Censorship

The upcoming week is Banned Book Week. I first learned about it recently while listening to the Stuff You Should Know podcast. Certainly I could write my thoughts about the sad state of people trying to keep knowledge, history and literature from everyone. It often is one or a few that ruin it for the rest of the community.

However, I wanted to share some autobiographical stories related to censorship. The first is about a family favorite movie. I grew up loving Field of Dreams. I certainly enjoy the sentimental family and baseball story lines and will be filled with emotion when Ray asks his father for 'a catch' at the end of the film. That said, the part that makes me smile is where Annie defends Terence Mann's books against Beulah's rantings. "Step aside, you Nazi cow!"

One of the topics discussed on the podcast mentioned above was the many instances of books and authors being banned at one time or several. An author in this list was adored by one of the podcast hosts and myself. On one day of fourth grade, there was a substitute teacher in Ms. Frandsen class. After lunch, when math session should have started, he read a frightening story from one of Alvin Schwartz's book. My interest was piqued. I checked out all of his books containing a collection of scary stories. They kept me up at night as a read and as I was afraid of what lurked in the shadows and creaks in the house.

Since my sisters and I were not the type of children to be liked enough to have friends, we spent time with each other. We watched movies and television together. We took roles in make-believe in neighborhood and house settings with each other. We did sports together outside including having the younger of my two sisters run around the house as we time her laps. And from a young age, we would put on plays that we would create. I had shared with them the story Clinkity-Clink from one of Mr. Schwartz's books. We put on a rousing display of acting with a grave digger stealing coins off a dead woman's eyes.

The three of us are currently looking for a venue to put on the 15th anniversary reunion show. Contact me if your Halloween party is interested.

Go read a damn book.

New Year's Politution

This year is set to be an exciting year in American politics. The republicans continue indifferently toward Mitt Romney though he seems to be the fitting GOP candidate unlike Newt Gingrich, who the party seems to consider for his not being a Washington insider and his morals...wait...am I confused? Just remember that the independents, the increasingly larger group of voters, is who you need to persuade, not the 'rank and file' as the term goes.

The leader of the country, President Obama, and the democrats continue to struggle to turn the country from recession and a great political divide. Maybe this is because the president continues to ignore his party and try and work with the party that ignores him.

Locally, the Utah Congress continues to pass legislation behind closed doors amid lobbyist and contract-winning scandal and intrigue. It also wants to continue as Utah's parents in spite of the words from each new U.S. congress candidate's words to quash the expansive and invasive characteristics of government (they must mean 'big' gov't, not the statutory kind). My vote is for Richard Burwash!

But there are two topics that we should and will dwell on from now until the presidential election: is Mitt Romney's Mormonism a cult? and is President Obama a U.S. citizen?

Happy New Year!

The Blockbuster Link

My sisters and I have teased our father for the multiple times he watches the same weekend movies on television. We've titled them his 'Fave 5' (from the comical T-mobile promo commercialed by Dwayne Wade and Charles Barkley). This small list is dynamic but usually contains "Sahara," "Paycheck," "Rio Bravo" (or "El Dorado", it's the same story), something with Clint Eastwood and something with Denzel Washington.

One of the movies in my 'Fave 5' is "V for Vendetta." I haven't read the graphic novel on which this movie is based, but the social commentary on government, the lovely Natalie Portman (only recently surpassed on my ranking of Lovely people by Emma Watson) and the 1812 Overture should have helped to lessen Alan Moore's disgust with the adaptation (though they don't).

The directors of "V" also directed a film I recently caught (thrice) on television. It is my favorite sci-fi movie, "The Matrix." I do not believe that I have spent much time on the theme of existentialism. I know of the comparison of Neo to Christ. I just enjoy the movie for great action (like the Lobby scene) and a unique setting for a redemptive-hero plot.

As a person who spends much time in the fantasy of J.R.R. Tolkien, I also watch any of the Peter Jackson "Lord of the Rings" movies any chance I get. I also recently viewed (yeah I should watch less entertainment on the tube) the scenes in "The Fellowship of the Ring" that take place in Rivendell before the nine set off for Mordor. I began to think about these three movies, why I like them and what makes them great.

It isn't the great screenplay writing, it isn't the spectacular graphic enhancement, it could only be Hugo Weaving. V. Agent Smith. Elrond.

Does this mean that "Captain America: The First Avenger" will be a more amazing super hero movie than "The Dark Knight"?

Celebrating Death

A few of you are still lingering on the high of the Earl and Countess of Strathearn. Most Americans are currently contemplating how the death of Osama bin Laden affects the security of the United States. Good people are looking to honor their mother with at least the customary flowers. Many looked for another reason to party with the celebration of the victory of the Mexicans over the French. I wish to remind us of another piece of importance to observe: the 66th commemoration of the Victory in Europe.

This image is of Times Square on the night of May 8, 1945. The scene is amazingly fitting to current events. Many gathered at this same location Sunday night in response to the news that the United States military spiecal forces (SEALS in this case) in consort with the CIA killed the leader of Al-Qaida. Of course there are now warnings of retribution from that that terrorist organization, but that isn't the topic on which I wish to dwell.

Television programs still frequently offer reflections and documentaries on the war after 'the war to end all wars,' and I watch most of them. The plight of the oppressed and slaughtered Jews, Russians and other minority groups still astounds me. The thoughtless 'purification' through genocide by the Nazis still infuriates me. Yet I cannot wholly be pleased, excited or content with the defeat of Hitler's armies. It never seems appropriate to glory in the death of a human no matter the character of the being. How should one recognize the effects of the death or victory through war? First, what are the effects?

It is obvious that the conquering of the Nazis stopped further destruction of European civilization and the Jewish culture. In that victory there is need of celebration, maybe not the type that comes from Dirk Nowitzki hitting a game winning shot at the buzzer, but solely gathering the family around the radio broadcast of President Roosevelt might not have been so fulfilling. Many captive were liberated. Lives were spared through further fighting. Several men behind the war were taken to international court to answer for crimes. However, the radio scene might be better suited for the reverence of the millions killed by the Nazis and in fighting the Nazis. Even the lost lives of the Nazis is lamentable for many were unfortunately just soldiers fighting for Germany and not with evil designs. Furthermore, the celebrations must have been marred by the facts that those killed were still dead. The cities were still in ruins. Violent acts due to racism would continue to occur.

It isn't so obvious what was stopped or gained with the killing of Osama. The leadership still exists in Al-Qaida and will appoint a leader in the vacancy to carry out the plans bin Laden was still involved in preparing. The countries and agencies aligned to fight "the war on terror" have made little progress in battling during the decade since 9-11 let alone the years prior spent fighting terrorists and terrorism abroad. Although these threats remain, a 10 year, multi-billion dollar endeavor spanning two presidencies yielded one accomplished goal. The United States can continue to claim the best defenses, military operations and tactic leadership in the world. Those are things to celebrate along with some mental relief from the general fears of further terrorism. This would be reason for a societal need for celebration.

At last I return to the humble family listening to the somber broadcast. As their is no video or visible graphics with a radio program these people may not fully understand the costs of war. This they have in common with many of the celebrators in Times Square and elsewhere, both past and present. War and death may be right and bring about the end of atrocious acts but war and killing by themselves are rarely ever good.

America, [hug] yeah!

Man vs. Alien

Can you tell me which is the universe's most famous cat-eating 'alien-life-form' and which is the star of hisory's greatest sci-fi show "Quantum Leap"? 'Cause I just can't tell.

Earth Day

As this year's Earth Day approaches, I advise you to remember that 'reduse' and 'reuse' come before 'recycle.' I have printed on both sides of paper for a long time and use notebooks for more than one subject as to not waste space. I also have a Kindle. Okay, I don't truly believe that this device reduces much paper since I have classic literature on it and there isn't much printing of those books lately. I also, from time to time, make my own, recycled paper. This practice serves all three purposes.

Save the whales. That's a given.

Lastly, a fitting 'preserve the environment' story:

While serving an LDS mission in Boston, a district of missionaries would meet to train on various topics related to service, proseletyzing and the gospel of Jesus Christ. Most often after the meeting we would sojourn at a local fast food restaurant. I believe in this case in the summer of 2005 we went to Taco Bell. Afterwards, while walking to the Forest Hills subway and bus station, Elder Wilguimps Horace (from Port-au-Prince, Haiti) tossed his nearly empty, large cup of soda over a fence and into a ditch.

We mostly laughed at his flippant behavior, but also informed him that you can't just toss trash around the city. He asked 'wh-, wha, why not?' since the trampled reeds and dead brush were already laden with rubbish (a term posted on road signs in New England). We probably gave a 'Respect Mother Earth' or 'Don't Waste [Massachusetts]' (like the old Utah anti-litter campaign) response, but I can almost hear (though he may not have been in town yet) Sir Alex Iorg warning that "if you keep throwing garbage around, the U.S. will become like Haiti without any trees."

This story isn't a dig at Haiti and there many and recent woes, but a reminder of great memories from the MBM as well as that of our stewardship for not just the earth's human inhabitants but it's other and resources.

Again, save the whales (Garrick).

Quoting an Expert

A few weeks ago in one of my classes, a group discussion was being had on a case study. One student responded to the presenting group's question. He gave his opinion on a point and then used a really bland, generic, common-good type quote (I can't even remember it now). He said he couldn't recall in which book he read the line.

First, if you are going to quote something to bouy or cement your point, don't use a feel-good phrase that has lost its meaning by the likes of local news anchors all too frequent repetition. "Think outside the box," "Have an attitude of gratitude" and "An apple a day..." are just a few examples of expressions that are not my cup of tea. These words are not profound enough to emphasize the argument one might make.

Second, if you are going to quote something, please know from where or whom you are quoting. The simple correction is to take up the long-lost art of memorization that we haven't practiced for two generations ('nother topic). An easier solution might be to just choose some source that is not well-read but is well known-- like The Bible, Benjamin Franklin or Confucius. There are plenty of proverbs to be quoted from those sources which are enough to inspire. Most often people won't try to check your reference unless, like Tevya, you are attempting to quote words from 'the good book' to the local rabbis. My go-tos are Tim Heidecker (here she comes) and Garth Marenghi. They are all credible and intelligent. Borrow from my list sources.