"America" the movie: an outstanding portrayal of the American idea...

...and a theme that has a lot to do with why I inherently rejected much of the progressive reading impressed upon me as an undergraduate by my sociology / anthropology professors. All lovely academics but in so many ways misguided even by my immature, collegiate standards at the time.

Lucky for me, graduate school and an English degree followed.

Last night, I dragged my 12-year old daughter (who stalled all the way out the door) and my husband (who isn't generally an avid movie goer) to see Dinesh D'Souza's America. If you haven't seen it yet, go!

What this movie did for me was reaffirm why I rejected so much of the "required" reading pushed on me during college such as Howard Zinn (People's History of the United States), Karl Marx, among others. Of course, I read the required reading, I had to. How else would I get a decent grade and graduate?! I just didn't understand as I read them why anyone would prescribe to actually like, follow and align with ideology that felt so oppressive to me.

Shame, Communism, Imperialism, plundering and conquest. None of these attributes or governing structures felt morally right or were better ideas than America had enlisted as her doctrine through the Founding Fathers, regardless of her or their imperfections. Let's remember, I was only 19 and 20 at the time, and an easy target. But apparently not so malleable. I suppose my inability to fully succumb to their teachings, is why my professors ultimately treated me more like a "nice to have" but not a "must have" pupil.

While I realize "America" is just one movie, it's a thoughtful movie with a clear vision and logic that are easily understood. I wish every kid in America with the ability to comprehend the impact and consequences of history would go see this movie. After the movie, strangers approached me to discuss the theme and merits, something that almost never happens at a movie theater. This movie is different.

If you still haven't seen America, I suggest you pack up the family and head to the theater. It's a great way to beat the summer heat, learn about some significant historical facts you may not have been taught in school (and that your kids aren't being taught today), and understand why so many worldwide continue to believe that the American idea is libertarian genius, and that without her we'd be a very different nation — and not in a good way.

Watch the trailer:

I shouldn't post this on this blog, but I couldn't resist. I might live in Utah and tilt GOP but I am a Boston girl at heart...and this blog is about humorous pursuits after all.

Make sure you're near a bathroom or you will pee your pants, promise!
   

Mitt Romney was Right, Charles Krauthammer is Right!

I'd even go further to say that Romney, in many ways, was prophetic during foreign policy debates on the Middle East. 

Hmm...not hearing many Liberal Democrats saying much now. In fact many of them are running from President Obama and photo ops as he sails in on Air Force One to raise big bucks for Democrat candidates.

While some liberal Dems continue to remain dumbfounded, even trying to somehow justify the humanitarian crisis on Southern Border (or "humanitarian situation" as the Obama admin. would prefer us to call it) as the fault of Republicans, I'd just like to say:

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! 

The cocktail party discussions focused on whether the Obama admin. has been good for America or not are simply ludicrous banter at this point in time. I predict without hesitation that Obama will go down as one of the worst and most destructive presidents the United States has every experienced in its history. The collective sigh of relief when this presidents steps out of office can't come soon enough. 

As hard as I know it is for many liberals to chew on: Mitt was Right! Charles Krauthammer is Right!

I am at a lovely dinner with some less conservative friends. Not sure how the conversation came up but one of the friends at the table was flabbergasted that I actually watch Fox News Channel (which I must disclose I have watched for years) asking me with surprise in her voice: Do you really watch Fox???? I just sighed and explained as a PR professional that I do watch all of the news networks. But then, I could not stop myself, I continued. It's just that these other networks aren't covering the Southern Border or ME or other White House crises as they should be, I said. The only station giving the current D.C.-fueled crises and scandals the factual attention Americans should mandate is Fox News. 

Suffice it to say, the table got quiet. The conversation quickly changed but before it did...

...I unabashedly told my friends (while also acknowledging in my head how lucky we were to be having this discussion in a safe, secure restaurant in U.S. sipping on wine and dining on wonderful food and not in a filthy detention building in Texas on Southern Border or being bombed by known Hamas  and Iranian terrorists): YES, I DO WATCH FOX NEWS CHANNEL because it's the only news network with the journalistic balls to share the facts, whether we as Americans can stand to see and/or hear them or not!

Once settled down, I quietly collected my thoughts, sipped on more wine and thought to myself: until main stream media-bias changes, I will continue to turn the channel to other networks from time to time for information and perspective, but will make sure to watch them much like Charles Krauthammer...with a reverse tint.