Blaine, Missouri. Stool Capital of the World

You say Missouri, I think of Ole Miss. Not the same but close enough

Welcome to Blaine, Missouri. Stool Capital of the World. Within the first five minutes of the film. I knew I was in for a serious treat. "Some people find it ironical that although we own a travel agency, we've never been outside of Blaine." The people of Blaine went aboard an alien ship for a potluck dinner. The antics go on and on. I don't think I legitimately laughed once but the continual dry humor left me on edge. With a diverse cast of both well known and lesser known actors, it was comical to see Eugene Levy reduced to such a bland role: town dentist. This is rural community theater at it's finest. It reminded me of a play I saw over Christmas break titled something along the lines of "A Redneck Christmas," in Durham, NC. The jokes were somewhat similar and the play mocked itself in its presentation and theme it chose to convey. Personally, I found the use of improvisation to be a pertinent aspect to the film. There was no possible way that the film's integrity could have been retained had it been scripted. On the subject of mockumentary, comparing it to "Borat" and "The Dictator" seems appropriate. "Borat" was absolutely hilarious; crude but still funny. "The Dictator" recycled many of the same jokes in a scripted fashion and looked more like a low-budget movie than the comedy it held the potential to be.

Moral of the story: Guffman exceeds because it is both relatable, realistic and spontaneous. Now would I watch it if it was an actual play. Pay me first, then we'll see

Welcome to Hell

Fifteen months in Hell. Welcome to Korengal: "Valley of Death."

       Watching this documentary, I was filled with mixed emotions. Soldiers smiled and put on a face but their true emotions shined clear through. Enduring multiple firefights each day, the men of Second Platoon were worn and tired. Life goes by day to day. Some days better than others.






     War is forever. Until the end of time there will be war. I imagine myself in the boots of these young men. It truly is a sobering thought. On second thought, I realize it's impossible to put myself in that situation. Why? The obvious reason is that I have never been to war. That I have never had to sleep in the cold of a foreign country. That I have never have to shoot a man because I was told to. I find myself filled with uncertainty. The media is filled with pro-military propaganda in the form of film, reports and articles. In the same vein, there is just as much anti-military propaganda to be seen. As a US citizen, I am exposed to both. As a civilian, I cannot discern falsities from reality.

     My father worked distributing a newpaper called the Army Times when he was younger. The newspaper is written by those closely affiliated with the military. Naturally, it takes a positive approach to both the good and bad that happens overseas. Articles are not written as BREAKING NEWS. No, they stick to attracting the viewers interest without attempting to incite strong emotion. Far different from the approach that Fox News or CNN would take. Here are there respective sites. It truly is interesting how much they contrast and their respective methods/approach taken.

Army Times vs CNN Military Articles



Its a lot to think about, I know. As an eighteen year old male, I can only imagine how my life would have been different had I decided to enlist.

I found another great quote for your enjoyment!

"I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones." - Albert Einstein



   

Many Foods, One Company Incorporated.

     My second time having seen this traumatizing film, I was slightly less disturbed than the first time I saw it. Not in the sense that I found the material any more acceptable but rather it came as less of a surprise. Throughout the semester, we have watched multiple films that bring to light terrible truths that government would rather stay silent. Corruption in the food industry is one of those unfortunate tragedies. 

     Walking through the food aisle, I see brand upon brand. Each has its own unique labeling and packaging. Looking closer, I find similarities on each box. Contrary to what they would have us believe, there aren't five million separate little companies each producing one product. Triscuits do not have an entire factory dedicated entirely to the manufacture of Triscuits. Nabisco is a subsidiary of Mondelez International, a mega-food powerhouse. There is no little man in the fight. This is an all out war of superpowers.

    Speaking of superpowers, one instantly comes to mind: Monsanto. Obama recently ruled in favor of the Monsanto Protection Act. The act essentially prevents any kind of legal action against the company over their controversial development of GMOs. Read more here at MONSANTO. Whats more?!? They own 90% of all GMO seeds. They receive royalties from any individual using their seeds. The local farmers can no longer compete. Monsanto runs a monopoly. 

Insanity. Check this documentary out detailing the horrors of Monsanto.

We are heading in a negative direction. As we develop bigger, more disease resistant vegetables and fruits, we eliminate a great deal of biodiversity. There is no telling what effect prolonged consumption could have. Biologically, our bodies have trouble recognizing the foods and as a result, they cause allergies or sickness in many people. 

     It is unfortunate that our world has come to this. True it may be that local farming is no longer a viable way to feed the worlds populations. This is not the answer. Make change. Be a part of that change. Fight the corrupt governmental policy that allows this!

   

AFTERTHOUGHT

  On a slightly different note, while I was searching through mega-food companies, I found this little gem. The picture on the front page shows the subsidiary companies of Yum! sitting on a steel beam. Compare it to the following famous photograph from the 1940s. Draw your own conclusions on the state of our society

Yum!

Tragedy in Taiji: The Real Story

1945. The true culprits

     There are multiple reoccurring jokes in popular culture concerning Japanese disdain for dolphins and whales. It seems almost comical. "The Cove" shines a bit of light on the background; 23,000 dolphins and porpoises are killed in Japan each year. The majority of Japan lives in total ignorance. In fact, only a very small percentage of the population in Japan is aware of the dolphin kills that occur each day. Even less are aware that much of the "larger" whale" they are eating is actually dolphin. Documentary is meant to be informative. In this instance it inspires a desire for change from the audience. Immediately after the film's conclusion, I felt a strong desire to take a stand against the animal cruelty and dolphin killings that occur each day. Realistically will I travel to Japan to take a physical stand for the issue? Probably not. But it is this knowledge and determination that differentiates the informed from the ignorant. How can we, the public, take a stand against a terrible problem that few know about? It is time for the public to know the truth. To see what has been hidden in plain sight. The horrors of Taiji. The massacres in the cove.


Slowly but surely, progress is being made. The work of Ric O'Barry has not been in vain

Corrupt Economics

   

  Our economy is corrupt. There I said it. The past decade has flourished with political debate and civilian response to the unveiled actions of the people we support with our credit cards. Their incompetency and poor action choice is known of more now than every before thanks to big media. Presidents, vice-presidents and the like of failing companies take excessive vacations with company funds. We have a problem. Yet, a solution seems far away on the horizon. Why? Well, the government certainly doesn't seem to penalize big companies/ banks for their mistakes. The amount of bailout money that the aforementioned received would give the typical US citizen an aneurysm. Imagine that... I'll give an example:

     Johnny relieves the dreaded W-2 in the mail. He files his taxes and much to his glee, learns that the US government is actually paying HIM money. Why? Johnny messed around, spent his customer's money in excess and made poor business decisions. This is no small amount of money either. No sir. This is billions (in US $$) that we're talking about here. Johnny already made a few mistakes. We would assume that he has now learned from his mistakes. Not really, Johnny takes that bailout money, the money that he is supposed to be using to reimburse his clients for his previous mistakes, and spends it further in excess.

     The question I propose is very simple but has yet to be addressed. When will the US government allow business to fail? The consequences on consumers and stockholders would be dire, I agree. But in the end, isn't that how a free-market economy should work? Survival of the fittest. Let the best man win



Yes that means you Wells Fargo

Grizzly Man Original vs Revision

    Original

 There is little disputing that Timothy Treadwell held a strange fascination with grizzly bears and nature in general. The look in his eye as he approached them, communicated with them and established himself in their communities was one of pure dedication. My initial response was that of shock and disbelief. Grizzly bears are some of nature’s fiercest predators. There are multiple scenes throughout the movie of the bears battling for territory and social order. It is appealing in a primal way. Timothy wasn’t attracted to these characteristics. He simply found the bears to be incredible creatures. He looked upon in awe as a mother would look upon her newborn. It was utter fascination. This was what Timothy truly loved, the way that many people feel a sense of fulfillment in their careers. He did what he loved, in reckless abandon of the consequences. 

     Revision

   I would hardly care to dispute Timothy Treadwell's fascination with grizzly bears and nature. The  gleam of his eye as he stalked and observed their behaviors indicated the purest dedication. Grizzly bears are some of nature's fiercest predators. There are multiple scenes throughout the movie of the bears ripping each other apart in battle for territory and social order. Timothy saw past the attraction of primal violence. He found the bears to be incredible animals and looked upon in awe as a mother would look upon her newborn. It was utter fascination. Timothy truly loved the bears and felt a sense of fulfillment in his life direction. He did what he loved, in reckless abandon of the consequences

Spaceship, Take Me Far Away

The moon's luster pales by comparison

     Koyaaniqatsi- a state of life that calls for another way of living

     We, the human race, have stepped far beyond our boundaries. We have transformed from a people  living in unison with nature to the complex and crooked society that I stand before today. I ask myself the question: is it necessary? What have we truly gained through our manipulation of the physical world? Are we happier? Do we satisfy needs that we previous could not satisfy? Or have we simply created a society of consumerism and falsities.




   
     The film begins slowly, in reverence of nature. Beautiful skies, waterfalls and shadows that linger on the peak of the mountains before fading with the setting sun. Suddenly, we see a transition. The music changes abruptly, proceeding at an increasingly faster rate. There are explosions, black smoke, electric wires, oil. Then comes the mushroom cloud, the desolation of all we previously had. The end of our previous life and the beginning of a new one. There are skyscrapers, cars, manufacturing plants, cigarettes, war. The shadows no longer exist on pristine mountains, rather, they drift across towering skyscrapers. People below occupy their time with video games, movies, bowling, malls and food. Never is it truly dark, the light of the city is ever prevalent. The crowds, oh the crowds, how they crowd. They push past each other, pieces of a giant conglomeration rather than individuals. These crowds, oh how they buy. They buy, they buy, they buy, and when they're finished, they buy some more. They fill their lives with material meaning. Substantial displays of wealth. There is no end. Until one day it simply is too much. The day that it is too late.

The cave paintings on the wall. They are reminders of a civilization come and gone. Meaningless depictions of skyscrapers on the walls. What really is their grandeur?

Spaceship, take me far away. Far away from the pain and the suffering. The consumerism, the smog, the falsities. Take me to a place where I can start over. A return to beginnings.

Koyaaniqatsi

Plastic Plastic Everywhere

Plastic pellets. Ready for manufacture.

     There are a lot of things that I can say are bad about plastic. It's hard to recycle. There is little incentive to recycle. The processes that create the plastic imbue carcinogens within the plastic. Plastic takes hundreds of years to decompose. The list goes on and on. Why then, do we use such a product? Because its damn convenient, that's why.

     Plastic is cheap to manufacture, strong and easily malleable. The plastic pellets produced by plastic factories can easily be melted back down to conform to molds that encompass everything from beach balls to prosthetics. What other such medium could we possibly use in the present to fulfill that demand. There is none. The products that we produce have no current alternative in our present day and age.


     As I look around my room, I seek to disprove myself. There are a few things that could be manufactured out of glass, I suppose. Maybe the surge protector or the refrigerator? Absolutely ludicrous. They would be broken within a week. What about metals? Obviously we do not want anything electronic to have a metal exterior. That is simply asking for disaster. It would be incredibly cost prohibitive as well.

     What does that leave use with? Plastic.

     Check out this article, The Dangers of Plastic. I believe it sums up and details the extent of damage we are causing the planet and ourselves. Also watch the documentary, "Plastic Planet"

     We are a plastic planet. Until the end of consumerism and for another two hundred plus years past that day, we will be surrounded by the possessions we held so dear. Maybe one day we will develop a plastic that requires less harmful production processes and decomposes at a faster rate. I sure hope so.

When Religion Goes Too Far

YOU should go to Jesus Camp!

     "Warlocks are enemies of god." Well damn,  as if I didn't dislike you enough already, way to slander a great book. Harry Potter is twice the person you'll ever be. Somehow wizard magic seems to make more sense than half of the garbage that you force down these kids throats. Searching for a reason behind the evident dislike, I stumbled upon this article:

Why Harry Potter Is Not For Kids

     While the article is more joking than serious, it addresses a few key points about the films. They promote violence. Copious amounts of violence. Once the reader gets past the first few books, it gets rather gory. But I digress. With statements like these, I can see how the evangelical church aims to keep children innocent and pure by falsifying their reasons for avoiding "sinful" things. These kids are as god-fearing as they come. If they hope not to anger god, its a better incentive than just because, "mom told me so." 

     All joking aside, this film was slightly disturbing. Not only for me but for my roommates as well. It was a rather awkward conversation trying to explain why children were writhing and crying on the floor screaming "Jesus!" Personally, I hold a biased view on organized religion. I was not offended by any association with "normal" Christianity that the Evangelicals displayed. I believe it certainly allowed me to take a more objective view on the matter. I saw a group of educated children, especially Levi, who were excellent public speakers. The clothes they wore, the way they spoke, their haircuts (except Levi), etc. showed no indication that they were anything but your typical group of ~8-14 year olds.

     Wait a minute, 12 year old children typically DO NOT speak grammatically correct English...

     Their public speaking skills were truly incredible to witness. I don't believe I heard any ums, uhs, or cursing whatsoever. It caught me off guard until the movie listed one very important little fact: 75% of homeschooled kids in the US are Evangelical Christian. These kids, more likely than not, have never been exposed to many kids their age, outside of the church. They haven't had the opportunity to pick up slang, bad habits, and the like.

     This sect of evangelism is truly astounding. The brainwashing these children are put through is astonishing. I wish that I could make the simple differentiation between good and bad. I don't believe in the inherit evil of this evangelist sect. It seems they are simply devout in their beliefs and misinformed.

     Pray as she might, that little girl never did hit any of the bowling balls. Where is your God, little girl?

Assorted Humors:
1)Christian Heavy Metal
2)"The human spirit is like a balloon"
3)"There are two types of people in this world; those who love Jesus and those who don't."
4)"We worship you god, we worship you god. They sing three songs and then they listen to a sermon. Church's that god likes to go to are praising his name, jumping up and down."


   

Grizzly Man

Timothy Treadwill is a prime example of a man disillusioned and alienated by the society which once claimed him. “Alone,” in the wilderness, we are privy to his innermost thoughts and opinions. As a great documentarian, Timothy is portrayed as a man fully immersed in his mission, dedicated to his cause. Grizzly bears. Some of nature’s fiercest predators, I watched as these behemoths tore into one another as Treadwill hovered only yards away. I found myself questioning the man’s sanity. Is Timothy Treadwill sane? I’d be disinclined to agree with such a statement. Analyzing his behaviors, I find it unlikely that others would either. He is erratic and prone to spontaneous outbursts against his former employers. The relationships he holds with the many women interviewed throughout the film seem to almost clash with the antisocial tendencies he displays.  Treadwill will be remembered as an eccentric man with innate dedication; a man of the bears. The Grizzly Man

Waiting for Superman

    Well I can say that this documentary certainly piqued my interest and gave me a different perspective on the public school system. I grew up a upper-middle class white kid in the suburbs of America. Raleigh, NC to be more specific. Wake County has one of the best school systems in the country. My educational experience was fantastic, largely in part from tremendous PTA support. From the days of separation anxiety until the grandeur of graduation, never did I once experience the struggle detailed within this powerful film. It seems that I came to expect the best and it was hard to imagine an alternative.
     At a young age, around six I believe, I was caught between the tracks and placed in a remedial reading group. I didn't understand why I was reading the Cat and the Hat when I had been reading the Harry Potter series since age five. I didn't complain though, I didn't speak up. I was a quiet kid, I suppose. I could have continued on that path forever, misunderstood and underestimated. Thankfully, between parental intervention and conference, I was eventually escalated up to the appropriate level. I take that for granted. I shouldn't though, my experience is clearly atypical in the sense that I am in the minority. I had a safety net. I had people who cared about me and my education. Not only my parents, but the school system as a whole. I succeeded because the system believed in me more so than I believed in myself. It pushed me to new heights, past the awkward years of middle school and the faux-confidence of high school. Contrary to previous beliefs, I am not typical.
     Before the beginning of high school, I applied for admission at a prestigious charter school nearby. It was not a matter of whether I would receive a fantastic education or not. Rather, it was simply the opportunity to experience a slightly different learning method with smaller classes. Throughout my UNC-A experience, I have been astounded at the diversity of the student body in terms of financial and social backgrounds. Having been surrounded by similar individuals from similar backgrounds all of my life, never did I fully understand the extent of the need for educational reform. I believe that this film reinforced what I have begun to realize on my four year journey; we are not all the same, we are not all as privileged, however, humble beginnings should not determine our future. A public school reform is needed.