Immigration

I saw United 93. It's deserving of a thoughtful and measured post, so I plan on saving it and letting the film sink in. I will say it's excruciatingly painful to watch. To say it as quickly as possible, it made me feel the way I felt September 11th, 2001 all over again. In many ways, that's a GOOD thing.

Back to immigration:

I don't get nearly as hot and bothered about this as many people. As usual, I end up in the middle. I definitely supported the Kennedy-McCain bill that Reid allowed to be shot down for political advantage, even if it was the best possible outcome. But that's neither here nor there. The key word in illegal immigrant (not undocumented*) is not immigrant. I love immigrants. Except for 100% Native Americans, we're all immigrants, some even forced. The key word is illegal. There is a right way, a wrong way, and a legal way to enter the country. Unfortunately, the right way hasn't been made yet, thanks to our politicians. but until then, the answer is the legal way.

This might be seen as highly conservative, but I think English should be our national language. Our communication unifies us, forces assimilation, breaks down barriers. It still allows citizens to treasure their culture, and speak whatever at home. But a national language would assuage many of those who fear we are losing our national identity and culture as the melting pot spills over. Other cultures strengthen us, enhance us, make us better. But only when they assimilate with society. Language is the biggest barrier of all. Voting, driving tests, etc...English. This would require funding to support English language teaching as a part of the process. I don't want a financial burden on new immigrants...just a cultural one. I want it to unite, not divide.

More on United 93 later. But see it if you think you can handle it. Please.

Happy Easter

I promised a while back to discuss The Passion of the Christ. I thought it was arguably the best film of 2004, though it was woefully ignored at the Oscars for forces beyond the actual film itself. Today is NOT the best day to post about it, of course...Good Friday is. But I missed that, so you get my thoughts on Easter.

I've only seen the film once, pulled to a showing the day after it was released. I love movies. I have my favorite genres and themes, but great movies come from everywhere, and some movies simply HAVE to be seen. I don't regularly attend church. I find a convergence between philosophy and spirituality, and that's where I let my mind wander. I consider myself just barely on the dividing line between Christian and agnostic, interested in the intent and message moreso than the concept of being saved. It was argued by many that The Passion was intended for converts only. It does not discuss the life of Jesus, his virgin birth, his Apostles, or anything else outside of the events of the Passion itself. The title is an accurate depiction of the film. But I think the film does have some value for the atheist. But it does need the viewer to know the story at least.

There is not a defined narrative. I considered it experiential, like Black Hawk Down or the opening of Saving Private Ryan. It goes for a simple "you are there" approach to historical events. It assumes you know about the life of Jesus, his purpose, and the Biblical background of the most important event in Christiandom. Thanks to some Sunday school, I knew a little bit. I did not feel a strong connection as a Christian, but I did as a human. The notion of the Passion is that an innocent human suffers for his fellows, to spare them, to save them. That theme has endured since well before Christianity, and it permeates all great storytelling. Gibson's camera is unflinching, and he simply demonstrates a horrific, barbaric act...meaningful to me because it was done, not just to Jesus (though he suffers greatly, moreso most than most who are crucified), but to countless people, guilty and innocent alike. So, in effect, Jesus does represent all of us, children of God, whether you buy the mystical aspects or not. And that is why the film worked for me. In a nutshell.

The direction is beautiful. As the events on-screen get unbearable, Gibson allows a safety valve to pop, and a flashback occurs...to the Last Supper, to the speech at Galilee, to Jesus and his mother (who acts as a sort of surrogate for his Father as well - the most spiritual of relationships -- parent to child). These respites are necessary for the audience. The scourging and crucifixion, the demeaning and hostility is an mirror to the worst excesses of human nature.

The criticism is a charge of anti-semitism. To use another film analogy, The Passion is like the dark force tree on Dagobah in Empire Strikes Back. It only possesses what you take in with you. Anti-semitism is there subjectively, if you look for it and interpret it. but the deeper message is far beyond such petty failings. Gibson ensured it was his hand that nailed Jesus to the cross (that was his appearance), as a symbolic point that the Jews (if you'll excuse my informality) are no more responsible than every other person. The entire point of the Christian faith demands all are guilty. Foolish religious leaders have used some biblical history to blame Jews for their own purposes, but it is immaterial to this story. The interpretation is there...but you have to make it. The director said it was not anti-semitic. Mel Gibson is many things, but he's not a liar. He's very direct and honest, and I believe him when he says the film is not anti-semitic. Beyond that, a culture war raged in America in 2004, with two polarizing films. This was the "red state" film, as designated by the media and bloggers. They were wrong, short-sighted, ignorant, and petty. But that's their interpretation...see the dark side cave analogy.

Why, two years later, am I talking about it. The film resonates. Jesus represents minorities, gays, the poor, the down-trodden, the marginalized. The power of the film is the strength and conviction of it's subject. He is not just willing to die to save those he loves. He is willing to have God turn his back, and suffer to the limits of what humans can suffer. I can ignore the spirituality of it, the biblical connections, and understand the purity of that.

Another note, the film itself is beautiful to watch. Caleb Deschanel was the cinematographer, and the film looks like a Carvaggio painting. Keep in mind...this director also won an Oscar once.

That said, it's an atypical film...very demanding of the audience. There is precious little context in the film...you must provide it. And it is excruciating to watch (which is why I've only seen it once). If you've stayed away for political reasons...maybe give it a shot. Just remember Yoda's message :)

And why do we celebrate Easter with jelly beans and chocolate bunnies?!?! What frigging sense does that make??

Long Time No Blog

You'd think I have a lot to say...immigration continues to illustrate the realities of our country's economic system, the Duke rape case is illuminating some far deeper class issues, and some great movies just came out on DVD.

I have had random thoughts here and there, but nothing worth anyone's time. So I have spared the rod and spoiled the children.

But even without much to say, I wanted to say it. I considered dropping some chauvinism, but that's my go-to. No need, as it's usually ignored :) So I am going to MSNBC blind, picking a random story, and commenting on it.

Stand by...most of these look like dogs.

1) Google defends supporting some censure in China, which is apparently news because they won't cooperate in the US. Part of me is angry, because cooperation could be key support in actual national security. But that's their call. It is totally consistent because Google is a BUSINESS. They have no wiggle room in China. Expecting them to be the bastion of free speech is ridiculous. They either comply, or they lose millions of dollars. Does it make them hypocritical? No...it makes them a business. A self-interested, profit driven business.

2) Muslim hardliners attack the Playboy HQ in Indonesia. Scratch another country off of my visit list. Why do I care? Because these fundamentalists are psychopathic dark agers. Didn't they read the articles?!?!?

3) Famed Indian actor dead...RIOTS IN THE STREETS!! Another scratch off.

4) As for sports, it's all Bonds, all the time. Baseball is the worst TV sport in the world. They've been juicing for years, and cheating was rampant before them. In a sport built on stats, cheating sort of destroys the myth...but no one cares. Neither do I.

Well, it's something...