Thoughts On The Move Of The US Embassy to Jerusalem

My regular readers know that I regularly disagree with everything Donald Trump has done since he took office last year.

Yesterday, he did something that I kind of, sort of, maybe agree with. He announced that the US will not only recognize Jerusalem as the capital city of Israel, but also that at some point in the future, the US Embassy will move from it’s current location in Tel Aviv to a new location in Jerusalem.

I have been fortunate enough to visit Israel twice in my life. It is a beautiful country with warm and friendly people and food that is beyond delicious. I encourage anyone who has not been there to go. It will be an eye opening and life changing experience.

As much as I want to applaud Mr. Trump for finally doing something right, I can’t. Something tells me that he is a) doing this without thinking it through, as he has done in the past and b) only making this announcement to please his base, instead of doing what is right for the country. His base, I might add, is partially made up of white Evangelical Christians. Some of them believe that the modern state of Israel exists to fulfill a biblical prophecy in which the Jewish people convert to Christianity. I don’t know about anyone else, but I am not changing my religion anytime soon.

As far as I am concerned, Jerusalem is and will always be the capital of Israel. It is a beautiful city brimming with life, history and spirituality. And it will always be the spiritual home of the Jewish people. Period.

 

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Pearl Harbor, The Day That Defined A Generation

Today is the anniversary of Pearl Harbor. December 7th, 1941 was a day that not only defined the generation that lived through that day, but it also still defines us today, two generations after the attack. Pearl Harbor was not only America’s entry point into World War II, it would also become a symbol of the sacrifice and courage of all American soldiers during the war.

When I think of Pearl Harbor, I think of my grandfathers. The songs of Jewish immigrants, they joined their brothers in arms to protect America and democracy from the ravages of those who would twist democracy and freedom to their own needs.  While my grandfathers (as far I know) were not in Hawaii on that day, their sacrifice, as a generation for our freedom will never be forgotten. Especially the men who lose their lives that day and whose loved ones must fly across an ocean to visit their gravesite.

To these men who gave their lives, thank you is not enough. It will never be enough. We can only truly honor their memories by fighting for the ideals that America the great country that she is.

Once Upon A Time Character Review: Prince Charming

*Warning: This post contains spoilers about Once Upon A Time. I am only writing up to the end of season 6. Read at your own risk if you have still not seen the previous seasons.

There is something to be said about a well written, human character. They leap off the page and speak to us as if they were right in front us, as flesh and blood human beings, instead of fictional creations.

In this series of weekly blog posts, I will examine character using the characters from Once Upon A Time to explore how writers can create fully dimensional, human characters that audiences and readers can relate to.

Prince Charming has been a stock character since the beginning of storytelling. He is there to rescue the heroine (presumably a princess in her own right or a soon to be princess), sweep her off her feet and live happily ever after with her. The problem is that this character has become such a staple of our stories to the point where we expect nothing more of this character than the standard narrative and character arc.

The writers of Once Upon A Time, have cleverly found a way to flip this stock character on his head, as they do with all of their characters. In Prince Charming’s case, he is not what he seems to be. Charming, as his wife, Snow White, calls him, was born to a poor family. Until he was an adult, he was not aware of the fact that he had a twin. This twin, James, was raised in the palace as the King’s son. When James was killed, Charming took his brother’s place and was nearly forced to marry a princess whom he did not love or care for until fate and Snow White stepped into his path.

In Storybrooke, Prince Charming (Josh Dallas) is known as David Nolan. Like his fairy tale land alter ego, David was not only unaware of the woman whom his heart belonged to, but also of his identity. Even after the curse was broken, it was not always sunshine and rainbows for David and Mary Margaret (Ginnifer Goodwin), Snow White’s Storybrooke alter ego. There were both internal and external forces trying to pulling them apart.  But no matter what, David/Prince Charming and Mary Margaret/Snow White always found their way back to each other.

To sum it up: There is nothing wrong with writing a fairy tale style romance. But, the issue that the writer must contend is that that the romance and the relationship has to feel real and human. The characters must be imperfect and face challenges. If the writer sticks to the standard and predictable narrative and character arc, the reader or audience, will see both a mile away. Unpredictability makes life interesting and makes a story interesting. Interesting stories=interested readers. And interested readers always come back for more.

Thoughts On The Al Franken Resignation

Al Franken resigned from the Senate today.

I have mixed feelings about the resignation. On one hand, what he did was wrong and he should be held accountable for his actions. Unlike the Cheetos colored blowhard sitting in The White House and the child rapist running for Senate in Alabama, Mr. Franken seems to be genuinely regretful for his actions, but there is also proof that cannot be refuted.

But at the same time, leaving an open seat in the Senate, especially considering with the questionable bills that the Republicans are trying to push through, it makes me a little nervous. With one less dissenting vote, the Republicans who are voting for party over country may have an easier time getting their bills through.

Only time will tell what Mr. Franken’s future will be and if the bills sitting in the House and Senate actually get signed into law. I just hope that there are still enough rational voices in Washington D.C. to continue to counteract the blind loyalty of those on the right.

Throwback Thursday-Swimfan (2002)

Stupid mistakes are part of life. The question is, what will the consequences of those mistakes be?

In the 2002 movie, Swimfan, Ben Cronin (Jesse Bradford) has it all. A promising swimming career, a past that is behind him and a solid relationship with his girlfriend, Amy Miller (Shiri Appleby). Then he has a one night stand with Madison Bell (Erika Christensen).  Ben tries to make it clear to Madison that he has a girlfriend and is not interested in her, but Madison does not seem to care. She only wants Ben and will say and do anything to have him.

 

This movie is best described as Fatal Attraction set in high school. It’s not entirely bad, but the narrative and characters are a little cliche for me.

Do I recommend it? Maybe.