Another week is coming to a close. Tell me baby, what's on your mind? The weekend, sweet hot Valentine's Day lovin, happy hour, a Whitman's sampler with a map, hours of uninterrupted sleep, life, the universe and everything? How about death?
Yeah. Death.
I have an odd view on death. Maybe it's because I grew up with a family member who passive aggressively wanted to die her entire life: "I'm dying, even the dog senses it." Who says that? What kind of person replies to a Merry Christmas greeting with "I wish I were dead?" Decades later, she's still alive with the same false wish.
Maybe it's because I think too much and can't base my life around someones take on an old, frequently edited and often interpreted collection of tales - i.e. The Bible.
Maybe because my father told me constantly to question everything.
Maybe because a 150-foot wide asteroid will buzz our swiftly turning planet Friday (today) while everyone is busy surfing the net at work and wondering if Honey Boo Boo's mom is going to join "Dancing With The Stars" or if hottie-hot-hot-stuff Hugh "Wolverine" Jackman is gay (he sings, he dances ... have you seen his scary wife - is she his beard?). People are too busy uploading photos of Valentine's Day roses and chocolates and sharing romantic plans and Tweeting and Facebooking their sweethearts sweet nothings so everyone knows they aren't a loser loner on the Day of Hearts or perhaps, passive aggressively or not so passively, loudly hating the annual holiday because they are a loner Dottie, a rebel. This all reminds me of the beginning to "Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy."
According to NASA (you know, that important agency politicians don't want to fund), this is the closest documented encounter of an asteroid this large - not counting the ones that made impact with Earth in the past (comforting). The asteroids that buzzed closer were smaller and burned up in the atmosphere, which the rubes of the world love like fireworks on the Fourth of July.
Look Brandi and LeAnn, it's magic in the sky!
Did you know a smaller asteroid passed within 140,000 miles of Earth in December or were you too busy Christmas shopping and pretending to believe in God by going to church for the first, and only, time all year?
The big bad asteroid - DA14 - will come within 17,500 miles of Earth - the moon is 238,900 miles away for all you big brains out there. It's capable of blasting a crater equivalent to hundreds of Hiroshima atomic bombs. What's scarier is scientists believe there are tens to hundreds of thousands similar but undiscovered objects - most with dimensions in the hundreds of feet - hurtling through space right this very second.
NASA is confident DA14 will not hit Earth but ... is anyone out there scared? Mr. Herman, paging Mr. Herman, Mr. Herman, you have a telephone call at the front desk. I have read so many complaints and so much praise for President Barack Obama's speech, Speaker of the House John Boehner's dry mouth, Pope Benedict XVI's exit, Kim Kardashian and Kayne West's demon child, Kate Middleton's baby bump controversy, guns guns guns ... what about the asteroid? Bueller? Bueller? Anything other than shtick referencing the movie "Armageddon" ... ?
Oh wait, no one wants to talk about that because it's scary so let's just pretend all is well like Kevin Bacon did in "Animal House."
The asteroid reminds me of death. Not in the obvious way (asteroid hits Earth = we could die) but in its unpredictability, especially with the recent news of a large meteor blowing up as it entered the Earth's atmosphere over Mother Russia - a shockwave shattered windows, rocked buildings and injured hundreds. I could die today. There, I wrote the words and now the thought is real. I can't wrap my head around that, which is probably why I can't wrap my head around all aspects of religion except to love God and your neighbor. Couple this fear of death with the fact something from outer space could hurtle to Earth and kill us all and there's nothing we or Bruce Willis (cue "Armageddon" shtick) can do and I'm feeling a bit uneasy.
So, as I struggle to figure out what happens after death, should I follow the path of many heathens and stop thinking about it because, obviously, it's a given and no one has documented evidence what takes place so philosophizing is pointless. There's nothing I can do to stop an asteroid or a crazed murderer or old age and I can't Highlander-ize myself so I should fuggedaboutit.
Or, is this wonder, this pursuit of knowledge the one thing separating us from other animals. We think, we scrutinize, we wonder, we question - isn't this the meaning of being human? If we stopped wondering, would life lose meaning? Would we become savages? Is there a Heaven free from pain, a hellfire blazing with cruelty and suffering or are we reincarnated like the cycle of the seasons? Or, the option which scares me the most, is there nothing? Lights off, game over, nothing ...
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Christopher Dorner: LAPD, murders, disgruntled cop, psycho, who knows? Why is he a folk hero?
As I cruised Facebook and Twitter last night looking to be entertained, I came to a cynical conclusion. A majority of people on social networking sites have it all figured out. They're loud, they're proud and they're gonna tell you all about it and then some!
Have a conundrum? Need advice? Screw Dear Abby, she's don't know nothing! Ditch your head-shrinker, friends and family. Head over to Facebook and Twitter where hundreds of rubes are happy to share knowledge like they're ancient philosophers. You shouldn't philosophize with hashtags and slang friendos.
Case in point: Christopher Dorner. The manhunt for the crazed ex-cop has been all the rage, especially with his recent, mysterious fiery death. With a revenge plot targeting the LAPD, the west coast of the United States was on edge as Dorner was M.I.A. Where oh where could he be?
In his lengthy manifesto, he blamed racism and corruption in the LAPD and vowed to wage "unconventional and asymmetrical warfare" against officers and their families. This revenge was a last resort for clearing his name (he was booted off the force for filing a false complaint. He challenged the dismissal and lost in court).
As hundreds of officers searched high and low, Dorner was charged with murder for killing a Riverside police officer, which is accompanied by two special circumstances: killing a police officer on duty and firing a weapon from a vehicle. He was also charged with the attempted murder of three other police officers and opening fire on two officers. He's accused of killing three people, some reports say four, including the daughter of a retired LAPD officer and her fiance. The officer represented Dorner during his hearing.
Was Dorner's body found in a burned-out cabin? Hopefully, as this news will bring much relief to the LAPD, their families and friends, and the west coast. This feeling makes sense, right? Relief. Comfort. Safety. Not so much for the thousands of people who rallied for Christopher Dorner, declaring him a crusader against police corruption. They don't care he's accused of killing four people. Facebook fan sites were created, posts and Tweets were shared with the world: "The spirit of Chris #Dorner will live on forever in our hearts, as an eternal flame - symbolic of the will to stand up in an attempt to eradicate those who would seek to oppress us, by any means necessary, when no one else would."
How do they know? Were they there? Obviously they read his manifesto and believed he was dismissed after trying to report police brutality - an LAPD officer allegedly harming a mentally ill individual. He was dubbed a hero, compared in poster form to President Barack Obama and referred to as Dark Knight, insinuating the popular Batman movie. References to the iconic book "1984" were made, a White House petition was started ... even hacker group Anonymous got involved, not condoning his violent acts but only his struggle. His fans even developed conspiracy theories, including ones dealing with gun control and drone attacks.
Am I missing something? Why are people so stupid? Why do people believe everything they hear and read? Christopher Dorner isn't Sylvester Stallone, this isn't "Bullet to the Head" (which is also good because that movie sucked) or "Rambo" (which didn't suck). I don't know who Christopher Dorner was because I've never met him. I've never lived or visited L.A., don't know any LAPD officers ... what I know came from information gathered from news reports. How do people know his lengthy manifesto isn't filled with lies?
Although the LAPD isn't helping with their unbelievable shoot-to-kill vibe as they've shot up people twice who they mistook for Dorner.
I can't help but wonder why people think they have it all figured out? Last night on Facebook, there were countless links to articles making this situation an LAPD vs. a black man thing or a corruption vs. a hero thing. How do they know? Last night on Facebook, there were countless posts about President Barack Obama's state of the union speech - over the top in favor or opposed. How do they know? How have we become experts on everything? We are all critics, ready to share our opinion but what's it worth?
Have a conundrum? Need advice? Screw Dear Abby, she's don't know nothing! Ditch your head-shrinker, friends and family. Head over to Facebook and Twitter where hundreds of rubes are happy to share knowledge like they're ancient philosophers. You shouldn't philosophize with hashtags and slang friendos.
Case in point: Christopher Dorner. The manhunt for the crazed ex-cop has been all the rage, especially with his recent, mysterious fiery death. With a revenge plot targeting the LAPD, the west coast of the United States was on edge as Dorner was M.I.A. Where oh where could he be?
In his lengthy manifesto, he blamed racism and corruption in the LAPD and vowed to wage "unconventional and asymmetrical warfare" against officers and their families. This revenge was a last resort for clearing his name (he was booted off the force for filing a false complaint. He challenged the dismissal and lost in court).
As hundreds of officers searched high and low, Dorner was charged with murder for killing a Riverside police officer, which is accompanied by two special circumstances: killing a police officer on duty and firing a weapon from a vehicle. He was also charged with the attempted murder of three other police officers and opening fire on two officers. He's accused of killing three people, some reports say four, including the daughter of a retired LAPD officer and her fiance. The officer represented Dorner during his hearing.
Was Dorner's body found in a burned-out cabin? Hopefully, as this news will bring much relief to the LAPD, their families and friends, and the west coast. This feeling makes sense, right? Relief. Comfort. Safety. Not so much for the thousands of people who rallied for Christopher Dorner, declaring him a crusader against police corruption. They don't care he's accused of killing four people. Facebook fan sites were created, posts and Tweets were shared with the world: "The spirit of Chris #Dorner will live on forever in our hearts, as an eternal flame - symbolic of the will to stand up in an attempt to eradicate those who would seek to oppress us, by any means necessary, when no one else would."
How do they know? Were they there? Obviously they read his manifesto and believed he was dismissed after trying to report police brutality - an LAPD officer allegedly harming a mentally ill individual. He was dubbed a hero, compared in poster form to President Barack Obama and referred to as Dark Knight, insinuating the popular Batman movie. References to the iconic book "1984" were made, a White House petition was started ... even hacker group Anonymous got involved, not condoning his violent acts but only his struggle. His fans even developed conspiracy theories, including ones dealing with gun control and drone attacks.
Am I missing something? Why are people so stupid? Why do people believe everything they hear and read? Christopher Dorner isn't Sylvester Stallone, this isn't "Bullet to the Head" (which is also good because that movie sucked) or "Rambo" (which didn't suck). I don't know who Christopher Dorner was because I've never met him. I've never lived or visited L.A., don't know any LAPD officers ... what I know came from information gathered from news reports. How do people know his lengthy manifesto isn't filled with lies?
Although the LAPD isn't helping with their unbelievable shoot-to-kill vibe as they've shot up people twice who they mistook for Dorner.
I can't help but wonder why people think they have it all figured out? Last night on Facebook, there were countless links to articles making this situation an LAPD vs. a black man thing or a corruption vs. a hero thing. How do they know? Last night on Facebook, there were countless posts about President Barack Obama's state of the union speech - over the top in favor or opposed. How do they know? How have we become experts on everything? We are all critics, ready to share our opinion but what's it worth?
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
The Superbowl: Football, Ravens vs. 49ers - Why Are Professional Athletes Demi-Gods
I didn't watch the Superbowl.
Yes, I'm American. No, I'm not an uppity intellectual who views football as barbaric and beneath me. My father is apathetic when it comes to professional sports. There was no chips-beer-TV-Sunday ritual, no swearing at the screen as if Joe Gibbs could hear him, no "come on boys get it together!" pleads or a lucky football jersey. It's not that he doesn't like sports ... it's more it never comes up in conversation.
The apathy was genetic and I'm not a huge sports fan aside from wanting certain teams to win so my other half is happy - although some may argue the Superbowl is more major event than mere game. Whatever the case, this year the big sports fan in my life didn't have a dog in the fight so he suggested we take in a motion picture. Deep down he knows I'm only interested in the food, beer, overindulgent side of the annual event. So, I eagerly accepted and saved myself 3,500 calories and a hangover. Instead of being two of 100 million who watched the Superbowl, we were one of three couples who saw "Django."
Now, in the aftermath, it's high school all over again and I'm an outcast. I missed the 45-minute blackout, the Baltimore Ravens' beatdown on the San Francisco 49ers (I may not be a huge sports fan but do have a clue), Beyonce's gyrations, and, of course, commercials. The Internet and acquaintances have somewhat filled me in. The Best of the Superbowl We Still Can't Believe You Missed -- the Go Daddy commercial was gross, the farmers commercial was touching, Beyonce was spectacular (also heard she was a poor choice), the Ravens were almost unstoppable, Jim Nance wore a stupid tie, the 49ers got screwed with a bad call, blah blah blah ...
I understand the Superbowl is an annual excuse to party hardy on a Sunday night (especially with the current White House petition for Barry O to make the Monday after the Superbowl a national holiday - How lazy and irresponsible can we get? What are they gonna call it - National Hangover Day? Please, Barry, stop with the gun regulation and help us. How about the NFL move the Superbowl to Saturday?). Anyway, I get it. Maybe it's because my male figure growing up was more British programming, astronomy and reading than touchdowns, interceptions and two-minute warnings. Maybe it's because (gasp) I am woman, hear me roar about womanly things instead of pretending I like fooseball so men like me. Whatever the case ... I don't get the big deal.
Don't get me wrong, I understand there are millions who base their lives around their team and speak as if they are on the team - "we really killed them today" ~ what you mean we white man? The NFL wouldn't be huge without fans. Seasons are emotional roller coasters of terrible losses, stellar wins and heartbreaking injuries. There are stats to consider, drafts to watch, fantasy teams to form, playoffs to yearn for ... if that's your thing than more power to you! I know I'm the odd woman out and that's OK because it's not the NFL I don't understand, it's more America's view of professional athletes as demi-gods who are without sin.
The Ravens were paraded through Baltimore as people from near and far pushed and shoved to get closer to the action - there was a triple-stabbing because, hey, world champions or not, Baltimore is still disgusting. In this mob was Ray Lewis on a Humvee - the beloved Ray Ray. He's amazing. Don't believe me? Just ask him, he'll tell you. His talent on the field is legendary but I'm more interested in his character. I'm more interested in seeing children wearing his jersey - which makes me cringe. He's extremely loud, he's extremely proud and he may have murdered someone.
Lewis was indicted on murder and aggravated assault charges after the stabbing death of two people (does anyone know their names or care? We always remember the bad guy, never the victim ... ) at a Superbowl party in 2000 - although he was acquitted, many still believe he's guilty: victim's blood found in his limo, he ratted out two others, the white suit he was wearing was never found. OJ Simpson was acquitted but labeled a monster. Casey Anthony was acquitted but labeled a monster. Lewis' sins have been absolved. Lewis, 37, also has six children by four women.
Yes, he's an amazing player and was acquitted by a jury of his peers but is this the type of person who should be raised to heights of demi-god? People, chiefly Ravens fans, hem and haw about forgiveness, Ray Ray finding God (where was he hiding?) and showing America people with troubled pasts can change but would they care if he wasn't an amazing football player? Also, for someone with such a checkered past, you'd think he would turn down the flash and be humble.
What about Ahmad Brooks of the 49ers who, in 2008, allegedly punched a woman in the face, giving her a black eye and causing her to black out? That wasn't enough to keep him from playing in the NFL.
What about Michael Vick, who served 21 months in prison and two months of home confinement - we all know why. Whether he learned his lesson or not, whether he found God in prison or not, he should not have been allowed back into the NFL. Lewis was acquitted but Vick was found guilty. If any common Joe plead guilty to these charges and went to jail ... do you think they would be able to re-join society so easily? A criminal past on a resume means nothing to the NFL when dollar signs are involved. Shouldn't incarceration be a guaranteed removal from the NFL?
These men are playing a game for millions of dollars a year. They are celebrities, praised and applauded and showered with money and luxuries because they are good at playing a sport. Me play sport good, grunt grunt. They are shoved in our faces and play the part of mentor for our children and their dreams whether we like it or not. As for the girls out there ... either become a cheerleader or study up on football and become a fan.
What is it about the American public and the obsession with praising meaningless talent? Doctors and surgeons save lives, policeman and firemen save lives, teachers mold lives ... professional athletes, actors and actresses provide entertainment yet we remember their names and hoist them up as if they would be able to save us if (when) the apocalypse comes. The youth of America (and adults) worship these frauds, these actors and actresses who pretend to be someone else, these men who are talented on the field but, with some of them, don't lead respectable lives.
In August, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell met with Union Leader DeMaurice Smith about the rise in DUIs and domestic violence among NFL players. His plan - strengthen existing policies, i.e. fines and suspensions. I don't understand the logic. I understand maybe you made a mistake and drank one more beer than you should have, drove home and the po-po got your ass ... but beating your wife? That's not a mistake. You can beat the crap out of your wife and are fined and miss some games? That's it? Where's the morality? What do you have to do to get kicked out of the league? Beat her five times? Kill someone and not be acquitted? Playing a game for millions should be a privilege, even if you are an amazing athlete. What message is this sending the youth of America?
Don't do bad things unless you are talented? If you are rich enough and famous enough you can get away with anything? People only care about those who are extraordinary?
Do we worship them because their lives look so easy - lots of money, fame and luxury for something that, honestly, looks fun? Do we worship them because everyone, deep down, wants to be worshipped and loved? Is this the new American dream - do as little as possible to make as much as possible?
Yes, I'm American. No, I'm not an uppity intellectual who views football as barbaric and beneath me. My father is apathetic when it comes to professional sports. There was no chips-beer-TV-Sunday ritual, no swearing at the screen as if Joe Gibbs could hear him, no "come on boys get it together!" pleads or a lucky football jersey. It's not that he doesn't like sports ... it's more it never comes up in conversation.
The apathy was genetic and I'm not a huge sports fan aside from wanting certain teams to win so my other half is happy - although some may argue the Superbowl is more major event than mere game. Whatever the case, this year the big sports fan in my life didn't have a dog in the fight so he suggested we take in a motion picture. Deep down he knows I'm only interested in the food, beer, overindulgent side of the annual event. So, I eagerly accepted and saved myself 3,500 calories and a hangover. Instead of being two of 100 million who watched the Superbowl, we were one of three couples who saw "Django."
Now, in the aftermath, it's high school all over again and I'm an outcast. I missed the 45-minute blackout, the Baltimore Ravens' beatdown on the San Francisco 49ers (I may not be a huge sports fan but do have a clue), Beyonce's gyrations, and, of course, commercials. The Internet and acquaintances have somewhat filled me in. The Best of the Superbowl We Still Can't Believe You Missed -- the Go Daddy commercial was gross, the farmers commercial was touching, Beyonce was spectacular (also heard she was a poor choice), the Ravens were almost unstoppable, Jim Nance wore a stupid tie, the 49ers got screwed with a bad call, blah blah blah ...
I understand the Superbowl is an annual excuse to party hardy on a Sunday night (especially with the current White House petition for Barry O to make the Monday after the Superbowl a national holiday - How lazy and irresponsible can we get? What are they gonna call it - National Hangover Day? Please, Barry, stop with the gun regulation and help us. How about the NFL move the Superbowl to Saturday?). Anyway, I get it. Maybe it's because my male figure growing up was more British programming, astronomy and reading than touchdowns, interceptions and two-minute warnings. Maybe it's because (gasp) I am woman, hear me roar about womanly things instead of pretending I like fooseball so men like me. Whatever the case ... I don't get the big deal.
Don't get me wrong, I understand there are millions who base their lives around their team and speak as if they are on the team - "we really killed them today" ~ what you mean we white man? The NFL wouldn't be huge without fans. Seasons are emotional roller coasters of terrible losses, stellar wins and heartbreaking injuries. There are stats to consider, drafts to watch, fantasy teams to form, playoffs to yearn for ... if that's your thing than more power to you! I know I'm the odd woman out and that's OK because it's not the NFL I don't understand, it's more America's view of professional athletes as demi-gods who are without sin.
The Ravens were paraded through Baltimore as people from near and far pushed and shoved to get closer to the action - there was a triple-stabbing because, hey, world champions or not, Baltimore is still disgusting. In this mob was Ray Lewis on a Humvee - the beloved Ray Ray. He's amazing. Don't believe me? Just ask him, he'll tell you. His talent on the field is legendary but I'm more interested in his character. I'm more interested in seeing children wearing his jersey - which makes me cringe. He's extremely loud, he's extremely proud and he may have murdered someone.
Lewis was indicted on murder and aggravated assault charges after the stabbing death of two people (does anyone know their names or care? We always remember the bad guy, never the victim ... ) at a Superbowl party in 2000 - although he was acquitted, many still believe he's guilty: victim's blood found in his limo, he ratted out two others, the white suit he was wearing was never found. OJ Simpson was acquitted but labeled a monster. Casey Anthony was acquitted but labeled a monster. Lewis' sins have been absolved. Lewis, 37, also has six children by four women.
Yes, he's an amazing player and was acquitted by a jury of his peers but is this the type of person who should be raised to heights of demi-god? People, chiefly Ravens fans, hem and haw about forgiveness, Ray Ray finding God (where was he hiding?) and showing America people with troubled pasts can change but would they care if he wasn't an amazing football player? Also, for someone with such a checkered past, you'd think he would turn down the flash and be humble.
What about Ahmad Brooks of the 49ers who, in 2008, allegedly punched a woman in the face, giving her a black eye and causing her to black out? That wasn't enough to keep him from playing in the NFL.
What about Michael Vick, who served 21 months in prison and two months of home confinement - we all know why. Whether he learned his lesson or not, whether he found God in prison or not, he should not have been allowed back into the NFL. Lewis was acquitted but Vick was found guilty. If any common Joe plead guilty to these charges and went to jail ... do you think they would be able to re-join society so easily? A criminal past on a resume means nothing to the NFL when dollar signs are involved. Shouldn't incarceration be a guaranteed removal from the NFL?
These men are playing a game for millions of dollars a year. They are celebrities, praised and applauded and showered with money and luxuries because they are good at playing a sport. Me play sport good, grunt grunt. They are shoved in our faces and play the part of mentor for our children and their dreams whether we like it or not. As for the girls out there ... either become a cheerleader or study up on football and become a fan.
What is it about the American public and the obsession with praising meaningless talent? Doctors and surgeons save lives, policeman and firemen save lives, teachers mold lives ... professional athletes, actors and actresses provide entertainment yet we remember their names and hoist them up as if they would be able to save us if (when) the apocalypse comes. The youth of America (and adults) worship these frauds, these actors and actresses who pretend to be someone else, these men who are talented on the field but, with some of them, don't lead respectable lives.
In August, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell met with Union Leader DeMaurice Smith about the rise in DUIs and domestic violence among NFL players. His plan - strengthen existing policies, i.e. fines and suspensions. I don't understand the logic. I understand maybe you made a mistake and drank one more beer than you should have, drove home and the po-po got your ass ... but beating your wife? That's not a mistake. You can beat the crap out of your wife and are fined and miss some games? That's it? Where's the morality? What do you have to do to get kicked out of the league? Beat her five times? Kill someone and not be acquitted? Playing a game for millions should be a privilege, even if you are an amazing athlete. What message is this sending the youth of America?
Don't do bad things unless you are talented? If you are rich enough and famous enough you can get away with anything? People only care about those who are extraordinary?
Do we worship them because their lives look so easy - lots of money, fame and luxury for something that, honestly, looks fun? Do we worship them because everyone, deep down, wants to be worshipped and loved? Is this the new American dream - do as little as possible to make as much as possible?
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