James Stabile Info Blog July 2008

Entertainment

Big Brother 10 airs on CBS on July 13, 2008. The commercials for Big Brother 10 have included the song Happy Together. This seems to suggest that the summer series will be a reunion type show. Wrong. I have heard that the song has nothing to do with the actual July 2008 cast. It seems that CBS has finally listened to the suggestions of the fans and will include more people 35 or 40 years of age and over as house guests this summer. The plot of this summer's game may be old vs. young. If this is true, it may prove interesting. In many of the previous seasons a token few housemates were actually older than the 20-something majority of housemates. To me, the older guests acted no different than the younger. Sometimes the 20-somethings showed more maturity and good sense than their token oldsters. In any case, the house guests will be arriving in July. From that time until the end of September Big Brother 10 will be the venue for a quasi-sociological study of a predetermined group of people living together with a shared goal - to be the last remaining house guest standing at the end of September. Let the games begin.

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The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) Media Awards was aired on Bravo last month. The actual events were held earlier this year. According to Wikipedia, The GLAAD Media Awards were created in 1990 by the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation to recognize and honor the mainstream media for their fair, accurate and inclusive representations of the LGBT community and the issues that affect their lives. The awards presentation have grown immensely from 1990 with thousands of people both straight and gay taking part. For a list of the winners, click http://www.imdb.com/Sections/Awards/GLAAD_Media_Awards/2008

One may wonder, "Why recognize much less celebrate the media portrayal of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community"? The short answer, it's the right thing to do. In the United States of America all people have civil rights, including LGBT. These rights are sacred to all Americans. If one group of Americans is denied it's civil rights, then all Americans are affected. Sexual preference is no exception. Discrimination and abuse has no place in the lives of Americans. We all must fight for equal rights, equal treatment and fight against discrimination and abuse. The denial of one's civil rights whether explicitly or implicitly, overtly or covertly will not be tolerated in the United States of America.

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Health, Fitness and Lifestyle

Since the untimely death of MSNBC's Tim Russert the devastating effect of an unexpected heart attack has been the topic of many news shows. NBC's Washington bureau chief and Meet the Press moderator Tim Russert died in June of a heart attack. The attack was swift and fatal. Paramedics tried to revive him many times, but to no avail. This type of heart attack is unexpected, fatal and truly a shock to family and friends. What do we learn from this devastating experience?

In this section of my blog I have repeatedly discussed healthy living and fitness. Healthy living is our most successful tool to avoid such a situation. From the outset I must say that there are some situations that can not and will not be avoided. Sometimes things happen to our bodies and the outcome is death. Sometimes we have emergencies and there is nothing that anyone can do to save us. With that said, prevention of a fatal heart attack starts from the day we are born. Children must be reared in an atmosphere of healthy living - good eating habits, increased activity and moderation. This practice must be carried on to adolescence and throughout adulthood. Healthy eating, increased activity and moderation in all we do will not insulated us from sudden, catastrophic medical situations, but this type of lifestyle will help us avoid such situations. With this healthy lifestyle we must also practice good medical preventive care. In other words, we must visit our primary care physician and engage in proactive preventative medical attention. This will not make us immune to untimely disease, but it will arm us with the proper preventative measures to possibly ward off or lessen the effects of such disease. Throughout this discussion we must remember that we are human beings with human fragilities. We all share in this the human condition.

Tim Russert did have coronary concerns. His doctor has been interviewed many times during the few days that we mourned Tim's death. The doctor has said that Tim Russert had pre-existing conditions that were being monitored and treated to avoid the inevitable eventuality. Even though Tim was being proactive by trying to follow a regime of healthy eating, increased activity and moderation, he succumbed to the end of his natural cycle of life. We must recognize and accept the fact that we all will some day come to the end of our earthly life. We must realize that this eventuality is inevitable, but we must do everything in our power to both prevent it and prepare for it knowing that it is our fate.

I believe that Tim Russert was aware of this consequence. I believe that he lived life to the fullest extent possible, but was ever mindful of the time restraints of his natural life cycle. We must learn from his life and death. We must live life to the fullest. We must enjoy life. We must be in love with life. We must communicate and interact with all that life presents to us. This all must be done in love and respect of all humankind. In the end, whenever our end comes, we will be ready to move on. We will be at peace with our natural life cycle. We will accept the plan and accept our fate. This is life.

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In June gays and lesbians throughout the state of California were permitted to exchange wedding vows. This may be short lived, at least until the November general election where the question of so-called gay marriages will be voted on by the voters of California. If Californians vote to restrict marriage to heterosexual people exclusively, then these marriages of gays and lesbians will be declared null in void. What a roller coaster ride for over 10% of Americans. I still do not support gay marriages, but I must heartily support civil unions for gays and lesbians. All people should be given the same civil rights, including the right to love whomever they choose. This love should be made public for all to witness. It should not be relegated to the "closet" where fear dominates the lives of the people involved. Love and the union expressing that love should be publicly proclaimed and accepted. That choice of love and expression should be included among the civil rights of all people. All people fall in love - straights and gays. There really is no difference. Love is love. People should be able to express that love, give witness to it, share it with one another and have legal protection involving every aspect of it.

Why is the conservative right so oppose to gay marriage and gay unions? Why are the people most opposed to gay unions usually conservative religiously minded people? They are usually Christian in makeup. Why are these followers of Jesus Christ so opposed to love and the expression of love? Some will say that it is wrong and is so cited in the Bible. Well, if the truth be known, the Bible was written by human beings. Human beings who are imperfect and plagued by the human condition. The Bible was written thousands of years ago during a different time and set of conditions. The Bible is incomplete. Incomplete because many books, letters and accounts of Christian life were determined not worthy of inclusion in the Bible. Around the 5th or 6th century A.D. a group of Christian hierarchy decided which writings should and would be included in the "official" Bible. These church leaders were human beings, plagued by the imperfections of the human condition. This human condition has continued the practice of selective equality among people. We must get back to the real message of the Bible, love. This concept of love of God and love of one's neighbor is the cornerstone to the Christian religion. It must become the cornerstone of human interaction. All people are and must be equal, free and worthy of their unique happiness. Fear, ignorance and arrogance have no place in a society governed by God's love.

What if all people were free to be genuine and unique? What if all people were free to be happy? What if all people were free to love? What if all people were free to accept one another? What if all people were free to achieve self-actualization according to their own parameters? Wouldn't the world be a better place to exist? Wouldn't life be more enjoyable? Wouldn't communities and groups of people coexist in a more peaceful, loving and mutual-respectable manner? The answer is an astounding, "Yes.". Why not rid the world of ignorance, fear, hatred and arrogance? Why not give peace, mutual respect and equality a chance?

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Politics & World Affairs

The Democrat Primary season is finally over. Oh, wait, at least I think it is over. Is Hillary still campaigning? No, she has suspended her campaign and has endorsed Barack Obama. I don't think I ever heard her say the word "concede" in her endorsement speech, but she has declared Senator Obama the Democrat Party's nominee. So is she really done campaigning? Since she suspended her campaign, she will be able to resurrect it if any unforeseeable turn of events transpire leaving Senator Obama unable to continue his bid for the presidency. This is highly unlikely, even for Hillary Clinton, but it could happen. I think she suspended her campaign so at the convention in August she will be viewed with more power and prestige in order to affect the proceedings at the Democrat Convention. And why shouldn't she?

I think this unity thing, on the part of both political parties, is being carried a little too far. Both parties want to script everything associated with their party's nominee's campaign. They want to script the convention. They want to control every detail of the campaign. Both parties think that this will ensure a victory in November. It may well ensure a victory, but what about the fight, the campaign? The campaign for president must be taken out of the hands of the party leaders and put back in the hands of the people. I think each of the presidential nominees from each political party should have the option of being recognized and nominated at their party's convention. I believe that the delegates at the conventions should be free to vote for their preference for president. Enough of this party loyalty Let's get back to American loyalty and a government of the people, by the people and for the people.

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The general election campaign is on. It will be Barack Obama vs. John McCain. What a choice. Both candidates are unusual candidates for their parties. Obama won the Democrat nomination mainly due to African-Americans, young people and the elite college crew. Obama is a little messed up, so to speak. He is African-American, at least his father is African-American, but he really doesn't represent the average or typical African-American. He is of a somewhat more elite type African-American. One who has had the benefit of the finest schools and all that encompasses such breeding. His support comes from the young, ivy leaguer types and 90+% of African Americans. What a combination. But this may be good. He may be seen as an unifying force because he has appeal in differing spheres of American life. Who knows, he may be the real deal. Also, even though he is seen as a so-called elitist, he has worked for everything that he now possesses. He has earned his place among rival elitists with hard work and diligence.

John McCain is not representative of his party's views on conservatism, although he purports to be. He is trying to appeal to the conservative base of the Republican party by adopting the party stand on many controversial issues. He seems to be flip-flopping on many issues. He is abandoning his maverick, independent nature which was at the basis of his being John McCain. So, who is he now? Hard to say. He won his party's nomination because of independents and Democrat cross over support. Now he is trying to appeal to the conservative right of his own party, but I have my doubts as to his real allegiance. This is truly going to be an atypical election campaign for both parties.

Personally, I just don't know. I have been intrigued with the independent style of John McCain, pre-2008 campaign. Now I don't know. He seems to be a little arrogant when he talks about his experience. He seems to imply that his years of experience as an elected official and his experience as a Vietnam POW give him the the benefit of knowing the right or correct answers to the most issues. He seems a little bewildered when people don't blindly accept his view on current issues. He almost gets perturbed when people don't seem to understand his logic. In short, McCain seems to be a little egocentric and arrogant. Not qualities that I seek in a candidate for president.

Barack Obama has another story to tell. He is charismatic. He does work a teleprompter quite skillfully and successfully. I'm not sure what he is saying sometimes. The words sound good, but what does he really mean. I just don't know if he has the answers. I don't know if he has the appropriate questions. He seems to be academic at times. This is not a debate or a discourse on words. This is a contest for the highest office in America. I just don't know if he has the where with all to be able to make the important decisions of an American president. Also, according to his senate voting record, he is the most liberal person in the senate. This can't be a good thing. Most Americans are in the center of the liberal-conservative spectrum and expect their president to govern from that philosophic standpoint. I just don't know about Senator Obama.

I am perplexed. In presidential elections I usually support my party's nominee, the Democrat nominee, but in 2008, I'm not sure. Although, I have voted for the Republican presidential nominee, 1972 and 1976. Enough about that dreadful decision. Oh well, I along with all of you have plenty of time to explore the candidates and their strengths and weaknesses. At this point, I will consciously make the decision to refrain from commenting on my real choice for president. I think there is nothing to be gained from thinking of the past and what could have been. She will not be the 2008 Democrat presidential nominee. I have accepted that fact. I am just having a problem finding a presidential candidate of any party that I can support. Does Florida have a write-in option?

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Religion & Spiritualism

Did Jesus Christ really rise from the dead? This is the most basic belief of Christianity. This one fact validates the supposition that Jesus Christ was both God and man. Maybe the question should be, "Was Jesus Christ really God the son"? Let's think about this for a minute. For over 2000 years many people of the world have recognized that Jesus Christ was the son of God. Now I am asking the question of the validity of this statement. How can I even think such a thought? I think such a thought because I have the free will to think it. The answer really doesn't matter to me. The answer can not be found in the human situation. The answer exist in our conception of God, the Supreme One. For me, I choose to believe that Jesus is the son of God. My faith is my validation. But this is the easy answer and may not be the only answer.

There are many people in the world who do not believe in the Christian Doctrine. Many of these people believe in a supreme being, but they see this supreme being in different ways. Are they all wrong? I don't think so. These people have the right and the option to view religious doctrine in the manner in which they are familiar and choose. And we must respect that right and those beliefs. The simplest reason for us to respect these people and their beliefs is the fact that we do not have tangible conclusive proof of God, His Son as well as any of the so-called truths that make up Christian Doctrine. Christianity is but one of many different types of religions in the world. We have the right to believe in our doctrines of religion, but we do not have the right to condemn or disrespect people who hold opposing views concerning their religious doctrine.

With all of these competing religions in the world and the people who believe in them, what happens at death? Do we all cross over to heaven? I believe that we do cross over, but it may not be heaven. Heaven is a human term. We are human beings therefore we do not have the capability to explain the afterlife. There will be an after-life existence, but no one living really knows what it will be. Irregardless of one's faith, I think each person will enter the afterlife based on his or her perception of his or her performance in human life. Heaven, so to speak, may be the spiritual union of all beings. Catholics believe that the Eucharist, Holy Communion, is the communion of the faithful. Perhaps, heaven is the communion of all beings in a spiritual existence irrespective of human religious beliefs. In any case, each of us has the right to live life and seek salvation according to our preconceived notions and beliefs. There is no one correct answer to this question of the afterlife and the congruence of the vast human religious beliefs of the world. In the end, Karma, God, the Creator, Nature or the Natural Conclusion of Human Life will determine the nature of our existence after death.

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Technology & Business

What the heck is going on with the price of gas? It's going up, duh? Yes, it's going up, but why? The answer is not an easy one. I think the answer rests in years of mishandling and mismanagement of the oil industry by those in the industry as well as those in government. Years of abuse and lack of attention to the reality of the world oil situation has finally created an oil crises. For many years America had thought that it was king or queen of the world. America thought that it could control the economy of the world and thought of itself as the world's economic bastion. Now the bottom has fallen out for the economic hopes of the American government and American big business. We are finding out that America is vulnerable to world conditions and world crises. America, led by the governmental leaders, steered by the greed of big business and big oil has a problem. A problem that is not unique to America, rather, it is shared by America and the rest of the world. O.K. that be as it may, but what is the solution? The solution is simply, find a way to solve the problem. First and foremost, government must examine and realign it's ties with big oil and big business. Cutting the ties to unequal and unethical coalitions, possibly illegal as well, that have existed between government and big oil is a crucial step in rebuilding the American as well as the World's economy. These coalitions have existed because of the greed and unequaled political weight that both government and big oil have possessed. The first step to the solution is to establish governmental priorities that reflect the best interest of all Americans. Next, we must look for other sources of oil. We must start drilling in areas of the United States that have been off limits to oil drilling. We must employ environmental and economic measures to uphold the integrity of the American way of life, but we must start drilling in these areas. Third, we must refurbish and build more oil refineries in the United States. Once these three steps are begun the crisis will not disappear, but lessen. Finally, we must look to other sources of energy - nuclear, solar as well as other developing technologies. We must put unequal and unethical individual or business interests second and put the welfare of all Americans and the world's community as our first priority. America will be energy efficient and independent of foreign sources if government, business and individual interests are fair, equitable and ethical in regards to the achievement of this end. Also, to this end America must not only be energy efficient and independent, but we must join with the countries of the world to share resources to produce a world that is mutually cooperative, equitable and fair minded in practices and optimistic in operations.

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