Bush to veto the end to the ban on federal funding of stem cell reasearch

You know, with the crap condition the world is in, you would think any opportunity to improve the world would be welcome with open arms. Apparently not, as the Chimp is intending his veto power (the first time in his six years as president) to veto a bill allowing federal funding of stem cell research. While it's not surprising considering his beliefs, it is rather pathetic that he can't see past his rather nonsensical reasoning to see the potential good stem cell research could do. The worst part is that the grounds he uses to support his position are fault-the embryos in question are already going to be discarded if they aren't used. Unless he has his daughters implant them into their uterin walls and birth hundreds of babies, I really see no moral reason to block this.

I think that g-d or Jesus or whoever is in charge up there wants humans to help humans. Blocking stem cell research doesn't save lives; it stops the potential to save more lives.

Nah, nah, nah, nah.nah,nah, nah-Batman!

HBO On Demand, likely in anticipation of Superman Returns, has been showing several "classic" superhero movies this month including one of the original Superman flicks. I quotate "classic" as any group of movies that contains Batman & Robin AND Catwoman is a bit suspect. Luckily, or so I thought, the original Tim Burton Batman was playing as well, so I watched it hoping to rekindle my love of the movie that was such a monster hit when i was 13.

Well.....

Maybe it's the fact that nearly twenty years have passed. Or maybe it's the fact that Batman Begins so radically altered how we look at the character of Batman. In any event, I found the movie to be not as great as I once found it. In fact, in many ways, the film blows. For starters, you don't get to see much of Batman for the first 1/2 hour of the flick. You get one throw-away scene at the beginining, but it's more a token scene than anything else. Secondly, why the hell is Robert Wuhl in it so much? Maybe my hatred of Arliss is warping me, but everytime he was on screen-scamming on Vikki Vale, rattling of smart-ass comments to the Mayor and Comissioner-I wanted to punch the TV. Third, am I the only one who secretly awaits Billy Dee Williams' Harvey Dent to pull out a 40 of Colt 45 whenever he's on screen? Finally, and this is my biggest complaint, Michael Keaton is an AWFUL Batman. Granted, George Clooney's Batman was so horrible that it makes Keaton look Oscar worthy, but Keaton doesn't come across as the rich son of privelege who becomes a vigilanted that really defines the character.

The one thing that remains entertaining is Jack Nicholson as the Joker. They really should've made a Joker only film just for him.

Old School

So, to distract me as I waited to hear about my dad's operation yesterday, I put on one of my favorite comedies of the last few years, Old School. I'm a huge Will Ferrell fan and even though his performance in Anchorman was probably a better role, I think Ferrell was even funnier in this film. In fact, virtually everytime he, Vince Vaughn or Jeremy Piven spoke, I was cracking up.

The only part of Old School I really still don't care for is Luke Wilson's performance. Look, I get that for such a role, you need more of a straight man. But, at no point did I feel any real empathy for him. I know it's stupid to nitpick a comedy like this, but I feel like someone with some better acting chops could have pushed the film from being quite hysterical to a comedy classic. And I don't necessarily dislike Wilson overall, as he's very good in Royal Tenenbaums.

Stressing for others, stressing for myself

So, as some of you know, my dad had both his hips replaced yesterday. A big procedure to be sure, but one I know was needed. Having watched him struggle the last few months, it is my strongest desire that he gets alot of his mobility back. I know the rehab will take time, but knowing how strong my dad is, I have no doubt he'll be back and better than ever.

The last few months have certainly been a real mixed bag of wonderful and worriesome things. Clearly, getting engaged to the woman I love was the highlight and I had a wonderful birthday. Still, the stress of my dad's condition coupled with my own personal crap has left my in not-so-peak form over the last few weeks/months. Now that he's on the road to recovery and I'm moving forward with my life, I hope to return to the happy-go-lucky jokester you all know and (some of you) love.