I'm functioning on only 3.5 hours of sleep
I am warning you that I've had only that limited amount of sleep just in case I'm more incoherent than usual on this Friday.
Ever wanted to be able to make someone's car magically pull over so you can smack the driver around a bit? I did last night at 3:15 a.m. as I was driving home from the midnight show of "Man of Steel" that I'd enjoyed so much. This driver was apparently offended when I went to pass him or her, and apparently owns an external speaker in their car that's capable of playing the sound of a police siren. But rather than get involved with this childish game, I backed down my own speed for a while so that this person would no longer be anywhere near me. In my mind, I might have bitchslapped him, but it's safe to do it there. At least I think it is. Especially when he won't know I'm doing it.
From what I've read I'll be in the minority of film critics yet again, as most are saying it isn't good. I think it is. It's not perfect, and it could have ten minutes or so excised to make it a 'tighter' film, but it's a treat for the eyes and ears. I don't mind not marching in lockstep with other critics. It's my critique, not theirs.
Fortunately for me, it will be a quiet weekend. I have a project to work on that has to be finished by Monday evening. But I'm not going to a movie today and may see only one between now and Tuesday, if any. So I will get that little thing, and a few other errands finished by the time Sunday evening rolls around.
* * *
The two words "I'm sorry" are words we hear every single day. Maybe not directed at us, but we hear them over and over again. Especially if you watch television shows like The Jerry Springer Show, or the Maury Povich show, where philanderers are constantly apologizing for their "indiscretions".
Now the shooter in the Santa Monica rampage has apologized. Actually he penned a three or four page note of apology that was found on his corpse. But the strange thing is, he apparently was only apologetic about having killed his father and brother. I've heard no expression of remorse for the innocent bystanders who got in his way and were killed or injured by him. Was he not sorry for them? Was he too busy committing Suicide By Cop (SBC) to append his other killings to his request for absolution?
Because that's what "I'm sorry" really is, isn't it? People say it even when they don't mean it. In the speech where he announced that he would resign the Presidency the following day, Richard M. Nixon never used the word "sorry". This was what he felt passed as an apology:
"I regret deeply any injuries that may have been done in the course of the events that led to this decision. I would say only that if some of my judgments were wrong, and some were wrong, they were made in what I believed at the time to be the best interest of the Nation."
A half-hearted apology where you try to justify what you did isn't an apology. It is an insult. If you don't feel remorse, if you wouldn't do anything differently, then don't apologize. An insincere apology is worse than saying nothing. It's like prefacing remarks by saying "with all due respect..." which seems to me to indicate a lack of actual respect. Say what you mean and mean what you say.
I'm happy to apologize if someone feels I've wronged them. Even if I feel I did the right thing, I'm almost certainly going to rely on how THEY perceived what I did. If they felt it was wrong, even if it was appropriate in my mind, the fact that they felt wronged makes what I did or said wrong enough that it is worthy of an apology. So it would seem I'm contradicting myself, because I felt what I was doing was right but I'm apologizing.
The point is, if I know now that what I've done is going to make someone feel like I slighted them, I wouldn't do it again given the chance.
* * *
In 1995, Michael Karkoc published a memoir of his experiences in World War II when he served in a unit of the Waffen SS. The problem is, when he emigrated to the U.S., he lied and said he had not taken part in military operations during the war. He then went on and detailed his experience as a military officer in his book. The fact that his book was published only in the Ukranian language might have been why this discrepancy hasn't come to light until now.
Karkoc is now 94 and lives in Minnesota. It is obvious he was (and may still be) a Nazi, was involved in war crimes, even if all he did was issue the orders that his troops carried out; and he should be deported to Germany as quickly as possible. Justice delayed is justice denied, and this delay has gone on long enough already. Without getting into the argument about illegal immigrants, can we agree that someone who lies about having been a member of an organization where said membership would result in denial of entry to the U.S., should get only limited due process in a deportation proceeding?
* * *
This Date in History:
On this date in 1287, Kublai Khan won an important military victory over the force of Nayan.
On this date in 1777, Congress adopts the Stars and Stripes as the U.S. flag.
On this date in 1789, the survivors of the mutiny on the Bounty arrive at Timor.
On this date in 1830, France began its colonization of Algeria.
On this date in 1900, Hawaii becomes a U.S. territory.
On this date in 1907, Norway gives women the right to vote.
On this date in 1937, the House of Representatives passes the Marijuana Tax Act, taxing the sale of cannabis. It would be found unconstitutional in 1969 and be repealed the following year.
On this date in 1940, more than 700 Polish political prisoners become the first to be held at Auschwitz.
On this date in 1954, President Eisenhower signs the bill that adds the words "under God" to the Pledge of Allegiance.
On this date in 1959, the Disneyland monorail opens to the public.
On this date in 1967, the Republic of China tests its first hydrogen bomb.
On this date in 1982, the Falklands War ends.
On this date in 1985, TWA Flight 847 is hijacked by Hezbollah.
Famous Folk Born on This Date:
Harriet Beecher Stowe
Henry Gardner
Alois Alzheimer
Burl Ives
Sam Wannamaker
Pierre Salinger
Hermann Kant
Don Newcombe
Che Guevara
Marla Gibbs
Junior Walker
Rod Argent
Will Patton
Eric Heiden
Eddie Mekka
Boy George
Yasmine Bleeth
Faizon Love
Steffi Graf
Heather McDonald
J.R. Martinez
Movie quote of the day comes from the first "Austin Powers" film:
Austin Powers: Jimi Hendrix deceased, drugs. Janis Joplin deceased, alcohol. Mama Cass deceased, ham sandwich.
#2
Vanessa Kensington: Mr. Powers, I would never have sex with you, ever! If you were the last man on earth and I was the last woman on earth, and the future of the human race depended on our having sex, simply for procreation, I still would not have sex with you.
Austin Powers: What's your point, Vanessa?
#3
[returning Austin's personal property after reanimating him]
Quartermaster Clerk: One Swedish-made penis enlarger.
Austin Powers: [to Vanessa] That's not mine.
Quartermaster Clerk: One credit card receipt for Swedish-made penis enlarger signed by Austin Powers.
Austin Powers: I'm telling ya baby, that's not mine.
Quartermaster Clerk: One warranty card for Swedish-made penis enlarger pump, filled out by Austin Powers.
Austin Powers: I don't even know what this is! This sort of thing ain't my bag, baby.
Quartermaster Clerk: One book, "Swedish-made Penis Enlargers And Me: This Sort of Thing Is My Bag Baby", by Austin Powers.
#4
Alotta Fagina: How dare you break wind before me.
Austin Powers: I'm sorry I didn't realize it was your turn.
Ever wanted to be able to make someone's car magically pull over so you can smack the driver around a bit? I did last night at 3:15 a.m. as I was driving home from the midnight show of "Man of Steel" that I'd enjoyed so much. This driver was apparently offended when I went to pass him or her, and apparently owns an external speaker in their car that's capable of playing the sound of a police siren. But rather than get involved with this childish game, I backed down my own speed for a while so that this person would no longer be anywhere near me. In my mind, I might have bitchslapped him, but it's safe to do it there. At least I think it is. Especially when he won't know I'm doing it.
From what I've read I'll be in the minority of film critics yet again, as most are saying it isn't good. I think it is. It's not perfect, and it could have ten minutes or so excised to make it a 'tighter' film, but it's a treat for the eyes and ears. I don't mind not marching in lockstep with other critics. It's my critique, not theirs.
Fortunately for me, it will be a quiet weekend. I have a project to work on that has to be finished by Monday evening. But I'm not going to a movie today and may see only one between now and Tuesday, if any. So I will get that little thing, and a few other errands finished by the time Sunday evening rolls around.
* * *
The two words "I'm sorry" are words we hear every single day. Maybe not directed at us, but we hear them over and over again. Especially if you watch television shows like The Jerry Springer Show, or the Maury Povich show, where philanderers are constantly apologizing for their "indiscretions".
Now the shooter in the Santa Monica rampage has apologized. Actually he penned a three or four page note of apology that was found on his corpse. But the strange thing is, he apparently was only apologetic about having killed his father and brother. I've heard no expression of remorse for the innocent bystanders who got in his way and were killed or injured by him. Was he not sorry for them? Was he too busy committing Suicide By Cop (SBC) to append his other killings to his request for absolution?
Because that's what "I'm sorry" really is, isn't it? People say it even when they don't mean it. In the speech where he announced that he would resign the Presidency the following day, Richard M. Nixon never used the word "sorry". This was what he felt passed as an apology:
"I regret deeply any injuries that may have been done in the course of the events that led to this decision. I would say only that if some of my judgments were wrong, and some were wrong, they were made in what I believed at the time to be the best interest of the Nation."
A half-hearted apology where you try to justify what you did isn't an apology. It is an insult. If you don't feel remorse, if you wouldn't do anything differently, then don't apologize. An insincere apology is worse than saying nothing. It's like prefacing remarks by saying "with all due respect..." which seems to me to indicate a lack of actual respect. Say what you mean and mean what you say.
I'm happy to apologize if someone feels I've wronged them. Even if I feel I did the right thing, I'm almost certainly going to rely on how THEY perceived what I did. If they felt it was wrong, even if it was appropriate in my mind, the fact that they felt wronged makes what I did or said wrong enough that it is worthy of an apology. So it would seem I'm contradicting myself, because I felt what I was doing was right but I'm apologizing.
The point is, if I know now that what I've done is going to make someone feel like I slighted them, I wouldn't do it again given the chance.
* * *
In 1995, Michael Karkoc published a memoir of his experiences in World War II when he served in a unit of the Waffen SS. The problem is, when he emigrated to the U.S., he lied and said he had not taken part in military operations during the war. He then went on and detailed his experience as a military officer in his book. The fact that his book was published only in the Ukranian language might have been why this discrepancy hasn't come to light until now.
Karkoc is now 94 and lives in Minnesota. It is obvious he was (and may still be) a Nazi, was involved in war crimes, even if all he did was issue the orders that his troops carried out; and he should be deported to Germany as quickly as possible. Justice delayed is justice denied, and this delay has gone on long enough already. Without getting into the argument about illegal immigrants, can we agree that someone who lies about having been a member of an organization where said membership would result in denial of entry to the U.S., should get only limited due process in a deportation proceeding?
* * *
This Date in History:
On this date in 1287, Kublai Khan won an important military victory over the force of Nayan.
On this date in 1777, Congress adopts the Stars and Stripes as the U.S. flag.
On this date in 1789, the survivors of the mutiny on the Bounty arrive at Timor.
On this date in 1830, France began its colonization of Algeria.
On this date in 1900, Hawaii becomes a U.S. territory.
On this date in 1907, Norway gives women the right to vote.
On this date in 1937, the House of Representatives passes the Marijuana Tax Act, taxing the sale of cannabis. It would be found unconstitutional in 1969 and be repealed the following year.
On this date in 1940, more than 700 Polish political prisoners become the first to be held at Auschwitz.
On this date in 1954, President Eisenhower signs the bill that adds the words "under God" to the Pledge of Allegiance.
On this date in 1959, the Disneyland monorail opens to the public.
On this date in 1967, the Republic of China tests its first hydrogen bomb.
On this date in 1982, the Falklands War ends.
On this date in 1985, TWA Flight 847 is hijacked by Hezbollah.
Famous Folk Born on This Date:
Harriet Beecher Stowe
Henry Gardner
Alois Alzheimer
Burl Ives
Sam Wannamaker
Pierre Salinger
Hermann Kant
Don Newcombe
Che Guevara
Marla Gibbs
Junior Walker
Rod Argent
Will Patton
Eric Heiden
Eddie Mekka
Boy George
Yasmine Bleeth
Faizon Love
Steffi Graf
Heather McDonald
J.R. Martinez
Movie quote of the day comes from the first "Austin Powers" film:
Austin Powers: Jimi Hendrix deceased, drugs. Janis Joplin deceased, alcohol. Mama Cass deceased, ham sandwich.
#2
Vanessa Kensington: Mr. Powers, I would never have sex with you, ever! If you were the last man on earth and I was the last woman on earth, and the future of the human race depended on our having sex, simply for procreation, I still would not have sex with you.
Austin Powers: What's your point, Vanessa?
#3
[returning Austin's personal property after reanimating him]
Quartermaster Clerk: One Swedish-made penis enlarger.
Austin Powers: [to Vanessa] That's not mine.
Quartermaster Clerk: One credit card receipt for Swedish-made penis enlarger signed by Austin Powers.
Austin Powers: I'm telling ya baby, that's not mine.
Quartermaster Clerk: One warranty card for Swedish-made penis enlarger pump, filled out by Austin Powers.
Austin Powers: I don't even know what this is! This sort of thing ain't my bag, baby.
Quartermaster Clerk: One book, "Swedish-made Penis Enlargers And Me: This Sort of Thing Is My Bag Baby", by Austin Powers.
#4
Alotta Fagina: How dare you break wind before me.
Austin Powers: I'm sorry I didn't realize it was your turn.
posted by me at 11:47 AM
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