Yearly Archives: 2006

United 93: The Movie

This entry was posted in Movies on by

For a number of reasons United 93 has not been on my list of movies to see. First, most of the movie has to be fictionalized and this was too important an event for such fictionalization so soon. Second, I object to the commercialization of the event. Yes, I know that we use various fictionalized versions of our past to explore the surrounding issues and as a form of catharsis. But, again, this is still too soon! It is like yesterday.
On the other hand, if I were to change my mind something like David’s review would do it:

The movie doesn’t come across in any way as exploitation and while it doesn’t work to demonize the terrorists, it doesn’t sanitize them or make them into sympathetic figures, either. It just comes across as a retelling of events without any sense of melodrama. I don’t think we should all live out the rest of our lives mired in depression because of the events of that one day, but for anyone who has managed to distance themselves too completely from 9/11, United 93 should act as a reminder of the day that shook us from our collective complacency.

David and I disagree on many aspects of this administration’s post 9/11 actions but I do agree that we should not forget or forgive what happened on that day.

Read David’s review and the many others that will be circulating. It may or may not be a movie for you.

Ouch….Huh?

This entry was posted in bush administration on by

It is oft best just to ignore some of this stuff but I am from time to time bemused by Reynold’s take on some things. For instance, this supposed zinger from Hewitt:

The Bush Adminsitration is the definition of openness compared to the New York Times.

Caused an “ouch” to flow through the instafingers.
If only it were more true than it is it might deserve an “ouch” but Hewitt’s just blowing smoke or, perhaps, transcribing a talking point of the day. How not open is the bush administration:

As the Bush administration has dramatically accelerated the classification of information as “top secret” or “confidential,” one office is refusing to report on its annual activity in classifying documents: the office of Vice President Dick Cheney.
A standing executive order, strengthened by President Bush in 2003, requires all agencies and “any other entity within the executive branch” to provide an annual accounting of their classification of documents. More than 80 agencies have collectively reported to the National Archives that they made 15.6 million decisions in 2004 to classify information, nearly double the number in 2001, but Cheney continues to insist he is exempt.

The New York Times has a long way to go to catch up with these folks.

Secret governments deserve to be tossed out on their behinds!

The Spineless, The Kitties and Catching Up

This entry was posted in Cat Blogging Invertebrate Blogging on by

The 8th Circus of the Spineless is up at Get Busy Livin’, or Get Busy Bloggin’ and includes amongst its many treats these awesome spider eyes.

Furry Paws has posted the 110th Carnival of the Cats. This week’s 66 submissions for once (so far) outnumber those on the Friday Ark (admittedly a weakened edition).

Yes, we will try to catch up with all the missed boarders for last Friday’s sailing but not until tomorrow.