Charades!

The following charades are currently on display:

Congress taking 60 days to evaluate the Iran nuclear deal.  Whether they admit it or not, they’ve already made up their minds.

The investigation of Hillary Clinton’s State Department emails.  It’s a political witch-hunt.

FIFA undertaking reforms to eliminate corruption.  It may happen sometime, but not as long as Blatter is in charge.

Moves to reduce or eliminate police outrages against black people.  Racial prejudice is permanently ingrained in our culture.

An honest and relevant debate about issues in the run-up to the 2016 election.  It’s more a case of who can best pander to the rich people who pay the political bills.

Sane, modest proposals to reduce gun violence in this country.  Ain’t gonna happen, buddy boy.  So continue to go to school, work, the mall, the movie theater, or out for a walk at your own peril.

More US support to train Iraqis to fight against Iraqis.  Been there, done that.  It won’t work until Iraq is committed to its own salvation.

Mysteries for Today!

Why is Utah a treasure trove for dinosaur bones?

Why are the mountains of Pluto made of ice rather than stone?

Why are people so vengeful?

Where does Ebola come from?

Is there any economic theory that can’t be proven wrong?

Is there any reason to think that love can overcome hate?

When will we be able to see movies online when they are newly released?

Does life begin at conception.  If no, when does it begin?

When will Apple admit that the Watch is not a game changer?

Will honesty and transparency ever come to FIFA?

Little Nazis!

Recently I read a book called “Swansong 1945,” an extraordinary look at a few days near the end of World War II in Europe.  In a compilation of hundreds of comments from civilians under siege, soldiers, prisoners, loved ones, leaders, and more, “Swansong” is a mosaic of what is was like during those days.

Adolph Hitler was in a bunker in the middle of Berlin with a few close associates as the Soviet army closed in.  Near the end Hitler killed himself, as did his wife Eva.  Joseph Goebbels, the Nazi propaganda chief, full of bluster to the end, killed himself, his wife and their six children.

Reading about this history peaked my interest in these guys, so I also watched a documentary film, “The Goebbels Experiment,” which examines Goebbels’ life.  I was struck by two things Goebbels and Hitler had in common – one, powerful, effective voices that could move the masses, and two, a lack of height.

I hadn’t before given any thought to the physical appearance of these Nazi leaders.  They spoke of a race of Aryan supermen that would rule the world, but when I saw them in action I realized they didn’t fit the image of the tall, strong Aryan supermen promoted in their propaganda.  Just how big were they, I asked myself.  Google provided the answer:

Hitler was 5’ 8” tall

Another of the main Nazis, Heinrich Himmler, was 5’ 9”

Herman Göring looked large because of his girth, but was only 5’ 10”

And Goebbels was 5’ 5”

I know that leadership is not measured in inches.  In the case of these Nazis, however, it looks like there’s something wrong with this picture.

Good News On The Way?

They say a strong El Niño is forming.  Could be the answer to our drought.  Prediction: If it happens what we’ll hear is a lot of complaining about flooding, leaking roofs and traffic jams due to wet conditions.

They say there is an agreement between Europe and Greece that staves off (at least for now) their financial crisis.  Prediction: If it happens all parties will claim it is good news and the best deal possible.

They say an agreement with Iran about their nuclear program is nearly a done deal.  Prediction: If it happens all parties will claim it is good news and the best deal possible.

They say that when the Republicans have their first debate in a month, which Fox News is co-sponsoring with Facebook, only 10 (of the so far 15) candidates will be on the stage.  The 10 winners, Fox says “must have placed in the top 10 of an average of the five most recent national polls.”  Prediction: The squeals of “unfair” from the ones who don’t make the cut will be louder than the debate itself.

They say that the scandals engulfing FIFA call into question whether the current plans to play the World Cup in Russia in 2018 and Qatar in 2022 should be reevaluated.  Easy answer: Of course they should be reevaluated and when proof of bribery is found (which it will be) the locations should be changed.  Prediction: Even with proof of bribery, politics and money will keep the 2018 Cup in Russia.  As for 2022, goodbye Qatar.

"The Room"

A while ago I saw an article about terrible films made in recent years.  At the bottom/top of the “Worst Movie Ever” list was “The Room.”  So of course I had to see it – which I did yesterday.

I don’t know if it is the worst ever, but it certainly should be in contention.  Reviewers made comments like:

“If you like bad films performed by those without talent, this one will do the trick.”

“The pathetic film is laced with strained dialogue, stilted acting, an unbearably horrid love triangle store, a nauseous-inducing syrupy jazz score and a lack of any directorial direction.”

If you are curious and have an hour and 39 minutes to waste, the DVD is available from Netflix.