Oscars Tonight!

The Best Picture will doubtlessly go to the film that most closely matches this uber-trailer.

Shamu: son of Rambo

So, a killer whale killed somebody. Big surprise there I guess...

No, that's not the news. The news is that the Orlando Sentinel has taken the death of the trainer as a sign that orcas should not be kept in tanks.

Possible correct conclusion. Horrible logic.

This is clearly a sign that trainers do not belong in orca tanks.

Death Knells of Democracy: Mayor Goodman

Rejecting the President

The President will be in Las Vegas Thursday and Friday of this week but the mayor has refused to see him.

In continued backlash to comments Mr. Obama made about "blow[ing] a bunch of cash in Vegas," Mayor Oscar Goodman (Independent) has stated that "I've got other things to do quite frankly for my constituents here in Las Vegas [than meet with the President]".

Power to the mayor, seriously. Mr. Goodman's job title says "Mayor of Las Vegas" not "Sycophant to the President".

Death Knells of Democracy: Senator Bayh

Quitting the Senate

Today two-term Senator Evan Bayh (D-IN) announced that he will not seek re-election in November.

Among his comments:

For some time, I have had a growing conviction that Congress is not operating as it should. There is too much partisanship and not enough progress -- too much narrow ideology and not enough practical problem-solving. Even at a time of enormous challenge, the peoples' business is not being done...

To put it in words most people can understand: ...I do not love Congress.

I am constantly reminded that if Washington, D.C., could be more like Indiana, Washington would be a better place.

Define the state of democracy if elected officials can't even stand the stench in Washington.

On the Insanity of Modern Life

"...And on the eighth day God invented free time. Humanity could diversify. Each person was no longer tied to subsistence and could now dedicate life to activities formerly too "expensive" to enjoy.

Education flourished, human bonds matured and strengthened, and every individual became a font of wisdom and experience."

Ironic then, that you probably discovered this post on your Facebook NewsFeed—A well-spring of knowledge boasting gems such as:

• Amber can't stop thinking about his eyes.
• FML!..., IMAO..., lol
• Only 12 more days until CHICAGOOO!!
• ...coming to grips with the dark shroud of life without you...

What convinced modern man that other people cared so much about his melodramatic, pithy self-expression?

Who decided that free time should be best used to wallow in constant introspection instead of the pursuit of additive meaning and the construction of a more beautiful humanity?

Demographics

If you've ever been married you know that marriage (and especially kids) cuts down on free time and eliminates the waste of this precious resource.

I don't know what it used to be like back in the day ;) but statistics alone demonstrate that the marriage age for both men and women has risen about 5 years over the last 50 years while the divorce rate for first marriages has risen from 25% to 50%. The factors combine to produce a plethora of single adults: bored single adults with lots of free time.

A Little Rant

So, into which vessels does our generation pour its creative energies and time? The following comes from the lips of Brad Pitt in Fight Club, an all-too-apt expression of the meaninglessness of so much of our activity.

"I see all this potential.
And I see it squandered.

Goddamn it, an entire generation pumping gas. Waiting tables. Slaves with white collars.

Advertising has us chasing cars and clothes.
Working jobs we hate so we can buy shit we don't need.

We're the middle children of history. No purpose or place.
We have no Great War. No Great Depression.
Our great war is a spiritual war. Our great depression is our lives.

We've all been raised on television to believe that one day we'd be millionaires and movie gods and rock stars.
But we won't. We're slowly learning that fact.
And we're very, very pissed off."

Non Serviam

All in all, our decisions suggest an new theology...

The Economy is now God. He seeks profit.

His creatures best serve him through self-transformation into factors of production. They go to school so that they can work for the rest of their lives.


To keep them from achieving the autonomy that could lead them astray he plies them with television, the Internet, meaningless possessions, and any other opium that will occupy their minds without actually effecting true personal formation.

Humanity accepts the Economy's Matrix: the alternative demands too much effort.

I will not serve. The light of humanity has not gone out in my soul. Today will be an investment in the subtle riches of tomorrow. So help me God...

Documentary maker Moore on Capitalism

Capitalism: A Love Story

Michael Moore (Fahrenheit 911, Bowling for Columbine) unveiled his newest film at the Venice film festival this week. The film closes with the warning: "Capitalism is an evil, and you cannot regulate evil"...

Despite its many failings, consider Mr. Moore, that the system you condemn has the potential to make you very rich indeed.

Candid is the new cool

Penn State coach Joe Paterno when asked to comment on the allegations that the University of Michigan has exceed NCAA regulations on summer practices: "I don't read the newspapers."

After a summer in DC, it's a good reminder that some people don't feel the need to pretend to care.

Detroit manager Jim Leyland on whether or not Tigers' pitcher Jeremy Bonderman was ready to play after being recalled from Triple-A baseball: "He better be, or else he could have stayed down there and gone walleye fishing."

All hail candidness. Two points in one night.