Thanks Bill For Mentioning This... 19-DEC-2024: MSNBC: Chris Hayes had a segment on the how the Israeli Newspaper Haaretz reported that Israeli IDF has purposely been targeting Civilians in Gaza, and Lebanon... Civilian Casualties, mostly Children, were then Classified as Militants... These are War Crimes... Per Haaretz, Joe Biden knew of this, and still sent Weapons, and essentially unlimited support for Israel... Thus is the Power of the 'Israel Lobby' in the USA... The European Papers mention this as well...
The soundtrack, in particular the song "Can You Read My Mind?", from that movie is also outstanding. Superman flying Lois on a tour over the city...the perfect fantasy for everyone.
The appeal of Superman is in the idea of absolute but benevolent power. Even the many ideas about God that humanity has had do not rule out Him causing harm if He so wills it, in that way we cannot let go of ourselves even in our most exalted conceptions, but that is not something Superman could do, making him truly unbelievable.
Isn't it telling that reality brought down Reeve. As a mortal he fell victim to a fall from a horse revealing the limitations of a human being, so far from being able to stop bullets, let alone administer pure justice. Yet the life he lived after the fall was most admirable.
I agree on Christopher Reeve, and AppleTV's documentary on his life is heartbreaking but inspiring (even the trailer can bring tears). He was a real Superman.
There is no need to engage in fantasies about a fictional super hero to defend truth, justice, and the American way. The tools to do just that are available to us mere mortals without any superpowers. The answer is to enforce property rights and to restrict the scope and power of the USG to protecting the American people from aggressors both internal and external-a night watchman state. How about letting the people take care of themselves, instead of the dehumanizing construction of a warfare/welfare state financed by the Fed and its policy of inflationism?
As a major movie fanatic, I agree Reeve was a real find for this role, but I attribute the very high quality of the original movie (sequels were Nothingburgers for my money) to director Richard Donner. And we must not overlook the wonderful work by Gene Hackman as Lex Luthor and Ned Beatty as his chief (bumbling!) henchman. And I must recommend Donner's 1997 "Conspiracy Theory," with Mel Gibson and Julia Roberts!! We would later learn that Gibson is a flaming Jew-hater, but still I contend he does have acting "chops." (See also the late director Peter Weir's "The Year of Living Dangerously"!)
Really?!? Coulda sworn I'd seen an obit on Weir. I love his "The Last Wave" also, and "Picnic at Hanging Rock" is also top-notch IMO. Both movies set in Weir's native Australia. I enjoyed "The Truman Show" as well, but not enuf to buy it on DVD. I believe he also directed "Gallipoli," also with Mel Gibson, about the Turkish massacre of Brit. and associated troops, courtesy of German machine guns during WW I. As long as we're talking about Aussie directors, Bruce Beresford's "Breaker Morant" almost rivals Kubrick's "Paths of Glory" in depicting the oxymoronic concept of "military justice"! Different armies, but same gross miscarriage of "justice."
Denise, I think there are many ways we can act, starting with learning. Getting educated. Raising our voices, whether in writing, TikTok videos, social media, etc. More direct action includes protesting, the BDS movement, and the like.
Just talking to family members and friends about these subjects is a form of action. Raise your voice however you decide. Create a few ripples that might become waves ...
One thing that almost nobody does anymore is to call or write their representatives. I still do it, but because the number of people who do so is very low, they can be discounted. If one million people contacted their reps every single day with coordinated complaints about where our tax dollars are going (and where they aren't going) and about ending the endless wars, there might actually be a change. But it would take a sustained and coordinated effort to get any effect. Just a few random calls or letters here and there aren't going to do anything. The Powers That Be tell us it doesn't help to complain to the government, but that is just another one of their lies meant to keep people quiet.
Thanks Bill For Mentioning This... 19-DEC-2024: MSNBC: Chris Hayes had a segment on the how the Israeli Newspaper Haaretz reported that Israeli IDF has purposely been targeting Civilians in Gaza, and Lebanon... Civilian Casualties, mostly Children, were then Classified as Militants... These are War Crimes... Per Haaretz, Joe Biden knew of this, and still sent Weapons, and essentially unlimited support for Israel... Thus is the Power of the 'Israel Lobby' in the USA... The European Papers mention this as well...
Bill, I agree with every word. Keep the faith! Christopher Reeve lives in our hearts.
Where is Superman now that we need him most?
If there was an actual Superman, the Deep State would research kryptonite and how to weaponize it against him.
As with discovering God, we each need to reach deep inside ourselves to unlock the Superman at the core of our being.
The soundtrack, in particular the song "Can You Read My Mind?", from that movie is also outstanding. Superman flying Lois on a tour over the city...the perfect fantasy for everyone.
The appeal of Superman is in the idea of absolute but benevolent power. Even the many ideas about God that humanity has had do not rule out Him causing harm if He so wills it, in that way we cannot let go of ourselves even in our most exalted conceptions, but that is not something Superman could do, making him truly unbelievable.
Isn't it telling that reality brought down Reeve. As a mortal he fell victim to a fall from a horse revealing the limitations of a human being, so far from being able to stop bullets, let alone administer pure justice. Yet the life he lived after the fall was most admirable.
I agree on Christopher Reeve, and AppleTV's documentary on his life is heartbreaking but inspiring (even the trailer can bring tears). He was a real Superman.
Margot Kitter's super powers showed her to be no slouch. She swept me off my feet.🥰
There is no need to engage in fantasies about a fictional super hero to defend truth, justice, and the American way. The tools to do just that are available to us mere mortals without any superpowers. The answer is to enforce property rights and to restrict the scope and power of the USG to protecting the American people from aggressors both internal and external-a night watchman state. How about letting the people take care of themselves, instead of the dehumanizing construction of a warfare/welfare state financed by the Fed and its policy of inflationism?
As a major movie fanatic, I agree Reeve was a real find for this role, but I attribute the very high quality of the original movie (sequels were Nothingburgers for my money) to director Richard Donner. And we must not overlook the wonderful work by Gene Hackman as Lex Luthor and Ned Beatty as his chief (bumbling!) henchman. And I must recommend Donner's 1997 "Conspiracy Theory," with Mel Gibson and Julia Roberts!! We would later learn that Gibson is a flaming Jew-hater, but still I contend he does have acting "chops." (See also the late director Peter Weir's "The Year of Living Dangerously"!)
I love Peter Weir, and "The Year of Living Dangerously" is a fine film. Weir is retired now--but not yet "late" as in dead.
"Witness" is my favorite movie of his. The barn raising scene in that movie is superb.
Really?!? Coulda sworn I'd seen an obit on Weir. I love his "The Last Wave" also, and "Picnic at Hanging Rock" is also top-notch IMO. Both movies set in Weir's native Australia. I enjoyed "The Truman Show" as well, but not enuf to buy it on DVD. I believe he also directed "Gallipoli," also with Mel Gibson, about the Turkish massacre of Brit. and associated troops, courtesy of German machine guns during WW I. As long as we're talking about Aussie directors, Bruce Beresford's "Breaker Morant" almost rivals Kubrick's "Paths of Glory" in depicting the oxymoronic concept of "military justice"! Different armies, but same gross miscarriage of "justice."
"Breaker Morant" is a fine film.
Check out "Fearless" from 1993, Greg, if you haven't seen it. It's another remarkable film by Weir. Unforgettable beginning and ending.
Huh! Don't think I ever saw "Fearless." Will have to research this. Thanks for the tip.
"Why don’t we act?"
Given the power of the oligarchs, Bill, which actions would you suggest? What can we average citizens do?
Denise, I think there are many ways we can act, starting with learning. Getting educated. Raising our voices, whether in writing, TikTok videos, social media, etc. More direct action includes protesting, the BDS movement, and the like.
Just talking to family members and friends about these subjects is a form of action. Raise your voice however you decide. Create a few ripples that might become waves ...
One thing that almost nobody does anymore is to call or write their representatives. I still do it, but because the number of people who do so is very low, they can be discounted. If one million people contacted their reps every single day with coordinated complaints about where our tax dollars are going (and where they aren't going) and about ending the endless wars, there might actually be a change. But it would take a sustained and coordinated effort to get any effect. Just a few random calls or letters here and there aren't going to do anything. The Powers That Be tell us it doesn't help to complain to the government, but that is just another one of their lies meant to keep people quiet.