Here we go again. My conspiracy theory tendencies had taken a back seat for quite some time. By that I mean that I haven’t been seen on any street corners, perched upon a soapbox and warning the people of what awaits us at the next turn. OK – not lately, anyway. Make no mistake – I may be quiet, but the wheels are always turning. No matter how I try to supress the urge to educate the people, it always seems to creep up on me and attack at the least expected moment.
I was listening-but-not-listening to the news just a few moments ago and I heard a story about AMTRAK and Homeland Security launching OPERATION RAILSAFE. It is touted as a plan to secure the rail corridors . . . complete with random security checks of customers and their baggage. It started a few days ago with the announcement that it is not entirely safe for Americans to travel abroad at the moment. The powers that be claim that terrorists have targeted certain high profile tourist attractions (particularly those that attract Americans) and said that although this is not a call for a halt to travel abroad, it is advised that extreme care be taken.
This is typical of a right winged, hawkish entity pushing their never-ending agenda to have the government take control of our lives. I’m not outraged – it’s what they do. What bothers me is that they pass laws such as The Patriot Act and initiate agencies such as Homeland Security with the public saying “Bring it on. We need more security”. The public becomes a willing pawn by being scared to death. To further kick up my dander, the reporters stopped passersby at the train stations and asked how they felt. Of those they showed, their answers all had the same pathetic feel: “It makes me feel so much safer”. Wake up, people.
There is always a cry for increased security and it is always proceeded by some catastrophic event (or threat of the same): suspected terrorists arrested or explosives found in a foreigner’s home (yes – by “foreigner”, I mean of Arab decent). There’s even a new one in Washington. D.C. And I am saddened to say that these “tricks” works every time. Citizens blindly give up their basic civil rights for what is perceived to be better protection from evil, when in reality, they are simply relinquishing their freedoms.
In an election year when right-wing politicians are desperately trying to unseat their foes or fill seats that have been vacated, it is important that we look a bit closer at the things that candidates are saying rather than cower in fear that we will be destroyed if we do not relinquish our rights. Our rights are much more important than some “perceived” threats that are thrown our way. While it is important to maintain some level of safety and security in our nation, it is also important to remember what the forefathers of this nation fought for to begin with.
Wake up, people. Please.
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copyright 2010 blackstarr
freerealm@gmail.com
The Olivia Pope Scandal
Posted in satire and sarcasm, social commentary, TV with tags affairs, blackstarr, FACEBOOK, freedom, haters, interracial dating, Kerry Washington, love, Olivia Pope, politics, relationships, Scandal, sex, social commentary, the realm of darkness, the white coat, trysts, TWITTER, WORDPRESS on October 29, 2013 by joelle blackstarrMy hatred for the show is strictly because, in my opinion, the writing sucks. To high heaven. The first and most important thing that grates my nerves is that Olivia Pope is supposed to be this crackerjack who has such a discerning mind, who leads a team of similarly crackerjack minds, but we don’t see that. The problem is that she completely blows their very first case in the pilot. The argument that I have encountered is that her losing the case just shows her human side, that she, too, is capable of human error. I would be alright with that supposition had that same “humanity” not been brought out in the very first episode. It would have served the show better had she went on to crack cases, back to back, establishing the idea that she and her team were so fantastic. After a few episodes or so, then they could have shown her vulnerable side.
The second thing that irked me, to no end, was the incessant babbling of each and every character on the team. Every time a member of the team would speak, it would be an entire diatribe about whatever it was that they were trying to push. It turned out to be one long, drawn out paragraph, devoid of commas, and sending me to my knees, begging for someone to drop a period in there. Somewhere. Anywhere. Perhaps it would have come off better if that diatribe had been made by just one character. It could have been presented as a simple character trait. But, everyone on the team? Nah. Not working this way.
I looked forward to this show before it hit the airwaves, with bated breath. Forget the plot – Kerry Washington is a treat for the eyes, before even mentioning her acting abilities. On the night of the pilot, I sat, with my family, snacks in hand, prepared to be dazzled. Instead, I – we were so taken aback at the poor writing that was given to us to swallow – swallow like a huge, disgusting pill. In my small circle of friends and family, I have seen mixed reactions to the show, My sister, a Black woman, HATES the show. My daughter, a black woman (who initially did not like the show, and is married to a Caucasian), hit me up on Facebook and said that she had watched it again and found that it’s not as bad as she had first thought. Many other friends on FB have said that they have been successful in converting a few of their friends to become fans. For me, I have to be convinced that a show is good by the pilot. If I can’t be swooned by the very first episode, there is no going back for me. Just my own little quirk . . . but mine to flaunt.
I am also a firm believer in the motto “To each their own”, when voicing my opinions. For whatever reasons that I have for hating the show, can I please just be a hater without being verbally attacked for doing so, particularly if you’ve misinterpreted my reasons for disliking the show? I realize that there are two tons of people who watch the show faithfully and love it to the max. To that, I say, “Enjoy!” I’m not one of them. Having heard my true reasons for not liking the show, can I please just exercise my prerogative, be a hater, and still live in peace? V.
copyright 2013 blackstarr
freerealm@gmail.com
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