Yoo Hoo! Congress Where are You?

We have the most absurd characters running the United States of America. They compete with cartoons for exaggerated, farcical posturing. Maybe cartoons can't even get there!

Let's take it from another angle: If this were a family -- it is as if mother and father abandoned the children -- without any resources and without taking any responsibility. In such a case, social services would step in and take those children into custody to protect them. 

We don't have a safety net with our government. Should the Supreme Court be able to step in and take charge? Should the President be able to make decisions when Congress virtually abdicates? We have three arms to our government and one of them is not functioning. If this were a third world country -- no question -- the army would stage a coup. End of story.

Perhaps we are being given a chance to understand coup mentality -- and maybe even begin to sympathize. We have a bunch of losers running loose and causing inexcusable harm.

His stepdaughter never knew!

"Pastor with a Past" is about a man who was sentenced to 393 years in prison at the age of 17. This shy teenager -- guilty of nothing except listening to his cousins and hanging around with them -- turned his prison life into an incredible success story. A poor, almost illiterate black kid with a good heart and a strong work ethic took a Bible study class and became the first prisoner in history to become an Ordained Pastor. No small feat. And, yes, he was eventually able to get released.

Anyway, I am determined to make a movie out of his story and have just posted a Kickstarter project. If you are curious about it, this is the link:

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/68635682/pastor-with-a-past

 I'd love to know what you think about the story -- the project -- the way I put together the Kickstarter submission. It's my first venture into this world and it's intimidating -- that's all I can say. Other submissions just look so slick! Ask me to write something -- no problem. Ask me to put together a Kickstarter deal -- wow, that was a challenge.

 Thanking you in advance if you do take a look -- please at least leave a message and a comment.

 Loretta

For the love of guns...

The truth is sad. As a country, we get failing grades on simple self preservation. So, the people with guns, are they pleased with themselves? Are they pleased that their stubbornness makes these tragedies possible? Even worse, there is the certainty that we have no seen the end of it. If there is a war, it is understandable -- there is an enemy to blame. In this case -- an echo of an old cartoon strip -- we have seen the enemy and it is us.

The Saga of Syria and it's Poor People

Syria! I hear the news -- arguments for punishing the GOVERNMENT of Syria. That's the big flaw in the argument. The GOVERNMENT is not going to suffer. It is PEOPLE in Syria who will be dead and wounded. The thought makes me ill, that we would do this to innocent people. The guilty will be in shelters, I'm sure. I can't buy into this.

When I say "poor'" as in to be pitied, not necessarily poor in wealth. But what is wealth if your life in its entirety is at risk?

To the people of Syria, no matter side, let this be a message of sympathy for your plight. Nothing is good about the situation. So many refugees fleeing a situation they did not create. My heart goes out to all of you.

Politics and power -- great when they work, but the world's worst nightmare when they turn against you. I am 100% sure that President Barack Obama wants to do the right thing -- but what is it? What can be done that will help? We would like to be the heroes, but it doesn't seem possible. Heroes to some, not to others? That's not a big act of heroism.

 

Review: Blue Jasmine, Woody Allen's latest movie

     Sorry, folks. I wouldn't urge anyone to drop everything they're doing -- even if it is darning socks -- to run out and see "Blue Jasmine."

     I saw Woody Allen's new movie, Blue Jasmine, this afternoon -- the after effect is leaving me down in the dumps. It is a movie about a woman who is so selfish and mean she hurts everyone who gets near her. 

      It was a jumpy back and forth exercise in flashbacks that was disturbing in itself. I really wish I had done something else with my afternoon. Overall? Predictable and unsatisfying in spite of really good performances by all the actors. It was the theme and editing that failed. Sure, it tells the story of a shallow woman -- but beating a dead horse is not the making of greatness.