Free Speech and Other Delights
I finally, just now, saw the clip of Kanye West on the NBC Katrina Relief Telethon, after having only heard about it secondhand. As admittedly exciting as it is to see someone exercise his rights to free speech and create a little controversial moment, the absolute best thing about that clip was Mike Myers's double-take reaction, just after the sentence, "George Bush hates black people." I could watch that over and over.
The other big clip of the moment is Cheney on CNN with the guy telling him, "go f*ck yourself." I've only seen the replay of the clip, where the word is bleeped, but, from what I've heard, it went out live, uncensored, on CNN.
I know America's not a perfect country. I think these comments are evidence of the racisim and class warfare that still haunts us, and are very important problems we need to solve. And, yet, my overwhelming reaction to these two clips was gratitude that we have Amendment 1 to the Constitution; we have the right to free speech. I've been pretty depressed at times while doing my research on human rights in Middle East. The almost total lack of freedom and protection experienced by others in the world really gives me pause, and makes me grateful that I live in this country. Granted, I'm not sure that everyone in the U.S. gets to experience these rights equally, but at least we have them.
That's about as ineloquent a way as I can state it; I'm tired now and my head hurts, but it's my sentiment nonetheless.
And now for something completely different - if you want to see the answers to the movie quiz, check The Turner Family's answers; they got 'em all.
posted by Austin @ 10:36 PM
6 Comments:
I agree with what you had to say in regards to Kanye and Mike M. I thought it was really funny, almost as if Mike Myers was trying to figure out if he had missed out on the "joke." Sadly, it is my opinion that Kanye's antics may only serve to further divide an already "divided" situation without any real solution. Inflammatory remarks are always easy to make - solutions to problems that provoke such comments are not. It is heartbreaking that we still have so much racism in this country. I have certainly seen some progress in my time on this plane of existence, albeit slow. What is often not mentioned is the extremes of poverty and wealth evidenced in our country. I am quite sure that so many of those afflicted by "Katrina" had very little means to get themselves out of a crummy situation.
Hopefully, eyes will open and hearts as well....
Love you loads,
ME
I think that Best Week Ever should win an emmy. I just can't believe that happened. I mean, I guess it's good that Kanye has the freedom to do what he did, but it was so unbelieveably (sp) inappropriate and out of place, I couldn't believe it when I saw it. That was just riciulous.
Well, what do we, as a family, win, Austin? I got ants in my pants.
Hey, I updated. Go see it. I wouldn't normally demand this (or maybe I would) except that there's a new feature that I think will be happy for all to see!
Mr. Baileyshanks? How come I didn't know about him?
Yes. Mr. Baileyshanks is married to Mrs. Toomsbury. Her fur is dyed yellow.
Why would you do that to an animal? That's horrid!
Why didn't you dye it green?
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