Ok, does anyone else think that Stephanie Zacherek doesn't make "The Banger Sisters" sound like a good movie, even though she wants to? Not saying Zacherek is a bad writer (although I've pretty much disagreed with all her movie assessments), but the whole "finding out Mom has a past" movie is dumb anyway, but "finding out Mom has a past as a groupie" is just sick!
And how precious is it that Goldie Hawn plays an aging groupie? Her daughter played a groupie too! Do you see the connection? Get it? Ha!

OK, so it's been a week or so since I posted. So sue me! I'm sure everything I wanted to say between then and now has been said, but let's just see...
1) Bush's speech to the UN was great...
2) Ben Affleck's new TV show sucks...
3) And despite whatever Scott Ritter might say, even the New York Times has its doubts (link requires registration) about weapons inspections...
Guess that about covers it. Goodnight.

Just a quick clarification:
FoxToledo, which I praised yesterday for running a program other than the live coverage of the weepfest, was running the same program as Fox5 in NYC.
And, lest anyone think that the FoxToledo station is bold or anything like that, remember that Fox doesn't have a network news anchor like Dan Rather or Tom Brokaw to shepard us and our feelings through tragic events.
Thank God, and may God protect us from those who tell us what is OK to feel. Just like he protects us from those who know best.

So here we are -- a year removed from 9/11/01, and what's the status? Isn't that the question all the networks, media outlets, and news organizations are trying to answer? Have we changed? How should we have changed? And so on...
Judging by much of the media coverage today, I would say not much has changed. Part of me cringed slightly at the three-hour "hug-a-thon" that was the name-reading at Ground Zero. Part of me understands it, and ALL of me certainly goes out to those that lost loved ones there. However, I think in the hazy mists of maudlin displays we've lost our focus on what September 11 really was.
In my mind, it wasn't just a tragedy, like a train wreck, plane crash, or when a carload of kids on their way home from prom gets plowed into by a drunk driver. Yes, the deaths of 3,000 people on American soil IS tragic, but the act, the EVENT itself was a dastardly act of aggression. It was an attack, and therefore something to be responded to, not simply mourned.
We've lost sight, I think, of what really happened on that day which, if not for what happened, would be remembered for its azure sky and unseasonable warmth. The United States was attacked -- the reason why isn't really important. On another day the U.S. was attacked -- December 7, 1941 -- I doubt anyone wanted to know why. That was a question not asked in those days, because it simply wasn't important. Attacking another sovereign state -- whether because you wanteded its land, want to install your brother on its throne, or because you thought its oil embargo against you was unfair and itself an act of war -- was a no-no, and if it was done it meant war. Japan understood that, and they did it anyway. But, more importantly, we understood that the only response to an attack is a war. End of story.
But, in our touchy-feely culture, I guess we want to know why. We want to connect and begin the healing process.
Not me. I don't care if I ever understand the mentality and motivations of Islamist radicals hell-bent on purifying their religion and making sure all infidels are taken care of. I don't care if they understand me or my way of life, and I certainly don't demand they modify their practices and policies to my liking.
I'm rambling here, but you might get my point.
I just wanted to say "bravo" to FoxToledo, which during the weepfest was the only channel to cut away and show the images that have the power to remind us of what actually happned, not just the results of what happened (Here's what happened: terrorists attacked and brought down my favorite buildings in the world. Here was the result: thousands died.)
It was sad and tragic that so many lost husbands and wives, sons and daughters, mothers and fathers. But it would be truly tragic if those who inspired, perpetrated, and facilitated the act weren't dealt with in the harshest possible manner.

Just a quick update before I dash off to the office...
The weekend flew by, not enough time, there's never enough time, etc... (see "Jessie's Song" and remember fondly).
No flaming wreckage at the Air Show, but it was as hot as I've always imagined Hades to be. People were sitting under the wings and fuselages of the static aircraft, just trying to catch some shade. Boy, that blacktop really makes you cook.
By the way, in response to some queries, the "Stars" link is a song by the band Hum. I highly recommend picking up one of their two full-length albums; however, I believe they are now defunct, so if someone offers you concert tickets, they're fake.

Oops, must go to get my press pass for the Air Show. I believe it's all access, including some limited flying privileges.

My stars!
A busy weekend for yours truly. Must cover many things, and as an intrepid but incompetent (intrepidly incompetent?) small-town journalist, I'm balking at the prospect.
Actually, not really. I need the bucks, and it's all fun stuff. The Toledo Air Show is in town, and high school football is as pure as the sport gets. I used to think college football was exciting -- I still do, of course -- but get thee to a D1 (see #86) or D2 (click on SportsDesk link) high school game if you want reall blood-and-guts football.
Go team.

But, I suppose since summer is over, it's time to turn our attention to less childish things...
Item! The weekly newspaper I work for is now online! You can check us out at The Mirror's website! Not too much content up there yet, but Dan the Web Guru is nothing less than a miracle worker, so stuff will be coming up regularly.
I have no actual news or feature stories up there yet, but I do have a sports article if you click on the "sports" link.

Well, it happened. I lost my Dennis Haskins voice-mail message! Damn it all!
Like Icarus, I flew too close to the sun on waxen wings. I showed off one too many times, and forgot to resave the message to my archive. Damn it all again!
Well, I suppose I can relate the story of how I actually met TV's Mr. Belding -- I was in Brighton, Michigan for a friend's bachelor party. We returned from an evening of carousing and whatnot to the Courtyard by Marriott, at which was being held a "Hawaiian Tropic" pageant. And, near as I can figure, Haskins was the emcee or judge or something.
He was hanging in the lobby when we met him. He had a mustache, which sort of threw me, but other than that he was the same lovable Mr. Belding I grew up with.
The message he left on my phone was "Hey hey hey hey! What is going on here, BLUUUUE?"
I thought I was going to weep tears of purest joy...