What's Playing:
Movie: Big Fish
Music: Ornette Coleman: Ken Burns Jazz
Judas Priest: Defenders of the Faith
Book: Jules Verne: "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea"
Bible: Nehemiah
The Itinerary:
1) First Intro
2) Gore Gone Wild
3) Moore 911
4) JBL Wins WWE Title
5) Patriot Finale
First Intro
Here's the first edition of The Rantdown. We'll take a short look at a variety of topics. Lets go!
Gore Gone Wild
I'm sure most of you have heard about former VP and Presidential candidate Al Gore ranting about the Bush Administration's lying and idiocy during recent speeches. The accusations are outrageous and the delivery, complete with shouting, screaming and yelling, fanatical. What I'm wondering is why is Gore doing this? Here's what I mean: in mid 2003 Gore looked to be starting his 2004 campaign, making speeches and appearances including a fairly good SNL guest host stint (much better than Al Sharpton's and Donald Trump's later terrible stints but following John McCain's absolutely amazing appearance). IIRC one day later (or soon after) Gore announces his non candidacy for president. Why? He almost won in 2000, he was gaining momentum and suddenly he drops out. I have the feeling (and that's all it is) that Gore was asked to step aside by Democratic party leaders. Even if I'm off base I still wonder why Gore is acting as Senator Kerry's attack dog? Gore gets the negative ideas out; Kerry benefits without getting his hands dirty. Wasn't this Howard Dean's gig, oh but Howard's not interested as much now that he's not going to get the nomination. Oh well, I don't like Gore anyway but it's sad to see someone who could have been a respected liberal statesman trash his rep like this. He can hope in the typical 21st century person's short memory. At least we can thank him for the Internet.
Moore 911
So Michael Moore's new movie is getting rave reviews and making huge money. Good for him. What may be bad for him is the campaign law prohibiting outside advertising for presidential candidates. It may prohibit Moore advertising the impending DVD release. The question: Is Moore's movie a campaign statement? In reality of course it is but we are dealing with politics not reality. The opinions on the subject are predictable; Republicans think ads for the DVD should be banned and Democrats think its a matter of free speech. You get the feeling that a pro-Bush movie would illicit the opposite reactions? No damn integrity and that is what is wrong with American politics. As an aside, would it be too much to ask Michael Moore to shave (not that facial hair is bad) and attempt to look presentable when doing a media blitz for his best movie to date? I don't want to be snobby but show some respect for your audience when trying to get them to see your movie.
JBL wins WWE title
It can't all be serious. I'm a rasslin' fan so if you aren't scroll to the next section. John "Bradshaw" Leyfield beat Eddie Guerrero for the WWE title last night at the Great American Bash PPV. I've liked JBL's character and push (after initial hesitation) but his character simply isn't prestigious enough to win wrestling's biggest prize. The WWE (and the RAW World title) are the last things that are still "special", giving the WWE title to a lesser character takes away from that specialness. It doesn't help that Guerrero only reigned for four months, constant title changes cheapen the "big event" feel that WWE title changes should have. A better idea may have been to let Guerrero win by interference by John Cena (who JBL could have offended earlier), setting up JBL and Cena. Let JBL win the US title and feud with Cena because of the degeneration of today's youth (Cena is a hip rapper character). Guerrero could feud with Undertaker. It may also be a good idea to get JBL out of a feud with racial overtones (current feud with the Hispanic Eddie Guerrero featuring JBL doing border patrol skits) after the Germany incident.
Patriot Finale
Despite the challenges our nation faces we are still the greatest nation on earth. Not everything is perfect (see comment on partisan politics earlier) but I thank God on a regular basis for the blessing of being born here and living here. When the Iraqi prisoner scandel broke some were offended that we were catching heat for torturing prisoners while other countries did the same. That misses the point: WE are better than that, WE do not condone that and WE do not measure our behavior by the dubious yardstick of the actions of other countries. I plan to eat steak, watch Independence Day and catch fireworks from my home to celebrate my country's independence.
Until next time, Happy Fourth
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