"Big Love" Is Bigotry? Probably. But Also Attention Starved*

*Image courtesy of AP Images.

In the interest of full disclosure concerning my viewpoints, it should be mentioned that the questionable dramatic value of "Big Love" has been mentioned in these pages before, notably in reference to Executive Producer Tom Hanks and his not so subtle jab at the Mormons (or more accurately, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints).

Interestingly enough, some controversy has currently cropped up over the very likely inaccurate and smarmy depiction of some of this faith's sacred ceremonies to advance the plot line. To be perfectly honest, I don't really bother watching--there's already so much superior television pumped out by that dramatic genius J.J. Abrams (really, he's like Midas without the regrets) and just so little time for viewing. But as I've said before, this is offensive and cheap and most people know it. And it's also a tacky way to stir up free advertising through the controversy that usually ensues.

Yet an interesting trend has developed in response among those of a more tolerant attitude--the impulse to ignore such pettiness. Significantly, famous sci-fi writer Orson Scott Card--a member of said church--comments on the patent ineffectiveness of such assaults in "National Review," while the Church itself has thoughtfully produced a simple and direct statement more or less signifying that it will far outlast the length of this television show's sanctimonious stumbling through the world of politicized entertainment.

I say well done.

While arrogant and narrow attacks such as this should very much be mentioned in media outlets, it seems evident that playing the better Christian part comes in turning the other cheek. And there's a plot line I'm sure HBO didn't see developing.

Phoenix Is Awesome*

*Image courtesy of AP Images.

Joaquin Phoenix never fails to entertain. This time, he jumped off stage to show a heckler what was up during one of his packed hip-hop concerts. I wonder how long this experiment will last. . .or how long it will take the rest of Hollywood to catch on.

The Culture Of Death*

*Image courtesy of AP Images.

The Culture of Death. With the signed order to open up previously untouchable embryonic stem cell lines and uncap federal funding for the same, it's clear that the Obama Administration is perfectly pleased to adopt this bit of nastiness from the far-left. And if you don't believe that, you might peruse a previous posting on the nomination of Kathleen Sebelius to HHS. The pieces are adding up.

And significantly, President Obama is doing this while taking a cheap shot at President Bush. You might remember the latter as the man who did much to elevate the embryonic stem cell argument to a lofty level of sophistication--scientifically and ethically--in an unarguably admirable manner. With this current set of ideologues, it seems cold, hard science will beat mere ethical considerations every time, so long as you can get over the fact that the two cannot reasonably be untangled.

No wonder Charles Krauthammer--a former member of the President's Council on Bioethics--found at least three reasons not to attend the signing.

BAD NEWS: Wow. And we wonder why anti-Semitism tends to take root.

Wicked People*

*Images courtesy of AP Images.

Omar al-Bashir danced, laughed, and even smiled after getting word that he would be facing a warrant for war crimes charges before the International Criminal Court at The Hague. In case you have not heard, this is the same pseudo-man responsible for the rape, mutilation, and murder of children, women, and men in the Darfur region of Sudan.

Approximately 2.5 million have fled with stragglers being raped, especially in the case of little girls, and often this is by military orders. 300,000 have been murdered according to various sources, including the first article linked in this entry. Aid organizations, not surprisingly, have also been tossed out.

Heartbreaking. Horrific. Appalling. These words do not begin to describe the utter darkness of these acts, especially for the children. Clearly, these millions of wounds will not heal for generations. And yet with all this blood on his hands, al-Bashir is still so unabashedly gleeful. So just to be clear, he should unquestionably suffer an ignominious death at the hands of his lawful executioners. Him, and all like him. And I believe that should go without saying.

Other wickedness of a lesser--though still very disturbing--degree is President Obama's nomination of Kathleen Sebelius for Secretary of Health and Human Services. She's governor of Kansas, and oh, an ardent supporter of abortion. Especially late term abortion. This latter link comes in her associations with one Dr. George Tiller, a skilled practitioner of this barbaric procedure. A gentleman, I'm sure. Thankfully, anti-abortion activists have picked up on this and are attempting to block this audacious attack on the value of human life. That said, I generally don't bother writing to politicians, but I may make an exception in this case. President Obama should be ashamed for even thinking of her as a possible nomination and he should hear that from American citizens.

The Gift Giver (And No, It's Not The President)*

*Image courtesy of AP Images.

Thank goodness the internationally insensitive days of President Bush are gone and we have President Obama to usher in an age of. . .well, poor gift giving.

You're Kidding, Right? Ayers And Churchill?!*

*All images courtesy of AP Images.

Wow. I must say, the University of Colorado has really outdone itself this time with its most recent cadre of esteemed guests. Do they just not get enough media attention down there?

If the above report is accurate, self-loathing homegrown terrorist Bill Ayers and his unquestionably dim anti-American friend Ward Churchill are due to appear together in this loftiest of academic circles.

Ahhh, together at last. . .I'm sure the chain smoking of various substances and condescending vitriol for traditional western values will be in abundant supply. And all that while wrongly sheltering under that very last shield of the coward--free speech. Apparently all they need is Aquavelvajad--nickname courtesy of the impossibly witty Dennis Miller--and they would be hosting the Trifecta of Anti-American Sin, Bloodshed, and Idiocy that seemingly smells so sweet to the so-far-from-normal-left. Sheesh.

And President Obama should be very nervous at this development as reasonable people might start to suspect that he ran in some rather nasty circles before his ascendancy and installment to the highest office meant to protect American citizenry. In fact, a shrewd man in his position might threaten to yank the good university's federal funding. . .

Ann Coulter Pulls No Punches At CPAC*

*Image courtesy of AP Images.

Ann Coulter is really funny. Hilarious, actually.

At CPAC, I kept thinking she was going analyze some gaffes of the current administration, provide some sobering historical commentary on what this election means, maybe even unload some well deserved jabs at McCain and whip the party into shape. . . and she did, though with a much more generous helping of her caustic wit than we are usually allotted.

I say well done. Just what the GOP needs.

See some rather low quality video with high quality remarks by Ann Coulter at CPAC 2009: Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3. Enjoy.

UPDATE: Here's a taste of Rush Limbaugh's comments. The 90 minute speech is worth watching.