CommenTerry

Where's the Outrage?

Where's the outrage over the new movie "Let's Go to Prison"? In case you are not familiar with it, this is a comedy that uses prison rape as an ongoing joke. However, because it focuses on male prisoners being raped by other inmates, people see it as somehow funny. Strangely, though, we would likely not feel that way about a movie that humorously treated other forms of rape. How's that for conventional foolishness? 

Let's suppose someone tried to release a movie that poked fun at women being raped. Do you think it would ever see the light of a theater screen? Probably not. Even the idea of a movie like that would create such an outrage that it would shame its would-be producers into cancelling their plans for making it in the first place.

What about a movie that used child rape as the butt of a joke? For one thing, it would likely be illegal if it used real kids. But even a perfectly legal movie of this genre would almost assuredly meet the same fate as a movie making light of adult female rape.

As I've said many times before, I don't believe in censorship. Therefore, I wouldn't want to be part of any effort to hinder the making or release of any movie, regardless of its content or point of view -- even if it happens to glorify something like child rape, white slavery, or radical Islam. If I don't think I will like a given movie, I won't see it. That's the libertarian way. However, I just wish others would be as consistent as I.

A Case of Overcompensation

The brouhaha that has ensued over comedian Michael Richards' racist rant at a Hollywood comedy club appears to be yet another case of overcompensation for society's past evils. We treated African Americans so poorly and brutally in the past that our guilt drives us to overreact when someone offends them now.

Most black people I've talked to about Richards' behavior are quite willing to accept his apology and move on. However, white elitists and guilt-merchants, along with some African Americans who claim to represent the black community, are unwilling to let this incident die. Richards continues to apologize and kiss one person's ring after the other in hopes of putting this thing behind him. So far, it hasn't worked.

It's interesting how this overcompensation for slurs made against a certain group of human beings makes us look compared to how apathetically we react to flippant slurs against God, including those dished out regularly by some of the same people who now stand in judgment of Michael Richards. The taking of God's name in vain seems to mean nothing to us anymore, even though it is a clear violation of one of the Ten Commandments. Meanwhile, poor Mr. Richards will likely never live down his indiscretion, no matter how many rings he ultimately has to kiss.

What HDTV?

If there's an overwhelming desire on the part of the American public for high definition television (HDTV), I'm not seeing it yet. It seems that most people are perfectly satisfied with standard definition (SD) TV sets, so long as they get high quality versions of them at reasonable prices.

A case in point was what happened at a local Wal-Mart during Thanksgiving weekend. That store was selling 20-inch flat screen analog TVs for $69 each. When its doors opened Friday morning, a stampede nearly ensued. People were knocking each other over to get those cheap TVs. I'm sure this scene was repeated at Wal-Mart stores throughout the country. Thus far, I haven't seen a comparable mad dash for the HDTV goodies. So much for HDTV -- just yet at least.

It Could Have Been Worse for Senate Republicans

I don't recall hearing any of the real pundits make this point, but the recent mid-term election could have been worse for Republicans in the U.S. Senate. Before the election, senate Republicans held 55 seats, compared to 45 for the Democrats (counting Joe Lieberman as a Democrat). However, of the 33 senate seats that were up during this election cycle, 18 of them belonged to Democrats (still counting Lieberman) and only 15 of them belonged to Republicans. Put in terms of percentages, even though the Republicans controlled 55% of the senate seats, only of 45.5% of the seats at stake this time were those held by Republicans.

That means nearly 60% (40 of 67) of the remaining senators were Republicans! Had either of the other two-thirds of the Senate been up for re-election this time, more Republican seats would have been at stake. Therefore (mathematically at least), it is likely that Democrats would have been able to take more Republican seats. Things just happened to fall into the right place this time to prevent Republican losses in the Senate from being even worse.

Haggard Was in Denial About More Than One Thing

Disgraced evangelist Ted Haggard claimed that one of the factors that led to his scandalous behavior with a male prostitute was his state of denial about his sexual orientation. However, that wasn't the only thing he was apparently in denial about.

I once heard Pastor Haggard say (and I'm paraphrasing because I don't remember his exact words) that marriage is the process of meeting someone from the opposite sex and making a lifetime commitment to him or her. Now, I must admit that I did not hear the full context of his remarks at that time. However, if that was where his description of marriage began and ended, then he was certainly confused about that subject. Anyone accepting his description of marriage at face value will likely see theirs end in divorce - in short order.

For Mr. Haggard's (and anyone else's) edification, marriage involves far more than what was apparently ascribed to it by Mr. Haggard. A man can make a sincere lifetime commitment to a woman only if he is wholeheartedly in love with her (and vice versa). Otherwise, this commitment is doomed from the start and the marriage will not last, no matter how determined one is to "make it work." Compatibility, maturity, financial stability, etc. are great things to have in a marriage, but they are simply not enough without love. In addition, loneliness or the idea that "it's time to settle down" are never valid justifications for getting married.

With all of that in mind, perhaps it was a blessing in disguise that Mr. Haggard got involved in his scandal and was ultimately forced from the pulpit. Nonetheless, I still wish him all the best. 

Is It Time to Excommunicate Northern Virginia?

Has the time come for the rest of the Commonwealth to excommunicate Northern Virginia? Would it be a good idea for lawmakers in Richmond to just lop off everything north of Fredericksburg? Actually, divorce would probably be a better term than excommunicate, as I was intentionally taking liberties with that word in order to have a catchy title.

Anyway, such a move could have benefits for both sides. They couldn't be more different politically. Northern Virginia voters tend to be more libertarian on social issues and more liberal/progressive on economic issues, while favoring Democrats. Downstate voters, on the other hand, tend to be more conservative on social issues and more libertarian on economic issues, while favoring Republicans. They could part company amicably with each region removing itself from being a roadblock to the other's political agenda. I haven't studied the economics of such a breakup, but I'm sure there would be negative economic ramifications for one side or the other, or perhaps both, but they could likely be worked out with adjustments made over time.

A split wouldn't be without precedent. West Virginia broke away in 1860's due to irreconcilable differences over how to align during the Civil War, which led to West Virginia staying in the Union, while the remainder of Virginia joined the Confederacy. Since the end of that war, the states have lived side-by-side in peace, with the breakup having ultimately been beneficial to the citizens of both states.

A Pox on William and Mary's House (Chapel)

The College of William and Mary has decided to remove the cross from permanent display at the altar of the Wren Chapel, due to its increased usage as a venue for non-religious events. The cross will now be displayed only during Christian services at the chapel. Apparently, school officials feared that some non-religious students, as well as some of those who practice religions other than Christianity, might be afflicted with cruciphobia (a phenomenon I will examine in a future post) and would therefore be offended at the sight of a cross. Talk about a politically correct preemptive strike by the culturally elite! If that's the way they feel, why even call it a chapel anymore?

If I were an academically talented high school senior or junior, I would be crossing William and Mary (no pun intended) off my list of potential post-secondary educational destinations right now. From this point forward, I'll be rooting against all of William and Mary's sports teams and individual athletes, hoping they get clobbered at every event in which they compete.

The Things I'm Thankful For

I know, I know, this is something that grade-school kids are coaxed into doing by the their teachers as Thanksgiving Day draws near, but I think it's appropriate for people of any age -- as no one is ever too old to be thankful. Here's my (nowhere near exhaustive) list in no particular order:

(1) Having survived serious illnesses, including cancer, to have reasonably good health right now.

(2) Having been born to parents who, although they had very little education and material wealth, gave me a Christian upbringing instead of leaving me to my own devices, as I observe far too many kids being left nowadays.

(3) Living in a country where I have the freedom to blog and express my opinions as I wish, without fear of retaliation by the government.

(4) All the food I could possibly want -- any time I want it.

(5) A roof over my head.

(6) Clothes that, although not always fashionable, are quite adequate for my needs and tastes.

(7) A job that pays me more than what I am actually worth.

(8) The self-discipline to do what is required of me, when I need to do it.

(9) Reasonably good personal finance skills.

(10) An automobile that is paid for and that provides me with dependable transportation (knock on wood).

(11) A complete lack of debt, other than a mortgage payment.

(12) Money left to save or invest at the end of most months.

(13) A wonderful church -- that happens to have a nice building to worship in as well.

(14) A father, a brother, and a dear aunt who are no longer with me; and a mother, three bothers, and a sister who still are.

(15) Netflix, TV Land, CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, the Internet, and all the other alternatives to the wasteland of primetime network TV.

(16) A 401(k), a Roth IRA, and an employer pension plan.

(17) Modern medicine, especially anesthesia.

(18) Health, dental, and disability insurance.

(19) My free public education, the financial assistance I received to attend and graduate from a community college, and the continued educational assistance and training provided by my employer.

(20) A life that has been free of self-destructive behavior such as illegal drug use, cigarette smoking, gambling additions, and too much alcohol consumption. I include this one because "there but the grace of God go I."

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Resist the Temptation to Overmedicate

With so many all-in-one cold and flu remedies on the market today, there is a real temptation to overmedicate. Most healthcare professionals agree that this is a temptation that should be resisted. Many over-the-counter medications combine treatments for multiple symptoms all in one pill. For example, one pill may treat a runny nose, cough, congestion, sore throat, fever, head ache, and body aches. In most cases, all of these symptoms are not present at the same time. By taking pills like that, people are treating symptoms they don't have.

While it might not be so economical, it's better to use different treatments for different symptoms. For example, use a cough and cold pill for a runny nose, sore throat, and coughing; a decongestant for congestion; a pain reliever for head ache and body aches; and a fever reducer for fever. Most pain relievers, such as acetaminophen, will also reduce fever and that's okay. Bottom line, it's just not a good idea to take medicine that not's needed, no matter how cost-effective multi-symptom medications might seem.

Do Customer Service Reps Actually Read or Listen?

The other day, I decided to email the customer support department of an online DVD rental club I belong to. Here is the general text of what I emailed them:

To Whom It May Concern,

On November 10, I mailed back a copy of the movie "ABC-XYZ" after having rented it. However, after logging on to my account via your Website, I noticed that it indicates that the movie hasn't arrived back at your location yet. It has now been eight days since I sent it back and I'm becoming concerned that it may have gotten lost in the mail.

Thank You,

Terry Mitchell

Now, here's the response I received by return email a few hours later:

Dear Mr. Mitchell,

We are sorry that your DVD did not arrive. We have added the movie "ABC-XYZ" back to the top of your queue and we will mail another copy of it to you as soon as one becomes available.

Thank You,

Customer Support

This is not an isolated incident. On many occasions, customer service representatives have tried to resolve a problem I've had without first listening to my verbal description or reading my written description of it. I believe a solution can best be provided by someone who actually knows what the problem is. Perhaps this principle should be a part of the training material for would-be customer service representatives everywhere.