On, In or Near?

I just watched the season premier of 60 minutes on CBS. There were three very interesting stories, first about the war in Afghanistan, second the building of a Mosque on ground zero, and third about the saints quarterback Drew Brees. The story about the Mosque on ground zero, can be found by clicking HERE.

In all the media buzz I have heard about relating to building of the mosque, I have always remembered it as a Mosque might be built literally ON ground zero, meaning exactly where the World Trade Towers were before 9/11. This 60 minutes story stresses that the Mosque, in fact, may be built 2 blocks away from ground zero. Does it even make a difference, on or near ground zero? Shouldn't Muslims have the right to practice their religion freely, just as you and I do?

Leader of the controversy, is a far right activist named Pamela Geller. She is the co founder of the organization, "Stop Islamization of America." You can click HERE to view her blog, which consists of her political ideals and her anti Islam beliefs. As I did some background research on her, and I found it very interesting that she is Jewish. Given this, you would think she would be more sympathetic to the minority religions. Yet she continues to attack Islam, and ban the building of the Mosque NEAR ground zero.

I found the 60 minutes story very informative and interesting. After reading about Geller, and her reasons for not allowing the building of the Mosque, it made me realize how strongly I feel that the Mosque should be built. Although I do understand why it may upset people that a Mosque is built on ground zero, given 9/11, we must remember not to discriminate against the Islamic religion. It was not the whole Islam religion that ran airplanes through the towers, rather it was selective radicals who had specific beliefs about the United States. It is not fair to say that all Muslims as supportive of 9/11, because that statement is simply false. We have no right to prohibit the building of this sacred Mosque, and I am fully supportive of it being built.

Into the Wild: The Movie

Just last night, Jackie, Hayley and I watched Into the Wild, the movie.

The movie truly pulled me off the couch and threw me into the Alaskan wilderness. For once, I connected to Chris and felt like I could relate to him. Before watching the movie, it was always hard for me to understand Chris and what motivated him to go "into the wild." I would wonder, why did Chris hate society so much? And how could Chris be alone with himself, with no other human interactions for three months straight? But watching the movie answered these questions.

CHRIS

First of all, the movie displayed Chris's magnetic personality like no other. Watching him form relationships with Rainy, Jan, Wayne, etc was very entertaining. As well, the movie was somewhat surreal to me because Emilie Hirsch (who played Chris) was so convincing and looked so similar to the real Chris McCandless (See pictures to the right). I often found myself assuming this movie was a documentary, and that Emilie was truly the real Chris! Another reason why the movie was so captivating, is because it was filmed in the exact locations of Chris's true whereabouts. Whether it was Arizona, Alaska, or Carthage South Dakota, Sean Penn (director) had his film crew there. To me, this made the movie much more tangible and intriguing.

EMILIE

Finally, while I was watching the Special Features, I watched a short ten minute video called "The experience". It was the experience Emilie went through to become Chris McCandless. There were many amazing parts to this short video, but there is one thing I would like to share with you. To become Chris, Emilie lost 41 pounds, over the course of eight months. Its not camera magic or a different actor. Emilie, starting off at 156 lbs, ended the movie process at 115. That shows true dedication, and it makes me appreciate the movie even more. I recommend reading the book first, but most definitely do not miss out on this amazing film.

Remember When?

On September 11th, 2001, 420 emergency rescue personnel were killed in the line of duty. On September 11th, 2001, 125 Pentagon employees were killed in the line of duty. On September 11th, 2001, 87 passengers and crew on American Airlines Flight 11 were killed. On September 11th, 2001, 60 passengers and crew on United Airlines Flight 175 were killed. On September 11th, 2001, 59 passengers and crew on American Airlines Flight 77 were killed. On September 11th, 2001, 40 passengers and crew on United Airlines Flight 93 were killed. On September 11th, 2001, 2268 World Trade Center occupants were killed.

Rather than write a melancholy memorial about the horrific day of September 11th, I would like to talk about the movie Remember Me. Believe it or not, they are very much related. Remember Me was released this past March, click HERE to watch the trailer if you wish. If you haven't seen the movie, and do not want me to spoil the ending...STOP READING NOW.

The ending to this romantic drama was a rather controversial topic. Last chance to stop reading! I warned you. Alright, well it turns out that 22 year-old Tyler, played by the famous Robert Pattinson, dies on the date September 11th, 2001 standing in his dads office on the 92nd floor of the World Trade Center.

After the movie was released, the question arose: was it "too soon" to make a movie incorporating September 11th? Many were offended and felt that this movie used September 11th for a climactic ending, rather than paying it the respect it deserves. Personally, I feel that it was unnecessary and insensitive. The writers could have easily made Tyler die in another way, while still giving the audience a long lasting touch of despair. Why did the writers use September 11th when they knew it was still a tender topic?

Remember Me is rated PG13. Meaning people 13 and over are recommended to see this movie. Notice, that people 13 years or older lived through September 11th. Thus, they have a more personal experience and connection to the event. Given that, I feel that it was not YET appropriate to make a movie encompassing September 11th. I believe that until my generation has died, there is always going to be some sort of "elephant in the room" about September 11th, due to the abundance of people deeply affected by it. I'm not saying we shouldn't talk about it for the next sixty years, rather I mean that we should be very timid about how we bring up the event, given the huge amount of people personally impacted by it. I believe that it was not the right timing to make this movie. Once all of us have died, and the story of September 11th is written about in textbooks, I feel that then would be a more suitable release date for a movie like Remember Me.

It is now 2010, nine years after September 11th occurred. Is nine years "too soon" or not? What is the appropriate amount of time to wait until an event like September 11th is fully acceptable to talk about? I want to know what you think. Please comment! And feel free to disagree.

Love The Way You Lie

Although this may not be the smartest thing to type on a public website that my fellow classmates and teachers have access to, I am a liar. And I bet you are too. Why do we do this? We lie to avoid the truth, because the truth hurts. 

Personally, one of the main reasons I lie is to avoid punishment.

"Sarah you better have cleaned your room like I told you to!" My mom says firmly.

"Uhhh yeah mom its done." I respond.

In this common example, I took the easy way out. I avoided punishment by simply lying. No one got hurt, everyone is satisfied. Lying may provide short term success, yet the long term repercussions can come back to haunt you.  

The next day, my mom confronts me in my messy room, and I get in MORE trouble than I would have been in had I just told her the truth upfront.

Another reason why people lie is to keep a good reputation. Joe, the top golfer at his high school, is playing golf with a group of friends. On the last hole, he skulls his drive into the woods. As he approaches the ball, which is embedded in the tree roots below, the stench of loosing the match pierces his nostrils. Slyly, while his friends aren't watching, Joe kicks the ball into the fairway. At the end of the day, Joe won the match, and his excellent reputation remained untouched.

In both everyday examples, a lie was told either to avoid punishment or keep a good reputation. I couldn't help but think of the Watergate Scandal. This displayed both of "lyings" core ideals. Nixon denied involvement in the Watergate Scandal to avoid being impeached and presumably, thrown out of office. In addition, to keep his acquired status of an honest and just politician, he deceived the American people by claiming innocence.

To wrap it up, I can't officially justify if lying is right or wrong. I can tell you, with loads of practice ;), that it is quite easy. Lying, whether we like it or not, is a significant part of society today. There is no way around it. In the job office, sports field, on the politicians desk, and even right in your own very home, it happens.