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Sunday, Nov 8, 2009
austincynic
Published Letters: 237 Editor's Choice: 17
I caught a screening of "Shopgirl" at the Austin Film Festival last night. While I don't think it's as bad as O'Hehir believes it is, it's not a great film. My biggest problem with it is that it came across, to me, as a cold, distant movie that never really lets you in. That and the fact there are several subplots that seem unconnected with the rest of the movie.
Though in fairness to Andrew's review, a director with a film in competition at Austin was offended at the thought of Martin romancing a Claire Danes, and stated that Martin had "zero sex appeal." The latter, at least, I can agree with.
My main problem with Christian rock is that a lot of it seems to feed the sense of insularity in conservative Christian circles. I think the examples of Amy Grant, Jars of Clay or P.O.D. are instructive--all of them were adored by Christian music fans until they found mainstream success. Then they were accused of "selling out."
When it comes to pop culture, I'm a firm believer that God is you find him.
Remember this verse? Matthew 5:9--"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God."
Or are the Beatitudes too inconvenient to your "Christian" beliefs?
One could hardly expect Eleanor Smeal to come out and say "we lost because timid Senate Democrats sold out the progressive wing of the party."
Though that kind of honesty would be refreshing.
If a pharmacist jeopardized or screwed up a cycle of in vitro fertilizaion--which costs between $10-12,000 and is often not covered by insurance--I would be sorely tempted to take that money out of the pharmacy's hide, a penny at a time.
So we have not only Cindy Sheehan, but another person escorted out of the House chamber for wearing a printed tee? Is this what we've come to? Neither woman was wearing something obscene, nor does it seem Ms. Sheehan was being disruptive.
It makes Bush's words about Coretta Scott King seem even more hollow and phony. If he truly honors the King family legacy, he will see to it both women receive public apologies.
I've thought that the figure skating commentary has been pretty solid so far; Button, Bezic and Hamilton actually make a good team because their temperaments blend well.
What I can do with less of are NBC's "Olympic Moments" interludes. They are maudlin at best, but last night the profile of Austrian skier Benjamin Raich was downright insulting. Kudos for highlighting a non-American athelete, but I was frankly insulted at the implication that it was the audience who was obsessed with Bode Miller (NBC: "Believe it or not, Bode Miller is not the only skier at the Olympics").
Miller, for all his talent, is a creation of media hype if there ever was one. I don't need NBC to insult my intelligence and lecture me for not knowing who an Austrian athelete is.
There are two problems, as I see them. First, based on personal experience, people on the "religious left"--of all faiths--tend to go about their work and not draw attention to themselves.
The second problem, specific to Christians, is education. Fundamentalist megachurches offer scands of Bible study classes, and it allows people to speak with a voice of authority even as they twist or ignore scripture which contradicts their viewpoints. More progressive Christians need to seek out opportunities for Bible study so that they can, as the article says, engage the religious right in a theological debate.
Finally, the Democrats have to stop shying away from tying these extremists around the GOP's neck like a millstone. They've been doing this for a long time--child molester and cult leader David Koresh had his defenders on the right, don't forget. It can never hurt to expose the belief of these fringe elements to the light of day.
This is nothing more than an attempt on Bush's part to make his choice as Goss's successor, Gen. Hayden, more palatable. And I wish I could say that it wouldn't work, but this Congress has proven it will give Bush whatever he wants, regardless of his poll numbers.
Cite concrete examples of this widespread "hatred". Otherwise, just like our president, you merely prove yourself to be someone who can't stand to be told when they're wrong.
The shrinking screen is getting to be an irritant on t.v. in general, not just on TNT. They're becoming like the annoying vendors at a sports event who block critical action.
MLS and international soccer have it figured out--run a bug with a score and sponsor's logo in the upper left of the screen. But don't cover any sports action with anything short of a true emergency, such as a weather alert.
Having just completed, with my wife, a second cycle of IVF, I would challenge anyone to find a more grueling elective medical procedure. A former Catholic (now Episcopalian) friend of mine tried to explain that Rome's position is based on the fact that, in the Vatican's opinion, children conceived in vitro are not conceived "in love."
What could be more loving that having to endure shots, constant bloodwork, constant sonograms, and the mood swings that come with the hormone cocktail IVF entails? I would argue that couples willing to spend the money and endure the trials of assisted reproduction at least have no doubts that they are ready to be parents.
I am not Catholic, but if I were, I might well leave the Church over this issue. It is yet another sad example of the Pope throwing up unnecessary stumbling blocks to the faith of millions of people.
Much of the initial coverage about Fort Hood turned out to be wrong. Is there anything wrong with that?
The accountability imposed by another country for the CIA's kidnapping and torture reveals much about our own.
Fox News' morning show plays to type, talking about whether Muslims in the Army should face "special debriefings"
The survivor and author is upset about comparisons some on the right are making to genocide
Once seen as a lunatic fringe, reactionary anti-women groups are courting respectability
Salon headlines in your mailbox
