HOLLYWOOD, FRANCE, AND……
February 28, 2005
Well, the 2004 Academy Awards have come and gone. Billy was probably at his best and there were few surprises like Errol Morris ragging on he Iraq war. The Lord Of Rings easily ran away with the awards. I mean, with competition like, Lost In Translation what could one expect? How in the world did that movie get a nomination? A better title would have been Lost In Production!
But I digress. Hollywood now has the message. Mel Gibson’s movie is more than a hit: it’s a mega hit! The movie brought in around $117 MILLION from Weds-Sun. And as I said in my previous post, Mel doesn’t need Dream Works or Spielberg.
But this shocker! Of all the European nations, only France has decided not to run the film. They don’t want to upset the Jews. Of course they didn’t take the Jews feelings into consideration last month when the French government decided to ban Jewish head coverings.
So, come Monday we find out if the CNE in Venezuela (can you say Chavez) will allow elections? With Chavez calling Bush an ***hole Sunday afternoon, there’s not much left of any relationship between Washington and Caracas. This should be interesting.
SPIRITUALLY BANKRUPT NO MORE
February 26, 2005
He was one of the first film stars to command (and get) $25 mil per film. He was the talk of Hollywood. His films were riveting. People Magazine claimed he was one of the 50 most beautiful people in the WORLD! And yet he found himself, as he describes it, “spiritually bankrupt”.
He decided to turn to directing where he could put his PASSION on the screen. Not to be a sluggard, he also decided to be the principal actor in his first film he’d direct. And at the 68th Academy Awards, Mel Gibson’s film Braveheart earned him and astonishing double award: Best Actor and Best Director!
It wasn’t enough. To really display his PASSION, he would have to display his FAITH as well. As the Financial Times asked on Friday, “How come this 48 year old American-born, Australian-raised star turned film-maker can fund, finish and release a near-impossible artistic dream without any help from the main studios, and then sit back as the skies rain money?”
Hollywood is talking about “black-listing” him as though he needed those big studio giants like Dream Works. Mel not only funded the $25 mil effort from his own resources, he went out after a small player like Newmarket Films (My Big Fat Greek Wedding) to distribute his film. Who needs the big boys when you’re GOOD and have GOD on your side?
Spiritually bankrupt no more and my guess is there’s more to come in this genre. Why not? It should gross far more than the $200 mil I predicted months ago.
PART #2: THE CULTURAL DIVIDE
February 25, 2005
You can go back to yesterday if you want and get my initial opening salvo on this “fine mess we find ourselves in.”
But, didn’t your heart just jump seeing Rosie O’Donnell walk down the steps from the Mayor’s office, hand in hand with her lover, and now wife, husband, whatever- Kelli Carpenter. Ahh! I’m so glad they finally found a courageous Mayor who would violate the law, and his oath of office, and marry them.
And we’ve got Andy Rooney leading the cheers for the secular team, telling Mel Gibson what he should and should not do with his movie, his money, and his religion. You might think it’s none of Andy’s business, but then Andy thinks everything is his business.
Of course all of these social entitlements that primarily the Democrats think are god-given rights, are bankrupting us. It’s amazing that Alan Greenspan had the guts to tell the truth before Congress yesterday, and say that we need to cut Social Security (can you say that?) benefits and soon.
Greenspan also said that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac needed to be pulled back because they had too much power and staggering debt. After these two comments I had to ask myself a question. Is he casting blame away from his “doings” and quietly telling us we’ve got major problems down the road?
I wish the problems were only financial; however, the social divide looks and feels more like something around an 8 on the Richter scale. The mindset that says we can do ANYTHING we want, and that we’re entitled to EVERYTHING we desire, is nothing more than a re-run of peak days or the Roman Empire- and we know where that led! Even the lions didn’t survive.
A MASSIVE CULTURAL DIVIDE!
February 24, 2005
The last two days have given me even more proof that America is a “house divided”: and you know what Jesus said about that. Oh, right, I’m not supposed to say his name am I?
On Tuesday, Bush called for a Constitutional amendment to protect the institution of marriage. On Wednesday, Mel Gibson’s Passion movie was released in the midst of all kinds of protests. Both of these events have galvanized each camp.
We’re looking at more than the Red states versus the Blue states, more then Democrat versus Republican, and more than Liberal versus Conservative. We’re talking Traditionalism versus Secularism. It’s the class that believes in values-oriented absolutism versus humanistic-oriented relativism.
And as I see it, the traditionalists out number the secularists by about 55-45% today. In another 3-5 years, it’ll be 50-50. A decade from now, this nation is lost as the American lifestyle as we know it passes away. You’d think we’d learn something from the history of Rome, but I guess not.
Secularism carries a strong message: jobs for everyone, health insurance benefits for all, rights and privileges galore- with no responsibility. Sure sounds good doesn’t it! It’s not. It’s a plan for disaster- and we’re headed there!
BACK TO THE MUNDANE?
February 23, 2005
Okay, so much for the gut-wrenching, heart ripping, movie stuff. Let’s get back to the economic world we live in. After January, my rantings on the economic front looked so far off. As we close out February this week, they look pretty darned close. It’s amazing what a month can make.
The Dow was wowing and the Nasdaq was jacking (upwards). But today the Nasdaq fell below it’s starting point for the year. Red for the year at one point today. The Nasdaq managed to claw back to being only down 2, and still marginally green for the year. Nonetheless, the Nasdaq has been down for 7 of the last 8 days, and so have the Wall Street brokers attitude.
Good old China- marketing DEFLATION to the world in massive amounts. They can produce more than we can actually buy at prices 5-10x lower than we or Mexico can produce them. Now China is marketing INFLATION to the world as well (commodities). It turns out their 1.3 billion people need grain, food stuffs, and OIL. Chinese crude oil imports were at a record 10.3 million metric tons in January! So, now we’ve got competition for oil: another word for a tax on our income.
Robert Prechter reminds us in a Feb. 20 article (The Elliott Wave) that we’re in a DEPRESSION. We’ve just not seen the bottom. Economists didn’t recognize the 1929 depression (the word wasn’t used in print) until 1933, at the bottom! Prechter’s thesis is we moved into a depression in 2001 and the bottom is on the way.
Did I say mundane news? Hmmm.
The PASSION Of JESUS CHRIST!
February 22, 2005
I can remember where I was and how I felt at the end of the movie Braveheart. I said to myself that I’d never see it again. I lied to myself. I must confess I’ve seen Braveheart more times than I can remember.
But I can say this for sure, I won’t see the second movie that Mel Gibson directed : The Passion Of Jesus Christ, a second time. I wanted to see it, but then I didn’t. At an advanced private showing this evening (Monday, as I post this at 10pm), I managed to “endure” the most difficult movie ever. Lump Braveheart with Saving Private Ryan and the next ten in violence and you can’t match this emotional ride.
I must confess I had tears flowing barely five minutes into the movie: in the Garden sweating blood. But, one of my favorite scenes was in the garden as well. Not to give anything away, but when he gets up from praying and sweating blood, it’s lights out for the enemy!
The downside to this movie is that I can’t imagine who would want to see it a second time so viewership will be limited in that area. The upside is that the movie will make hundreds of millions (worldwide). And, Hollywood is going to find that there’s money, profits, and fame in doing movies filled with truth. And the word PASSION takes on a whole new meaning.
4th @ 5th GEAR SO FAR-
February 21, 2005
I look at the new week coming up and the calendar says that this week ends February. Could it really be? Where did the first two months go? And, I guess the really important question is, what role if any will they play in the remaining ten?
One of the perceptions that I have is that when all hell is breaking loose, or when things aren’t going well, the days seem very long. The good times seem to fly by. And, yes the first two months of 2004 have flown.
It’s been a very good year- so far. It’s really been a remarkable two-and-a-half years since 9-11. The stock market has rallied, the economy has come back. Saddam is in prison. Iraq is moving towards self-governing rule. And UBL’s days are numbered in a few months, not years.
Folklore has it that as January goes, so goes the rest of the year when it comes to the stock market; however, in so many other areas, I’ve seen those who start first and fast, finish last.
So, I’m not sure how the remaining ten months of 2004 will pan out. What I do sense though is that it won’t be in 4th or 5th gear. I believe the days and months are going to slow down a bit, if not a lot, and that tells me I need to do some serious contemplation and planning. Are you listening?
THE WEEKEND BOMB SHELL
February 19, 2005
If everything goes as I think they will, Ralph Nader will throw his hat in the ring this weekend to be President. The Democrats are in a dither about the consequences. When compared to Al Sharpton and Dennis Kucinich, he looks good to me.
The problem though is that come November, neither Al or Dennis will be on the ballot while Ralph will be: as an independent. We’ve still not decided which John will head the Democratic ticket but most probably the John with the last name Kerry.
Terry McAuliffe is doing everything he can to keep Nader out of the race. I can imagine what incredible offers Ralph is getting. Ralph is his own man though. He doesn’t care that he probably cost the Democrats the 2000 election, so why would he care if he loses the 2004 election for them? The bottom line is that while Ralph pulls mainly from the Democrats, he’s not one! He could care less about either party. Duh!
So, one of the major events in the 2004 election process just could happen this weekend, and not that many people will see or recognize it.
CALIFORNIA ANARCHY!
February 18, 2005
The rest of the nation has come to expect craziness out of California: the largest bankrupt state in America (and I’m not talking finances). However, what we’re now seeing goes beyond nuts, and a few loose bolts.
John Edwards is right. His normal stump speech is about the “two Americas”. Little did he know how prophetic he was. We have California where the mayor can violate State law, and we have Alabama where the Supreme Court judge cannot! We sure can’t offend the non-Christians with a rock inscribed with the Ten Commandments; however, we can offend just about everyone with same-sex marriages.
And just to show you how far out there California (and particularly the Bay area) is, even the Terminator (Arnold) is afraid to touch it. Every person in the state is afraid to take a stand. Well, almost everyone. The City of San Francisco is now suing the State of California, claiming their constitutional rights have been abridged. Say What?
While our founding fathers saw the dangers of the “majority”, they also saw the dangers of the “minority” as well. What they didn’t see was the depth to which man (read Bay area citizens) would go. Left to himself, man will eventually unravel and destroy himself
This is going to be very interesting to watch. On the East coast (read Mass.), we have liberal judges pushing same sex marriages. On the West coast we have California and just about everything you can think of. Those two BLUE states, and a few others, will battle the RED states again this November and the stakes are higher than ever.
A CONTRARIAN’S OPINION!
February 17, 2005
That would be me! I just don’t see how we can continue to see the stock market rise, the economy flourish, and keep things running smoothly between now and November. So, Bush advisors, be advised!
The White House is already backing off of the 2.6 million job creation policy for 2004. It’s simply NOT going to happen. We’re sitting on another bubble that could pop any day.
Here’s something that’s not an opinion, but an historical fact. When everyone starts agreeing on a set direction, you can bet just the opposite is about to happen. The higher the consensus, the higher the probability of the “opposite” happening. So, where are things?
Wall Street is extremely BULLISH! Only 19% of the brokers and analysts are concerned! That’s an all-time high. More than 93% of the stocks on the NYSE are above their 200 day moving average. Another high. Equity mutual funds have 95.7% of their cash invested in the market: another all time high.
And to top it off and to continue the HYPE, everyone is expecting even more growth in the next ten months. I find it hard to believe. I say it’s impossible. I think we’re about to see a major downdraft. Sorry Bush.
In the meantime, the San Francisco mayor isn’t being held accountable for breaking California law by allowing gays to get married, but we sure will take down the Ten Commandments if they break the law. We’re getting so far away from why and how these United States were founded. I think Jay Leno had it right last night when he said, “Iraq is trying to come up with a constitution. Why don’t we give them ours? We’re not using it anymore.”
ONE MORE MONTH NOW!
February 16, 2005
Just when you thought the Democratic nomination was all sewed up, along comes Wisconsin! The last polls showed Kerry winning 48% to 18% over Dean. But the results showed Kerry winning by single digits over Edwards, not Dean. It’s over for Dean but it looks like there’s yet another month for Kerry-Edwards.
I was hoping we could reduce this mud-slinging election year to just two men yesterday: Bush-Kerry. Super Tuesday in March and the following week should finally put a dagger in the process. Can Edwards do it? I’d say the odds are highly against it; however, it just may be that the public is sick and tired of negative politics. As I said a week ago, the Democratic party is now Dean’s in spirit (read mean-spirited). Edwards is the exception to that.
Should Edwards get the nod, long shot as that may be, I would attribute the victory to his being a nice guy and taking the high road. Can politics handle that? But in the end, should Edwards get the nomination, I think he’d be the lesser opponent for Bush. America does not need a nice guy at this time in history. America does not need a “beginner” at this time in history. Come to think of it, what America needs right now is a continuation of strong leadership wherein the world knows that life in the world (coming from America) is going to be more of the same!
So, you’re next UBL. And, it isn’t going to get any better for you Iran and North Korea. Ahh, but I get ahead of myself. There’s another month to go isn’t there (at least).
THE WITNESS OF HISTORY!
February 15, 2005
Monday night, ABC took up the banner for re-writing history. Mel Gibson was interviewed: well, it was more like being prosecuted. How dare he make a movie about the TRUTH of Jesus Christ!
It was obvious that Diane Sawyer was out of her league, knowledge, and expertise. By their own admissions, Jews do not think Mel Gibson is anti-Semitic, nor do they think the film is anti-Semitic. What are they concerned about then? They’re afraid of what the public might think or perceive. Say what?
Since when did the press or Hollywood care about what some segment of the population thought? And what really riles some people is the fact that Mel Gibson is basing his movie on the Bible- the TRUTH.
So, the Bible has to be in error if this is what it says. Guess what! There aren’t a handful of commentators that have a clue about what the Bible says. Maybe at the lowest level, the film will make some read it- if only to rebutt it. The only person I know to do that was Alan Vincent. Since that time, he’s been preaching the Gospel!
Next Monday, I will subject myself to a private, advance showing of the film. I really don’t want to go. Really. I wonder what all those Christians who are against PG and PG-13 movies will do, say, justify, as they go by the millions to see this “R” rated movie?
My guess is that the movie will gross far in excess of $125 million in the U.S. And, my guess is that history will be seen (not rewritten in a false manner) as it actually happened: politically incorrect!
PRESIDENT’S DAY?
February 15, 2005
So, everyone is telling me that it is President’s Day. No mail, no school, no stock market. But it just could be that tomorrow, Tuesday is President’s Day.
It’s for sure the Wisconsin primary and the polls have coronation for Kerry written all over them. Will Dean drop out then? I mean his national campaign manager just quit! Will Edwards drop out or does he think his staying in will help him be VP material?
Never fear, Al & Dennis will hang in there but, Tuesday just could be Presidents Day! It just could be that Tuesday is the day that it comes down to Kerry & Bush and one of them will definitely be celebrating Presidents Day in 2005.
DEJA VU ALL OVER AGAIN?
February 12, 2005
Everyone is innocent in America until proven guilty, or until you use the old Clinton strategy of “Shuck & Jive” (since he’s the black president). So, what’s the issue here Ern?
I’m talking about Kerry’s response to the his alleged affair. Listen, I’d deny it loudly and blatantly if I were him. When Kerry married into the Heinz fortune, his wife demanded a pre-nuptial agreement, and she made one interesting statement. She simply said that if JFK (recognize those initials?) was unfaithful to her, she would not just divorce him, she’d MAIM him.
So, I’m for ABSOLUTE DENIAL of any affair if I were John: however, that’s not what we got yesterday. JFK said he’d issue one statement and one only, and on the Imus radio show he said, “There is nothing to report, so there is nothing to talk about.” Say what?
Let me get out my Bill Clinton dictionary and see what the definition of IS, is. And, let me interpret JFK’s statement. What he actually said was that there was NO PROOF and until there was, he wasn’t going to talk- nothing to talk about.
Now, that might work for Bill because Hill was so forgiving; however, I don’t think that’s good enough for Teresa Heinz Kerry. Is this Deja Vu all over again, but with different characters? I am sure there are hundreds of reporters and investigators searching out that answer at this very moment.
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