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.