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The Film of the Week
The WORD of the Week

Matthew 3:7-10

But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?

Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.

And do not think you can say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.

The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.
Stupid Fact of the Week
There was only one civilian casualty during the three-day Battle of Gettysburg
27 September, 2008
Bill Maher: "The Whites"
posted by Rockel @ 3:27 PM   1 comments
18 September, 2008
September October November December
Back to movies...

We're down to the last third of the year... almost time to break out the Oscar talk. But that's for another post...

Here's a (nearly-comprehensive) list of the films set to come out in this, the final third of 2008, ranked according to the Rockel-meter:

5/5 Stars - Worth Seeing Opening Night
4/5 Stars - Worth Paying Full Price
3/5 Stars - Try a Matinee
2/5 Stars - Discount Theatre (can't really call them $1 theatres anymore)
1/5 Stars - Wait for Video
0/5 Stars - Just Skip It Altogether

and an all new category:

-1/5 Stars - Guantanamo Bay's New Interrogation Technique


I was going to take some time to discuss a few of the higher ranked films, but in an effort to keep this post as brief as possible I'll withhold comments until a future post.

OPENING NIGHT
Australia (11/26/08)
Slumdog Millionaire (11/28/08)
Defiance (12/12/08)
The Wrestler (12/19/08)
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (12/25/08)

FULL PRICE
Battle in Seattle (9/19/08*)
Blindness (9/19/08*)
Miracle at St. Anna (9/26/08)
Flash of Genius (10/3/08)
What Just Happened? (10/3/08)
W. (10/17/08*)
The Changeling (10/24/08*)
Quantum of Solace (11/14/08)
Milk (11/26/08*)
The Reader (12/12/08)
Revolutionary Road (12/26/08)
Valkyrie (12/26/08)
Guerrilla, aka Che (12/2008**)

MATINEE
Burn After Reading (9/12/08)
Righteous Kill (9/12/08)
Ghost Town (9/19/08)
Eagle Eye (9/26/08)
Choke (9/26/08)
Body of Lies (10/10/08)
RocknRolla (10/31/08)
The Soloist (11/21/08)
Four Christmases (11/26/08)
Doubt (12/5/08)
The Day The Earth Stood Still (12/12/08)

DISCOUNT THEATRE
Appaloosa (9/19/08*)
Rachel Getting Married (10/3/08*)
Bolt (11/21/08)
Seven Pounds (12/12/08)
Yes Man (12/19/08)
The Spirit (12/25/08)

VIDEO
The Women (9/12/08)
The Express (10/10/08)
Max Payne (10/17/08)
Pride and Glory (10/24/08)
Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa (11/7/08)
Role Models (11/7/08)
Transporter 3 (11/26/08)
The Tale of Despereaux (12/19/08)
The Brothers Bloom (12/19/08*)

SKIP IT
Bangkok Dangerous (9/5/08)
Tyler Perry's The Family that Preys (9/12/08)
Igor (9/19/08)
Lakeview Terrace (9/19/08)
My Best Friend's Girl (9/19/08)
Nights in Rodanthe (9/26/08)
Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist (10/3/08)
City of Ember (10/10/08)
Soul Men (10/10/08)
Quarantine (10/17/08)
Zack and Miri Make a Porno (10/31/08)
Religulous (11/5/08)
The Punisher: War Zone (12/5/08)
Bedtime Stories (12/25/08)
Marley and Me (12/25/08)

GUANTANAMO BAY'S NEW INTERROGATION TECHNIQUE
Beverly Hills Chihuahua (10/3/08)
Sex Drive (10/17/08)
High School Musical 3 (10/24/08)
Saw 5 (10/24/08)
Twilight (12/12/08)



* = Limited release date, check local listings for release dates and show times in your area
** = Latest estimate on release date
posted by Rockel @ 10:57 AM   5 comments
15 September, 2008
Long Overdue Update
Alright...I'm back on the left coast, but while I was over on that other one I realized that there are a few things that most of you don't know... I shall remedy this now; please excuse the tardiness...

#1 )) Carnivorous no more.

I no longer eat meat... unless you consider fish meat... I guess the technical term is Pescatarian. It's been about 5 months now, and it all started with me trying to quit smoking (once again) by living a bit healthier to discourage going back to such an unhealthy habit. So I quite fast food, soda, and started running, and eating more local/organic products. This had me shopping at Trader Joe's and Whole Foods, where the meat options were a bit pricier than at "regular" grocers, so I ate very little meat, and one day decided to just kick it all together. So far, so good.

#2 )) Parkinson-of-a-gun

Roughly 16 years ago, my father was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. It progressed slowly and doctors managed to keep it under control with medication, until about a year ago when things began to head downhill. My recent trip back to NC was primarily due to the fact that he was scheduled for Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) surgery beginning September 9th (the surgery takes place in 2 parts). Here is an email my mom drafted to update friends and family:

Hey! Sorry I didn't get this out sooner - we had some technical difficulties in Charleston! The surgery was successful, which means that the surgeons got "good readings." We won't know for another month how if will actually affect Mike in the real world. In two weeks, we go back to Charleston to have the generators put in and then 8-10 days later, he'll actually get connected - then the process of "tweaking" begins. The surgeon and the neurologist were absolutely wonderful. The surgeon's nurse is very knowledgeable and great fun. Mike had some terrific nurses on the 10th floor (How he ended up there is a story for another day...) The MUSC experience on the whole, however, was phenomenally frustrating - thankfully, Matthew, Andrea, and Valerie were there and that kept me from being overwhelmed by the seeming incompetence of the people in charge of patient rooms. (At one point, two nurses showed up in the Recovery room - where, by the way, Mike stayed from the end of surgery until he checked out - again, another story - and wanted to know where he WAS!! You would all have been proud of my response - I mostly let them talk to each other and merely pointed at Mike, who was pretty obviously the brain surgery patient.) Ah...
But - God is good and Mike is back home, not quite himself on pain meds, but we're enjoying the laughs, some of which we may relate to him when he comes out of his very funny fog. Thanks, Pastor Ed, for the very loooooooong drive to pray with us and to visit. Thanks to all of you pray-ers for your prayers!! We felt very comforted by all of your support. Matthew is home until Sunday, Andrea is coming home for at least part of the weekend, my sister Jackie is come in this weekend and staying for two weeks. If you'd like to come visit Mike, I suggest that you wait for a few days - he really is funny right now, but he probably won't remember that you came to visit!!! I would think that by Saturday/Sunday, he'll be off most of the pain meds and would love a visit!!!
I'm so thankful for so much - Peg

Also, for more information, my dad posted some info on his blog.

That's all for now... I'll be back with more controversial fare later.
posted by Rockel @ 6:02 PM   1 comments
12 September, 2008
Breaking the Silence
posted by Rockel @ 7:03 AM   0 comments
11 September, 2008
A Moment of Silence
posted by Rockel @ 7:06 AM   0 comments
04 September, 2008
Back to Barack
BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA JR. (D-IL, U.S. Senate)

ABORTION

- The Talk:

"Barack Obama understands that abortion is a divisive issue, and respects those who disagree with him. However, he has been a consistent champion of reproductive choice and will make preserving women’s rights under Roe v. Wade a priority as President. He opposes any constitutional amendment to overturn the Supreme Court's decision in that case."

- The Record:

Barack Obama has voted Yea on:
> an amendment to the Senate's 2006 Fiscal Year Budget that allocates $100 million for the prevention of unintended pregnancies.

GAY MARRIAGE

- The Talk:

"[Obama] favors civil unions, though not gay marriage. He said religious denominations, not states, should decide whether to recognize gay marriages."

- The Record:

Barack Obama has voted Nay on:
> the motion to invoke cloture on a joint resolution proposing a constitutional amendment defining marriage as consisting of a man and a woman.

GUN CONTROL/2ND AMENDMENT

- The Talk:

"Barack Obama... has great respect for the passion that hunters and anglers have for their sport. Were it not for America’s hunters and anglers, including the great icons like Theodore Roosevelt and Aldo Leopold, our nation would not have the tradition of sound game management, a system of ethical, science-based game laws and an extensive public lands estate on which to pursue the sport.... Barack Obama believes the Second Amendment creates an individual right, and he respects the constitutional rights of Americans to bear arms. He will protect the rights of hunters and other law-abiding Americans to purchase, own, transport, and use guns.... Obama supports the Open Fields Incentives legislation that provides incentives to farmers and ranchers who voluntarily open their land to hunting, fishing and other wildlife-related activities."

- The Record:

Barack Obama has voted Yea on:
> an amendment prohibiting the use of any funds appropriated in the FY2007 Department of Homeland Security Act from being used to confiscate legal firearms during states of emergency or major disasters. (Sec. 540)
> an amendment that requires all licensed importers, manufacturers and dealers who engage in the transfer of handguns to provide secure gun storage or safety devices.

Barack Obama has voted Nay on:
> a bill that provides liability protection for manufacturers, dealers or importers of firearms or ammunition products, as well as their trade associations, for harm caused by criminal or unlawful misuse.

Barack Obama did not vote on:
> an amendment that would prohibit funds in the Indigenous Health Bill (S 1200) from being used to "carry out any anti-firearm program, gun buy-back program, or program to discourage or stigmatize the private ownership of firearms for collecting, hunting, or self-defense."

IMMIGRATION

- The Talk:

"Obama wants to preserve the integrity of our borders. He supports additional personnel, infrastructure and technology on the border and at our ports of entry....Obama believes we must fix the dysfunctional immigration bureaucracy and increase the number of legal immigrants to keep families together and meet the demand for jobs that employers cannot fill.... Obama will remove incentives to enter the country illegally by cracking down on employers who hire undocumented immigrants.... Obama supports a system that allows undocumented immigrants who are in good standing to pay a fine, learn English, and go to the back of the line for the opportunity to become citizens."

- The Record:

Barack Obama has voted Yea on:
> an amendment that allows the Senate Budget Committee Chairman to raise spending levels to increase border security, expand enforcement of immigration laws, increase penalties against employers who hire undocumented immigrants, deploy National Guard troops to the southern and northern borders of the United States, and identify and deport non-citizen immigrants in prisons, provided that such spending would not increase the budget deficit.
> an amendment to an amendment that places an expiration date on a point based immigration system.
> an amendment that causes the Y-1 guest worker program to expire after five years.
> an amendment that establishes restrictions on admission into the United States for immigrants convicted of criminal behavior and penalties for illegal entry into the U.S.
> an amendment that declares English to be the common language of the United States.
> an amendment that reduces the annual limit on guest workers to two hundred thousand from a ceiling of six hundred thousand proposed in SA 1150.
> a bill that authorizes the construction of an additional 700 miles of double-layered fencing between the U.S. and Mexico and grants the Secretary of Homeland Security authority to take necessary steps to stop unlawful entry of undocumented immigrants into the U.S.
> To provide $1,829,100,000 for the Army National Guard for the construction of 370 miles of triple-layered fencing, and 461 miles of vehicle barriers along the southwest border.
> a bill that increases border security and enforcement laws, establishes criteria for U.S. citizenship, and provides financial assistance programs for areas of immigration.
> an amendment that provides certain undocumented immigrants present in the U.S. with an opportunity to become legal U.S. citizens. (Orange Card Program)
> a substitute amendment that requires an Electronic Employment Verification System to be implemented and used by employers to ensure that undocumented immigrants are not employed and makes it illegal to hire or continue to employ undocumented immigrants.
> an amendment that establishes a system for providing states with financial aid to offset the health care and educational costs incurred by giving aid to immigrants, and also allocates for funding the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP).
> an amendment that states all services or materials provided by the U.S. government be expanded to exclude any language other than English.

Barack Obama has voted Nay on:
> an amendment that allows the Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee to increase spending levels for certain border security and immigration enforcement programs.
> an amendment that declares English as the language of "sole legal authority" for the business of the federal government, and declares that no person has a right to require officials of the United States government to use a language other than English.
> an amendment that would prohibit undocumented immigrants convicted of aggravated felonies, domestic violence, stalking, violation of protection orders, crimes against children, or crimes relating to the illegal purchase or sale of firearms, from gaining legal status.
> an amendment that would require information from applications on Z visas, which are renewable three year work permits, to be turned over to law enforcement under certain circumstances.
> an amendment that reduces discretionary funds in the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations on a pro rata basis by $1.83 billion to construct 370 miles of double-layered fencing between the U.S. and Mexico and 461 miles of vehicle barriers.
> an amendment that protects information submitted by immigrants seeking citizenship for any reason other than the application process.
> an amendment that declares English as the national language and calls for stricter requirements in language testing and knowledge of U.S. history.
> an amendment that specifies how an individual can petition for legal residence after being employed as a guest worker and after having maintained nonimmigrant status for four consecutive years.


Alright, there you have it... Lots of information. Just a quick note to say that any emphasis (italics) in this or the previous (McCain) post was unintentional and Bloggers fault. I was not attempting to draw more or less attention to any position/voting record.

Sources:
All of "The Talk" came from: https://www.barackobama.com
All of "The Record" came from: http://www.votesmart.org/index.htm
posted by Rockel @ 7:37 PM   4 comments
Another Political Detour
Alright, so I still plan to get back to Obama and the issues...

...but for a moment I'd just like to rant about these ridiculous campaigns and the ridiculous media that sends them plummeting further into this moronic limbo...

First, before I really get going, I've been listening to a lot more talk radio now that I have some time during the day... I was listening to one show (couldn't tell you the name), where the host was on with a guest talking about the speaking/oratory skills of the two Presidential candidates, and commented something to the effect of: "I know everyone likes to talk about how much 'better' an orator Obama is, but I think the difference is actually quite slight, if it even exists at all."... I was listening to another program (couldn't tell you the name of this either, thought it was also strictly conservative), where the host made the comment of: "He (McCain) really is a poor speaker. He's getting better, I have to admit. But he most certainly isn't the orator that Obama is."... I continued listening to one of those two shows, I'll leave it to you to figure out which.... I do not hate McCain, I do not wish him to be seen as a blubbering idiot (as he is not), but no one is making the case that Obama is as much a war hero as McCain... I think it only fair to recognize something that is nearly as obvious going the other way.

Next, to Palin... and the nonstop chatter of the media bias against her so proudly proclaimed in the conservative media outlets...

No, the media has not ever questioned Obama's capabilities as a father... just as the media has not ever questioned Palin's flag-pin-wearing patriotism, her middle name, her "secret" religious beliefs, etc... both sides get it.

Yes, it sucks that the media keeps harping on Palin's pregnant daughter... but I won't shed a tear and demand that people leave her alone so long as the family/campaign keeps putting her in the spotlight/on the stage/etc....

Also on Palin, don't forget to FactCheck... even the cute ones.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Jon Stewart:



Last, but most certainly not least:
Video from the RON PAUL COUNTER-CONVENTION
posted by Rockel @ 6:45 PM   2 comments
02 September, 2008
Brief Political Break
Alright... politics it is for a moment.

Setting aside, for the moment, the Vice Pres. nominees, let's take a look at the two big dogs... There are countless issues that I could cover, but I'd like to focus on a few of the main issues I've been hearing about lately... so we'll be looking at Abortion, Gun Control/2nd Amendment, Immigration, Gay Marriage, and anything else interesting I find...

JOHN SIDNEY MCCAIN III (R-AZ, U.S. Senate)

ABORTION

- The Talk:

"John McCain believes Roe v. Wade is a flawed decision that must be overturned,... Constitutional balance would be restored by the reversal of Roe v. Wade, returning the abortion question to the individual states. The difficult issue of abortion should not be decided by judicial fiat.... 'At its core, abortion is a human tragedy. To effect meaningful change, we must engage the debate at a human level.'"

- The Record:

John McCain has voted Yea on:
> prohibiting (federal) funds for groups that perform abortions
> prohibits any individual from knowingly performing a procedure, in which a fetus is partially delivered before it is aborted, unless the life of the woman is endangered by a physical disorder, illness, or injury.

John McCain has voted Nay on:
> expanding access to preventive health care services that reduce unintended pregnancy (including teen pregnancy), reduce the number of abortions, and improve access to women's health care services
> prohibiting the use of funds for research that utilizes human fetal tissue, cells, or organs that are obtained from an abortion.

GAY MARRIAGE

- The Talk:

"The family represents the foundation of Western Civilization and civil society and John McCain believes the institution of marriage is a union between one man and one woman... As with most issues vital to the preservation and health of civil society, the basic responsibility for preserving and strengthening the family should reside at the level of government closest to the people."

- The Record:

John McCain has voted Nay on:
> invoking cloture on a joint resolution proposing a constitutional amendment defining marriage as consisting of a man and a woman.

GUN CONTROL/2ND AMENDMENT

- The Talk:

"John McCain believes that the right of law abiding citizens to keep and bear arms is a fundamental, individual Constitutional right that we have a sacred duty to protect. We have a responsibility to ensure that criminals who violate the law are prosecuted to the fullest, rather than restricting the rights of law abiding citizens... John McCain opposes restrictions on so-called 'assault rifles'... John McCain opposes bans on the importation of certain types of ammunition magazines... John McCain cosponsored legislation to lift a ban on the law abiding citizens of the District of Columbia from exercising their Constitutional right to bear arms... John McCain supports instant criminal background checks... John McCain has opposed 'waiting periods' for law abiding citizen's purchase of firearms... John McCain opposes the confiscation of firearms from private citizens, particularly during times of crisis or emergency."

- The Record:

John McCain has voted Yea on:
> prohibiting the use of any funds appropriated in the FY2007 Department of Homeland Security Act from being used to confiscate legal firearms during states of emergency or major disasters.
> a bill that provides liability protection for manufacturers, dealers or importers of firearms or ammunition products, as well as their trade associations, for harm caused by criminal or unlawful misuse.
> an amendment that requires all licensed importers, manufacturers and dealers who engage in the transfer of handguns to provide secure gun storage or safety devices.
> a bill that would prohibit certain civil lawsuits against manufacturers, distributors, dealers and importers of firearms and ammunition pertaining to acts of criminal or unlawful misuse of firearms.
> to table an amendment that would prohibit the transfer of guns which are not equipped with a locking device.

John McCain has voted Nay on:
> an amendment establishing gun show regulations.

IMMIGRATION

- The Talk:

"John McCain believes America's immigration system is broken. He is committed to a two-step process to reform.... John McCain's top immigration priority is to finish securing our borders in an expedited manner. Governors of border states will be required to certify that the border is secure...Once the borders are secure, John McCain will... implement a secure, accurate, and reliable electronic employment verification system to ensure that individuals are screened for work eligibility in a real-time fashion. John McCain will use this new system in conjunction with other Department of Homeland Security resources to identify and aggressively prosecute employers that continue to hire illegal immigrants...John McCain will implement temporary worker programs that will reflect the labor needs of the United States in both the high-tech and low skilled sectors while protecting the employment opportunities for US workers."

- The Record:

John McCain has voted Yea on:
> an amendment that declares English as the language of "sole legal authority" for the business of the federal government, and declares that no person has a right to require officials of the United States government to use a language other than English.
> an amendment that establishes restrictions on admission into the United States for immigrants convicted of criminal behavior and penalties for illegal entry into the U.S.
> a bill that authorizes the construction of an additional 700 miles of double-layered fencing between the U.S. and Mexico and grants the Secretary of Homeland Security authority to take necessary steps to stop unlawful entry of undocumented immigrants into the U.S.
> To provide $1,829,100,000 for the Army National Guard for the construction of 370 miles of triple-layered fencing, and 461 miles of vehicle barriers along the southwest border.
> a substitute amendment that requires an Electronic Employment Verification System to be implemented and used by employers to ensure that undocumented immigrants are not employed and makes it illegal to hire or continue to employ undocumented immigrants.
> an amendment that declares English as the national language and calls for stricter requirements in language testing and knowledge of U.S. history.
> an amendment that states all services or materials provided by the U.S. government be expanded to exclude any language other than English.
> a bill that changes regulations on H1-B (temporary work) visas for those who possess information technology skills and increases incentives for U.S. citizens to pursue degrees in math and science.

John McCain has voted Nay on:
 > an amendment that would prohibit undocumented immigrants convicted of aggravated felonies, domestic violence, stalking, violation of protection orders, crimes against children, or crimes relating to the illegal purchase or sale of firearms, from gaining legal status.
> an amendment to an amendment that places an expiration date on a point based immigration system.
> an amendment that causes the Y-1 guest worker program to expire after five years.
> an amendment that declares English to be the common language of the United States.
> an amendment that reduces discretionary funds in the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations on a pro rata basis by $1.83 billion to construct 370 miles of double-layered fencing between the U.S. and Mexico and 461 miles of vehicle barriers.
> an amendment that protects information submitted by immigrants seeking citizenship for any reason other than the application process.
> an amendment that limits the H-2C visa program to five years following the enactment of the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006.
> an amendment that provides certain undocumented immigrants present in the U.S. with an opportunity to become legal U.S. citizens. (Orange Card Program)
> an amendment that establishes a system for providing states with financial aid to offset the health care and educational costs incurred by giving aid to immigrants
> an amendment that specifies how an individual can petition for legal residence after being employed as a guest worker and after having maintained nonimmigrant status for four consecutive years.
> Vote to adopt an amendment that makes legal immigrants eligible to receive some forms of the following assistance: Emergency medical services, Benefits under National School Lunch Act, Assistance under Child Nutrition Act of 1996, Public health assistance for immunizations and treatment of communicable diseases, Services related to domestic violence or child abuse, Certain student assistance programs, and others.


Alright... once again, a post has gotten too long... Obama will have to wait for another day.

Sources:
All of "The Talk" came from: http://www.johnmccain.com/
All of "The Record" came from: http://www.votesmart.org/index.htm
posted by Rockel @ 9:04 AM   0 comments
01 September, 2008
In Memoriam
posted by Rockel @ 10:23 PM   0 comments
About Me

Name: Rockel
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Lyrics of the Week

ON THE NICKEL
by Tom Waits

("I'd like to do a new song here. This is eh, it's about downtown Los Angeles on 5th Street. And eh all the winos affectionately refer to it as The Nickel. So this is kind of a hobo's lullaby.")

sticks and stones will break my bones,
but i always will be true, and when
your mama is dead and gone,
i'll sing this lullabye just for you,
and what becomes of all the little boys,
who never comb their hair,
well they're lined up all around the block,
on the nickel over there.

so you better bring a bucket,
there is a hole in the pail,
and if you don't get my letter,
then you'll know that i'm in jail,
and what becomes of all the little boys,
who never say their prayers,
well they're sleepin' like a baby,
on the nickel over there.

and if you chew tobacco, and wish upon a star,
well you'll find out where the scarecrows sit,
just like punchlines between the cars,
and i know a place where a royal flush,
can never beat a pair, and even thomas jefferson,
is on the nickel over there.

so ring around the rosie, you're sleepin' in the rain,
and you're always late for supper,
and man you let me down again,
i thought i heard a mockingbird, roosevelt knows where,
you can skip the light, with grady tuck,
on the nickel over there.

so what becomes of all the little boys,
who run away from home,
well the world just keeps gettin' bigger,
once you get out on your own,
so here's to all the little boys,
the sandman takes you where,
you'll be sleepin' with a pillowman,
on the nickel over there.

so let's climb up through that button hole,
and we'll fall right up the stairs,
and i'll show you where the short dogs grow,
on the nickel over there.
45113638_202b79dc11
"We draw people to Christ not by loudly discrediting what they believe,
by telling them how wrong they are and how right we are,
but by showing them a light that is so lovely that they want with all their hearts to know the source of it."
 -- Madeleine L'Engle, "Walking on Water"