day to do just that. Pray for your local Councillor, your Mayor, your Governor, your Parliament, your President, your Prime Minister, your King, your Queen. Pray for your Pastor, your Priest, your Bishop, your Archbishop. Spend less time criticising without action, and more time praying. By all means speak up against injustice, folly and oppression but don't forget to petition the one who sits as King above all Kings.<br />
<br />
When all is said and done, please do not neglect to pray for the Pope. Heaven knows he needs it.<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193105384700271008.post-45098021435703240612014-07-12T15:16:00.000-07:002014-07-12T15:16:09.391-07:00Brazil - The Legend is Dead<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWYnvGUezxaXYTIsqqwRgdb2sZX5VW5El4NQzMEZh2sZg1XdXpRaHgrLKPF3C5jF1xjXho5amfVzMNtB0wpx9AJe3MOU4eQgBNecfVsxmmxUYjlVdKJCIF8Sqnf3FJZ2pdz1jXdTPAVB3S/s1600/Brazil+v+Germany.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWYnvGUezxaXYTIsqqwRgdb2sZX5VW5El4NQzMEZh2sZg1XdXpRaHgrLKPF3C5jF1xjXho5amfVzMNtB0wpx9AJe3MOU4eQgBNecfVsxmmxUYjlVdKJCIF8Sqnf3FJZ2pdz1jXdTPAVB3S/s1600/Brazil+v+Germany.jpg" height="232" width="320" /></a></div>
The football loving world looked on in shock and awe on Tuesday as Brazil was humiliated by Germany in the former's worst world cup defeat since 1920. The score: 7 goal to 1, in favour of Germany. I watched the drama unfold from the comfort of my living room, periodically pinching myself to check that I hadn't slept off before kick off. For hours after the game had ended, I was still asking myself the question, "did that just happen?" I thanked God that I was not Brazilian that night.<br />
<br />
It's easy to understand hurt and humiliation such a proud footballing nation felt, and feels, at the utter decimation of its team at such a high profile stage, when they had harboured such hopes of glory. In my view, their hope was misguided in the first place. Brazil had managed to get to the semis without ever having played particularly well. They really ought to have been beaten in the quarter finals by Columbia, but crowd-power pulled them through. With the benefit of hindsight, it would probably have been better for Brazil had they lost gallantly at that earlier stage. As it is, we will probably never be able to see Brazil the same way again. The myth has been shattered, the legend tainted, and the once-proud footballing nation has been reduced to a by-word by the ruthless German machine.<br />
<br />
Would the result have been different had the Brazilian star Neymar not been injured and unable to play? We will never know. What we do know is that one man does not, and should never make a team. Was the absence of defender and captain Thiago Silva to blame? Well, he ought not to have conceded an unnecessary yellow card against Columbia and then he would have been in the fray, marshalling his men against the German onslaught. Whichever way you look at it, there was no excuse for and no way to predict a 7 - 1 thrashing in that game.<br />
<br />
As I write, I watch the third place match is drawing to a close, 3 - 0 to Holland and 4 added minutes left to play, and I shake my head. This isn't Brazil. Perhaps we must wait for another generation of players to excite and amaze us with "samba football". For now, all eyes turn towards tomorrow's final. Will the Germans be brilliant once more and kill Argentina's dream of a first world cup win since 1986?<br />
<br />
By this time tomorrow, we'll know.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193105384700271008.post-8148785102685158662013-03-23T11:51:00.000-07:002013-03-23T15:24:27.210-07:00The Invasion of Iraq - 10 Years On<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Well done George W. Bush. Kudos to you
too, Mr. Blair. How many lives lost? Homes destroyed? Families torn
apart forever? And for what exactly, remind me? Oh yes, to liberate
the people of Iraq. Funny how the media, at least on this side of
the pond, no longer keeps up the façade of commenting on the
“liberation of Iraq” and now correctly refers to it as “the
invasion”. What exactly has been achieved by this act of
aggression, 10 years on? Saddam Hussein is dead, yes. But in his
place Iraq now has what has been called one of the most corrupt
governments on earth. The country has been turned into a breeding
ground for militant extremism, and Iran has been freed from the
threat of a powerful hostile neighbour, allowing them to focus their
energy on quietly building their nuclear capabilities while the rest
of the world looks on in impotent horror.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Nobody talks about the weapons of mass
destruction any more. Yes, I mentioned the WMD. The ones the war was
fought over. The ones George W. said we'd find sooner or later. The
ones dear Mr. Blair said Saddam could use to hit us within 45
minutes. If we wanted to hit a country which was clearly developing
deadly weapons the target in 2003 was obvious. North Korea. (The
fact that they kicked out the UN nuclear inspectors and said they
were going to restart their nuclear programme for electricity
purposes was a big hint). But of course that would've been too
complicated. I'm sick and tired of the leaders of powerful countries
treating their citizens like imbeciles. A little honesty now and
again wouldn't go amiss. For example, “I don't care if Saddam has
WMDs or not. He tried to kill my pa, so he's going down.” I get
that argument. Or “Listen chaps, if we don't get alongside America
on this one, we could get sidelined on the world stage. He really
needs our help, and I trust him. Let's do this; I'm not sure of the
details, but I think it's the right thing to do and we should stand
by our special friend.” Loyalty, while admitting ignorance of the
details; I get that too. Alas, we didn't get much honesty leading up
to the invasion. It was instead a symphony of lies, half-truths and
not-so-hidden motives (oil anyone?).</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I used to have an online friend from
Iraq, many years ago. She used to say that the Americans made things
bad in Iraq and she wished they'd never come. Recent interviews by
the BBC in Iraq echo the same sentiment. Perhaps those truly helped
by the invasion, you know, those cheering crowds who are thrilled
that the Americans and the British stormed in to give them back their
freedom, are camera shy. Or maybe I just watch the wrong channels.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
A lot of us have got over the anger
triggered by the war in Iraq. Unfortunately it's not so easy for the
Iraqis to do so, nor for the families of the departed soldiers; brave
men and women who put themselves in harm's way, following their
leaders' orders to the bitter end.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Mission accomplished, Mr. Bush? </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193105384700271008.post-87287730641106509042013-03-22T12:03:00.001-07:002013-03-23T11:15:55.894-07:00The Great British Weather<div id="dE_H" style="height: 100%; width: 100%;">
I can't believe it. Here we are, at the end of March, and frosty winds assault me daily. I feel as if I were living somewhere much closer to Antarctica than the map suggests. England, dear England. Yet again you have disappointed me. It's not enough for your football team (not soccer, FOOTBALL) to underperform on a regular basis, or for your politicians to woo voters with promises of great things only to turn around and impose illegal wars, tuition fee rises and modern marital rights in place of genuine economic and social advancement. No, on top of it all, you have to choose to act like the Swiss Alps right now, at the Spring Equinox. Rule Britannia. Where is my spring? Dare I hope for a summer?<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We are the undisputed champions of miserable weather. Not catastrophic weather, mind; earthquakes, typhoons and tsunamis are rarely seen, if at all. I'm talking about that constant drizzle that can't decide if it's going to turn into rain or not, and takes entire day to make up its mind; the dark, long, cold and miserable nights which begin at 4pm for a sizeable proportion of the year. Even when the sun decides to shine, it's either to taunt you for a few minutes before it ducks behind those lingering dark clouds, or to blaze with such ferocity that, with the accompanying humidity, you pray ferverently for a return to cooler times. We British are never satisfied with the weather, and I think the weather knows it. This must be why it has decided to punish us. If this keeps up, I'll be moving to Bermuda. I wish...</div>
<br />
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193105384700271008.post-61996209155250556262013-03-20T13:16:00.001-07:002013-03-20T15:15:47.613-07:00The Trouble with UK PoliticsI remember when I first came to the UK in 2003. I lived with my Uncle, a staunch Labour supporter, who made me understand that for the UK's immigrant population, there was no real alternative to a Labour government. I believed that for years, until, like the animals in George Orwell's classic, I looked from pig to man and man to pig, and couldn't tell the difference any more.<br />
<br />
What, really, is the difference between the Labour and Conservative Parties these days? Even the Liberal Democrats have abandoned their "party of protest" status and jumped in bed with the Conservatives. They have no identity whatsoever. <br />
<br />
I have no idea who to vote for in the next elections. I don't even have a credible protest party to vote for! No, the Monster Raving Loonie party doesn't count.<br />
<br />
(Sigh). A few years ago I was ready to defect from Labour to the conservatives. I was ready to be a card-carrying member, actually. Now, I seriously feel the Conservatives are a party designed to maintain the traditional status quo - the hereditary rich preserve their status, the 'old boys' are taken care of and rich corporates shake hands with the politically powerful behind closed doors, smiling as they draw up plans to throw crumbs to the deserving poor, to help them some way up the social ladder. Not too far up, mind. The status quo must be maintained, after all. After all these years under a Conservative-led coalition, I now understand why my dear Uncle felt there was no option for socially mobile immigrants than Labour. I just wish, dearly wish, I could look at the Labour party and believe that they'd produce credible alternative policies.<br />
<br />
I'm rambling, I know. I'm just upset right now. Upset at a political system that prides itself on open theatre (read Prime Ministers Questions), ministers and shadow ministers jostling for cheap party-political points, the main goal apparently being to hold office. The good of the country and its masses don't seem to be paramount in any politician's mind.<br />
<br />
This is why I've often touted the idea of benevolent dictatorship. An epiphany! Eureka! I've finally got it! The trouble with UK politics is that nobody cares, really. The politicians don't care, the people don't care, everyone's just trying to live from day to day, to build up their careers and their lives. People know politicians aren't working for them, politicians know that we know, and just do enough to convince us that there's no point changing them for an alternative set of rogues sitting across the room.<br />
<br />
What's the solution? Let's just abolish Parliamentary democracy altogether and hand powers back to the Monarchy. Wait a second... Charles is next in line... (sigh)... I'm not so sure about that idea now....Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0