Add One More To The List: Al Franken

When the news broke last month that movie mogul Harvey Weinstein was accused of sexual assault by a number of women, it was only the tip of the iceberg. The newest member of this not so honorable club is Al Franken, Saturday Night Live alumni and current senator from Minnesota.

In 2006, while on a USO tour, Leeann Tweeden accuses Mr. Franken of forcibly kissing her and having a picture taken of them while she slept. The picture is of Mr. Franken pretending to fondle her breasts.

Should Mr. Franken resign from? Honestly, I don’t know. In an ideal world, I would say yes, but considering that an empty seat in the Senate would create an imbalance that would tip in favor of the Republican, I say no.

At least unlike other politicians accused of similar acts (Donald Trump, Roy Moore), Mr. Franken has apologized and promised to make amends. But unlike his predecessors, there is pictorial evidence that is irrefutable.

The problem continues to be that women are still seen as sexual objects without thoughts, feelings and ambitions. Until the day when the concept is eradicated for good, then we will continue to be seen as and treated as sexual objects.

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Beyond the Messy Truth: How We Came Apart, How We Come Together Book Review

The corner-stone of any democracy can be described in one word: compromise. These days in America, compromise is a dirty word, especially when one has to reach across the political aisle.

Earlier this year, writer and television news commentator Van Jones published Beyond the Messy Truth: How We Came Apart, How We Come Together. In this non-fiction book, Mr. Jones calls out the political bullsh*t on both sides of the aisle and forces the reader to examine how we all are guilty of putting our own interests and beliefs ahead of the good of our country and our fellow citizens.

This book is  wake up call for all Americans. It reminds us that at the end of the day, we must find a way to compromise and get along, even if we will never see eye to eye. In the book, he uses an analogy of a family reunion. A young child has wandered away from their parents and has fallen into a well. While the Democrats and The Republicans bicker and disagree, no one is doing what should be doing: finding a way to get the child out of the well. I can’t think of a better analogy for the current political climate in America.

I absolutely recommend it.

Flashback Friday-2012 (2009)

End of the world movies are nothing new. While these movies are known for their special effects, it is the narrative and character development that makes or breaks films that fall within this genre.

In the 2009 movie, 2012, Jackson Curtis (John Cusack) must not only deal with the turmoil in his family, he must also deal with the fact that earth will no longer be inhabitable. While there are arks to save humanity, the arks cannot hold everyone. If nothing else, Jackson wants to rebuild his marriage with Kate (Amanda Peet) and make sure that their family survives. The question is will both happen or will they join the millions whose lives will be potentially lost?

As end of the world movies go, this one is not bad. What makes it stand out for me, is that as much as it is about the world ending, it is about a man trying to hold onto his family and his marriage. For that reason, this film rises above the standard end of the world film.

Do I recommend it? Yes.