Elitist Condescension at the Oscars

The widening gap between the ordinary working person and the liberal elite establishment, in this instance as represented by the Hollywood/movie community, was on full display and embodied by the 'let's expose the common citizen to our special club' gag as orchestrated by the otherwise very capable and amusing Master of Ceremonies , Jimmy Kimmel. The idea was to usher an unsuspecting group of tour bus customers (not unlike zoo animals toward the center ring of a circus) into the concert hall where the Oscars were being dispensed with customary self-congratulation and adulation, parade them in front of the assembled royal court, and then revel in the utter shock and awe these plebeians would surely express as they realized their sudden good fortune at being in the presence of such elite company. The implicit and underlying premise here is that all 'common' people aspire to the lofty heights the assembled group of privileged 'stars' have clearly already ascended and wouldn't be fun to introduce the 'lowly' to even a few moments of transient contact with this rarified atmosphere.
This exercise in patronizing condescension further illustrates and mirrors the very real disconnection between the ordinary American citizen so throughly ignored, disenfranchised, and economically set apart from the mainstream of a society and  the elite leadership of both political parties for the better part of the previous three decades. This disconnection was seriously acknowledged and addressed by the candidacy of the man from Vermont only to be summarily and consciously suppressed and ignored  by an entrenched, elite, and oblivious established order dedicated to preserve the status quo at all cost and seemingly impervious to the clarion call for a real change of direction as variously expressed throughout the past year, eloquently and crudely, by millions people (not unlike the representatives from the tour bus) throughout our diverse, divided, and rapidly evolving nation.
As we all have seen, the void created by the colossal blunder of the Democratic elites (many of whom imperiously sat in last night's audience) has produced the only remaining 'voice for change' as our default 'leader' and has set in motion a new era of authoritarian rule in ironic contrast to the continuing need of a national constituency hungry for democratic representation and a real reflection of their long-dismissed plaintive cry for genuine recognition. Last night's spectacle served as a cruel metaphor for the myopic vision which has yielded our current state of affairs and our ongoing estrangement from each other.

Sara Bareilles To The Rescue

Amid the confusion and staggering incompetence on display in the final moments of the Oscars last night, one bright light of inspiration emerged with crystal clarity: Sara Bareilles' stunning rendition of Joni Mitchell's Both Sides Now concurrent with the in-memoriam segment of the show. Even though Joni is pursuing other interests, is dealing with health related concerns at the moment and is loathe to look back, she surely would have turned a favorable eye on Bareilles' performance...a faithful, beautifully rendered, finely nuanced and yet highly innovative interpretation which reached new emotional depths...a most fitting tribute to the recently departed and honored members of this celebrated community.

More of the Same from the DNC

Yesterday the Democratic National Committee voted centrist Tom Perez (a prominent Latino) as their chairperson who immediately  appointed his chief rival, progressive congressman Keith Ellison (the only Muslim in Congress), as vice-chair. Nice symbolism but the subsequent vote to retain corporate underwriting and influence instead of the more democratic (and successful) grass roots method of fund raising signals a return to the same tired and failed reliance on and continuance of the status quo. In the process, millions of potential party members will, once again, find themselves on the outside looking in. A term coined in response to failed policies during the Viet Nam War era is aptly relevant here...the proliferation of mistake.

Compassionate Family

Let's imagine a truly compassionate society amid current evidence to the contrary and also celebrate all the ways in which compassion is manifested every day. We all are brothers and sisters, the law abiders as well as the misguided, the dark and the pale, the religious and the non-believers, the open hearted and the closed, the wounded, the healed, and the those in recovery. The challenge is to embrace even the least among us as well as the most vile as family; one heterogeneous, variously talented, flawed, and endlessly evolving family.

The Clarity of Moonlight

Saw Moonlight last night...a multi leveled and layered story (and honest portrayal) of a life many of us never see or are ever aware, struggle for and assertion of identity, and the indomitable persistence of love in the midst of dire circumstance. Brilliant direction (Barry Jenkins, who also wrote the script) and editing (Joi McMillon and Nat Sanders) yielded a beautifully paced narration while the acting was mesmerizing throughout by a well chosen cast. Naomi Harris was especially captivating as the mother of Little/Chiron/Black as was Mahershala Ali as Juan, Andre Holland as Kevin, and Trevante Rhodes as Black. The roles of Little and Chiron by Alex R. Hibbert and Ashton Sanders respectively were performed with sensitivity and convincing believability.
A powerful movie experience which invites compassion and challenges us all to embrace our common human bond.

An Emotional Film Experience

Saw Manchester By The Sea last night...A beautifully rendered story of loss, relationship, grief, and eventual hope told with uncompromising honesty and raw emotion. The depth of feeling it portrayed and invoked was remarkable...its resonance lasting well beyond the theater walls.
I was especially moved by the way in which the movie dealt with male vulnerability, denial, and emotional expression. In this age of role modeling based on bluster, empty bombast, self deception, threat, and infantile posturing, it was refreshing and heartening to witness the male character presented openly exposed, vulnerable, and subject to hard-wrought reclamation.

Clarity

In response to Sean Spicer's reaction to Kellyanne Conway's illegal endorsement of Ivanka's line of merchandise....one is left to wonder about who the consultant might be giving counsel to the consul and what effect such consultation will have on the council of counselors surrounding the president.
Sorry, Sean, but you were a bit unclear on this!!

Term Definition

A quick observation regarding Spicer's assertion today that a legislator's vote against Betsy DeVos is an example of obstructionist behavior....No, Sean, voting one's conscience, opinion, or conviction is an example of civic responsibility; legislative obstruction is not allowing a nominee to receive a fair hearing and a simple up or down vote.

True Believers

When in a recent interview, NPR's Judy Woodruff confronted now Vice President Mike Pence with the fact that since 9/11 exactly zero fatal attacks on American soil had been perpetrated by an individual or individuals from any of the Muslim-majority countries listed on the recent order banning entry to the US (the 2006 UNC and the 2016 Ohio State non-fatal attacks to the contrary duly noted). His answer was illuminating in that it provided a glimpse into his motivations and, by inference, the  underlying attitude of this new administration. Pence's response was to launch into a rather eloquent recitation of his uttermost 'faith' that the defeat of the radical Islamic threat posed by the inclusion of all people from these countries was essential to his pledge to keep Americans safe. Instead of addressing the factual basis of Woodruff's question, Pence chose to reaffirm his 'belief' that these people indeed represent a clear and present danger to our national security. He went on to bestow lavish praise on Trump as a forceful leader and commanding presence whenever and wherever he presented himself and in whom Pence had the utmost 'faith'. Apparently, the operative factor motivating Pence is not to be found by reference to fact but rather to be found in his profound faith and belief in whatever edict, platitude, or tweeted assertion emanating from his commander-in-chief. I was particularly taken with what can only be described as the religious fervor with which he clung to his original assertion in spite of the presented facts, the rapturous look on his face, and the sincerely reverential look in those deep set and ominous eyes.

Going forward, I think it wise to consider that when referencing this administration (especially in the person of Pence and Trump's closest advisor Steve Bannon) we are actually in the presence of true believers who, despite evidence to the contrary, will defend their system of belief with all the passion of an evangelical zealot in defense of a sacred doctrine.

Free Expression and the Berkeley Protest

In the immediate aftermath of the recent protests in Berkeley and in response to a colleague's admonition to conduct proactive and peaceful efforts to transform ourselves and our world, I respectfully submit that resistance to the totalitarian-leaning, corporate-centric, militaristic, anti-LGBTQ, anti-environment, reactionary, misogynistic, and authoritarian regime currently in the seat of governmental power will assume a variety of different forms and find expression in a variety of different ways. This will include proactive leadership work with a focus on personal and societal transformation as well as organized and persistent protests in the streets all across the country. Non-violent resistance more properly mirrors the vision of a sustainable future and is a preferred method of protest not only because of favorable optics but, as a practical matter, it skillfully counters the inclination of violent reaction from a domestic law enforcement apparatus specifically focused on the use of force.

This morning Trump suggested that federal funds could be suspended to UC Berkeley as a result of the isolated violence associated with the predominantly peaceful demonstration last night and as a result of the school's 'denial of free expression' to the controversial speaker Milo Yiannopoulos. As a matter of actual fact and in spite of persistent pressure to deny a forum for Mr. Yiannppoulos, UC Berkeley administrators provided not only the facilities to share his rather cynical and hateful rhetoric but also prepared a large security force in anticipation of the event. Moreover, DJT will be well-advised to check in with the Pentagon before he pulls the trigger on the threat to defund UC Berkeley as this institution is one of leading research centers for the Department of Defense and is central to this and other administration's efforts to wage their endless war against global terror.

It also might be useful to remind ourselves here that violence at public events is often triggered by the premeditated use of provocateurs to redirect and assign blame to a targeted group or organization in order to discredit an otherwise noble effort. Without specific reference to the events in Berkeley last night, my experience with anarchists over the years has yielded the view that this particular form of political expression is essentially peaceful (with some exceptions) and dedicated to the proposition of unfettered democratic manifestation. That said, the latest information regarding this most recent action suggests that this current iteration of the anarchists model was indeed inclined toward a violent expression very much opposed to the overwhelmingly peaceful intent and purpose of the protest in general. Broad brush painting would be a mistake and a mis-characterization of the reality on the ground.