Thursday, September 26, 2013

Filibusters Are Stupid: Politics, Ted Cruz, Wasting Time

The other day I logged onto Facebook and, lo and behold, people were talking politics. Not surprising since social media gives everyone a license to be experts on everything and anything. Subject of the day was Obamacare and Ted Cruz, R-Texas.At a dinner the other week a friend of mine, who heads human resources for a county, explained in detail the Affordable Care Act (which almost everyone refers to as Obamacare) because she had to become an expert on the comprehensive healthcare reform. So, I wouldn't say I'm an expert, like her, but I probably know a lot more than most of America because I became informed instead of watching the latest episode of "Honey Boo Boo."
So, back to Ted Cruz. He is being described as a "folk hero" for rightwingers since he took it upon himself to deliver a 21-hour talkathon, discussing everything from his love for White Castle hamburgers to "Star Wars." Cruz wanted to prevent Senators from opening debate on a House-passed bill to keep the government open past Monday and to strip out a provision in that bill that would defund Obamacare.
It's not likely this will happen yet he is still being praised, especially by the Tea Party. It's interesting he targeted Republicans as much as the Democrats in his 21-hour babblethon.
You know, I could go on about Republicans, the Tea Party, Democrats, Obamacare or Ted Cruz. Especially Cruz's politics as he is anti-gay, pro-life and pro-gun because he isn't just pro-gun, he's a gun fanatic. This past March, an announcement was made by Cruz and U.S. Senators Rand Paul and Mike Lee threatening to filibuster any legislation that entails gun control. Filibuster.
Why on earth are filibusters allowed? Twenty-one hour talkathons? Being lauded for babbling on about your love for tiny burgers? How pathetic. America the beautiful is in shambles. We are out of money, yet still trying to solve world problems. There are so many concerns in America today yet the people we elect can't play nice so they waste time and can't compromise? How pathetic. How can anything be solved? Did we elect children or adults?

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Jaden Smith: Open Mouth, Insert Foot

As an adult, I typically look to actors and actresses to please me as they are monkeys for my enjoyment. Perform well in your TV show or movie, make me forget about life for a while and, for actresses, show me some fashion. Aside from that, I don't think of them as real people. As for the teenage/young adult actors/actresses, they don't hit my radar -- twerking, yolo, swag ... I have no idea what any of this means.
Now, I didn't always feel this way. As an impressionable teenager and young adult, I definitely looked to celebrities for more. However, especially in today's age, with Beliebers and all sorts of morons, it's a slippery slope. There's Twitter, Instagram and Facebook where celebrities can connect with their young fans, which is dangerous if said celebrity is a moron -- all technology I was without when growing up.
This is why I was disappointed with Jaden Smith's recent wisdom on education (because we all want to know what he thinks about education in America ... ) -- although, I'm not surprised. Jaden tweeted to his more than 4.5 million followers, “School Is The Tool To Brainwash The Youth” and “If Newborn Babies Could Speak They Would Be The Most Intelligent Beings On Planet Earth.” Earlier, he Tweeted, "If Everybody In The World Dropped Out Of School We Would Have A Much More Intelligent Society."
Hmm ... this is stupid, especially since he and his look-a-like sister, Willow, are home-schooled after leaving a school funded by their parents (it closed in June because of lack of funding) that used a teaching method developed by Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard.
Cue the Twilight Zone music.
Is anyone surprised he's a good friend of super-baby Justin Bieber and is dating a Jenner/Kardashian? Also his movie career is a little ... well ... pathetic. He made his debut in "The Pursuit of Happyness" (produced by, narrated by and featuring his dad, Will Smith), followed by a remake of "The Day The Earth Stood Still," remake of "The Karate Kid" (produced by his father), "Justin Bieber: Never Say Never," and "After Earth" (produced by his parents, story by his dad and featuring his dad). He was also in a sitcom, "All Of Us" (created by his parents) and an episode of "The Suite Life of Zack & Cody." He's also danced on a couple music videos (including his sister's "I Whip My Hair Back and Forth" aka Yuck) and put out some singles because he's apparently a rapper. He's best known as being Will and Jada's kid.
Can you say silver spoon?
What would happen if the reality TV wannabes flooding the teenage population of the U.S. listened to this moron and dropped out of school? Would their millionaire celebrity parents swoop in and save the day, putting them in a movie and paying for them to put out a crap rap album? Oh wait ... the majority of these kids aren't rich. Their parents aren't celebrities. If they drop out of school, they will hardly have any job opportunities.
Hmm, Jaden. What would your god L. Ron Hubbard think of that? Way to go Jada and Will Smith, you've raised someone who contributes nothing to society.
You could argue he's 15 and no one cares what a 15-year-old says but, with a audience of 4.5 million people, we should be afraid for the future of society.
You could argue he's lashing out against government funded schools. Well, guess what folks! The majority of American youth have to attend these schools because their parents can't afford to send them to private school or, in the Smith case, fund a school just for them. Does Jaden have a concept of what it's like to be a normal human being? He's never been to a normal school. His life is a fairytale.
Also, he and his family are Scientologists so ... yeah ...

Monday, September 9, 2013

50 Shades of Grey: Charlie Hunnam, Dakota Johnson, An Unlikely Story - Is This What Women Fantasize About?

After the media flurry over Charlie Hunnam being cast as Christian Grey in the film adaption of E. L. James' "Fifty Shades of Grey," I figured I'd give the book a go -- yes, I know it came out in 2011. Better late than never.
At 269 pages (halfway there), I can see why "Fifty Shades" lovers are upset. I don't see Hunnam as complicated billionaire Christian Grey. Perhaps it's because I've only seen him in "Sons of Anarchy" and "Pacific Rim," but he seems more tough guy than control freak, dominant sex fiend. I don't know who I envision other than a young Christian Bale (his character is reminiscent of Bale's in "American Psycho") but I'll be interested to see if Hunnam can pull it off because he's a cutie.
With that out of the way, why is this book so popular? Is it because it's directed towards women and it includes taboo items our pretty little heads aren't supposed to think about -- like talk of whips, butt plugs, bondage, vaginal fisting, anal sex? We aren't supposed to even know what that stuff is, right? If we read this then we are living on the edge! I ask this because the premise is far from likely, reminding me of a Penthouse letter detailing scenarios which obviously never occurred.
A young woman, Anastasia Steele, is about to graduate college and has never had sex, never masturbated and never gotten drunk -- she's more interested in English literature and drinking like an adult. She is clumsy and unsure of herself, not popular with guys, yet she's beautiful and attracts the attention of a drop-dead gorgeous late-20s billionaire who borders on obsessed. He is a master pianist, can fly a helicopter, uses his money to help combat world hunger, and enjoys good wine and classical music. He's never had a normal relationship with a woman, including what he describes as vanilla sex and the layman describes as sex. He's never even slept next to a woman yet he lets his borders down for her because isn't that what always happens in women's literature -- we have an unattainable man we are able to change. We'll be the one to make him settle down, we'll be the one he opens up to about his difficult childhood. Oh, did I mention he's into S&M? Like really into S&M. Like the old Ludacris song, "Whips, chains, handcuffs ... smack a little booty with my belt." Of course he's gorgeous, has a generous penis and makes her reach orgasm constantly, like rub her nipples and she's shooting off like a rocket to Pleasure Land, like she has her first wet dream because he's unleashed her sexuality. She becomes obsessed with him and is turned on by a glance from her lover.
I find it hard to believe a virgin, so virginal she doesn't masturbate, agrees to become a submissive in an S&M scheme with a man she hardly knows. Oh wait, they have an electric connection and blah blah blah. I find this book to be a predictable romance spiced with S&M taboo-ness. Also, could this be more of a "Twilight" rip off -- young, demure girl who is awkward yet doesn't know she's beautiful and becomes a desirous object to an unattainable, eccentric man. Maybe I should relax and enjoy the ride -- some of the sex scenes have been decent (I don't know how much will make the movie) -- but I can't help but feel E. L. James is laughing at me and women everywhere.