Be careful, this is the Lodge...

So following last week were I was shorted quality work time to dedicate to making a long-winded post, I’m taking a moment on Monday to catch up on a few things from last week, the initial post being this:


First, in my quest to view the other four pictures nominated for best picture in ’05 and disavow the tragedy that was Crash, I finally watched what was a far better nominee and excellent film entitled: Good Night and Good Luck. An extremely well written piece by Grant Heslov and Batman 4.0 that highlights the talents of the underrated David Strathairn, who prior to this was just AJ’s creepy school counselor on the Sopranos, but proved that he could run a movie on his own merits and excellent writing. Good call for producer Clooney on getting the right guy for the lead, and for not putting himself in that spot. The direction was solid, with great use of lighting and smoke along with the b&w cinematography (Jimbo’s always a sucker) to create the mood of behind the scenes 1950’s CBS Television. Clooney gave heart to the lead-supporting role as Edward R. Murrow’s behind the scene’s partner Fred Friendly as crusaders for truth and knowledge in a one hour program before the Steve Allen Show. Also kudo's to getting original footage of McCarthy and the trials for added authenticity. Overall, I’m not sure if this film was well-rounded enough to be the top pic, but as an uber-High School historical narrative that follows Saving Private Ryan week, it does quite well for itself, even in the Red States of America. However, compared to Crash, this was f'n Citizen Kane.

The political component of the film, with blatant ties to the 2006 American politic-sphere shifted my thoughts during the viewing of this film to the current crusade by the most courageous and somewhat idealistic Junior Senator from Wisconsin, Russ Feingold (sorry to go political on Monday, but hey wtf?). As the lone nay in the 2001 Patriot Act vote, that in hindsight proves not only foresight, but the ability to actually read, Feingold represents the last democrat in the country that is still able to use a urinal standing up. His most recent campaign for censure of the 43rd President has sparked debate and created a “who’s coming with me?” movement for Democrats moving into the ’06 Elections. Apparently holding the president accountable for burning the constitution is not as popular as some would think, considering that he has currently only two other Democratic Senator’s on board. More to come on this nothing-but-overtly-symbolic-move-that-could-ultimately-decide-the-power-of-the-Executive Branch-for-the-next-two-years.

Even though GN&GL was made prior to the Feingold censure, but after the vote against the Patriot Act, it demonstrates a work of political/historical entertainment that succeeds in proving to America audiences that dissent on the “perceived” values and morals of a minority is not un-American or un-Patriotic, but in fact the very foundation that this whole damn thing we call the USA was built on. The ability of Murrow to fight not only the momentum of fear that the then Junior Senator from Wisconsin had perfected, but also the bigger enemy to truth via media: corporate affiliates, in this case, the damning ALCOA.

The modern day struggles of the current Junior Senator from Wisconsin will not be as easy however, and the ability of the populist to dilute the facts and statements of not only the dissenting voice, but also the truth distracts the attention from the honest concerns of the majority and leaves it to the CEO’s and back-pocket politicians regardless of what letter they place in front of their name. The times they might be a changin', but the constants remain the same, whatever's good for big business isn't necessarily good for the people. As I type this on a laptop provided for me from the largest design-software company in America right now, irony? not lost on me. The issues that Murrow and Feingold attached themselves to were not for the sake of partisan flag holding, but for the dwindling obligation to a cause that is higher than one's own political identity. The innundation of World pop-culture distracts us from the ugliness of our nation, myself being one the biggest examples. Feingold’s crusade to improve America will hopefully speak for the 68% of the US population that currently says “nay” to what decisions are being made on behalf of them. For more information try : Google.

We cannot defend freedom abroad by deserting it at home.