On a personal note:
A very talented photographer, Steve Azzara, who I feel is one of the most gifted modern artists, has produced a remarkable book of artistic nudes, Naked. A portion of the proceeds from the sake if the books are donated to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.
Unlike the usual artistic nude study, these images draw one to the subjects eyes -- fearless women in a variety of stages of life gaze back at the viewer, holding one's attention.
"Every Picture Tells a Story, Don't it?" (Rod Stewart/Ron Wood) - Not always, but in this particular case, each photograph does just that, leaving the viewer wondering, "What more can she tell me?"
Saturday, May 20, 2006
September 11, 2001 - Revisited.
Several weeks ago the first movie regarding the events of September 11, 2001 made its way out of Hollywood. Several critics felt that it was too soon -- that the masses might be negatively affected by a film that depicted events that horrified our nation and turned American citizens into - American Citizens. Now trailers from Oliver Stone's new work, World Trade Center 2006, began playing in theaters this weekend. The trailer is available on line here, at Apple.com. It is not an easy trailer to watch; as it brings back to those American's who were anywhere near a television on that morning, the reality of what had happened. It is stunning and, from a personal perspective, produced a range of emotions, sorrow, fear, compassion for those who lived the event and, yes, anger.
What took Hollywood so long? Where are the films depicting the struggles and the brilliance of our American fighting men and woman in the ongoing battles in this world war? The films of the 1940's were designed to honor our society, our troops and our leaders. These films reminded American's about the cause and the effect of sending men and women (granted, few at the time) into battle to bring sanity to the world. These films depicted the horror as well as the triumphs of those involved in the struggle against evil.
It is time for Hollywood to reconnect with those American's who believe that our country is worth fighting for, worth defending and worth applauding. It cannot be believed that American's revel in the horrors of war, in fact, as a nation peace is preferable, however, American's are not sheep, easily lulled into a false sense of security by conspiracy theorists who have gained the attention of certain media.
For the most part, Americans prefer to keep their buildings intact, their borders secure, their language common and their flags held high.
Several weeks ago the first movie regarding the events of September 11, 2001 made its way out of Hollywood. Several critics felt that it was too soon -- that the masses might be negatively affected by a film that depicted events that horrified our nation and turned American citizens into - American Citizens. Now trailers from Oliver Stone's new work, World Trade Center 2006, began playing in theaters this weekend. The trailer is available on line here, at Apple.com. It is not an easy trailer to watch; as it brings back to those American's who were anywhere near a television on that morning, the reality of what had happened. It is stunning and, from a personal perspective, produced a range of emotions, sorrow, fear, compassion for those who lived the event and, yes, anger.
What took Hollywood so long? Where are the films depicting the struggles and the brilliance of our American fighting men and woman in the ongoing battles in this world war? The films of the 1940's were designed to honor our society, our troops and our leaders. These films reminded American's about the cause and the effect of sending men and women (granted, few at the time) into battle to bring sanity to the world. These films depicted the horror as well as the triumphs of those involved in the struggle against evil.
It is time for Hollywood to reconnect with those American's who believe that our country is worth fighting for, worth defending and worth applauding. It cannot be believed that American's revel in the horrors of war, in fact, as a nation peace is preferable, however, American's are not sheep, easily lulled into a false sense of security by conspiracy theorists who have gained the attention of certain media.
For the most part, Americans prefer to keep their buildings intact, their borders secure, their language common and their flags held high.
Thursday, May 18, 2006
Conspiracy Theories, Hollywood and the Holy Grail
It never ceases to amaze me that the alleged attack on Christian and Christianity continues unabated. One of the most intriguing aspects is the conspiracy theory centered on the Catholic Church. The Church has suffered greatly since the 1960's, when changing moral values brought about a rebellion amongst the faithful. To add insult to injury, all types of books have been written on the subject of Jesus and one conspiracy or the other. The Passover Plot is one example. The book deals with the fact that the entire resurrection of Christ was staged. It's theory, of course, but written as non-fiction. Dan Brown's book, The DaVinci Code, assumes that there is yet another conspiracy, this one involving Christ and His personal Relationships. Christ as a married man, with descendants that just happen to be the French Royal family. How convenient for France!
Lately, I've been examining my Catholic Faith - I've called myself a Christian for the past 15 years, not because of any doubts or anger against the church specifically, but more because I found that in an interest to attract and keep parishioners, the Church has looked the other way on key moral issues.
In a recent conversation with a friend regarding the entire issue of faith, the recent church scandals were brought into the conversation. I noted that this was something that did not affect my faith because it was of man, not of the Church that crimes were allegedly committed.
Note the alleged. As I was thinking and praying (which should be a daily habit, but sadly I often fail in that regard), I was struck by the notion that perhaps there has been yet another conspiracy. When we look at the past years secularization of all holidays, specifically Christmas, and the denial that there is an assault on Christians; when we see campus newspapers (University of Oregon), allowing lewd and obscene cartoons depicting Christ, when a movie is given more press and hoopla by the press specifically because it is about a conspiracy that may or may not be true (even though it is pure fiction), is it a stretch of the imagination to belief that perhaps, just perhaps, another form of persecution has taken place?
There were hundreds and hundreds of priests charged in sexual abuse cases over the past few years. How is it reasonably possible to believe that every single priest charged was guilty? - Is it not more reasonable that in our overly litiginous society, former alter boys that wanted a quick million and the personal injury layers that brought suits against the diocese, might have done so based on the knowledge that the church would, as it had done in the past, run for cover. It did.
Instead of defending its priests, the church paid up. I'm not proposing that one, 10 or even 100 of the accused were not guilty of some sort of abuse. Again, the church is made up of men. But, in the educational system and the medias continual assault on all things religious, is it a stretch to imagine that some innocents might have been caught in a different sort of conspiracy? A conspiracy not of the Church but against the Church.
What brought this up? As a former volunteer in a local rectory, I had the fortune to have met at a very young age, several of the most holy men imaginable. One in particular stood out above all others because he was quite young and quite good looking. I had to ask: Why would you even think of joining the priesthood? - You cannot marry? Raise a family? His answer was quite simple. We take vows of celibacy not chastity, however, there is simply no time to consider a relationship other than that the one I have with God, perhaps some men, but not all men. It is different for priests. Look to Matthew."
Which I did, and found that in an argument with the Pharisee's Jesus noted the following (paraphrasing here); some men are made eunuchs by other Men, Some Men are Made Eunuchs by God, and Some Men are Made eunuch for God (by choice). Why bring this up? This most holy man was accused of abusing a young girl. (One who was no longer young when the alleged assault took place). These allegations, and my personal knowledge that so many women (and young women) did throw themselves at this good looking priest to no avail, in the time frame mentioned by the accuser; made me wonder who was attacking who?
Now there's a book to be written and a movie to be made, the destruction of the largest Church in America through the persecution and false allegations made against the Church leaders in an attempt to eradicate religion from the country.
What should it mean to be a Catholic? It should mean that one follows the faith, to the letter. For example, if you are pro-choice, you are not a Catholic. In that case, a person who feels that abortion is not murder but a choice, should seek a different type of religion or no-religion at all. (This can be said of any Christian, not just Catholics.)
Some are looking under rocks for reasons to denounce their faith or modify their faith to their secular terms. Be it through false allegations, or a Hollywood film.
It is my fervent hope that the Church stands firm on its principals and begins to demand that if one considers themselves a catholic, then it follows they should uphold the laws and values of the Church.
It never ceases to amaze me that the alleged attack on Christian and Christianity continues unabated. One of the most intriguing aspects is the conspiracy theory centered on the Catholic Church. The Church has suffered greatly since the 1960's, when changing moral values brought about a rebellion amongst the faithful. To add insult to injury, all types of books have been written on the subject of Jesus and one conspiracy or the other. The Passover Plot is one example. The book deals with the fact that the entire resurrection of Christ was staged. It's theory, of course, but written as non-fiction. Dan Brown's book, The DaVinci Code, assumes that there is yet another conspiracy, this one involving Christ and His personal Relationships. Christ as a married man, with descendants that just happen to be the French Royal family. How convenient for France!
Lately, I've been examining my Catholic Faith - I've called myself a Christian for the past 15 years, not because of any doubts or anger against the church specifically, but more because I found that in an interest to attract and keep parishioners, the Church has looked the other way on key moral issues.
In a recent conversation with a friend regarding the entire issue of faith, the recent church scandals were brought into the conversation. I noted that this was something that did not affect my faith because it was of man, not of the Church that crimes were allegedly committed.
Note the alleged. As I was thinking and praying (which should be a daily habit, but sadly I often fail in that regard), I was struck by the notion that perhaps there has been yet another conspiracy. When we look at the past years secularization of all holidays, specifically Christmas, and the denial that there is an assault on Christians; when we see campus newspapers (University of Oregon), allowing lewd and obscene cartoons depicting Christ, when a movie is given more press and hoopla by the press specifically because it is about a conspiracy that may or may not be true (even though it is pure fiction), is it a stretch of the imagination to belief that perhaps, just perhaps, another form of persecution has taken place?
There were hundreds and hundreds of priests charged in sexual abuse cases over the past few years. How is it reasonably possible to believe that every single priest charged was guilty? - Is it not more reasonable that in our overly litiginous society, former alter boys that wanted a quick million and the personal injury layers that brought suits against the diocese, might have done so based on the knowledge that the church would, as it had done in the past, run for cover. It did.
Instead of defending its priests, the church paid up. I'm not proposing that one, 10 or even 100 of the accused were not guilty of some sort of abuse. Again, the church is made up of men. But, in the educational system and the medias continual assault on all things religious, is it a stretch to imagine that some innocents might have been caught in a different sort of conspiracy? A conspiracy not of the Church but against the Church.
What brought this up? As a former volunteer in a local rectory, I had the fortune to have met at a very young age, several of the most holy men imaginable. One in particular stood out above all others because he was quite young and quite good looking. I had to ask: Why would you even think of joining the priesthood? - You cannot marry? Raise a family? His answer was quite simple. We take vows of celibacy not chastity, however, there is simply no time to consider a relationship other than that the one I have with God, perhaps some men, but not all men. It is different for priests. Look to Matthew."
Which I did, and found that in an argument with the Pharisee's Jesus noted the following (paraphrasing here); some men are made eunuchs by other Men, Some Men are Made Eunuchs by God, and Some Men are Made eunuch for God (by choice). Why bring this up? This most holy man was accused of abusing a young girl. (One who was no longer young when the alleged assault took place). These allegations, and my personal knowledge that so many women (and young women) did throw themselves at this good looking priest to no avail, in the time frame mentioned by the accuser; made me wonder who was attacking who?
Now there's a book to be written and a movie to be made, the destruction of the largest Church in America through the persecution and false allegations made against the Church leaders in an attempt to eradicate religion from the country.
What should it mean to be a Catholic? It should mean that one follows the faith, to the letter. For example, if you are pro-choice, you are not a Catholic. In that case, a person who feels that abortion is not murder but a choice, should seek a different type of religion or no-religion at all. (This can be said of any Christian, not just Catholics.)
Some are looking under rocks for reasons to denounce their faith or modify their faith to their secular terms. Be it through false allegations, or a Hollywood film.
It is my fervent hope that the Church stands firm on its principals and begins to demand that if one considers themselves a catholic, then it follows they should uphold the laws and values of the Church.
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