Just another day: People

Some thoughts to close the week.

• Tom Hanks. The man can act. His characters compel us because you can believe that these are real people. Many have likened him to the Jimmy Stewart. It's an apt description.
  
  But unlike the combat-tested Mr. Stewart, Mr. Hanks leans left. No, he has built a castle miles to the left of center, and there he abides.
  
  His recent foray into the non-cinematic opinion condemns the Mormon church for its tenacious fight in support Proposition 8, California's constitutional amendment to declare marriage between -- gasp! -- a man and a woman. He calls them "un-American" (here). Interesting, though, that the largest identifiable people group that supported Prop 8 was black Californians. Why not them as "un-American?"
  
  Seems pretty plain that following a state's code for amending their Constitution is an American undertaking.
  
  Unless you have issues with religion. Do the Da Vinci Code and Angels and Demons ring a bell? The characters he chooses to play have no affection for Almighty God. How can a man be stranded on a desert island for years and cry out to a volleyball instead of God (Cast Away)?
  
  Hanks open attack against the Latter-Day Saints is an open attack against Catholics and Christians, too. It's against any who hold to a greater authority that infringes upon man's personal autonomy. Bummer.


• The Phantom of the Opera. Loved the movie. Loved the play. I have heard rumblings that those who know Broadway find Andrew Lloyd Webber, the man behind PotO and other blockbuster musicals, common and trite. They look down their three-mile long noses and scoff his successes as catering to the ignorant masses.
  
  Or perhaps he knows what he likes and figures, "Hey, if I like it, others might like it, too." Really, it's the genius behind Pixar. Couple a wonderful story with a wonderful telling of that story and awash it with compelling beauty. What's not to like?
  
  One take is that it's another conservative being shunned by the erudite elites of the media and entertainment industries (here)
  
  Who's to say. But I look forward to getting the audio hooked up on the new TV so we can CRANK the Phantom once again.


• Israel. Can someone explain to me why Israel is being called upon to end the aggression in Gaza? It's like the poor guy in the NFL who throws an opposing player to the ground for punching his quarterback and then gets flagged for coming to his defense.
  
  Hey, Israel! Finish the fight Hamas started. For all our sakes.


• Obama. We're almost there. Anticipate before the close of February:
  
  
  1. He will allow homosexuals to openly serve in the military.
  
  2. He will enact the Freedom of Choice Act eradicating in one empirical sweep the laws that states of put in place to protect unborn children.

Terrific. That's enough for this week.