As King Theodoen said as the Battle of Helms Deep kicked off "So it begins." Last night was the first of the Democratic Party primary debates, and as far as debates go, it was rather mild. Much of it was the same emotionally filled rhetoric we hear throughout the elections, a tug on the heart strings with domestic policy that are really the prevue of Congress. However, to step aside from my usual cynicism, lets looks a few highlights of this debate.
One of the few brights for me, surprisingly, was Senator Cory Booker, who when asked about the guns & shootings in this country, took an approach more that was more trying to get to the root of the issue, rather than than simply banning. There honestly needs to be a more pragmatic approach that analyzes the issue, just as we try to solve any problem.
Another highlight was Representative Tulsi Gabbard and her anti-war position, an opinion that seems to be more often heard coming from libertarians and far leftists like Senator Bernie Sanders. Americans need to come to grips with the fact that we've been at war since 2001, that's nearly Two decades of war in multiple Middle-Eastern and North African countries. It should also be noted that we haven't "Declared War" since 1942 against Hungry (a member of the Axis powers during WWII), and yet the Korean War, Vietnam War, Iraq War, ect. have all happened since then, something to think about.
One last highlight to glance upon is the healthcare debate, which focused on the slipt between a single-payer government run system, or allowing for people to keep their private insurance as well. I personally prefer the latter, giving people the option is fundamentally better as it allows for more freedom on health issues. Plus, with a government system in place, it could force private insurance companies to be more competitive and offer more customizable plans, as well as insure that people get the care they need.
So that's my take away from last nights debate, and now we move on to the second debate, the real heavy hitters, Bernie, Biden, and Harris going to face to face. This will be a far more interesting debate as go across the Democratic Party spectrum, from moderate and centrist, too the extreme far left, grab your popcorn as the real show is about to begin.
Thursday, June 27, 2019
Tuesday, February 26, 2019
Quick Thought: Star Trek Off the Rails
In the second season of Star Trek Discovery is becoming more and more of a strain to watch with each passing episode. I could write page after page discussing each canonical issue, with the most glaring being the "Klingons" and "Section 31", but there's more to this than a lack of adherence to canon (which as always been somewhat dubious). The issue is that the show is feeling more like high budget Fan Fiction than an actual true continuation of the franchise.
One item I would like to point out is that one can criticize a piece of media without out right hating it. I don't hate Discovery, however it's flaws are far more glaring than pervious incarnations of the franchise. Liking a show, game, movie, ect.. simply for it being part of a series you like, is not a good way of thinking, nor is attacking those who criticize said media.
While the second season started out stronger than the opening to the first, slowly this series has turned into a disjointed mess. The focus of the season was be on an entity called "The Red Angel" and it's connection to Spock, and some possible doom the galaxy is facing. However, this plot thread has been usurped a half an episode "Klingon" arch, a "Section 31" arch, a story about a giant sphere with a lot of knowledge, a haphazardly quick arch about Saru's species, and a bizarre arch involving Tilly, the fungal network, and the resurrection of Dr. Hugh Culber.
I'm not going to in to massive levels detail, but when I say "disjointed" and "haphazard" it feels like the writers are chopping semi-fleshed out stories and ramming them into an episode. The one arch involving Tilly, the Network, and Dr. Culber, is the worst culprit, it barely even makes sense, a series of disconnected events, each triggering the next, without any more of explanation. It also makes the Fungal Network a mcguffin that can resurrect any character, regardless if their death isn't connected to it.
These are reasons why I said earlier that this season feels like high budget fan fiction, instead of drama there is conviencence. There are no rules, and while I might be a bit hypocritical for saying that, the previous series skirted the rules at times when the writers needed ways to resolve the plot, this show just doesn't care. This feeling of fan fiction isn't helped by the over dramatics every time "Starfleet" principles are mentioned and the dramatic music plays, people stand, and the scene goes into slow motion.
Again, I don't hate Discovery, but is it a disappointment; indeed it is. This not a show for the fans of the Rondenberry & Berman eras, this is a Star Trek for the masses, this is a Star Trek for the sake of Star Trek. The themes and ideas of Star Trek are there, but without the depth that gave them meaning and purpose. The series Rodenberry envisioned was not a perfect picture of the future, but one that was hopeful, we'll stumble and make mistakes, and humanity will face it's own demons and overcome them. In conclusion, take my opinions here as see fit, go watch the show and decide for self and decide if it's worthy of the name "Star Trek".
One item I would like to point out is that one can criticize a piece of media without out right hating it. I don't hate Discovery, however it's flaws are far more glaring than pervious incarnations of the franchise. Liking a show, game, movie, ect.. simply for it being part of a series you like, is not a good way of thinking, nor is attacking those who criticize said media.
While the second season started out stronger than the opening to the first, slowly this series has turned into a disjointed mess. The focus of the season was be on an entity called "The Red Angel" and it's connection to Spock, and some possible doom the galaxy is facing. However, this plot thread has been usurped a half an episode "Klingon" arch, a "Section 31" arch, a story about a giant sphere with a lot of knowledge, a haphazardly quick arch about Saru's species, and a bizarre arch involving Tilly, the fungal network, and the resurrection of Dr. Hugh Culber.
I'm not going to in to massive levels detail, but when I say "disjointed" and "haphazard" it feels like the writers are chopping semi-fleshed out stories and ramming them into an episode. The one arch involving Tilly, the Network, and Dr. Culber, is the worst culprit, it barely even makes sense, a series of disconnected events, each triggering the next, without any more of explanation. It also makes the Fungal Network a mcguffin that can resurrect any character, regardless if their death isn't connected to it.
These are reasons why I said earlier that this season feels like high budget fan fiction, instead of drama there is conviencence. There are no rules, and while I might be a bit hypocritical for saying that, the previous series skirted the rules at times when the writers needed ways to resolve the plot, this show just doesn't care. This feeling of fan fiction isn't helped by the over dramatics every time "Starfleet" principles are mentioned and the dramatic music plays, people stand, and the scene goes into slow motion.
Again, I don't hate Discovery, but is it a disappointment; indeed it is. This not a show for the fans of the Rondenberry & Berman eras, this is a Star Trek for the masses, this is a Star Trek for the sake of Star Trek. The themes and ideas of Star Trek are there, but without the depth that gave them meaning and purpose. The series Rodenberry envisioned was not a perfect picture of the future, but one that was hopeful, we'll stumble and make mistakes, and humanity will face it's own demons and overcome them. In conclusion, take my opinions here as see fit, go watch the show and decide for self and decide if it's worthy of the name "Star Trek".
Tuesday, January 22, 2019
Quick Thought: The Covington School Incident
The political, economic, and social temper of this country is so volatile that it appears more potent than the eruption of any of the Earth's super volcanoes. Case in point, the incident that took place last weekend in Washington DC. A series of marches and rallies were taking place, including the "Pro-Life" march and the "Indigenous People's" march. On the steps of the Lincoln Memorial (only a few days from Martin Luther King day, of all days) an incident involving hate from both a religious and racial focus took place.
The most sought after culprit in this incident were the students of "Covington Catholic High School" who, in most videos of the incident, seemingly went after a Native American Elder. While the Elder plays his drum and chants trying to defuse the the situation, and one of the students, wearing a MAGA cap, stands silently before him (according to the student, he was doing to this in the same vein as the elder (BBC)), while his classmates chant behind him. These chants included such phrases as "build the wall", and other school related items.
What is overlooked in this incident is how did it actually start? Considering that many of the kids were wearing MAGA hats, apparel seen by many as a symbol of hate, many put the blame on them. As I have found with many of the these incidents, much still lies beneath the surface, and as a student of history, context is important to understand why an event happened. This level of depth is beyond what many reactionaries want as a quick clip or sound bite does more to prove their ideological beliefs.
The students are completely blameless in this, as so wonderfully said by Alec Guinness in the first Star Wars, "Who is more foolish? The fool or the fool who follows him?" An extremist religious group known as the "Black Israelites" were seen in the footage just prior to the aforementioned incident provoking both the Native American group and the Students, shouting inflammatory comments (Washington Post). Their comments may have stirred bad blood and heated it to the boiling point.
In closing, it's confrontations like this that create my ambiguous opinion on the political and social culture created under the Trump administration. While first simmers of this can be felt all the way back to the Bush administration, the whole nation now seems to be exploding. While on one hand, a shake of the status quo in politics is a good thing, shaking of stagnation and getting people to think; on the other hand, it seems like we're spiraling down a deep chasm that no one seems bothered to want to get out off.
Links:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/religion/2019/01/22/who-are-black-israelites-center-viral-standoff-lincoln-memorial/
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-46943364
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Hebrew_Israelites
The most sought after culprit in this incident were the students of "Covington Catholic High School" who, in most videos of the incident, seemingly went after a Native American Elder. While the Elder plays his drum and chants trying to defuse the the situation, and one of the students, wearing a MAGA cap, stands silently before him (according to the student, he was doing to this in the same vein as the elder (BBC)), while his classmates chant behind him. These chants included such phrases as "build the wall", and other school related items.
What is overlooked in this incident is how did it actually start? Considering that many of the kids were wearing MAGA hats, apparel seen by many as a symbol of hate, many put the blame on them. As I have found with many of the these incidents, much still lies beneath the surface, and as a student of history, context is important to understand why an event happened. This level of depth is beyond what many reactionaries want as a quick clip or sound bite does more to prove their ideological beliefs.
The students are completely blameless in this, as so wonderfully said by Alec Guinness in the first Star Wars, "Who is more foolish? The fool or the fool who follows him?" An extremist religious group known as the "Black Israelites" were seen in the footage just prior to the aforementioned incident provoking both the Native American group and the Students, shouting inflammatory comments (Washington Post). Their comments may have stirred bad blood and heated it to the boiling point.
In closing, it's confrontations like this that create my ambiguous opinion on the political and social culture created under the Trump administration. While first simmers of this can be felt all the way back to the Bush administration, the whole nation now seems to be exploding. While on one hand, a shake of the status quo in politics is a good thing, shaking of stagnation and getting people to think; on the other hand, it seems like we're spiraling down a deep chasm that no one seems bothered to want to get out off.
Links:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/religion/2019/01/22/who-are-black-israelites-center-viral-standoff-lincoln-memorial/
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-46943364
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Hebrew_Israelites
Sunday, January 20, 2019
A Profile in Courage or Hate?
The political landscape of the United States in 2018 is equivalent to a dark and perverted Monty Python sketch that has gone off the deep end. The nomination and subsequent hearing of Judge Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court is an image of this absurdity in real time. It is filled with off the scale partisan politics, self-righteous speeches, and pure hatred and contempt. The review of allegations of sexual assault by Kavanaugh, which have been privately reviewed, has become a trial by emotion and public opinion. It is a media circus that has potentially destroyed the lives of two people, and brought their families in the light of public scrutiny and death threats.
With the election of Donald Trump, a person who could be viewed as the definition of the "Ugly American" incarnate, in 2016, it is as if the grotesque side of American society and politics rose up from the depths. People screaming on both sides of the political spectrum threw tolerance and decorum into the dumpster, while actual racists seemed to be popping out of the woodwork and running for elected office, anyone who remotely agreed with the current administration was branded a fascist. It seemed like even your own opinion, regardless of how mild it was, would garner resentment and anger; even being part of the administration seems political suicide.
Regardless of who President Trumped nominated to the Supreme court, they would have faced a hearing equivalent to a group of angry kindergarteners fighting over a toy. President Obama's last appointment, just before the election was basically shunned by Republicans who pushed any hearings until after the election. One way or another, this was going to be an "eye for an eye", the Democrats were were most likely not going stand idly by and let the Republicans get what they wanted. The allegations against Kavanaugh were revealed in a letter to Senator Feinstein in July and seemingly held on to like a proverbial trump card, until it was leaked after hearings.
In no way am I writing to this to attack Dr. Ford and her allegations, if someone's character is unfit to hold the position of of Justice of the Supreme Court then they should not serve. I look at issues like this with an eye of skepticism, the political climate and the timeline of events that have transpired, and the fact that there has already been an FBI investigation into the candidates back ground, lends a hand to that skepticism. Judge Kavanaugh and Dr. Ford may be unwilling pawns in a political game by two political parties to "one up" each other. The fact that a senate hearing spent timing examining jokes in a high school yearbook is only part of absurdity.
Regardless of what the FBI investigation finds, this event will remain a blackspot on the history of American politics, and an examination of the stupidity of partisan politics. Politicians make themselves look as if they are pillars of our society, do gooders who who are the moral compass of our society; Judge Kavanaugh could possibly be counted among these people due to his time served in the political arena. However when we put people on pedestals we overlook the flaws, the ugly side. Ultimately, the issue with Kavanaugh is not whether we believe women, but whether we're going damn someone without considering their side. It's hard not to look at social media with disgust at how our society treats someone, how we are so willing destroy someone so totally and so brutally, it is as if the age of reason never happened and that we are going to back to the age of public stoning.
I want to end this with the description of an image I saw on Facebook; we treat politics as a game and seem to care little how it effects others as long as it fits with our own personal beliefs. The image was a drawing of a WWI soldier with his hands clasped over his face and the caption read "There is no Politics in the Mud".
With the election of Donald Trump, a person who could be viewed as the definition of the "Ugly American" incarnate, in 2016, it is as if the grotesque side of American society and politics rose up from the depths. People screaming on both sides of the political spectrum threw tolerance and decorum into the dumpster, while actual racists seemed to be popping out of the woodwork and running for elected office, anyone who remotely agreed with the current administration was branded a fascist. It seemed like even your own opinion, regardless of how mild it was, would garner resentment and anger; even being part of the administration seems political suicide.
Regardless of who President Trumped nominated to the Supreme court, they would have faced a hearing equivalent to a group of angry kindergarteners fighting over a toy. President Obama's last appointment, just before the election was basically shunned by Republicans who pushed any hearings until after the election. One way or another, this was going to be an "eye for an eye", the Democrats were were most likely not going stand idly by and let the Republicans get what they wanted. The allegations against Kavanaugh were revealed in a letter to Senator Feinstein in July and seemingly held on to like a proverbial trump card, until it was leaked after hearings.
In no way am I writing to this to attack Dr. Ford and her allegations, if someone's character is unfit to hold the position of of Justice of the Supreme Court then they should not serve. I look at issues like this with an eye of skepticism, the political climate and the timeline of events that have transpired, and the fact that there has already been an FBI investigation into the candidates back ground, lends a hand to that skepticism. Judge Kavanaugh and Dr. Ford may be unwilling pawns in a political game by two political parties to "one up" each other. The fact that a senate hearing spent timing examining jokes in a high school yearbook is only part of absurdity.
Regardless of what the FBI investigation finds, this event will remain a blackspot on the history of American politics, and an examination of the stupidity of partisan politics. Politicians make themselves look as if they are pillars of our society, do gooders who who are the moral compass of our society; Judge Kavanaugh could possibly be counted among these people due to his time served in the political arena. However when we put people on pedestals we overlook the flaws, the ugly side. Ultimately, the issue with Kavanaugh is not whether we believe women, but whether we're going damn someone without considering their side. It's hard not to look at social media with disgust at how our society treats someone, how we are so willing destroy someone so totally and so brutally, it is as if the age of reason never happened and that we are going to back to the age of public stoning.
I want to end this with the description of an image I saw on Facebook; we treat politics as a game and seem to care little how it effects others as long as it fits with our own personal beliefs. The image was a drawing of a WWI soldier with his hands clasped over his face and the caption read "There is no Politics in the Mud".
Monday, January 7, 2019
A Reintroduction for 2019
I know last year my posting was spotty, on and off, and for the last few months, nothing at all. Now I can't promise that this year will be an upswing in posts, but I will do my best to stay on top of it. Last year was rough at times, issues with a YouTube channel I was working on, changes at work, and some computer issues (such as my old ThinkPad cooking it's own power board). Also I was doing quite a bit of writing on a science fiction series I've been working on for quite some time, hopefully I'll be able to release a bit of it in the coming months (if I can get what I was going to post off the aforementioned ThinkPad).
This year I hope bring you more of the same content I've posted for the last years I've run this blog, reviews, politics, history, and other social topics. As I've said in the past, everything I post here is my opinion, so take that with a grain of salt; I post sources to where I get my information and attempt explain my opinions the most eloquent manner possible. I know that doesn't get as many views as the more controversial blogs and opinion pieces, but I have standards I adhere to.
On the Facebook page and Blog, feel free to comment, however please keep it civil and in good taste. Discussion is good, but name calling and insults get us no where and I will not tolerate it; all post that violate this will be deleted, and possibly reported depending upon the vulgarity, bots and trolls will have their posts deleted outright. I have always felt that polite civil discourse help can solve many problems, so lets change the culture of the internet from the vulgar place it has become.
Also, thank you to those who read my blog, seeing people view what I have to hare gives me the motivation to continue this.
Thank you, and have Happy 2019!
This year I hope bring you more of the same content I've posted for the last years I've run this blog, reviews, politics, history, and other social topics. As I've said in the past, everything I post here is my opinion, so take that with a grain of salt; I post sources to where I get my information and attempt explain my opinions the most eloquent manner possible. I know that doesn't get as many views as the more controversial blogs and opinion pieces, but I have standards I adhere to.
On the Facebook page and Blog, feel free to comment, however please keep it civil and in good taste. Discussion is good, but name calling and insults get us no where and I will not tolerate it; all post that violate this will be deleted, and possibly reported depending upon the vulgarity, bots and trolls will have their posts deleted outright. I have always felt that polite civil discourse help can solve many problems, so lets change the culture of the internet from the vulgar place it has become.
Also, thank you to those who read my blog, seeing people view what I have to hare gives me the motivation to continue this.
Thank you, and have Happy 2019!
Thursday, August 9, 2018
Quick Thought : Enemy of the People
President Donald Trump has called the media, specifically the news, as the enemy of the people. Indeed, they are President Trump's most vicious opponent, with sometime malicious contempt and criticism, even from conservative havens like Fox news. The question here is whether or not Trump is correct in his assessment of the news media; as a amateur historian, the question is far more complex whether they are the enemy or pillar of liberty.
The prominent American newspaper man back at the turn of the century, William Randolph Hearst, is quoted as saying "You furnish the pictures and I’ll furnish the war." After the sinking of the battleship USS Maine in Havana (which turned out to be a engine explosion, not a mine), the United States declared war against Spain and took most of it's territory in the Caribbean and the Pacific.
In the AMC historical drama "Turn", the character of James Rivington, a newspaper man in New York, used intelligence reports articles in his paper before the events happened. We later learn the tragic past of the usually jovial Rivington, his paper was attacked at the onset of the war by rebels after publishing articles to give a case for both sides. Unfortunately this still happens today as media outlets are forced to pick a side rather than simply report and provide a forum for different opinions.
At the end of the day, however, what is the main agenda of news and media outlets, beyond their political ones; money. There is more money in over dramatizing the news and pundit tugging on people's emotions than simply sitting down and reporting. If anything, Trump is own enemy in this case, not the media, his tweets and demeanor provide enough ammunition that it's equivalent to a gold mine.
So is the media the enemy? Senator Lindsey Graham said best (and the only time I will agree with him), it's not the enemy, "they are a pain in the ass."
Sources:
http://www.iancfriedman.com/?p=29
The prominent American newspaper man back at the turn of the century, William Randolph Hearst, is quoted as saying "You furnish the pictures and I’ll furnish the war." After the sinking of the battleship USS Maine in Havana (which turned out to be a engine explosion, not a mine), the United States declared war against Spain and took most of it's territory in the Caribbean and the Pacific.
In the AMC historical drama "Turn", the character of James Rivington, a newspaper man in New York, used intelligence reports articles in his paper before the events happened. We later learn the tragic past of the usually jovial Rivington, his paper was attacked at the onset of the war by rebels after publishing articles to give a case for both sides. Unfortunately this still happens today as media outlets are forced to pick a side rather than simply report and provide a forum for different opinions.
At the end of the day, however, what is the main agenda of news and media outlets, beyond their political ones; money. There is more money in over dramatizing the news and pundit tugging on people's emotions than simply sitting down and reporting. If anything, Trump is own enemy in this case, not the media, his tweets and demeanor provide enough ammunition that it's equivalent to a gold mine.
So is the media the enemy? Senator Lindsey Graham said best (and the only time I will agree with him), it's not the enemy, "they are a pain in the ass."
Sources:
http://www.iancfriedman.com/?p=29
Tuesday, July 17, 2018
Quick Thought: From Russia with... ?
Yesterdays President Trump met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in a conference seemingly more controversial than the summit with Kim Jong-Un earlier this summer. Because of Russia's interference in the 2016 election, Russia is viewed by many Americans as our primary enemy, their annexation of Crimea and support of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad hasn't helped quell this idea. Indeed, Russia is probably the most aggressive rouge state out there and Putin isn't afraid throwing his weight around, which includes one of the world's largest nuclear arsenals.
Theodore Roosevelt gave us one of the best quotes on international diplomacy, "Speak Softly and carry a big stick." Trump's handling of this summit leaves much to be desired. His statement saying that Russia did not interfere in the 2016 election is possibly just as bad as invading Russia in winter. While trying to ease tense relations in order to create more global cooperation is a good, this only exonerates a leader who helped exacerbate global tensions.
While the world should take a strong stance against Russia and it's actions, they are not an ally of the United States, but that doesn't mean we can't talk. Though this isn't exactly a Neville Chamberlin appeasement situation, which had the mindset of avoiding the horrors of the First World War (though scenes of that war should still be in our minds). Roosevelt's words ring out loudly, we should tell Russia we want to work with them, but don't screw us.
Theodore Roosevelt gave us one of the best quotes on international diplomacy, "Speak Softly and carry a big stick." Trump's handling of this summit leaves much to be desired. His statement saying that Russia did not interfere in the 2016 election is possibly just as bad as invading Russia in winter. While trying to ease tense relations in order to create more global cooperation is a good, this only exonerates a leader who helped exacerbate global tensions.
While the world should take a strong stance against Russia and it's actions, they are not an ally of the United States, but that doesn't mean we can't talk. Though this isn't exactly a Neville Chamberlin appeasement situation, which had the mindset of avoiding the horrors of the First World War (though scenes of that war should still be in our minds). Roosevelt's words ring out loudly, we should tell Russia we want to work with them, but don't screw us.
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