This may be the most important movie you see next year

I recently discovered a movie that is due out next year. And I am excited.

More excited than I am about (finally!) getting to see August Rush, or I Am Legend, or even the new Indiana Jones and Batman movies coming out next summer. Why? Because for once, someone with power is supporting what I believe. And what do I believe?

That Darwinism is a load of crap.

Sorry to put it so bluntly, but there you have it.

Ben Stein is releasing his movie Expelled in February. In it, he explores the theory of Intelligent Design, and how it may explain a lot more than Darwinism can ever hope to; and, more importantly, it discusses why this information is kept from the public.

Some of you may know (but most of you probably don't) that there are a minority of scientists out there that do not think Darwinism explains the origins of life adequately. Unfortunately, these guys face a lot of opposition. They have lost their jobs, their credibility, and have ultimately been silenced by other scientists who do not want this information widely available. But tell me something, folks: why is it that our country is so hostile to this, the theory of Intelligent Design, when it allows freedom of speech in every other area? It is absolutely unacceptable that good scientists are discredited because they support a different theory!

I have been paying attention for the last year and a half, and the stories I've heard about professors losing tenure and being barred from contributing to scientific journals really have me concerned. Why are they not allowed their say?

As Ben Stein so aptly puts it, it is because the Darwinists are threatened. They know their theory has holes, and they know that those who look closely can see them, too. So they stamp out our voices before we become loud enough to draw attention. Will they be able to do that to Ben Stein? Maybe. But as he is such a well-respected scholar and public figure, they'll have a heck of a time trying.

I know I will be there to watch Expelled. Will anyone else question the status quo and join me? Anyone?

Anyone?

http://www.expelledthemovie.com/video.php

Happy Thanksgiving!

To all the other Yanks in the world, Happy Thanksgiving!

If you want a great Thanksgiving treat, go look up "Alice's Restaurant" by Arlo Guthrie. Great song!

You know...I don't normally like to put posts about me on here, mainly because that's not the purpose of this blog. I like to put my opinions, sure, but normal, day-to-day drama? That's the kind of stuff a teenager does. "Like, I told my BFF Katrina this and this and this today..."

But tonight I just want to write about a thing that's been bugging me--my lack of male attention.

It has been over a year since my ex and I broke up, and yes, I have had some attention. Some random customer at work asked me out, and a few guys give me those annoying ambiguous hugs. But...well, it's just hard to watch all my friends hooking up and finding great guys when it seems all the good ones pass me by.

It's hard, too, because I still don't know what went wrong with my ex.

I think the easy answer is the people he started hanging out with, but that's not all. He just...he got cruel. He was always cynical, but he just went off the deep end and had no sympathy for anyone. And that, combined with the people he hung out with, put me more in the mother mode. And you just can't stay with a guy when you're acting more like his mother than his girlfriend.

Was he always like that, and hid it from me for the almost-six months we dated? Or did he just get that way when we got to college? I just can't get over the guy he's become. I don't even see a trace of the guy I dated hiding underneath. They guy I dated is gone...and I miss him.

I guess that's why I'm so bothered. I want to know what would have happened if we hadn't changed. If he hadn't changed so much.

Anyways. Sorry to bore you.

Some thoughts on Colbert...and our political system in general...

Tonight my roommate had the TV on Comedy Central, and I ended up watching some of the Colbert Report. It reminded me once again of the most unusual candidate in this upcoming election...him!

I honestly don't think he's very serious about a bid for President, but really, you never can tell. He would certainly make an interesting one. However, I don't know how well his policies would go over with the general American public. I read a bit of his book I Am America (And So Can You!), and the only thing I gathered from the one chapter I read was that he sees no point for Social Security, and that if he becomes President, he will do his best to abolish it. I can see it now...AARP will lead a massive rally at the Washington Monument, but they'll be forced to vacate the premises when some old codger's Power Chair gets knocked into the pool and electrocutes him...

Wow. Does that make me a horrible person?

But anyways.

I think the best thing about this is that it just might encourage younger people to get off their butts and vote. I mean, let's face it; my generation is incredibly apathetic to politics. It's amazing how many people just don't care. But, thanks to Colbert, now they have a reason to go to the polls! Who wouldn't vote for his favorite celebrity? And, in a best-case scenario, these younger people just might go the extra step and find out more about other candidates!

Of course, Colbert could just be showing the American people that he thinks our political system is a joke. And I have to admit, sometimes I agree with that.

Anyways. My bed beckons. Coming soon, an entry about our favorite Libertarian--Ron Paul!

Oh, and a quick thank-you

By the way, many thanks to the two people that actually take the time to read this stuff. You guys rock!

Some Random Ranting...like the alliteration?

Today was kind of tough. It's hard to believe it's already been six months since Virginia Tech.

I don't want to go into details, but let me say now that April 16, 2007 was the scariest day of my life. I know now how all the New Yorkers must have felt when they watched the Towers come down and had to wait for hours for news about loved ones.

But...we press on, you know? What else can we do?

In other news...I hate men. I won't go into details there, either, but I'm just sick of ambiguous hugs, people beating around the bush, and flirting that could or could not lead to something more. For crying out loud, I'm no good at reading signals! Why can't people just come out and say how they feel?

So. Now I've ranted. Hopefully later this week I'll actually post something with substance!

By the way...

If you actually read my blog, would you mind leaving a comment? I'd love to know what all of you non-existent readers think.

Just so you know, I am not dead!

I'm sorry, folks. (Or actually, I'm sorry to the one person that actually reads my blog.) I know it seems like I've fallen off the face of the Earth, but fear not! I am back and intend to update more frequently...as long as it does not interfere with my studies.

But now...for the actual issue!

I was walking down the hallway in the School of Music a couple of weeks ago when I saw a box full of MENC's publication, the Music Educator's Journal, just sitting there with a "Free Stuff" sign on the wall next to it. I picked up a copy and started flipping through it, and lo and behold, I saw an article featuring my favorite Presidential candidate! So here it is, from the September issue:


Huckabee Says Music Is a Key Education Component

Speaking to Centennial Congress attendees at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort in Orlando, Florida, on June 26, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee said, "When I hear people asking how do we fix the education system, I tell them we need to do the opposite of what is happening: cutting budgets by cutting music programs."

"Nothing could be stupider than removing the ability for the left and right brains to function," Huckabee told attendees.

A longtime arts advocate, he added, "Ask CEOs what they are looking for in an employee and they say they need people who understand teamwork, people who are disciplined, people who understand the big picture. You know what they need? They need musicians."

Joining Governor Huckabee as speakers were representatives of the realms of school boards, school administrations, state boards if education, research, the music industry, and higher education.

For more information on the Orlando Centennial Congress, including comments from other speakers, visit www.menc.org/news in September.


If you are a musician reading this, you should be jumping for joy! THERE IS A PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE THAT WILL SUPPORT US AND OUR INDUSTRY!

I showed this article to the other people I rode the elevator with, and they were definitely interested. But interest isn't enough. To get Huckabee in office--and in a position to make sure music education doesn't become obsolete--we actually have to act.

If you are a musician reading this, tell other musicians about Huckabee. Spread the word. Put up a poster in your campus' school of music or in coffee shops or bars where musicians play. Let your elementary-, middle-, and high-school teachers know. Huckabee is an underdog right now, but if we as musicians give him our support for the state primaries, he will have something no other candidate can really claim: a support base that spans over the gaps between gender, ethnicity, religion, or age.

However, you should not take my word for it--especially if you are an education major or a current music teacher. Google Huckabee and find out for yourself if he is someone you would trust to lead our country. And most importantly, get off your butts and VOTE in the state primaries!

So that's my rant for today. Come back later for other news!

Night Thoughts

This is just a random post, I suppose, because I cannot get my thoughts together tonight. I'm thinking about lots of random things; going back to school, Harry Potter, the Virginia Tech tragedy, my sorority, Heroes, the fanfic I started writing, this blog...

You know, writing a story is one of the hardest things I've done. It's taken me three days just to fill up six and a half pages of a small notebook. I suppose the important thing now is to just keep going. Eventually I'll hit my stride and get a clear sense of where I'm going, and then maybe I can write something great.

A Plug for Mike

Here we are watching Hollywoodland, and I have no idea what's going on except that "Superman doesn't smoke." That's why you should pay attention to movies you've never seen before.

But anyways...

I was thrilled to find out that I know a fellow Huckabee supporter! One of my coworkers mentioned it the other day. Of course, it is hard to campaign when no one is reading this blog, but in case someone eventually does, here is a little bit about Mike Huckabee, the candidate I would vote for to be President:

10 Questions with Mike Huckabee

Thursday, Apr. 05, 2007 By TIME

He was the Governor of Arkansas for more than a decade. With the support of social conservatives, the Republican underdog is aiming for a higher office: the Presidency. Mike Huckabee will now take your questions.

Why should I vote for you? —Brittany Cliff, Little Rock, Ark.
Because I believe that America's greatness is not in its government but in ordinary people. I know what it is like to start at the bottom, and I am very mindful of how hard people have to work to make it. I have been an underdog in everything I have undertaken — not just politically, but throughout my entire life.

You have stated that you believe that the U.S. is "currently in a world war." Can you say explicitly whom we're fighting against? —Mike Murphy Mount Holly, N.J.
We are fighting against a perversion of the Muslim faith led by radical clerics who have convinced a growing number of adherents that their purpose on earth is to kill, dismember and destroy as many people as possible.

Do you believe that homosexuality is immoral? —Randy Hunt, New Orleans
That's their business. I may not agree with it and, in fact, don't agree with it. But I respect that they have the right to do it. When they want to change the rules, though, of institutions like marriage, I feel I have a responsibility to speak out. The rules are one man, one woman for life.

Why are you so progressive on issues like fitness and proactive national health yet so fixated on relatively unimportant topics such as gay marriage and abortion? —Herb Greenebaum Shelton, Conn.
I would disagree that protection of innocent life is insignificant. It is what separates us as a civilization from the very jihadists we are fighting.

Would you enforce workplace immigration laws? Doesn't your state need millions of illegals for chicken-processing plants? —Gary Best, Yorba Linda, Calif.
There's a perception that the poultry industry knowingly and wantonly hires illegals. That's fundamentally not true. I would expect companies to take every step possible to ensure that their workers are legal, but no one can guarantee that people won't use fraudulent documents or lie.

What do you think "accepting responsibility" means? Attorney General Alberto Gonzales accepted responsibility [for dismissing eight U.S. Attorneys last month], but he wasn't fired. —Fred Judd, Irvine, Calif.
It does not always mean that one has to resign his or her job. Human beings are going to make mistakes. I always told my own staff that I did not expect them to be perfect. I expected them to make mistakes. And, in fact, if they didn't, it might just mean that they weren't attempting great things.

Other G.O.P. candidates have said they would appoint federal judges "in the mold" of Chief Justice Roberts and Associate Justices Scalia, Thomas and Alito. What type of judges would you appoint? —Bill Murphy Salt Lake City, Utah
People who believe that the purpose of the judiciary is not to make law but to properly apply it. My own personal hero on the court is Scalia, not least because I duck-hunted with him.

I read about your weight-loss journey in a running magazine. How can you help the American people go through the same transformation? —Noemi Elliott, Seattle
Leaders don't ask others to do what they are unwilling to do themselves. The obesity epidemic is a real threat, not just to the health of America. It represents the greatest single economic threat we face. While I don't think we should penalize people for making unhealthy choices, we shouldn't reward it. We should, in fact, create incentives and rewards for those who make responsible and healthy decisions.

What kind of cost-cutting measures would you undertake in the White House? For example, you decided to live in manufactured housing on the grounds of the Governor's mansion during renovations. —J.A. Smith, Greensboro, N.C.
I wouldn't hesitate to bring in a manufactured home on the grounds of the White House because I thought it was quite comfortable living. [Laughs.] The greatest level of cost savings, though, would be realized by putting a new focus on preventive health.

Do you ♥ the movie I ♥ Huckabees? —Steve Dorshorst, Madison, Wis.
No! It was horrible! It was as if somebody forgot to give the actors a script and said, For the next two hours, just go out there and do something. I saw it in the theater, and I said to my wife, "Let's wait until everyone else leaves. I don't want anyone to know I came." [Laughs.] Did you see it? Don't put yourself through it.

A cappella is going down hill

I nearly cried tonight while I was singing with my church's youth group. Because the singing was so beautiful? Nope. Far from it. It's gotten horrible. And there's not a dern thing I can do about it.

I don't know if it's the same everywhere, but the Churches of Christ I've been to recently have a serious problem. The singing is TERRIBLE! When I'm at school I go to the Palmetto CoC, and I listen to 300 people singing the soprano part. That business started when they replaced the songbook with those nice, big screens where they project all the song lyrics. But instead of projecting the actual music (which IS available, you know--it's called the Paperless Hymnal), they put the lyrics up against nice, pretty backgrounds like (moving) waterfalls or (moving) crosses that scream out, "Look what we can do with all this nice technology!" And then, what do you know? People are too lazy to pick up their songbooks, they eventually forget all the harmonies, and you get this mess.

At my home church, the singing has deteriorated rapidly. I mean, it got worse immediately after we moved into the new building two years ago, but we assumed it would get better as we got used to the new acoustics. Well, it didn't, and let me tell you, it was a shock when I got home for the summer and realized just how bad things have gotten. Unfortunately, much of it can be traced to our song leader, who for these purposes I will call...lessee...Chad.

See, a few years ago, the elders got together with the deacons on one of their retreats, and after much discussion about this new, wonderful screen, they ended up "firing" all the song leaders that wouldn't use it--which, most regrettably, included two of the three that actually knew what they were doing. The one other guy that DOES know how to conduct never gets a chance, though, because the elders gave Chad a monopoly. So every Sunday morning he gets up there and either a) pitches the song too high, b) takes it so fast that no one can sing it, c) changes key for no apparent reason, c) leads a song the congregation doesn't know, d) leads a song HE doesn't know, or e) all of the above. It's enough to drive anyone with a single drop of musical blood batty.

I'm saying all of this because I need to vent. Badly. I am a very musical person, and much of my worship is focused on music. When the music sounds terrible my thoughts aren't focused on God! They're preoccupied with things like, "This sounds awful" or "I wish I could kick our song leader into next week."

Every second I spent singing with my campus church group or with Palmetto, I wished that I could hear at least one or two people from my church youth group singing harmony. But then I get back home and find out that the wonderful singing I left behind is gone...and it's not coming back anytime soon. And that is why I almost cried--because no matter what I do, nobody else cares enough to fix the problem.

No News is Good News, right?

Nothing new to report, really. Still working on the post about Deathly Hallows; I may actually split it in half.

Also, I am wishing that Pallas over at Mugglenet Fanfiction will hurry up and update her fic Imperius. I highly recommend it.

Food for Thought: The War on Individualism

"It is thus necessary that the individual should come to realize that his own ego is of no importance in comparison with the existence of his nation; that the position of the individual ego is conditioned solely by the interests of the nation as a whole...that above all the unity of a nation's spirit and will are worth far more than the freedom of the spirit and will of an individual..."

"We must stop thinking of the individual and start thinking about what is best for society."

Now stop for a moment and think...who said these quotes?

The first is a quote from Adolph Hitler in 1933. The second is a quote from Hillary Clinton in 1993.

Does this scare you?

It should.

It is appalling--absolutely APPALLING--that a good portion of Americans are ready and able to put her in the White House! Do you people realize that if you vote for her, you are WILLINGLY giving up your rights to say what you want, do what you want, and believe what you want? If she takes the presidency, she will start stripping away individual freedoms for "the greater good"--which, in her case, means for her own good. (Folks, I used to live in Arkansas. Mike Huckabee has spent two terms in the Governor's Mansion working to undo all the things Hillary started under the pretense of "the greater good.")

Think about this long and hard before you go to the polls next year...

Last Minute Stuff

A few more predictions...

The Horcruxes will be the cup, the locket, Racenclaw's wand/tiara, and Harry or Nagini.

Kreacher will help Harry find the locket.

Bellatrix will be ordered to murder the Malfoys.

Oh, I really don't have time for more...I must get ready for work! By the time I write on here again, I will have read Book 7!

Thanks, Jo, for everything. I am terrified and nervous and am biting my nails in excitement, but most of all I am thrilled that soon I will experience Harry's last adventure.

On the Record: My Harry Potter Predictions

Well, the Mugglenet staff has gone on the record. It will be interesting to see which of their predictions come true! In the spirit of a HP release, I, too, will offer my humble opinions on these questions (taken from the Mugglenet staff predictions):

Who will die?

Please, please, PLEASE not Harry! Or any of the trio, for that matter! (Although, if one of them has to kick the bucket, my money's on Ron.) Out of the good guys, Hagrid will certainly go--he follows the alchemy model I read about in a wonderful editorial on Mugglenet. (I'll have to post a link later, 'cause I still have to find the editorial.) At least one Weasley will die--their numbers are against them there. My money is either on Fred and George or Percy. And, as much as I hate to even think about it, I am afraid that Lupin will die. But if he has to go, I hope Tonks goes with him. After all, he finally found love--they shouldn't be separated!

From the other side,Voldemort will most certainly die. I also think that Bellatrix and Lucius will finally get what they deserve. (I can picture Neville avenging his parents and me chanting NEVILLE! NEVILLE! NEVILLE! in the background!) Wormtail is going to get the axe, too, possibly paying his life debt to Harry. I also think Snape will get the axe...but I haven't made up my mind whether it will be while he's defending Harry or defending Draco (possibly even defending Draco from Bellatrix!). Both are possibilities.

Will Harry return to Hogwarts?

Yes, most definitely. Hogwarts is as much a character as any of the people, and we're not done seeing it yet! However, I still haven't made up my mind as to whether it will reopen or not, or whether Harry will just return in passing or for his education.

How will the various relationships unfold/begin?

Well, Ron and Hermione will (finally!) get together, as will Bill and Fleur on their wedding day (although I think it likely that the wedding will be interrupted by Death Eaters). Harry will eventually figure out that he is stronger with Ginny at his side and will stop being noble. And, provided that Lupin doesn't die (PLEASE, JO, LET REMUS LIVE!), he and Tonks will live hairily ever after.

However, the focus of this book will not be relationships. Harry has Horcruxes to destroy and a Dark Lord to defeat, remember?

To what does "Deathly Hallows" refer?

Either the Horcruxes or the people Voldemort killed to make them. Although, since one translation is "Relics of Death," I'm inclined to lean more towards them being the Horcruxes.

Is Snape good/bad/neither?

I trust Dumbledore. And while Snape is a nasty piece of work and will never be a warm and fluffy character, he is on Harry's side--whether Harry realizes it or not. It's not a question of if he's "good" or "bad," because "the world isn't split into good people and Death Eaters." It's more a question of which side he will fight for.

General comments on the series coming to a close

I first read about Harry when I was 11 years old. I have grown up with him, and I am immensely sad that this is the last time I'll be able to go to a midnight release of his newest escapade. Even so, though...I'll finally have all my questions answered! There have been moments over the last few weeks when I have actually lost my breath because I felt so excited.

Jo, I cannot thank you enough for sharing this world with us. It has made my life far more interesting and has given my friends and I something besides politics and religion to argue about. I cherish these characters as much as I cherish my friends, and I hope you will give all of them what they deserve! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

But, you know, this is not the end. I still have an editorial in mind for Mugglenet, and there will still be lots of analysis and plot-picking to do for quite some time. You know, I have actually considered doing my senior thesis on Harry Potter? No, this is certainly not the end, at least not for me!

Random Thoughts

Almost here...it's almost here...

Other than that, I have been thinking about a possible polar shift. You know, another one is bound to happen sometime, and if it does I'm gonna be in trouble. I really know nothing about hunting, fishing, wilderness survival, weaponry, boats, or any of the things I will likely need if the poles shift and the world changes in a split second. Of course, if it happens while I'm still in South Carolina, I may not have to worry about it--it's much more likely that I'll drown!

Well, bed awaits me. 'Night!

Four Days 'Til Harry Potter!

It's hard to believe that two years ago yesterday Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince was (finally!) released. I was then a captive at the University of Richmond, unable to leave and get my book at midnight with all the other rabid fans. I was so jealous when my sister told me all about her midnight trip to Barnes & Noble. I felt cheated, I suppose...left out of the action. This time, however, that will not be the case! Not only will I witness the action, I'll be running the action. Imagine...I certainly won't be the owner of the first book out of the first box, but I will very likely be the one to hand that first book to some lucky HP fan. I can't describe how excited I am!

And, yes, I am going to make a shameless plug...buy your Harry Potter voucher today at Books-A-Million! You can't get it faster anywhere else!

But now, 'tis late and I must go to sleep. I have to at least attempt to get six or seven hours...I can't be the chipper saleswoman without them!