TattMan's Thoughts on Life

America's Political Magic Act

2006-07-08T00:27:00.000-05:00

I don't know if you all are aware of this, but the politicians of this great country have embarked on a great political magic act. One so cunning, that they have time and time again proven that indeed, the hand is quicker than the eye. And, most of America has fallen for it hook, line, and sinker.

What can I be talking of you may ask. Let's put it this way, how is it the republican Party can claim to be the conservatives of the country whilest they initiate policy that is in no way conservative at all. This is a call to all "true" conservatives that it is time to wake up and take a look at the party you choose to vote for.

It is very simple really, and yet no one has called them on it to this point. Here is how magic works, before we get into the game the politicians are playing. Basic magic is simple. Get the people to look one way while you are doing the "magic" as they are distracted. Misdirection is the key to any good magician. How does this apply to politics? Here it is.

Basically, the GOP has you looking at their left hand. In that hand are the issues of social importance. Gay Marriage, Abortion, Immigration, and the whole lot. These are issues that the American people will pay attention to. They are interesting. They make headlines. They equal ratings. People can get fired up about these issues. These are the issues that most Americans go to the polls for. So, where is the magic? Where is the misdirection? It is in the right hand.

In the right hand are the issues American care about, but are not that interested in . They are issues that effect our lives in the biggest ways. They are the issues dealing with the money that Americans pay to the government before they even get paid. I'm talking about taxes, spending, policy, and the whole lot. They are the issues that decide how our money is spent, on what, and whom the money goes to. They are the budget hearings, the policy debates, the talks about tax and campaign finance reform. I know, it's boring stuff. But, it is the stuff that effects your money. It effects how much you make. It effects how much the government takes of what you make. It is the policy that decides how and what that money is spent on. It, the money, is what the politicians in DC truly care about.

This act has basically enabled members of our legislature get elected as "conservatives" while enacting truly liberal economic and political policy. Conservative economics calls for reduced spending, reduced taxes. Conservative policy calls for smaller government, less regulation in the market and business world. Yet, the current admin spends more than any admin before it, and attempts to intrude on American business and personal lives.

My theory is simple, I could go into San Fransisco, and get elected as a Democrat, a liberal, and while in office, enact and vote in truly conservative economic and political policy. I could vote to cut government spending. I could vote to make the government smaller and less intrusive on business. I could vote to go as far as support more spending for military needs. How would this be possible? Simple:

During my campaign, as long as i am for allowing homosexuals to marry, pro-choice, and pro-immigration reform that will allow all those in the country illegally to stay, I can get elected. That is my left hand. Then with the right, I just do as I please. No one will be looking at that hand, because they will be fired up about the issues in the left hand.

What does this mean? It means it is time to take a look at your elected officials voting records. It is time to start "caring" about those boring issues. If you don't, those in DC will continue the game as long as they can get away with it.

I know the thinking is that morals and principles are more important than money issues. Tell that to the politicians. They will tell you anything you want to hear morally, as long as it will distract you from what they know to be important.

Da Vinci Code Part II

2006-06-02T15:08:00.000-05:00

Now that I have some time to ponder the inner workings of the movie, I still feel it was one the best I have seen in a very long time. Paul Bettany did an outstanding job as Silas the monk who committed all the murders. If he doesn't win an Oscar for the part, he will be nominated. Other than that, enough about the movie, and on to the message.

According to many of the churches out there, this movie, and book, question the divinity of Christ. I don't know what movie they saw, or what book they read, but I did not get that from the movie. The divinity of Christ has been questioned by historians for years. All the "facts" you heard stated(especially when they were at Teabings mansion looking at the last supper and talking) have been stated for quite some time by many credible historians(I was a second major History student, though I am not going to cite names as the list is very long.) . Until Constantine, and the Council of Nicea "created" Christianity, Jesus was looked at by most as a phophet. It wasn't until Christianity was "voted" on, that the resurrection story started to really carry on.

What has to be realized by many about History is that it is written by the winner, or the most powerful entity of the time. Even with that history in place, there are always alternative versions that are out there and can be explored. If you don't believe me, look at any history text dealing with US History. Then go to the library and read Howard Zinn's "People's History of the United States". Two very different stories told in two very different ways. Zinn's version isn't taught as it was not the popular version. Robert Wuhl has a show on HBO now, where he talks a great deal on this subject. One of the the lines he is quoted as saying is "When the legend becomes fact, print the legend." That is often the case. This means that when you here the actual facts, they are often not as interesting as the legend, so stick with the legend.

Back to the movie. Let's suppose that Jesus was married, and did have children. Would this mean that he did not live the perfect, sinless life that he was supposed to have. IMO, no, it wouldn't change anything. What it would mean though, is that he did in fact have sex. Sex, even amongst married people still carries some taboo with it. If you subscribe to the teachings of the Bible, God did say to go forth and multiply. One cannot multiply without having sexual relations. What this fact would mean though, is some of the practices of Catholicism would come into question. We would have to question why it is that Catholic Priests are forced to take vow of celibacy. Why aren't they allowed to be married? Why aren't they allowed to carry on their family name. Some say it is to show their committment to God. From what I have read in the Bible, God never asked for that committment. I don't think God expects it. God intended for the animals known as humans to have sex. That is the reason it is pleasurable. Where is my proof. Sexual intercourse is only pleasurable to the female gender in humans. Most species don't get any form of enjoyment from sex. In the few species that do, only the human female experiences it. In a belief where God omnipotent, omniscient, and omnibenevolent, there must be a reason for that.

Also brought into question was the question of "______, you are the rock my church will be built on." For many generations, the blank was filled with the name Peter, Jesus' closest disciple. This has been the basis for thousands of years of patriaricalness in many of the churches. Had this phrase been uttered to Jesus' wife, Mary, all that would be brought into question. Centuries of male dominated religion would be brought into question. Catholocism and the Southern Baptist Convention would have to explain why to this day women cannot, and will never, be allowed to hold ordained positions in the church. The centuries of women submitting to their husbands, and not being equal to men would all be questioned.

Of course, these two issues don't want to be addressed by the powers that be. What do they do? They start criticising the movie and book for calling Jesus' divinity into question, hoping to disuade people from seeing or reading the story that is told. If people start questioning these things, what else will they question. Would they start to look at and read those gospels not allowed into the Bible. Phillip wrote a gospel, Mary Magdalene herself wrote a gospel. Many others wrote gospels as well. These gospels tell a very different story than the ones in you Bible. If the very foundation of Christianity is brought into question, what will that do to the influence and power of the Church.

That my friends is why the churches of the world criticise this movie and book. Not because of the story, but because of the message and possible questioning of the authority of the church.

Da Vinci Code

2006-05-30T23:44:00.000-05:00

It is late, but I just returned from viewing the much talked about Da Vinci Code. I should premise this statement with the fact I head read this book, as well as Angels & Demons and Deception Point, also by Dan Brown. This movie, on it's own, revealed on major thing to me, and it isn't what many would think it would be.

Since the premiere, I have heard mixed reviews about this movie. The majority of these reviews weren't the best. Many claimed that the movie was "long", "slow", and rather "untinteresting". This fact, along with many of the personal reviews I have heard from friends, colleagues, and aquaintances has led me to one conclusion. Society, to encompass western civilization, has basically been lost to, what I like to call, the Fast Food Epidemic.

Modern society has become so attached to soundbites, 30 second news clips, and every and anything that can make their lives quicker. We have become a society that is only interested in the "kill", and don't want to have to wait for the "hunt". It is a sad fact, but this is the main reason I feel that this movie didn't receive the reviews it deserved.

For those that read, and dare I say comprehended, the gravity of this book, you would realize one thing. To do the book justice, there was no way to possibly package this movie in a one hour and tweenty minute "thiller". This movie required patience, perseverance, and the admiration of those who could take time to think, contemplate, and release themselves from the modern day time constraints.

I must say, the reviews of this movie reflect the very attitude that society has become accustomed to. It is unfortunate, for the movie, and people in general. We have become soconsumed with packing as much as we can into a day, that we no longer have time to stop and smell the roses. If you can't squeeze it into a 30 second review of the whole book, then they(people) don't want to deal with it.

What I took from this movie was the need to slow down and just take the time to enjoy things. It is amazing that I could take something so simple from such a complex film. A film, while controversial, also sent a message that I don't even think the author, director , or actors intended it to.

Obviously there is more to this book/ movie than that. That will be covered in the days to come. As I said, this is a powerful movie. It challenges the very foundations of pretty much all of western civilization. But, that is for another day. I just felt I needed to share this part of the movie before I lost the passion that I felt for it at this late hour. Take it for what it is worth, as it is only my opinion as well.

Memorial Day

2006-05-29T14:01:00.000-05:00

Today is the one day a year I don't really like to debate politics. This is a day of remembering those who give me the freedom to do what I do. I served in the military, as most of the men in my family did. I would like to say thank you to everyone who has ever served, is serving, and will serve in the future. Semper FI!!