When Has School Shootings Become Normal?

Friday morning started off as an ordinary day at Noblesville West Middle School in Indiana. Then one of the students walked into a classroom with a gun and the day went from ordinary to life changing.

By the grace of G-d and the heroism of teacher Jason Seaman, there were only two injured: Mr. Seaman and a female student. There were no fatalities.

When did school shooting become normal? I’ve stated in previous posts about being in high school when the Columbine shooting occurred. Back then, school shootings were major news because they didn’t happen. When they did happen, not only was it major news, but the surge of grief and anger was paid attention to by politicians and those in the government.

Today, school shooting are just another news bulletin that holds our attention all too briefly. First there is the anger/grief, the calls for gun control reform. Then there is lip service of thoughts and prayers/”it’s not the right time” comment from our politicians. Finally the story fades into the background until another school shooting occurs and the cycle starts all over again.

How many innocent people will be hurt or killed  before this mania stops? When will our children and those who teach our children be more important than a gun?

More importantly, why have school shootings become normal?

 

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Dear Madam President: An Open Letter to the Women Who Will Run the World Book Review

In the fall of 2016, the feeling of change was palpable. Not just because Barack Obama would soon be finishing his second term as President Of The United States, but also because the possibility of America’s first female President was within our grasp. Hillary Clinton was running on the Democratic and it looked like it would be an easy win. But, as we all know, the results of the election was a shock to everyone, especially Jennifer Palmieri.

Ms. Palmieri, who had previously worked in the Obama administration before joining the Clinton campaign, is the author of a new book, Dear Madam President: An Open Letter to the Women Who Will Run the World. Framed by her experience in our current political climate, it is a series of letters to the future female leaders of America, and specifically to the women who will one day become President herself.

I really enjoyed this book. I enjoyed it because not only does Ms. Palmieri write about the pitfalls of women in positions of political power, but she also encourages women to get involved in politics. If nothing else, the book is empowering its readers to become leaders in whatever walk of life they are in and not be afraid of the challenges that go along with being in a leadership role.

I recommend it.

 

Solo: A Star Wars Story Movie Review

In 1977, Star Wars hit theaters and forever changed the way films are made. Since then, Lucasfilm  has tried to replicate the success of the original film with a hit or miss success rate.

Solo: A Star Wars Story premiered in theaters yesterday. Set 10 years before Episode 4, the franchise’s space pirate/bad boy, Han Solo (Alden Ehrenreich) is the focus of the film. Han is an orphan who has survived on the streets for as long as he can remember. He is cocky, full of it and has piloting skills that has saved his behind more than once. The only standard in his life is his relationship with Qi’ra (Emilia Clarke), his longtime girlfriend, who is arrested before they can escape from the authorities.

A few years later Han is working for Tobias Beckett (Woody Harrelson), a low-level member of the criminal underworld. While working for Beckett, Han meets Chewbacca (Joonas Suotamo), Lando Calrissian (Donald Glover) and has an unexpected reunion with Qi’ra.

On a scale of 1-10, 1 being the prequels and 10 being the original trilogy, I would rate Solo: A Star Wars Story 6 1/2 t0 7. It’s a decent film, however, I wouldn’t call it the greatest of the Star Wars films. While the pacing and the action is to be expected for a Star Wars film, I just was not as impressed with this movie as I was with Rogue One.

Do I recommend it? Maybe.

Solo: A Star Wars Story is presently in theaters. 

Karma Is A B*tch, Harvey Weinstein

The casting couch is not a new concept in Hollywood.

Harvey Weinstein took the casting couch to a new level. Yesterday he was arrested and charged with rape.

According to Benjamin Brafman, Weinstein’s lawyer:

“Mr. Weinstein did not invent the casting couch in Hollywood,” he said. “Bad behavior is not on trial in this case.”

While it’s true that the casting couch has existed long before Weinstein climbed his way up the Hollywood power ladder, he certainly took advantage of it.

Karma is a b*tch, as is justice. Only time will tell if Weinstein is found guilty of the charges laid out against him.

If there is a silver lining in this case, it is that men who use their power in any industry are being sent a strong message about how they view and treat their female employees. Treat them with respect and dignity or face the consequences.