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The Cross Controversy
Astrology is the best. I love debating people on that. They say "No, there's something to it, because I'm so a Capricorn." Charles Manson is one of those signs, too. I bet he doesn't fit with the nice, wonderful wife you have, that is the same sign as Manson! The problem I have, Fred, is you say that that "magical thinking deserves little or no respect." In actuality, I can totally understand why they feel that way about religion. (you're gonna love this). I've always thought, it's sort of like a form of brainwashing. If you are a child, and your parents have you going to church each Sunday, and...whatever those classes are during the week, CCD, or whatever. Well, it is probably pretty hard for you, as an adult, to then think...wait a second. Maybe everything in that Bible isn't accurate. So no, it doesn't make me think less of that person. Or give them less respect. I'd like to think as an adult, they could be smart enough to realize, that the ark probably didn't have two of each animal. That there was probably no Adam & Eve. And they can think of the logisctics behind why those things didn't happen, and if not that, the carbon dating on things that prove there were people on the planet before the Bible said there were, etc. It's hard for me to think less of a person that has those beliefs, when I meet some athiest that thinks more along the lines of me, and I find out the love Adam Sandler movies. Believe me Fred, that baffles me a lot more.— August 4, 2008 12:36 p.m.
Equal Rights For Women? Thumbs Down!
I don't like the cops "using the media" so that a suspect can be named, without them naming one. A perfect example of how that can create problems was shown nicely in the film "Absence of Malice." But, I also hate the fact that police sometimes feel they have to resort to this, because other ways of questioning suspects and gathering information, don't work the way I think they should. And what I hate most of all...is people that go thru life, just thinking the cops are out to get us. And that it's that "man" mentality. A perfect example is this liberal attorney friend of mine. All she does is gripe about Bush and Republicans. She went out and bought 10 Dixie Chicks CDs when they comment in concert about Bush. She is the most liberal person on the planet. It often even blinds her to reality. She doesn't think Michael Moore is a liar. Things like that. Well, she went and donated blood the other day. Came out and was getting a parking ticket, and she yelled at the meter maid. I asked her why. She said, "Well, I was only a few minutes over. And I was doing a nice thing, donating blood. But she wouldn't even let me explain that." So, she can give a cop, metermaid, whatever...a hard time. Because it affects her. She doesn't realize, that cops get a hard time from EVERYONE when they pull them over. When they investigate a domestic abuse case. Anything. And then, you all wonder why they act like jerks when they pull you over, and you start mouthing off about "Why did you pull me over?" or whatever else you say. Now, sure, I think they should have a thicker skin. Ignore it, and give you the ticket. But hey, they're human. And they can't do it. They're tired of people (guilty people) giving them crap. So, when they get to court, and some technicality is going to throw out a mountain of evidence, that lets a guy that beat his wife leave the court free as a bird, and they might lie to get him in jail...excuse me if I don't have sympathy if they do that. Is it right? No. Do I care. No. Would I care if it involved me? Of course I would. But then, I don't beat women, or commit crime, so I don't have to worry about that.— August 4, 2008 12:31 p.m.
Equal Rights For Women? Thumbs Down!
Well trestles, since you're so hardcore about what a good writer is, etc...a quick note for ya. "a lot" is two words, not one. You must've missed that class in junior high. I'll try to address your comments, and Freds, as I remember them, in no particular order. Whether or not Ebert quit or was fired, wasn't the point of what my blog was on. It was about why there was a lack of female film critics, and why a woman would even have a problem with that. Sure, Ebert hasn't been with the show since then. But, he took his "thumbs" and left, a year ago, when he got angry with them. That was, back then, him "quitting," in a sense. Sure, the system they came up with instead "see it", "skip it" or "rent it" actually works better, because as Siskel & Ebert themselves said, a "thumbs up" and "thumbs down" sometimes doesn't do justice to what they want to convey. A "rent it" is the perfect middle ground. So, Disney/studio "firing" him, was just a formality. He was gone long ago. And, without him being able to talk, I don't think it would've worked even if both sides had come to agreements. Do cops lie? Sure they do. Heck, in the OJ case, two different sets of cops lied (Mark Furman, on his use of the "n word", and those two good cops, on why they jumped OJs fence without waiting for a warrant). They claimed that was for OJs safety, because he could be hurt inside the residence (they hardly believed that, but they didn't want to see all the blood evidence they collected thrown out, on some technicallity). Which is exactly my point. I think we've gone too far in protecting the criminal. So, when someone lies, I like the book to be thrown at them. The way the woman who said a finger was in her chili at Wendy's, got 10 years or whatever it was. If you accuse cops, and you are wrong, it should be a stiff penalty. A lot tougher than if you accuse a coworker or some silly thing.— August 4, 2008 12:24 p.m.
Friends Don't Let Friends....Do Stupid Things
And Towel...I have a friend I often see movies with. We get in to most for free, so we often see bad films, too. And during that time, we turn into those guys from Mystery Science Theatre, where we are making jokes or commenting on things to each other (but in the others ear, so nobody else is bothered). But, I've had girlfriends that want to say things to me during hte movie. It could be a relevant question ("Is that the same guy that was accused of the murder earlier?") or it can be something off the wall ("Did that actor do a Geico commercial about a year ago?), or it can just be something as lame as ("Oh, who sings that song that they're playing on the car radio? It's not Cyndi Lauper. Is it Madonna? No wait...I think it's Belinda Carlise...) To which I have to say "It's Liz Phair, now would you be a bit quieter?!" And then she thinks I'm the jerk. If the woman feels the need to tell me she's seen this actor in a Dr. Pepper commercial five years ago, I wish she could wait until a scene that is loud, with nobody else talking. There are lots of those in the movie. But like you said, the same things I complain about, I'm also guilty at times, of doing. People forced me to watch Hellboy II, and I can't believe I didn't make comments all thru that stupid film.— August 4, 2008 11:58 a.m.
Friends Don't Let Friends....Do Stupid Things
Well anti...I don't mind the dysfunctional person in the room. I actually have sympathy for that person. It's the people that condone the behavior of that person. I don't know why I have to be the one to call the jerk, on their jerky behavior. Comedian/DJ Adam Carolla once said how he hates when there's someone that is a jerk, and people just excuse that behavior by saying "Oh that's just Al being Al." When, that means "Al is an a**hole!" Yet, nobody wants to say that. Or, nobody wants to say to Al, "Stop being such a jerk all the time. We're sick of it." People just tolerate it. Since I write the Crasher column, I often talk to people throwing parties (if they're loud), how they deal with neighbors. And, it always amazes me. Some don't care, and throw these loud parties each weekend. One seemed proud their neighbor called the cops and eventually, moved out. Another person told me their neighbor always calls the police on them when they have parties. And, they only party a few times a year. And during those times, they invite all the neighbors. That one neighbor doesn't want to come, so they give them movie tickets, and a $50 dinner certificate somewhere, so they can be out, and not "bothered by the noise." They said to them, "We shouldn't have to leave our own house so you can have a loud party." Well, at that point, if I'm those people, it's on. They would have a war on their hands. Because, you are going out of your way to make it pleasant for them. And, they aren't tolerating TWO PARTIES a year from you. And, I'd even let them know, that I was going to make their life hell, for them not being reasonable. (and believe me, the police aren't going to be reasonable...they say any noise complaint, they'll tell you to be quieter, or you'll be cited...even if it's the afternoon, and you are having a backyard BBQ, with no live music, just being a bit loud)— August 4, 2008 11:53 a.m.
100 Best Movie Villians
Not familiar with the movie. If I got Netflix, it would be on my que. It's surprisingly when a movie that old can pack a punch. I remember seeing City Lights 15 years ago, and being surprised I was blown away by it. A movie from the 30s shouldn't do that!— August 4, 2008 1:29 a.m.
The Dark Knight clocks in
Don't you think if a statement could be made like "he should stop seeing comic book movies, he never seems to enjoy them"...that there's a problem? There should be NO GENRE of movie, that a critic "doesn't like". To a critic, a good movie, should be a good movie. As I stated before about musicals and westerns, both genres I don't care for. But both have movies I love. I would never be able to do restaurant reviews, because I hate seafood. If a movie critic hated comic book movies, or some specific "genre"...I would say, they should be a critic that reviews film. The only type of review that should be hard for a critic to grapple with, would be a kids movie. Because, if they are a 60-year-old critic, and they are reviewing some Barney or SpongeBob movie...do they review it on how THEY liked it? Or on how a 5-year-old will like it?— August 4, 2008 1:24 a.m.
That Jokes Old
Wow...good point. Now, that's a flaw I would've pointed out had I thought of it. So, since you point that out...the cartoon should've had a cow standing nearby (the mom), and the bull could've been saying that to the carton of milk. Anyone remember that Pink Floyd album that has a cow on the cover? I think it's Atom Heart, not sure. The record says "Side 1" and instead of "Side 2" it says "Utter Side". Oh, maybe it doesn't say Side 1, but "This side". Can't remember now...not one of their better albums.— August 4, 2008 1:19 a.m.
The Cross Controversy
You make very good points, as always. I'm not sure I'll be able to remember all your points to respond on. Regarding the Oct 2, '42 date. I just said that as a joke. No reason. October is the date of my birth, the year was just the first year that popped into my head that seemed like a long time ago. I do agree with your points about electing someone that is an atheist, and all that. And believe me, I've had my share of arguments with hardcore religious people. This woman Jessica, once told me that her baby lived, because she had 20 family members in the hospital with her, that were all praying. She's very religious. I laughed and said, "So...God hooked you up, because you had 20 family members praying, huh? So, the poor person that was giving birth the same time as you, that lost their kid. If they only had 3 family members, and they didn't pray...they got screwed on the deal? Or...what about someone that died in a car accident at that exact moment? God didn't help them, because you were having a baby and there were complications." It boggles my mind how religious people can believe such non-sense. I said to her, "If your baby would've died, would you then have been mad at God? Would you then have wished you had an additional 25 people praying? Maybe that would've persuaded god to help you out." She wasn't getting it. She just said the doctor said her baby should've died, and it was a "miracle" the baby lived.— August 3, 2008 12:50 p.m.
Equal Rights For Women? Thumbs Down!
Well, I don't have facts to back all this up, Fred. I just think the numbers are on my side. EVERY DAY, cops are pulling people over. And, they're doing it by the book. So, when there's one cop that does something wrong, well....that means thousands of cops were doing things right. Now, this recent case locally where a cop supposedly fondled a prostitute, and he had been accused of that five years earlier, but it was his word against the womans. Well, they should investigate, find the Internal Affairs officer, and he gets canned. And, that woman should get a big payday. But, when people sue the cops, and are lying, they should get nailed for that. My point is this. If we pay regular citizens millions, just because the police questioned them and thought they were suspects (like the anthrax scientist, who got $5 million), well....when someone accuses the cops of something, and turns out they lied (because they were merely mad the cop gave them a speeding ticket), that person should do 10 years in prison. Or, they should owe the police force $5 million, and their paychecks should be docked the rest of their life. It will keep people in line from making false charges against someone. As it is now, people can make claims against someone (ie Duke case), and nothing happens to them. Did that woman do any jail time for saying those guys raped her? No. Heck, nobody even knows her name.— August 3, 2008 12:42 p.m.